Business Class Flights to Essen, Germany

Located in western Germany, Essen is a mid-size city with a population of just under 600,000 people. Located on the Emscher and Ruhr Rivers, the city’s history dates back to the first century CE. Historically, Essen was an important center for the production of steel and for coal mining. The city has a history of manufacturing for heavy industry, but in recent times, its economy has begun to transition to include renewable methods of energy production; chemical and pharmaceutical production; and corporate retail management.

Many of the business travelers who book flights to Essen, Germany, today work in the shipping and logistics industry, the retail industry, construction, the consumer electronics industry, and the food and beverage industry. Among the multinational companies that have offices in Essen are The Coca-Cola Company; Aldi; Evonik Industries; Thyssen Krupp; and the German multinational utility company, RWE AG.

Business travelers also book flights to Essen in order to attend conferences and trade shows. The city hosts nearly fifty large business events each year at its Messe Essen exhibition center. The exhibition center is especially known for hosting the Essen Motor Show, one of the largest shows of its kind for the auto racing industry in Germany and across the globe. The annual Essen Game Fair, an exhibition focusing on board games, is quite popular and is open to the public. Messe Essen also hosts annual shows for the equestrian industry; the security industry; and the renewable energy industry. For many who book flights to Essen, there often is an event, show, or convention that draws them to this beautiful German city. 

Travelers who fly to Essen, Germany, usually arrive at Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS), located about twenty minutes away by car in the city of Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf International Airport is the largest airport in the region, serving more than 16 million passengers each year. 

Some people who fly Essen may choose to arrive at Dortmund International Airport (DTM). This smaller airport, located in the city of Dortmund, is about a thirty-minute drive from Essen. Dortmund International Airport serves a little more than 1 million passengers each year and mainly serves low-cost air carriers, making it a popular choice for travelers who want to book cheap flights to Essen.

Essen’s most well-known historic landmark is its now-closed Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex. Both tourists and business travelers who fly to Essen often make time to tour the facility, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. One of the largest compounds of its kind in Europe, the Zollverein Complex is considered culturally significant because of its attractive early 20th century Bauhaus-style architecture and the important economic and social role the mine played in the region during the time it was in operation.

Other cultural attractions in Essen include the Design Zentrum NRW industrial design museum; the Ruhrmuseum, a museum dedication to the history of the Ruhr region in Germany; and Villa Hugel, a 269-room mansion that was once home to Essen industrial mogul Alfred Krupp. The house now serves as the headquarters of the Krupp company’s charitable foundation and is occasionally open to the public for events.

Notable people who were born in Essen or who lived in the city include Friedrich Alfred Krupp, founder of the Krupp manufacturing company; abstract expressionist painter David D. Stern; Olympic bronze medal-winning swimmer Christian Keller; and British-German television news journalist Matt Frei.