Lufthansa unveils historic parabolic livery on Airbus A321

Germany

Anniversary aircraft recalls the legendary Lockheed Super Star as Lufthansa’s centenary celebrations continue

As part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of its founding, Lufthansa is introducing another specially painted aircraft to its fleet. An Airbus A321-200, painted in Norwich, England, in the iconic design of the Lockheed Super Star, is scheduled to arrive today at Frankfurt Airport at around 2:45 p.m. local time. The aircraft will operate the delivery flight under flight number LH9898.

A historic design returns to the skies

The short- and medium-haul Airbus A321, registered as D-AISZ, now carries Lufthansa’s historic parabolic livery. First introduced in the mid-1950s, the design was inspired by the streamlined aesthetics of the 1930s and was intended to convey dynamism, speed and a forward-looking spirit. The parabolic line became a defining element of Lufthansa’s visual identity, appearing not only on aircraft tail fins but also on baggage tags, business stationery, flight schedules and even cigar bands.

Nearly 70 years after the Super Star’s first flight for Lufthansa, the parabolic design is once again visible in the skies. The Lockheed Super Star joined the Lufthansa fleet in 1957 and was notable for introducing Senator Class, then the most exclusive form of air travel. The aircraft’s primary role was operating non-stop transatlantic services to New York.

A restored Lockheed L-1649A Super Star will soon be displayed alongside a Junkers Ju 52 in the new Lufthansa Group Hangar One. The conference and visitor centre at Frankfurt Airport is scheduled to open in April.

Anniversary fleet expands in Munich

Lufthansa’s centenary fleet has also grown at its Munich Airport hub. A newly painted blue Airbus A350-900, registered as D-AIXL, landed in Munich yesterday after being repainted in Châteauroux, France. The aircraft features the special anniversary design incorporating the XXL crane motif.

It is already the third aircraft in this commemorative livery. A Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A320neo, both based in Frankfurt, are already in service wearing the 100-year design. In the coming weeks, Lufthansa plans to add at least one Airbus A380, one Boeing 747-8 and one Airbus A350-1000 to the anniversary fleet, further extending the centenary presence across its long-haul and short-haul operations.