What happened
- The last four Airbus A340-600s will be retired in October 2026, ending the type's service at the carrier.
- Two Boeing 747-400s will be grounded in October 2026. The entire 747-400 fleet is expected to be permanently retired in 2027. Note: These are separate from the 747-8s which remain in service. Fleet Reallocation:
- Nine additional Airbus A350-900s will be allocated to Discover Airlines, Lufthansa's low-cost long-haul subsidiary. This likely involves ex-Philippine Airlines A350s with unique interiors, shifting them from mainline Lufthansa to the subsidiary. Context:
- These moves follow the sudden shutdown of Lufthansa CityLine. The strategy appears to maximize flights under the lower-margin Discover brand while managing labor relations. Impact:
- Frequent flyers should expect reduced availability of A340-600 and 747-400 cabins on Lufthansa long-haul routes starting late 2026
Lufthansa has announced significant long-haul fleet adjustments driven by high oil prices and labor issues. Aircraft Retirements and Groundings: