The Lufthansa Group plans to add the 737 MAX 8 to its fleet before the end of the decade. The company placed a firm order for 40 of the type as part of a major fleet refresh announcement. It will also expand its A220-300 operations, with 40 frames.
We are pleased that both Airbus and Boeing were able to convince us on all commercial and technological aspects. – Dr. Detlef Kayser, Member of the Executive Board, Fleet and Technology
Bringing the 737 back to Lufthansa(ish)
Lufthansa was a launch customer of the 737 in 1967. It took its last delivery of the type in 1995 and retired its last 737 in 2016. For Boeing, securing a new order for the single-aisle family after 30 years is a massive win.
But these new planes will not fly for the Lufthansa brand. In its announcement the carrier notes “the planned growth path for both Lufthansa Airlines, including Lufthansa City Airlines, and SWISS is already underpinned by aircraft orders” so the MAX will be deployed in another of the Group’s operations. This means Brussels Airlines, Austrian, or Eurowings are likely operators for the planes (Discover is the other group airline but focused on longhaul ops).
The company plans to fit the planes with 190 seats in the hybrid business/economy layout. That’s 10 seats more than the current A320neo layout and 25 fewer than the A321neo configuration.
Delivery is expected from Q3 2027 and will occur over a five year period.. The deal also includes 60 options for further growth as needed.
A220s for City Airlines
Lufthansa Group’s new City Airlines will fly the A220-300s from 2026, with deliveries also stretching five years. The planes will operate short-haul routes, feeding the carrier’s long-haul hubs at Frankfurt and Munich.
City Airlines will fly with 148 seats on the A220, adding 10 seats per departure compared to the A319s they will replace.
The Group also holds options for an additional 20 frames as part of the order.
A320neo options, too
Finally, the Group added 40 options for A320neo aircraft. These are in addition to approximately 450 A320 family planes currently operating for the group and 71 firm orders pending delivery over the next few years.
PaxEx Options
Neither Brussels Airlines nor Austrian operates with inflight entertainment, power, or internet connectivity today. Perhaps the new 737 MAX fleet will open up that opportunity for these aircraft.
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