The German flag carrier Lufthansa (LH/DLH) is celebrating its centennial in 2026. This milestone is marked by the creation of a special anniversary fleet bearing a celebratory livery. The first aircraft featuring the new livery arrived as an early Christmas gift in Frankfurt on December 23rd, 2025. Throughout 2026, more aircraft will take to the skies wearing the shiny new regalia. The last one out is expected to be Lufthansa’s very first Airbus A350-1000, joining the fleet in October.
The Super Crane design
The commemorative design centers on Lufthansa’s most iconic symbol. The artist Otto Firle created the crane in 1918, and it has been associated with the airline since its founding in 1926. For this special livery, the design team paid homage to the classic emblem by placing it front and center—literally stretching it across the entire fuselage of every aircraft.
All anniversary aircraft features a deep blue fuselage with a white crane whose wings seamlessly blend into the aircraft’s own wings. The centennial is underscored by “100” being painted on the left side and underside of the fuselage. Finally, “1926 | 2026” appears on the right side, commemorating the century since the founding of Deutsche Luft Hansa on January 6th, 1926.
Meet the centennial fleet
Lufthansa has selected six aircraft models representing its major sub-fleets to receive the special livery. They are, in order of appearance:
Boeing 787-9 (D-ABPU)
Nicknamed “Berlin,” this Dreamliner (D-ABPU) was the first to receive the anniversary livery and arrived in Frankfurt on December 23rd, 2025. It entered scheduled service on January 20th, 2026, with its inaugural flight to Rio de Janeiro (GIG/SBGL).
Airbus A320neo (D-AING)
The narrowbody representative arrived in Frankfurt on January 19th, 2026, and began operations with a flight to London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL), bringing the anniversary design primarily to European routes. Baptized “Kerpen”, she carries the registration D-AING.
Airbus A350-900 (D-AIXL)
Airbus A380-800 (D-AIMH)
The superjumbo of superjumbo’s also has been graced with new colors. D-AIMH departed Shannon for Munich on February 25th and will be utilized on select long haul routes.
Airbus A320neo (D-AIND)
To everyone’s surprise, Lufthansa decided out of the blue to paint not one, but two A320neos in its new livery. Why? Well, why not? D-AIND returned from Norwich in a completely new uniform on February 27 and was immediately put to use across the German flag carrier’s European network.
Boeing 747-8 (D-ABYN)
No celebration without a Queen being present! Lufthansa decided to paint D-ABYN, an eleven year old Boeing 747-8, in its centennial livery. We couldn’t be happier to see the Queen of the skies getting some much needed attention. Expect to track her on far-flung routes out of her home in Frankfurt.
Upcoming arrivals
Airbus A350-1000
The first of Lufthansa’s newest A350 variant is anticipated for delivery in October 2026, wearing the centennial colors straight from the factory.
Tracking the fleet
You can follow these special aircraft on Flightradar24 by looking up their registrations or clicking the associated links above. The Boeing 787-9 D-ABPU has already become a favorite among planespotters at Frankfurt Airport, while the A320neo D-AING is now operating regular European services. Operating from Lufthansa’s southernly hub Munich, D-AIXL is utilized on various long-haul routes across the globe.
Again, the complete anniversary fleet is expected to be in service later this fall, giving passengers and aviation fans throughout the year the opportunity to see, perhaps even fly on, these great looking aircraft.
11 Responses
This Lufthansa livery is absolutely stunning.
I have already got 2 of the current 3 snapped on Sky Cards (just have to update the photo for the A359 to the 100th livery) then I’ll have all three.
They are also added to my Alerts, with UK as the Local.
Of all the liveries flying today. This Lufty is simply the best.
I hope we see one of the 747s on the FRA-SFO route!
Nice design, but I do wish LH had kept the yellow circle on the tail, which they officially dumped in 2018.
https://www.dw.com/en/lufthansa-launches-its-revamped-crane-logo/a-42471595
Even better would be matching yellow engines.
Fullheartedly concur!
Beautiful aircrafts. Lufthansa has never had a better design.
I love Lufthansa the livery looks amazing flew with them last year Frankfurt to Seattle absolutely amazing
It’s awesome & good that I appreciated & interested of your contents
D-AIMH is the A380 with the Centennial livery
D-ABYN is in paint at San Bernardino, it will become the 100 year 747
the A350-1000 registration is expected to be D-AIFA, replacing a retired A340
Well done to all the people at Shannon…….
Das hat aber auch sehr lange gedauert ehe die Deutsche-Lufthansa auch reagiert um ihre Jets im Retro Look zu versehen . Das wurde ja nun endlich auch mal zeit .