2026 will mark Lufthansa’s centenary year, and the German flag carrier has a diverse range of initiatives planned in order to help it celebrate its 100th anniversary with the rest of the aviation world. Arguably the most notable of these is a special centenary livery, which was first revealed on a 
Boeing 787.
Flight tracking data suggests that the aircraft in question, a 787-9 Dreamliner that bears the registration D-ABPU, is preparing for its delivery to the 
Star Alliance founding member, with the jet having made multiple test flights this month. Let’s take a closer look at when and where the plane has been flying.
Five Test Flights In The Books
According to present fleet data made available by ch-aviation, D-ABPU, which is one of 25 787s that Lufthansa has on order in addition to the 10 that it already has at its disposal, first flew on November 14. Data from Flightradar24 shows that this maiden test flight came in the form of a 195-minute circular voyage that started and ended at Boeing’s facilities in North Charleston, South Carolina (CHS). Its second flight was even longer still.
Indeed, that journey, on November 18, lasted almost 5.5 hours, and took it across the US to Boeing’s Everett (PAE) base in Washington State. Since then, it has operated three more test flights out of Paine Field, lasting 70 minutes on December 4, 29 minutes on December 5, and, as seen above, 159 minutes on December 10. The increased length of the most recent flight hints that delivery isn’t far away. Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter says:
“The special livery of the Boeing 787 honors our identity and also stands for a proud team of Lufthansa employees who give everything every day for the safety and well-being of our guests.”
A Special Livery For A Special Occasion
As pictured above, D-ABPU wears a special livery that differs considerably from that worn by Lufthansa’s existing Boeing 787 fleet. The purpose of this special paint scheme, which, as seen in the video embedded below, was revealed to the world in September, is to celebrate Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary. To this end, the number 100 is boldly emblazoned on the jet’s fuselage, which is mostly painted in a striking shade of dark blue.
Lufthansa’s famous crane logo plays a prominent role in this livery, and eagle-eyed viewers will be able to point out the fact that this avian motif is also present in the ‘100’ decal as it ties together the first and second digits in a smart shade of silver. The other side of the aircraft features the dates ‘1926-2026,’ and, when the aircraft is in flight, those looking up at it from the ground will also easily be able to see the number 100 on its underside.
At the time of the livery’s big reveal, Lufthansa was initially expecting to receive the aircraft, which will be fitted with the German flag carrier and Star Alliance member’s new ‘Allegris’ cabin products, in November, with its regular service entry planned for December. Given where we are now in the year, it is clear that this timeline has slipped somewhat, but, in any case, the increasingly vigorous test program suggests that delivery isn’t far away.
Lufthansa Lockheed L-1649A Super Star Restored To Former Glory For Airline’s 100th Anniversary
In its flying days, the aircraft was primarily deployed on transatlantic routes.
Several Other Aircraft Will Also Get Special Liveries
As it happens, the 787 isn’t the only Lufthansa aircraft that will wear the striking blue and white 100th anniversary livery next year. Indeed, the airline revealed last month that it had actually earmarked six jets for this role, with the 787 being joined by the Airbus A320, A350-900, A350-1000, A380, and Boeing 747-8.
All being well, Lufthansa expects that its ‘anniversary fleet’ of six specially repainted aircraft will be complete by the fall of 2026. The spread of the various aircraft models involved in this initiative, Lufthansa explains, enables it to represent each of its different sub-fleets with a special plane. The carrier says that its centenary scheme “combines tradition and innovation in an impressive design,” and it will be exciting to see it in service.
