Lufthansa, Germany's flagship airline, is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026 with a special commemorative livery to be applied across six of its aircraft types. This initiative honors nearly a century of history since its original founding in 1926, when Deutsche Luft Hansa was established through a merger. The current Lufthansa, emerging in the 1950s, will introduce the special livery gradually into its fleet, with full deployment expected by fall 2026. The aircraft types chosen for this livery include the Airbus A320 family, Airbus A350 variants, Airbus A380, Boeing 747-8, and Boeing 787-9.
The design features a blue fuselage with a white crane symbol inspired by Otto Firle’s 1918 crane artwork. The crane’s wings appear to lift the aircraft, symbolizing flight and freedom. The livery also incorporates the number “100” on the fuselage and the years “1926/2026,” emphasizing the centenary milestone. The Boeing 787-9 was the first aircraft to wear this special design, painted at Boeing’s Charleston facility before final delivery at Everett. This aircraft will operate routes from Frankfurt to various destinations worldwide.
Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, stated that the crane represents safety, innovation, quality, and reliability — values Lufthansa aims to uphold as it continues its legacy. The airline also plans to update its branding, maintaining the minimalistic crane symbol introduced in 2018, which refined the previous logo with thinner lines and modern style. The anniversary livery underscores Lufthansa’s commitment to its heritage and future progress in the aviation industry.
