Lufthansa has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, with the aircraft becoming the 700th Airbus delivered to the Lufthansa Group. The handover took place in Toulouse, France, on 10 November, bringing together executives from both companies for a milestone that carries particular significance for the German airline.
The aircraft, registered D-AIFA and named Deutschland, is not an ordinary fleet addition. It arrives as Lufthansa celebrates 100 years since its establishment, while also marking 50 years since the group received its first Airbus aircraft in 1976. That aircraft was an A300, the manufacturer’s first twin-engine widebody jet.
The new A350-1000 is also the final addition to Lufthansa’s anniversary fleet, wearing the special centenary livery featuring the airline’s familiar white crane against a dark blue fuselage.
Lufthansa’s New Long-Haul Flagship
At 73.80 metres long, the A350-1000 is seven metres longer than the A350-900, which Lufthansa already operates across its long-haul network. The additional length allows for a larger passenger cabin, with the aircraft configured to accommodate 300 passengers across four classes.
The Allegris cabin will feature four First Class seats, including two individual suites and a Suite Plus arrangement, 49 Business Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats and 212 Economy Class seats.
The introduction of the aircraft is particularly significant for Lufthansa’s premium offering. Its Business Class and Premium Economy cabins provide a larger proportion of premium seating, while the First Class configuration introduces the airline’s latest suite products to the A350-1000. Lufthansa has 15 A350-1000s on order, with deliveries expected to continue through 2030.
The first ten will operate under the mainline Lufthansa brand and be based at Munich Airport, which will serve as the aircraft’s principal hub.
The first aircraft is scheduled to enter commercial service on 3 December, operating between Munich and Tokyo Haneda. Shanghai and Singapore are expected to follow in the weeks after its introduction.
Starlink Connectivity and Fleet Modernisation
There is another notable feature aboard Deutschland. The aircraft will become the first long-haul aircraft in the Lufthansa Group to introduce its new Wi-Fi service powered by Starlink.
The satellite-based system is designed to provide high-speed internet connectivity during flights, allowing passengers to stream video content, work through cloud-based applications and access online services. Lufthansa intends to make the service available free of charge to Miles & More members and Travel ID users, regardless of their travel class.
The A350-1000’s arrival also forms part of a substantial renewal of Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft combines updated aerodynamics with lightweight composite materials to improve efficiency.
Lufthansa says the A350-1000 can consume up to 30% less fuel per passenger than previous-generation aircraft, while offering lower operating costs.
Five Decades of Airbus and Lufthansa
The 700th delivery provides an opportunity to reflect on a relationship that has developed alongside the European aircraft manufacturer’s growth.
Since receiving its first A300 in 1976, Lufthansa has operated aircraft across the Airbus portfolio, including the A320 family, A330, A340, A350 and A380. The group has also served as a launch operator for several Airbus types, including the A321 and A320neo.
The handover was attended by Lufthansa Group Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr and Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Executive Officer Lars Wagner.
The delivery introduces a new flagship to the airline’s long-haul operations, with the first of what is expected to become a fleet of ten aircraft heading to Munich.
