Lufthansa Nears New Widebody Order Decision

Lufthansa is nearing a major decision on a new widebody aircraft order as it accelerates fleet renewal plans amid rising fuel costs and ongoing delivery delays from manufacturers.

Speaking at the Airlines for Europe summit in Brussels on March 19, CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed that the airline is in the final phase of selecting between Airbus and Boeing for a follow-up order. A decision is expected within weeks, with deliveries projected to begin around 2033.

The German airline group already has a substantial backlog of widebody aircraft, including 21 Airbus A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s, 25 Boeing 787-9s, and 27 Boeing 777X aircraft. However, delays to key programs—particularly the Boeing 777X, now expected in early 2027, and certification issues affecting the 787-9—have slowed Lufthansa’s fleet modernization timeline.

As a result, the airline continues to rely on aging aircraft. Lufthansa plans to retire its Airbus A340-600 fleet after the summer 2026 season, while older A340-300s and Boeing 747-400s are expected to remain in service beyond next year. Across the group, other carriers are also facing fleet transitions. Austrian Airlines is preparing to replace its Boeing 777-200 and 767-300ER aircraft, while Swiss International Air Lines continues to operate A340s that are due for eventual phase-out.

The urgency to modernize has increased in recent months as fuel prices have surged, putting pressure on airlines to deploy more efficient aircraft. New-generation widebodies such as the A350 and 787 typically deliver around 20–25% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions per seat compared to older four-engine aircraft like the A340 and 747-400, with even greater gains on certain routes and configurations.

Lufthansa has also taken steps to free up capital for fleet renewal. The airline recently sold two Boeing 747-8 aircraft for approximately $400 million, which will be repurposed as training platforms for the U.S. Air Force One program. The proceeds could support future aircraft investments.

Lufthansa Group – Current Widebody Fleet (All Airlines Combined, as of Dec. 2025)

Airbus Widebody Fleet

Aircraft Type	Lufthansa (LH)	SWISS (LX)	Brussels (SN)	Group Total
A330-300	21	14	11	46
A340-300/600	23	8	0	31
A350-900	31	5	0	36
A380-800	8	0	0	8

Boeing Widebody Fleet

Aircraft Type	Lufthansa (LH)	SWISS (LX)	Austrian (OS)	Lufthansa Cargo (LCAG)	Group Total
Boeing 747-400 / 747-8	27	0	0	0	27
Boeing 767-300ER	0	0	3	0	3
Boeing 777-300ER / 777-200ER	0	12	6	0	18
Boeing 787-9	12	0	2	0	14
Boeing 777F (Freighter)	0	0	0	18	18

While Spohr did not specify which models are under consideration in the upcoming order, Lufthansa has signaled a renewed openness to maintaining a sizable widebody fleet. The airline plans to keep its Boeing 747-8 fleet of 17 aircraft and its eight Airbus A380s in service well into the 2030s.

The pending order will be closely watched across the aviation industry, as it reflects both Lufthansa’s long-term network strategy and broader trends in global fleet renewal as airlines balance capacity, efficiency, and sustainability.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationweek.com, lufthansa.com