To mark its centenary, Lufthansa has introduced a special anniversary livery on one of its Airbus A380 aircraft, featuring an oversized blue crane and the inscription “1926 | 2026” and “100.”
Aircraft Details
- Registration: D-AIMH
- Arrival: Landed at Munich Airport as flight LH9901
- Paint Location: Shannon, Ireland
- Entry into Service: March 2026
The repainting required:
- 35 technicians
- 34 days of work
- A 47-metre stylised crane
- Over 4,000 m² of painted surface (approx. 16 tennis courts)
Part of a Wider Anniversary Fleet
The A380 is the fourth aircraft to receive the commemorative design. Other aircraft already flying in the special blue anniversary colours include:
- Airbus A350-900 (Munich-based)
- Boeing 787-9 (Frankfurt-based)
- Airbus A320neo (Frankfurt-based)
An additional A320neo is expected shortly in Munich, with two more aircraft to follow:
- Boeing 747-8
- Airbus A350-1000
In total, seven aircraft will carry special “100 Years” liveries commemorating the founding of “Luft Hansa” in 1926.
Cost Efficiency Strategy
The airline confirmed that aircraft will receive the special paint either:
- During scheduled repainting cycles, or
- As factory-applied liveries for new deliveries
- This approach minimises incremental cost impact during the anniversary year.
Strategic takeaway: Lufthansa is leveraging fleet visibility and brand heritage through high-impact, cost-controlled livery branding — reinforcing corporate identity across flagship widebody and key narrowbody assets during its centennial year.