Lufthansa today announced a significant expansion of its short and medium-haul fleet with a firm order for 40 Airbus A220-300s and an option to acquire up to 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets. This order includes a commitment to 40 Boeing 737-8 airplanes, with an additional 60 options available.
This move by Lufthansa not only reinforces its relationship with Airbus, which dates back to the era of the A300, but also marks a notable step in its fleet modernization program. The Lufthansa Group has operated every member of the Airbus family, from the A220 and A320-Family to the A330 / A340, A350, and A380 models.
The inclusion of the Boeing 737 MAX in this order reflects Boeing’s commitment to sustainability, a key factor for modern airlines. The 737 MAX is designed to be efficient, reducing CO2 emissions by 20% and having a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to older generation airplanes.
Lufthansa's Latest Order: A Balanced Mix of Airbus and Boeing Aircraft
The Airbus A220-300, the larger variant in the A220 Family, is an advanced aircraft capable of carrying 120 to 150 passengers for distances up to 3,400 nautical miles (approximately 6,300 km). It stands out for its fuel efficiency, offering 25% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. The A220-300 is also known for its spacious cabin, larger seats, and windows, ensuring enhanced passenger comfort.
Lufthansa’s history with the Boeing 737 dates back to 1967, with the airline being a significant operator of the model until the retirement of its last 737 in 2016. This was part of Lufthansa’s fleet modernization strategy, which now sees the addition of these new aircraft.
Additionally, the Lufthansa Group has been actively updating its wide-body fleet, with current orders including 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, seven 777-8 Freighters, and 20 777-9 airplanes. These steps are part of Lufthansa’s continuous effort to modernize its fleet, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG
“With today’s order for 40 additional Airbus A220s, we are continuing our unique partnership with Airbus. Just a few months ago, as the largest airline customer, we received our 600th aircraft from Airbus, and we look forward to taking delivery of number 700. Our customers are looking forward to these additional modern, economical, and fuel-efficient aircraft.”
It is a good strategic decision for the Lufthansa Group to order Boeing 737 aircraft again for the first time since 1995,” said Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. “Around 60 years ago, Lufthansa was co-developer and launch customer of this globally successful model. With the new modern, quiet, economical and efficient 737-8 aircraft, we are making progress both in modernizing our short- and medium-haul fleet and in achieving our carbon CO2 reduction targets.”
