Lufthansa Announces Major Airbus and Boeing Narrowbody Order for 200 Aircraft

Boeing and the Lufthansa Group have announced a landmark order of up to 100 737 MAX jets. This deal marks a significant milestone, as it reintroduces the renowned Boeing 737 family into the fleet of Europe’s largest airline group. The commitment includes a firm order for 40 of the 737-8 model, with an option for an additional 60 jets.

This substantial order is part of a larger acquisition totaling 200 aircraft, comprising 80 firm orders and 120 options for Airbus A220s, Airbus A320neos, and Boeing 737 MAXs. The order is valued at $9 billion at list prices.

Focusing on the Boeing orders, the Lufthansa Group announced on Tuesday a significant 737 MAX order for up to 100 jets. This move is a major step in restoring the Boeing 737 family to Europe’s largest airline group’s fleet. The commitment includes a firm order for 40 737-8 airplanes with options for 60 additional aircraft.

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, commented on the strategic importance of this decision. He noted, “Around 60 years ago, Lufthansa was a 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.”

Boeing’s 737 MAX is renowned for its efficiency, offering a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to older generation airplanes. Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, highlighted the synergy between Boeing’s offerings and Lufthansa Group’s sustainability goals. “The 737-8 will help the Lufthansa Group meet those sustainability targets with significant improvements in fuel use, emissions, and community noise impacts, all while reducing costs for the airline,” he said.

Lufthansa’s history with the Boeing 737 dates back to 1967, with the airline having launched the model and taken delivery of the first of 146 737s until its final delivery of a 737-300 in 1995. The airline retired its last 737 in 2016 as it embarked on a group-wide fleet modernization program.

This new order from Lufthansa Group, along with their recent series of wide-body orders, signifies a major step in modernizing and decarbonizing its operations. The group’s current backlog includes firm orders for 34 787 Dreamliners, seven 777-8 Freighters, and 20 777-9 airplanes.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, boeing.com, airbus.com