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Lufthansa orders small Boeing jets again

Lufthansa orders small Boeing jets again

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Lufthansa orders small Boeing jets again
Lufthansa orders small Boeing jets again

Lufthansa Group Shakes Up Air Traffic with Boeing Orders

After years of relying solely on Airbus for short and medium-haul flights, Lufthansa has made a surprising move. The German flag carrier announced it would acquire 40 new 737-8 Max aircraft from Boeing, with options for an additional 60, marking a significant shift in their partnership with the American manufacturer. This turnaround, set to begin in 2027, is rooted in the pursuit of greater flexibility in future aircraft orders.

In a notable departure, Lufthansa has also ordered 40 A220 jetliners with seating for 148 passengers from long-time supplier Airbus. These jets will primarily serve City Airlines, a newly established venture within Lufthansa Group, in Munich and Frankfurt from 2026. Lufthansa also secured options for an additional 20 A220s and 40 for the standard A320 jet. The total list price for the firm orders is estimated to be around nine billion dollars, although substantial discounts are common for large orders.

Chief Fleet Officer Detlef Kayser emphasized the importance of greater flexibility in future aircraft orders to justify the decision for Boeing. Lufthansa's Group CEO, Carsten Spohr, agreed, hailing it as a strategically sound choice. Despite the 737 Max model's rocky start, marked by two serious crashes in 2018 and 2019, the aircraft have since undergone safety improvements following an interim production halt.

This Boeing fleet investment is meant to benefit Lufthansa Group companies beyond the Lufthansa and Swiss brands, serving as a welcome addition to Frankfurt's air traffic and boosting offerings in the medium-haul jet market.

Further Insights

  • In 2022, it was actually Eurowings, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, that received approval for 40 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft as part of a fleet modernization project with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. These planes will gradually replace Airbus A319 and older A320 models in Eurowings' fleet, offering increased capacity and longer range ideal for medium-haul destinations.
  • The decision to invest in 737 MAX 8 aircraft is driven by their reduced fuel consumption and noise emissions, aligning with Eurowings' goal of promoting more sustainable flying practices.

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