On January 6, 1926, 100 years ago, the first “Luft Hansa” was founded, and on April 6 of the same year, it made its maiden flight. This anniversary is not only a look back at the history of one of the most famous brands in aviation, it is also a tribute to the pioneering spirit, innovation, and connection between people, cultures, and economies that has shaped Lufthansa for a century.
The story begins the founding of the first Lufthansa, which was created from the merger of Junkers Luftverkehr and Deutscher Aero Lloyd. The merger laid the foundation for a success story in international aviation that continues to this day. But the journey has not always been easy. Lufthansa’s history is marked by challenges, interruptions, and new beginnings that demonstrate the company’s resilience and tireless spirit of innovation.
The darkest chapter in Lufthansa’s history was the Nazi era. The airline became part of the regime and took on an active role in it.
According to the company, Lufthansa intends to use its 100th anniversary as an opportunity to critically examine its responsibility during the Nazi era and to continue to reappraise this period on the basis of historical research. In reviewing its history, Lufthansa is not limiting itself to the post-war chapters of its history. The years from the founding to the demise of the first Lufthansa are also part of the company’s history.
1953 – Reestablishment of the “second Lufthansa”
The reestablishment of the “second Lufthansa” in 1953 laid the legal foundation for today’s Lufthansa. Once again, Lufthansa needed a great deal of pioneering spirit to dare to make a new start after the end of the war. In 1955, flight operations resumed and the journey of the newly founded Deutsche Lufthansa AG began.
The company is celebrating its anniversary under the motto “We are the Journey,” focusing on the shared journey of employees, passengers, and fans of the brand. It is a tribute to the guests who have accompanied Lufthansa through a century of challenges, changes, and progress. The company also includes Lufthansa employees in a special way. Since the company was founded, they have been united by a special spirit characterized by a pioneering spirit,
The company is celebrating its anniversary under the motto “We are the Journey,” focusing on the shared journey of employees, passengers, and fans of the brand. It is a tribute to the guests who have accompanied Lufthansa through a century of challenges, changes, and progress. The company also includes Lufthansa employees in a special way. Since the company was founded, they have been united by a special spirit characterized by a pioneering spirit, a passion for flying, and premium standards. Today, 40,000 people from 122 nations work for the crane, and 100,000 people from more than 160 nations work for the Group.
I also was part of this company for 30 years, representing it on the customer front as a flight attendant on routes to all continents and later as an editor in corporate communications for Lufthansa Flight Operations and Lufthansa Group Communications. I am very proud of this. I have recorded and published my memories, especially as a flight attendant, in my novel “Herz As im November” under the pseudonym Ann Marius.
In its anniversary year 2026, Lufthansa will organize a variety of activities and events to celebrate the history and future of the aviation group. These include a permanent exhibition in Lufthansa Group Hangar One, special events, a history book, film and video productions, employee celebrations, customer events, and marketing and product campaigns. The anniversary year will be visible and tangible for Lufthansa customers starting in January. The special “100 Years of Lufthansa” logo will be visible on boarding passes, at airports, and on board Lufthansa flights in many places. Outside airports, too – for example, in many city centers – a poster campaign will tell the story of Lufthansa through iconic images and messages.
The Lufthansa anniversary fleet
The most important sub-fleets of the Lufthansa core brand will receive an aircraft in the new 100-year special livery. The Lufthansa anniversary fleet consists of a total of six aircraft: an Airbus A380, an Airbus A350-1000, an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A320, and a Boeing 747-8. The anniversary fleet is led by the Boeing 787-9, christened “Berlin,” which was transferred from the Boeing factory in Washington State to Germany shortly before Christmas and landed at its new home airport in Frankfurt. The state-of-the-art aircraft with the registration D-ABPU will soon enter scheduled service.
In addition, there will be two retro liveries. The designs combine tradition and progress, making each aircraft a very special flying ambassador for the brand. The iconic crane, designed by Otto Firle in 1918, remains the global symbol of Lufthansa.
Johanna Wenninger-Muhr
Sources: Lufthansa Media Relations