Lufthansa's New Billion-Dollar Deal: the Group Purchases 20 Airbus and Boeing Aircraft for $7.7B

Lufthansa Group announced on Monday evening (May 11, 2026) that the company's board of directors has approved an order for 20 new passenger aircraft for long-haul flights, as part of a deal worth approximately $7.7 billion at list prices.

The order includes 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft and 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with delivery of the aircraft expected to take place between 2032 and 2034.

Lufthansa said the new planes are intended to replace older, less efficient models, as part of a broad plan to renew the group's fleet and reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. As PassportNews reported last month, amid rising global fuel prices, the group is reducing flights, taking planes out of service, and accelerating a broad efficiency program that also includes thousands of job cuts.

It was also reported that the new aircraft are expected to improve the group's operational efficiency, reduce maintenance and operating costs, and create greater uniformity in the aircraft fleet, including in the areas of training and spare parts management.

According to the company, after the current order, the group's order backlog stands at 232 new aircraft, including 107 next-generation wide-body aircraft.

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG: “By ordering 20 additional long-haul aircraft, we are making a sustainable investment in the future of the Lufthansa Group. It is a clear commitment to a modern fleet, to premium quality, and to further reducing CO2 emissions. After all, aircraft featuring the latest technology are the most powerful tool for more climate-friendly air travel. The state-of-the-art Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are more fuel-efficient, quieter, and have lower emissions than their respective predecessors. We are thus continuing the largest fleet modernization in our history.” 

20 new aircraft on the way to the Lufthansa fleet. Photo: Lufthansa Group

As part of Lufthansa's centennial celebrations, this month the company launched FOX, the new service experience on long-haul flights, which includes a comprehensive upgrade in all service classes and on all aircraft. This was in addition to signing its first codeshare agreement with the Danish airline DAT (Danish Air Transport).