Lufthansa expands anniversary fleet with A320neo and A350 featuring XXL crane

Germany

Two additional aircraft receive special 100-year livery as anniversary fleet continues to grow. First anniversary Boeing 787-9 enters scheduled service to Mumbai

Lufthansa is further expanding its anniversary fleet as part of its 100-year celebrations. Following the recent delivery of the Boeing 787-9 “Berlin” with its striking XXL crane design, two more aircraft are set to join the fleet in the special anniversary livery: an Airbus A320neo and an Airbus A350-900.

Both aircraft are currently leaving the paint shops in Norwich, England, and Châteauroux, France, respectively. They feature the iconic anniversary design with a blue fuselage adorned by a white crane whose wings flow seamlessly into the aircraft wings. A stylised “100” appears next to the crane on the left side of the fuselage, while the lettering “1926 | 2026” is displayed on the right. An additional “100” is also visible on the underside of the aircraft.

First anniversary flights scheduled

The Airbus A320neo, registered D-AING, is expected to arrive in Frankfurt on 19 January 2026 before entering regular scheduled service. Its inaugural commercial flight will operate to Larnaca, Cyprus.

The Airbus A350-900, registered D-AIXL, is currently scheduled to arrive in Munich on 3 February 2026, further strengthening Lufthansa’s long-haul anniversary presence.

Meanwhile, the Boeing 787-9 “Papa Uniform” (D-ABPU), which landed in Frankfurt on 23 December, will begin regular operations on 20 January 2026. Its first scheduled service will take it from Frankfurt to Mumbai, India. As a flying ambassador for Lufthansa’s anniversary year, the aircraft will appear on international routes, drawing attention from passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike.

More anniversary aircraft to follow

With the addition of the A320neo and A350-900, Lufthansa’s anniversary fleet continues to grow, highlighting the significance of the 100-year milestone for the airline. By autumn 2026, three further aircraft are expected to receive the special livery: an Airbus A380, a Boeing 747-8, and Lufthansa’s first Airbus A350-1000, which is currently scheduled for delivery in October.

Together, these aircraft form a visible symbol of Lufthansa’s heritage and its outlook for the future, combining a century of aviation history with the next generation of its fleet.