Lufthansa Reveals Centennial Livery on 100th Anniversary Flagship

Lufthansa has unveiled a striking new special livery to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2026. The carrier will apply the paint scheme to a Boeing 787-9 (registration D-ABPU), which is expected to enter service in December 2025. The aircraft will serve as a flying brand ambassador for Lufthansa’s centennial celebrations.

The Story in Brief

Originating from a press release on Lufthansa’s newsroom, the airline confirmed that from December 2025, the new 787-9 will “proudly carry the symbol of Lufthansa’s unique identity around the world: the crane.”

The reveal includes details of the livery itself, delivery timing, and significance tied to the company’s heritage.

The Aircraft and the Livery

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 D-ABPU

• The special livery has been applied to Boeing 787-9 D-ABPU.

• The painting work was carried out in Charleston, USA, prior to delivery to Lufthansa.

• Lufthansa expects to take delivery of the aircraft in November 2025, with the new Allegris interior already installed.

• It is scheduled to enter regular passenger service in December 2025.

Livery Design and Symbolism

• The livery features a deep blue fuselage as base, with a white crane motif “hovering” above the fuselage.

• Importantly, the crane’s wings are visually married to the aircraft’s wings — the design merges the crane’s wing elements with the real wings of the aircraft, making the fuselage and wing surfaces part of a unified bird-in-flight graphic.

• On one side of the fuselage the number “100” stretches top to bottom, while the other side carries the years “1926 / 2026”.

• A “100” logo is also painted on the underside of the aircraft, visible during overflight or from the ground.

• The design is intended to evoke continuity, elegance, and a blending of tradition with motion — a modern reinterpretation of the crane symbol that has defined Lufthansa’s visual identity.

• Lufthansa emphasizes that the crane symbol — originally designed in 1918 by Otto Firle — remains central to its brand.

Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter commented:

“Our Lufthansa crane stands for safety, pioneering spirit, premium quality, but also for freedom and reliability. … The special livery of the Boeing 787 honors our identity …” Lufthansa Group Newsroom+2pax-intl.com+2

Lufthansa’s 100-Year Journey

Lufthansa’s centenary is officially pegged to 6 January 2026, marking a century since its founding (through the merger of Deutsche Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftverkehr in 1926). Over those years, Lufthansa has become Europe’s largest airline group, with a global reach spanning all inhabited continents.

That history is not without breaks: Lufthansa was not continuously operating through the 20th century. The airline ceased operations during and after World War II, with the postwar German airline industry reorganized under new frameworks. Its resurrection and rebirth led to the Lufthansa we know today, and this anniversary is as much about revival and continuity as it is about longevity.

As part of the anniversary build-up, Lufthansa is also rolling out Project FOX (Future Onboard Experience) — a €70 million investment to refresh long-haul service. Launching in spring 2026, it aims to offer more personalized dining timing, expanded meal options in economy/premium economy, upgraded interiors, new textiles, and refined onboard service.

The 787-9 in the centenary scheme will function as a flying symbol of the airline’s identity and values during the celebrations.

What Spotters Should Watch For

• The D-ABPU aircraft will be a must-see photo target, especially at Lufthansa hubs like Frankfurt where it may be staged.

• Spotters will want to catch its underbelly “100” logo, and view the wing-crane visual integration at favourable angles.

• Expect the special 787-9 to be deployed on long-haul routes (typical of 787 operations), making intercontinental spotting opportunities likely.

• Because the livery was applied in Charleston and delivered in November, there may be public appearances or ferry legs via U.S. or transatlantic routing before entering scheduled service.

What do you think of the special scheme? Leave a comment below!