Lufthansa marks 100 years with global anniversary celebrations and special liveries

Lufthansa will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century since the founding of the first “Luft Hansa” on January 6, 1926, and its maiden flight later that year. The milestone reflects both the history of one of aviation’s most recognisable brands and the airline’s ambition as it enters its second century under the anniversary motto, “We are the Journey.”

Founded through the merger of Junkers Luftverkehr and Deutsche Aero Lloyd, Lufthansa’s history spans pioneering achievements, major disruptions and rebirths. The airline acknowledges its darkest chapter during the Nazi era and is using the anniversary to further examine this period through historical research. Today’s Lufthansa traces its legal origins to the re-establishment of Deutsche Lufthansa AG in 1953, with flight operations resuming in 1955.

The centenary celebrations in 2026 will include exhibitions, special events, publications, films, employee and customer activities, and a visible anniversary presence across airports, onboard services and city centres. A permanent exhibition will open at Lufthansa Group Hangar One, while branding such as a “100 Years of Lufthansa” emblem will appear on boarding passes and aircraft.

A centrepiece of the celebrations is the Lufthansa anniversary fleet, with special liveries applied to six aircraft types, including the A380, A350 variants, A320, 747-8 and a Boeing 787-9 named Berlin, which will be the first to enter scheduled service in the commemorative colours. Two retro liveries will also highlight the airline’s heritage, featuring the iconic crane emblem.

Lufthansa says the anniversary is both a moment of reflection and a forward-looking statement, honouring the loyalty of its passengers and the contribution of its workforce—now numbering around 40,000 employees across the core brand and 100,000 across the Lufthansa Group worldwide.