Lufthansa Marks 100 Years Since Its Founding

Lufthansa is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026, celebrating a century since the founding of the first “Luft Hansa” on January 6, 1926. The milestone commemorates the airline’s long-standing role in shaping global aviation while looking ahead to the future of Europe’s largest airline group.

 

The original airline was formed through the merger of Junkers Luftverkehr and Deutsche Aero Lloyd, with its first flight taking place in April 1926. From its earliest days, Lufthansa played a key role in connecting people, cultures, and economies across borders. Its history, however, has included periods of disruption, political involvement, and renewal, reflecting both the challenges and transformations of the aviation industry over the past century.

Lufthansa has acknowledged the darkest chapter of its past during the Nazi era, when the airline became part of the regime. As part of its centenary, the company is continuing to critically examine this period based on historical research, emphasizing that its full history extends beyond post-war developments.

The legal foundation of today’s Lufthansa was established in 1953 with the creation of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Two years later, in 1955, flight operations resumed, marking a new beginning that would lead to the global airline group known today.

The anniversary is being celebrated under the motto “We are the Journey,” highlighting the shared path of passengers, employees, and supporters over the past 100 years. Lufthansa notes that its success has been shaped not only by innovation and technology, but also by the dedication of its workforce. Today, around 40,000 employees from 122 countries work for the Lufthansa brand, while the wider group employs about 100,000 people from more than 160 nations.

Throughout 2026, Lufthansa will host a series of events and initiatives to mark the anniversary. These include a permanent exhibition at the Lufthansa Group’s Hangar One, special customer and employee events, film and video projects, and the publication of a history book. A commemorative “100 Years of Lufthansa” emblem will also appear on boarding passes, at airports, and onboard aircraft.

A major highlight of the celebrations will be the introduction of a special anniversary fleet. One aircraft from each of Lufthansa’s key sub-fleets will feature a dedicated 100-year livery, including an Airbus A380, Airbus A350 variants, an Airbus A320, and a Boeing 747-8. Leading the fleet is a Boeing 787-9 named “Berlin,” which recently arrived at its new home base in Frankfurt Airport and is set to enter scheduled service.

In addition, two retro liveries will pay tribute to Lufthansa’s heritage, combining historical design elements with modern aircraft. The airline’s iconic crane logo, originally designed by Otto Firle in 1918, remains a central symbol of the brand as Lufthansa embarks on its second century of operations.