Lufthansa Group’s fleet is currently undergoing a modernization, and in particular, the long haul fleet of the flagship Lufthansa brand is seeing the most updates. Unfortunately this hasn’t worked out nearly as smoothly as planned, between certification delays with the Boeing 777-9, and delivery delays with the Boeing 787-9.
The airline group has today unveiled an updated timeline for aircraft being retired. Those aviation geeks who love planes with four engines will want to pay attention, in particular.
Lufthansa Group eliminating six types of long haul aircraft
Lufthansa Group is currently taking delivery of new Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787-9s, and in the coming years, has plans to take delivery of new Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s. With that in mind, the airline group also has plans to retire a variety of aircraft types.
Lufthansa Group plans to move from 13 wide body aircraft types today, to nine wide body aircraft types in 2030. Specifically:
- Lufthansa will retire its Airbus A340-600s in 2026
- Discover Airlines and ITA Airways will retire its Airbus A330-200s in 2026
- Austrian will retire its Boeing 767-300ERs in 2026
- Lufthansa will retire its Boeing 747-400s in 2027
- Lufthansa and SWISS will retire its Airbus A340-300s in 2027
- Austrian will retire its Boeing 777-200ERs in 2028
The goal is that by 2030, Lufthansa Group will have nine wide body aircraft types. This includes seven aircraft types that are already in service, plus two more new aircraft types. Here’s what has been confirmed so far, with the 2030 vision:
- Austrian Airlines will fly Boeing 787-9s
- Brussels Airlines will fly Airbus A330-300s
- Discover Airlines will fly Airbus A330-300s
- Edelweiss will fly Airbus A350-900s
- ITA Airways will fly Airbus A330-900neos and A350-900s
- Lufthansa will fly Airbus A350-900s, A350-1000s, Boeing 747-8s, 777-9s, and 787-9s
- SWISS will fly Airbus A330-300s, A350-900s, and Boeing 777-300ERs
As you can see, one wild card remains what the future holds for the Lufthansa Airbus A380, as the airline hasn’t yet decided what to do with that aircraft.
Let me also mention that Lufthansa Group orders planes centrally and then allocates them to individual airlines, and some planes that have been ordered haven’t yet been allocated. So there could be additional updates in the coming years, like SWISS possibly getting A350-1000s.
This is a sensible fleet strategy for Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Group’s fleet simplification strategy makes sense. At least given the current complex state of the fleet, this seems like about as logical of a development as you could expect.
I will say, I’m of course sad to see all these four-engine planes retired, purely as someone who grew up flying these planes. At Lufthansa, we’ll lose the A340-600 in 2026, and the A340-300 and 747-400 in 2027.
Two things stand out:
- The loss of first class capacity on the A340-600 is unfortunate in terms of awards, since these planes are being replaced by jets with Allegris cabins, where first class awards aren’t available
- With Lufthansa retiring the 747-400, there will be very few “classic” 747-400s left in service
Of course it makes perfect sense for all of these planes to be retired, given the operating costs of these four-engined jets. However, as an aviation geek, I am going to be very sad to see these aircraft retired.
The 747 is the queen of the skies, and the 747-400 reminds me so much of my childhood. On the plus side, Lufthansa is one of only three airlines to fly the 747-8, and the airline will be flying that jet for many years to come, well into the 2030s. So not all is lost, but there’s just something I find so charming about how “classic” the 747-400 feels on the inside.
In the case of the A340, Lufthansa is the world’s largest operator of the jet, and no other carrier’s fleet even comes close. Most of the other commercial A340s you see flying are for airlines that have sanctions in place against them, preventing them from buying new aircraft. These include airlines like Mahan Air, Conviasa, etc.
There’s just something fun about the adorably tiny engines of the A340-300 that make you wonder if you’ll get airborne before the end of the runway, plus the enormous length of the A340-600 “pencil” jet, along with the lavatories in the cargo hold.
Bottom line
Lufthansa Group has revealed its updated fleet simplification plans, and intends to retire six types of long haul aircraft by 2028. This includes retiring the A330-200, A340-600, and 767-300ER in 2026, the A340-300 and 747-400 in 2027, and the 777-200 in 2028.
As an aviation geek, I’ll certainly miss those four-engined planes leaving the Lufthansa fleet, but it’s logical for that to finally happen. I really do need to plan at least one more Lufthansa 747-400 flight, before those planes are retired.
What do you make of this Lufthansa Group fleet development?