Lufthansa rolls out restored Lockheed Super Star in Hamburg

Lufthansa Technik has unveiled a fully restored Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, the flagship of Lufthansa’s late-1950s fleet. The aircraft, restored to non-airworthy condition, rolled out in Hamburg on January 17, 2025, showcasing its original 1950s cockpit and engineering marvels like movable rudders and flaps.

Historical Significance

• Introduced in 1957, the Super Star connected Hamburg to New York non-stop, marking the pinnacle of propeller-driven aviation on transatlantic routes.
• It featured the exclusive “Senator Class,” a precursor to modern premium travel.

Restoration Highlights

• Components, including the fuselage and iconic triple tail, were meticulously assembled.
• The cabin blends 1950s aesthetics with modernized seats from a retired Lufthansa A340.

Future Plans

• The aircraft will be painted in its original 1950s Lufthansa livery at Münster/Osnabrück Airport.
• It will move to Frankfurt in October 2025, where it will be displayed alongside the Junkers Ju 52 D-AQUI at Lufthansa’s new conference and visitor center, opening in 2026 for the airline’s 100th anniversary.

This restoration celebrates Lufthansa’s legacy while preserving aviation history for future generations.