Tourexpi
Lufthansa’s first anniversary aircraft has arrived in
Frankfurt. The brand-new Boeing 787-9, featuring a striking special livery to
mark the 100th anniversary of the airline’s founding, landed on Tuesday at
Germany’s largest airport. Numerous plane spotters, travellers and spectators
gathered to welcome the aircraft, which was delivered from Boeing’s production
facility in Everett, Washington. The Dreamliner, registered D-ABPU and named
“Berlin”, was personally received by the divisional board of Lufthansa Airlines.
A symbolic arrival for the anniversary year
The arrival of the Boeing 787-9 marks a key milestone
in Lufthansa’s preparations for its centenary celebrations in 2026. The
aircraft serves as the first visible ambassador of the anniversary and
highlights the airline’s focus on innovation and fleet modernisation alongside
its historic legacy.
Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa
Airlines, said: “These are particularly beautiful and unforgettable moments in
our job. It is always special to take delivery of a brand-new aircraft – but
today’s landing of this anniversary Boeing 787-9, with its extraordinary
special livery commemorating the founding of the first ‘Luft Hansa’ 100 years
ago, was even more exciting and fascinating.”
Iconic design unites tradition and future
The Dreamliner, known by its radio call sign “Papa
Uniform”, features an iconic design that blends heritage and forward-looking
ambition. The blue fuselage is dominated by a white XXL crane, whose wings
visually extend into the aircraft’s wings, turning the jet into a flying
anniversary symbol. A “100” is displayed on the left side of the fuselage,
while the inscription “1926 | 2026” appears on the right. An additional “100”
is also visible on the underside of the aircraft.
Six aircraft to form anniversary fleet
Lufthansa will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its
founding in 2026. The airline was established on January 6, 1926, with its
official maiden flight taking place on April 6 of the same year. To mark this
occasion, Lufthansa will deploy a special anniversary fleet comprising six
aircraft. Leading the fleet is the Boeing 787-9, followed by an Airbus A380, an
Airbus A350-1000, an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A320 and a Boeing 747-8. The
aircraft will be gradually repainted in the anniversary livery, with the full
fleet expected to be completed by autumn 2026.
Entry into scheduled service imminent
The newly delivered Boeing 787-9 will enter scheduled
service for Lufthansa in the coming weeks, allowing passengers to experience
the anniversary design on regular routes well ahead of the official centenary
year.
Image
Credit: © Lufthansa Group
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