Lufthansa's First Airbus A350-1000 Debuts in Special 100th Anniversary Livery
Lufthansa’s first Airbus A350-1000 has emerged from the paint shop in Toulouse wearing the airline’s striking special 100th anniversary livery, marking another milestone as it prepares to enter service later this year. The aircraft, registered D-AIFA , is the first of 15 Airbus A350-1000s on firm order for the German flag carrier and forms part of Lufthansa’s centenary celebrations, which are taking place throughout 2026. The eye-catching design features an oversized version of Lufthansa’s iconic crane logo sweeping across the rear fuselage, matching the commemorative scheme already carried by several aircraft in the airline’s anniversary fleet. These include a Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A380, Boeing 747-8 and selected narrowbody aircraft. New Flagship For Munich Following delivery from Airbus, D-AIFA will be based at Munich Airport , where it will operate alongside much of Lufthansa’s existing Airbus A350-900 fleet. Munich has become Lufthansa’s primary Airbus A350 hub in recent years, with the efficient twinjet operating many of the airline’s long-haul services from southern Germany. The arrival of the larger A350-1000 will further strengthen the airline’s premium long-haul operation from the airport. The Airbus A350-1000 is around seven metres longer than the A350-900 and offers greater passenger capacity while maintaining the type’s reputation for excellent fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Lufthansa’s A350-1000 Fleet Lufthansa has ordered 15 Airbus A350-1000s , with options for a further 25 aircraft. The type will become the airline’s new flagship on many long-haul routes and is expected to feature Lufthansa’s latest Allegris premium cabin products throughout. The aircraft are intended to replace older four-engined Airbus A340-600s and provide increased capacity on high-demand intercontinental services while offering lower operating costs and improved environmental performance. With D-AIFA now painted in its commemorative colours, the aircraft is entering the final stages of preparation before delivery, ensuring Lufthansa’s newest flagship will also become one of its most distinctive as the airline celebrates 100 years since its founding.