COLOGNE- Lufthansa (LH) CEO Carsten Spohr says the airline now expects its first Boeing 777-9 to arrive in early 2027. The aircraft will be delivered to Lufthansa (LH), the launch customer for Boeing’s delayed 777X program.
The aircraft is expected to enter passenger service in summer 2027 from Frankfurt Airport (FRA), marking a major milestone for Boeing and the German carrier after several years of certification and production delays.
Lufthansa Anticipates Boeing 777-9 Entry Into Service
Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr stated during the airline’s annual press conference in Frankfurt that discussions with Boeing indicate the first Boeing 777-9 should arrive in the first quarter of 2027.
If the timeline holds, Lufthansa plans to introduce the aircraft on passenger routes during the summer travel season that same year. The airline has long been scheduled as the launch operator for the 777X family, though the original delivery target of 2020 slipped multiple times due to certification and development issues.
Spohr said recent discussions with Boeing have improved his outlook on the timeline. He noted that the airline now expects the aircraft to arrive early in the year and enter commercial service shortly after.
The CEO also confirmed he plans to visit Boeing’s production facilities in Seattle in the coming weeks to review the progress of the program.
Although Lufthansa will be the first airline to operate the 777-9, Boeing has indicated that the second and third operators could follow soon after. The gap between the first few customers is expected to be only a matter of weeks or months, Simple Flying reported.
Impact on Lufthansa’s Large Aircraft Fleet
The arrival of the Boeing 777-9 will influence the long-term future of Lufthansa’s largest aircraft types, particularly the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380.
Both aircraft currently remain part of Lufthansa’s long-haul strategy and are expected to operate well into the 2030s. However, their exact retirement timelines will depend heavily on how smoothly new aircraft deliveries proceed in the coming years.
Spohr explained that supply chain stability from major manufacturers will determine whether the Airbus A380 or Boeing 747-8 remains in service longer.
Lufthansa is currently upgrading both aircraft with its new Allegris cabin concept. The first Airbus A380 receiving the upgrade, registration D-AIMC, is undergoing refurbishment in Dresden and will return to service with a redesigned all-aisle-access business class cabin.
The Boeing 747-8 remains particularly valuable for Lufthansa due to its premium seating capacity and cargo performance. According to Spohr, the aircraft performs strongly on high-demand routes that require both large passenger capacity and cargo capability.
Lufthansa is one of only three airlines that took delivery of the passenger version of the Boeing 747-8, making the aircraft an important part of the airline’s long-haul fleet.
Lufthansa’s Aircraft Deliveries Planned for 2026
Before the first Boeing 777-9 joins the fleet, Lufthansa expects a significant wave of new aircraft deliveries in 2026.
The airline plans to receive 45 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing during the year, supporting its large-scale fleet modernization program.
The expected deliveries include:
Airbus A220-300
- 3 aircraft total
A320neo
- 10 aircraft total
A321neo
- 5 aircraft total
Boeing 787-9
- 17 aircraft total
Airbus A350-900
- 6 aircraft total
A350-1000
- 4 aircraft total
These aircraft will arrive progressively throughout the year, with the largest delivery volume expected in the fourth quarter.
Major Fleet Phase-Out by 2027
Fleet renewal remains a central strategy for Lufthansa Group as it focuses on replacing older aircraft with newer and more fuel-efficient models.
By the end of 2027, the airline plans to retire several aircraft types from its fleet. These include:
- Airbus A340-600
- Airbus A340-300
- Boeing 747-400
- Airbus A330-200
- Bombardier CRJ900
The retirements will be balanced by the arrival of newer aircraft such as the Airbus A220-300, Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 787-9, and the upcoming Boeing 777-9.
The introduction of these modern aircraft is expected to improve fuel efficiency, reduce operating costs, and modernize the passenger experience across Lufthansa’s long-haul and short-haul networks.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
