Lufthansa celebrates 100 years of flying
In 2026, Lufthansa is celebrating a historic milestone: 100 years since the founding of the first "Luft Hansa" on 6 January 1926, followed by the maiden flight on 6 April 1926. An anniversary that goes beyond the celebration of the past and becomes an opportunity to reflect on the central role that the company has had – and continues to have – in the development of civil aviation, in the connection between people, cultures and economies and in the construction of modern global mobility.
The history of Lufthansa was born from the merger between Junkers Luftverkehr and Deutsche Aero Lloyd, an operation that laid the foundations of one of the most recognizable brands in world aviation. The path has not been linear: the brand has gone through phases of growth, interruptions and restarts, demonstrating over time a strong ability to adapt and a constant innovative spirit.
As part of the centenary celebrations, Lufthansa is also tackling the most complex chapters of its history, in particular the period of the Nazi regime, during which the company was an integral part of the system of the time. The centenary thus becomes a moment of critical analysis and historical responsibility, supported by in-depth studies and research, without limiting the narrative to the post-war period alone.
The revival of the so-called "second Lufthansa" in 1953 marked the legal basis of the current company. With the resumption of flight operations in 1955, the path of Deutsche Lufthansa AG began, shaping a new chapter of international growth that continues to this day.
"We are the Journey": the centenary message
The official anniversary motto, "We are the Journey", sums up the profound meaning of Lufthansa's 100th anniversary: a journey shared by employees, passengers and fans of the brand. A tribute to the trust and loyalty of generations of Travellers and, above all, to the contribution of the people who built the company. Today, the Lufthansa brand has around 40,000 employees of 122 nationalities, while the Lufthansa Group brings together more than 100,000 people from more than 160 countries.
A year of global events and initiatives
During 2026, Lufthansa will offer a rich calendar of events and experiences: a permanent exhibition at the Lufthansa Group Hangar One, publications dedicated to the history of the brand, video and film productions, employee initiatives, customer events and communication campaigns visible at airports, on board and in major European cities. The special "100 Years of Lufthansa" logo will accompany passengers on boarding passes, lounges and flights from the beginning of the year.
The Centennial Fleet: Ambassadors to the Skies
The symbolic heart of the celebrations will be the centenary fleet, consisting of six aircraft with special livery: Airbus A380, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-8 and the Boeing 787-9 "Berlin", leader of the fleet. The latter, registered D-ABPU, was delivered from Boeing's plant in the United States and landed in Frankfurt, ready to enter scheduled service at Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
Alongside the celebratory liveries, Lufthansa will also present two retro liveries, which reinterpret the historic crane designed by Otto Firle in 1918, the universal symbol of the brand, in a contemporary key.
