Lufthansa is celebrating a significant milestone: 100 years since its inaugural flights took off in Berlin. On April 6, 1926, the airline, then known as “Luft Hansa,” launched its first flights from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport to Zurich and Cologne. A century later, this historic moment was commemorated on Easter Monday with a special celebration, including two flights retracing the original routes.
Two aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A350-900, both adorned with blue anniversary livery featuring a white XXL crane, departed from Frankfurt and Munich, respectively. Onboard were over 600 guests, including Lufthansa employees and their partners, who won tickets through an internal raffle, as well as invited dignitaries from the political and aviation sectors. The festivities culminated in Berlin, where the Boeing 787-9 was officially named “Berlin” during a ceremony attended by Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner.
Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, reflected on the airline’s legacy, stating, “Today, Lufthansa celebrates its birthday! It all began here in Berlin 100 years ago, driven by a pioneering spirit and passion. Berlin remains a vital hub for us, with around 2,000 Lufthansa employees living and working in the capital region. We are committed to continuing our strong partnership with Berlin.”
Mayor Kai Wegner also highlighted the airline’s historical connection to the city, saying, “100 years of Lufthansa is a remarkable milestone. The inaugural flights from Berlin to Zurich and Cologne established a lasting bond with our city. I’m thrilled that we are naming the Boeing 787-9 ‘Berlin’ to mark this special occasion.”
The anniversary flights, LH1926 and LH2026, departed Berlin at 3:15 p.m., retracing the original routes. The Boeing 787-9 flew via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart to Zurich, while the Airbus A350-900 traveled via Magdeburg to Cologne, paying homage to the stopovers made on April 6, 1926.
Lufthansa, which will officially celebrate its 100th founding anniversary in 2026, has deep roots in Berlin, where it was established on January 6, 1926. Today, the Lufthansa Group is one of the world’s largest airline groups and the leading carrier in Europe, with a dominant presence in Berlin, operating 30% of all flights in the capital.
The anniversary celebrations will continue on April 15 with a grand ceremony in Frankfurt, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to attend at Lufthansa Group Hangar One, the airline’s new conference and visitor center at Frankfurt Airport.
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