Video: Lufthansa reveals special livery on Boeing 787 ahead of 100th birthday
September 26, 2025
As Lufthansa gears up for its 100th anniversary in 2026, the airline has revealed a striking new centennial livery debuting on a Boeing 787-9 with registration D-ABPU. The painted jet will join the mainline fleet in late 2025, becoming a flying flagship of the year-long celebration.
Lufthansa shared a video of the aircraft being revealed in Charleston. It expects to take delivery of the aircraft, complete with its new Allegris interior, in November.
Lufthansa celebrates 100 years with the Boeing 787
Lufthansa will officially celebrate its 100th birthday on 6 January 2026, marking a century since the airline was founded in Berlin in 1926. The company was formed through the merger of Deutsche Aero Lloyd (DAL) and Junkers Luftverkehr, creating Deutsche Luft Hansa A.G. – the name shortened to Lufthansa in later years.
Its crane logo, designed by Otto Firle, dates back even further to 1918 and has endured as one of the world’s most recognisable airline symbols. What began with small, propeller-driven aircraft connecting German cities has grown into Europe’s largest carrier group, operating a global network across every continent.
Naturally, the iconic crane hasn’t gone anywhere with this livery. In fact, the emblem has been enlarged and emblazoned across the fuselage on top of Lufthansa’s signature blue base, its wings merging into the wings of the aircraft. A silver ‘100’ stretches from top to bottom on one side of the fuselage, while the anniversary years (1926–2026) are boldly displayed on the other.
“Our Lufthansa crane stands for safety, pioneering spirit, premium quality, but also for freedom and reliability,” Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines. “This has been the case for the past 100 years and will continue to be so in the future.”
The second Lufthansa anniversary announcement this week
The unveiling of Lufthansa’s centennial livery on a Boeing 787-9 is the second announcement this week tied to the airline’s 100th anniversary. Earlier, the German flag carrier revealed Project FOX – Future Onboard Experience – a €70 million ($82 million) investment to reimagine its long-haul service.
Launching in spring 2026, Project FOX aims to deliver a more personalised journey for intercontinental passengers. Business class travellers will be able to choose the timing of their second meal service, while economy and premium economy cabins will gain a third main meal option.
Beyond dining, Lufthansa plans to refresh cabin interiors with enhanced seats, new tableware and upgraded textiles, underscoring its push to refine the onboard product as it enters its second century.
