Lufthansa Receives Its Boeing 787-9 in Frankfurt with Special Livery for Airline’s Centennial
Lufthansa took a symbolic step this Tuesday, in the lead-up to one of the most important dates in its history. The Boeing 787-9 with commemorative livery for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the original Lufthansa landed at Frankfurt airport on Tuesday, arriving from Boeing’s plant in Everett, Washington, observed by numerous spotters, travelers, and aviation enthusiasts.
The arrival of the aircraft, registered as D-ABPU and named “Berlin,” was personally welcomed by members of Lufthansa Airlines’ executive committee, underscoring the historical significance of this addition to the fleet.
A Dreamliner Connecting Past and Future
The Boeing 787-9, known internally as “Papa Uniform,” stands out for a design that aims to unite tradition and a vision for the future. The blue fuselage features an XXL white crane, whose wings visually integrate with the aircraft’s wings, transforming it into an aerial ambassador for the company’s anniversary.
In addition to the iconic symbol, the number “100” is integrated on the left side of the fuselage, while the inscription “1926 | 2026” appears on the right side—a direct reference to the century of history that Lufthansa will officially celebrate in 2026. This same number is also visible on the underside of the aircraft, reinforcing the commemorative nature of the design.
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Lufthansa’s Perspective on This Historic Milestone
Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Airlines, highlighted the special significance of this moment for the company. He explained that the delivery of a new aircraft is always a memorable event, but the landing of this Boeing 787-9 with an extraordinary livery dedicated to the centennial of the founding of the first “Luft Hansa” was even more exciting and fascinating.
His words reflect the importance the airline places on this project, which not only celebrates the past but also highlights the modernization of its long-haul fleet.
A Centennial to Be Celebrated in the Air
Lufthansa will officially commemorate its centennial in 2026. The first Lufthansa was founded on January 6, 1926, and its inaugural flight took place on April 6 of that same year. To mark this occasion, the airline has announced the creation of a special anniversary fleet comprised of six aircraft.
The Boeing 787-9 will be the first to lead this so-called XXL crane fleet. It will be joined by an Airbus A380, an Airbus A350-1000, an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A320, and a Boeing 747-8, all featuring the new commemorative paint scheme. The design will be applied progressively, with the complete fleet expected to be ready by autumn 2026.
Next Steps for the Boeing 787-9 “Berlin”
The Dreamliner that landed today in Frankfurt will begin its first scheduled flights for Lufthansa in the coming weeks, gradually integrating into the airline’s regular operations. With this, Lufthansa is not only adding a state-of-the-art aircraft but also a flying symbol of its one hundred years of history and its commitment to the future of commercial aviation.
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