Discover Airlines plans major fleet expansion and will introduce the Airbus A350 in 2027
October 16, 2025
Discover Airlines, Lufthansa Group’s leisure subsidiary, is embarking on its largest fleet growth to date, headlined by the arrival of the Airbus A350-900 from 2027.
Announced on 16 October, Discover says the widebody addition will mark a major step in its long-haul development, boosting capacity, range and efficiency while paving the way for new destinations beyond its current network.
Airbus A350 joins Discover’s long-haul fleet
From mid-2027, Discover Airlines plans to integrate four Airbus A350-900s into its long-haul operation. The aircraft will complement the airline’s existing A330 fleet and allow it to open new leisure routes to long-range markets.
With a range of 9,375 miles (15,000 km), the A350 can fly further than the A330 with greater fuel efficiency and passenger capacity. According to the airline, potential launch routes include Windhoek and Orlando, as well as new destinations in South and Central America, southern Africa, and Southeast Asia.
“With the further development and expansion of our fleet, including the planned deployment of the Airbus A350, we are strengthening our offering with even more comfort and attractive options for our guests,” said Bernd Bauer, CEO of Discover Airlines.
“Additional aircraft, greater range, and a new cabin product will enable us to respond even better to the needs of travellers.”
According to One Mile at a Time, Discover Airlines’ four Airbus A350-900s are expected to come from within the Lufthansa Group, rather than being new orders. The outlet speculates that the aircraft may be former Philippine Airlines A350s previously acquired by Lufthansa, which could now be passed down to Discover as part of the group’s fleet realignment.
Lufthansa has a track record of reallocating aircraft among its subsidiaries, and with only around 18 months before the planned 2027 introduction, transferring existing A350s would be the most practical option.
OMAAT also suggests that the jets could retain their existing interiors, possibly featuring Thompson Aero Vantage XL business-class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering all-aisle access; a first for Discover Airlines. This would represent a step up from the A330s currently used on its long-haul network.
However, these details remain speculative, as neither Discover nor Lufthansa has confirmed the source or configuration of the new A350s.
Discover Airlines outlines wider fleet expansion
Alongside the A350 announcement, Discover confirmed that it will expand its overall fleet to 40 aircraft by mid-2028 as part of its ongoing growth trajectory.
The airline currently operates 30 Airbus aircraft: 14 A330s on long-haul routes and 16 A320s on short- and medium-haul services.
In 2026, three A330-200s will be retired and replaced by five A330-300s, increasing the long-haul fleet to 16 aircraft. The airline described the A330-300 as “ideally suited to the holiday and private travel segment, thanks to its range, capacity, and economy.”
Each A330-300 is configured for 283 passengers across three classes, and from 2027, all A330s will be refurbished with next-generation cabins.
On the short-haul side, two additional A320s will join the fleet in 2026, followed by two more by mid-2028, bringing the total to 20 aircraft, each seating 180 passengers in a single-class configuration.
A350 momentum grows across the Lufthansa Group
The wider Lufthansa Group has been a strong advocate for the A350 since the type entered Lufthansa’s mainline service in 2016; the carrier now operates 31 A350-900s.
Elsewhere in the group, SWISS took delivery of its first A350 earlier this month, with another due soon, while sister carrier Edelweiss accepted its first of six former LATAM Airlines A350-900s in March.
Featured image: Discover Airlines
