Lufthansa is in the final stage of selecting a new batch of widebody aircraft, with a decision expected within weeks as the group prepares for deliveries scheduled from 2033. “We just at a final phase,” revealed Carsten Spohr, the company’s CEO, at an event in recent days.
The airline has not specified the aircraft under evaluation, but both Airbus and Boeing are competing for the order. Lufthansa already holds substantial commitments for Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 jets, as well as Boeing 787-9s and 777X aircraft.
Fleet planning has been affected by delays in these programs. Lufthansa is the launch customer for the Boeing 777-9, which the manufacturer aims to certify this year. The first aircraft for the German carrier is expected to perform its initial flight in April, clearly signaling progress toward the aircraft’s planned entry into service in 2027.
The aircraft is the largest twin-engine passenger jet ever developed, with capacity for more than 420 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, underscoring its role in Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet.
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At the same time, certification issues related to seats have slowed the introduction of the Boeing 787-9, while older widebodies remain in operation longer than originally planned. Lufthansa Airlines is set to retire its Airbus A340-600 fleet after the 2026 summer season, with A340-300s and Boeing 747-400s staying in service beyond that period.
Other group carriers are also in transition, including Austrian Airlines, which plans to phase out its 777-200 and 767-300ER aircraft, and Swiss, which continues to operate A340s.
The group is maintaining high-capacity aircraft in its network, with Airbus A380s and Boeing 747-8s expected to remain active into the next decade.
The new order comes as Lufthansa marks its 100th anniversary, a milestone the airline is using to highlight both its legacy and the next phase of its long-haul fleet renewal.
