Lufthansa Unveils Spectacular 100th Anniversary Boeing 787-9 Livery

Lufthansa has revealed a special 100th anniversary livery that has been applied to one of its incoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebody twinjet aircraft to celebrate its centenary year. Earlier today, the German flag carrier and Star Alliance founding member shared the design with the world by releasing a promotional video that details the spectacular new paint scheme in all of its considerable glory.

While Lufthansa will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, the crane design that forms an integral part of its branding (and, indeed, its special new centenary livery for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner), actually dates back even further. As such, it is fitting that this aspect is front and center in the new livery.

A Special Livery For A Special Anniversary

Credit: Lufthansa

Earlier today, Lufthansa shared images and video footage with the world that depict the special centenary livery that has been applied to D-ABPU, one of its incoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. According to the German flag carrier, this jet will be delivered to Lufthansa’s hub at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in November, before entering service in December.

The special scheme has seen the Dreamliner’s fuselage painted predominantly dark blue, in the same shade that normally adorns the tails of the German carrier’s aircraft, with a huge white crane design punctuating the plane’s fuselage and blending into its wings. This motif, it notes, was “designed as a trademark by graphic designer and architect Otto Firle in 1918,” with Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter saying:

“Our Lufthansa crane stands for safety, pioneering spirit, premium quality, but also for freedom and reliability. This has been the case for the past 100 years and will continue to be so in the future. We are proud of our tradition and our values, and we look forward to continuing our great history.”

Drawing On A Recognizable Feature

Credit: Lufthansa

A good airline logo should be recognizable, and this can certainly be said of Lufthansa’s crane motif, whether in the current white design or the former yellow iteration. As such, it is fitting that the 100th anniversary livery draws on this aspect so strongly, as it has “become Lufthansa’s unmistakable distinguishing feature worldwide over the decades.” The design, it says, “combines movement and elegance.”

Aimed at being a forward-thinking livery with strong traditional elements, the special paint scheme also features the number 100 on the bottom and its left side, and the dates 1926 and 2026 on the right. The jet is currently having the finishes applied at the Boeing factory in Charleston, South Carolina.

Among these, Lufthansa explains, is the German flag carrier’s next-generation ‘Allegris’ interior. While this has been the source of some teething problems for the national airline, such as being unable to sell certain seats on certain flights due to certification delays, this news marks a good step forward.

Lufthansa’s Second Centenary Announcement This Week

Credit: Lufthansa

The special centenary livery for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is actually the second announcement that Lufthansa has made pertaining to its 100th anniversary celebrations this week alone. Indeed, a few days ago, the German flag carrier also announced that it would be redefining its long-haul experience.

This passenger-focussed initiative is known as Project FOX, with the latter component standing for Future Onboard Experience. As part of this program, Lufthansa is set to invest more than €70 million ($82.26 million) in upgrading its passenger experience on long-haul flights, with the project launching in the spring. As part of this, the flag carrier aims to give intercontinental guests a more individual experience.

For instance, the airline plans to give long-haul business class passengers the opportunity to pick the time of their second meal service to whenever suits them, while also adding a third option for the main meal to guests in its economy class and premium economy cabins. The seats themselves will also be enhanced, with new tableware and upgraded textiles among the improvements it plans to deploy in 2026.