Lufthansa 100th Anniversary Celebrated With Historic Berlin Flights

Lufthansa 100th anniversary with Historic Anniversary Flights from Berlin — *Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 “Berlin” in special anniversary livery marking the airline’s centenary celebrations.*

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The Lufthansa 100th anniversary was marked with commemorative flights retracing the airline’s historic routes from Berlin, marking a century since the airline’s first commercial operations in 1926. The commemorative flights connected Berlin with Zurich and Cologne, mirroring the original inaugural routes that launched the airline’s operations from Berlin Tempelhof Airport on April 6, 1926.

Hundreds of Lufthansa employees and invited guests participated in the anniversary celebrations in Berlin, highlighting the airline’s historical ties with the German capital and its continued role in the European aviation industry.

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Key Takeaways

• Lufthansa marks 100 years since its first flights in 1926
• Anniversary flights retraced historic Berlin–Zurich and Berlin–Cologne routes
• Boeing 787-9 named “Berlin” during commemorative ceremony
• More than 600 guests attended anniversary events in Berlin

Lufthansa 100th Anniversary Flights Retrace Historic Routes

On April 6, 1926, two aircraft departed from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, flying to Zurich and Cologne. The flights marked the launch of Lufthansa’s early commercial aviation operations and established the airline’s long-standing connection with Berlin.

Exactly 100 years later, Lufthansa recreated these historic routes through two commemorative flights. The airline deployed a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A350-900, both painted in a blue anniversary livery featuring a white crane emblem.

The special flights departed from Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport before converging in Berlin for the commemorative ceremony.

More than 600 guests attended the event in Berlin, including Lufthansa employees, invited aviation industry representatives, and political leaders.

Boeing 787-9 Named “Berlin” During Anniversary Ceremony

A central moment of the celebration was the official naming of the Boeing 787-9 aircraft “Berlin.” The naming ceremony highlighted the historical significance of the German capital in the airline’s founding story.

The anniversary aircraft later departed Berlin for Zurich and Cologne, closely following the historic flight paths of the original 1926 routes.

The Boeing 787-9 flew from Berlin to Zurich via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart, while the Airbus A350-900 operated the route to Cologne via Magdeburg.

Flight numbers LH1926 and LH2026 were used for the commemorative services, referencing both the airline’s founding year and its centenary.

Management Perspective on Lufthansa’s 100-Year Milestone

Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Airlines, emphasized the historical significance of the anniversary during the celebration.

He noted that the airline’s origins are closely tied to Berlin, where the first Lufthansa flights departed a century ago. Today, the German capital remains one of the company’s largest operational locations, employing around 2,000 staff across the region.

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, also attended the ceremony, highlighting Lufthansa’s long-standing relationship with the city and its continued role in supporting Berlin’s aviation connectivity.

Berlin’s Role in Lufthansa’s Aviation History

Berlin holds a central place in Lufthansa’s corporate history and played a key role in the Lufthansa 100th anniversary celebrations marking the airline’s founding in 1926.

The first flights departing Berlin established early international routes linking Germany with Switzerland and other European destinations.

Today, Lufthansa continues to maintain a strong presence in Berlin’s aviation market. Airlines within the Lufthansa Group account for roughly 30 percent of all flights operating in the capital region.

Lufthansa Group’s Global Position

Over the past century, Lufthansa has grown into one of the largest airline groups in the world. The Lufthansa Group now includes several major carriers and aviation service companies operating across Europe and globally.

The group remains the largest airline group in Europe and among the four largest airline groups worldwide by fleet size and network reach.

The Lufthansa 100th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout 2026, with a major ceremony planned later this year at Lufthansa’s Hangar One conference and visitor center at Frankfurt Airport.

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