Lufthansa Kicks Off 100th Anniversary Celebrations
On Tuesday, Lufthansa initiated its centennial festivities ahead of schedule. The inaugural aircraft showcasing special anniversary markings arrived at Frankfurt Airport.
A newly delivered Boeing 787-9 displays an enlarged crane emblem—the airline's distinctive symbol—accompanied by the dates 1926 | 2026 prominently on its body. This aircraft represents the first of six planes that will receive anniversary-themed decorations as part of the carrier's century-long heritage recognition.
Lufthansa announced that this commemorative Dreamliner will commence regular service operations within several weeks. The complete anniversary fleet is projected to be finalized by autumn 2026.
Historical Significance
January 6 commemorates the founding date of the original "Deutsche Luft Hansa Aktiengesellschaft" established in 1926. The airline plans more formal centenary observances in April, aligning with the date of its inaugural scheduled flight on April 6, 1926.
While the contemporary Lufthansa Group maintains no legal connections to its predecessor from the Nazi period, the company acknowledges its early aviation history as part of its technical legacy. Regular flight operations under the Lufthansa name resumed in April 1955, nearly a decade following World War II's conclusion.
