As Lufthansa Airlines approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, the carrier has unveiled a striking new special livery that pays tribute to its heritage while symbolizing its vision for the future. A brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (registration D-ABPU) has been painted in the celebratory design at Charleston, USA, and will join the airline’s fleet in Frankfurt this November. It is expected to enter commercial service in December.
The livery is built around Lufthansa’s most enduring emblem, the crane. Originally created by graphic designer and architect Otto Firle in 1918, the crane has become one of the most recognizable logos in global aviation, symbolizing reliability, safety, and elegance for generations of travellers.
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For the anniversary edition, the Dreamliner’s fuselage is painted in a rich blue with a white crane soaring above it. The visual effect is striking, the bird’s wings appear to extend seamlessly into the aircraft’s own wings, creating a fusion of art and engineering that captures both movement and grace.
The celebratory elements are complemented by the numerals “100” integrated on the left side of the fuselage, the “1926 / 2026” timeline on the right, and a bold “100” logo painted on the aircraft’s underside, a feature visible from the ground during take-off and landing.
Explaining the significance of the design, Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, said: “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. We are proud of our tradition and our values, and we look forward to continuing our great history. 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.”
This 787-9 will not only carry the special exterior design but also feature Lufthansa’s much-anticipated Allegris interior cabin concept, part of the airline’s €2.5 billion investment in upgrading its long-haul product. The Allegris program includes redesigned seating across all classes, improved cabin architecture, enhanced IFE systems, and customer-centric comfort features.
With this combination of an eye-catching commemorative livery and an innovative interior experience, the aircraft is set to act as a flying ambassador of Lufthansa’s 100-year legacy. As it travels across global routes from December 2025, it will showcase how the airline is blending its rich history with forward-looking passenger experiences.
The centennial livery and the Allegris-equipped Dreamliner represent Lufthansa’s dual emphasis on brand identity and customer innovation. As the airline prepares to celebrate its milestone in 2026, this aircraft symbolizes both continuity and reinvention, an expression of Lufthansa’s values carried into the next century of flight.
