Lufthansa Unveils 100th Anniversary Special Livery on New Boeing 787-9

Lufthansa Airlines is celebrating its upcoming 100th anniversary in 2026 with a striking new special livery. Revealed on September 26, the design will debut on a brand-new Boeing 787-9 that will enter service in December, carrying the airline’s iconic crane symbol around the world.

The centennial livery features a deep blue fuselage crowned by a white crane whose wings seamlessly merge with those of the aircraft—an unprecedented design that combines movement, elegance, tradition, and innovation. Graphic designer and architect Otto Firle created the original Lufthansa crane in 1918, and over the decades it has become one of the most recognizable airline trademarks worldwide.

To mark the milestone, the numerals “100” appear on the left side of the fuselage, while “1926 / 2026” is displayed on the right. A “100” logo also adorns the underside of the aircraft, making the anniversary emblem visible from the ground during flight.

“Our Lufthansa crane stands for safety, pioneering spirit, premium quality, but also for freedom and reliability. This has been the case for the past 100 years and will continue to be so in the future,” said Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines. “The special livery of the Boeing 787 honors our identity and also stands for a proud team of Lufthansa employees who give everything every day for the safety and well-being of our guests.”

The Boeing 787-9 (registration D-ABPU) received its special paint in Charleston, USA. Lufthansa is expected to take delivery of the aircraft, featuring its new Allegris cabin interior, in Frankfurt this November. Beginning in December, it will act as a flying ambassador, promoting Lufthansa’s centennial anniversary worldwide.

Lufthansa Group plans to operate a fleet of 32 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, though the exact number in service is currently in flux due to delivery and certification delays for their new Allegris cabin. As of September 2025, only a small number are in service, with many more completed 787s awaiting cabin certification and acceptance in the United States. As of late August/early September 2025, only a handful of Lufthansa’s Boeing 787-9s are in service, such as “Berlin” and “Frankfurt”. The five original 787-9s in service were transferred to Austrian Airlines in 2023, another Lufthansa Group airline.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, newsroom.lufthansagroup.com