Lufthansa Group Orders More A350s and B787s to Support Restructuring and Long-Haul Strategy
AeroMorning – John Smith – May 11, 2026
On May 11, 2026, Lufthansa Group officially announced a major new long-haul aircraft order, confirming the purchase of ten Airbus A350-900s and ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The order, approved by the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, represents another major step in the group’s long-term fleet renewal and restructuring programme. Deliveries are scheduled between 2032 and 2034, with the transaction carrying an estimated list value of approximately USD 7.7 billion.
Fleet Renewal Driven by Profitability Goals
While the order reinforces Lufthansa’s commitment to modernizing its fleet, the decision is also closely tied to the group’s broader profitability and rationalization strategy.
Over the past two years, Lufthansa has faced mounting pressure from rising labour costs in Germany, repeated strikes, higher airport and air navigation charges, supply chain disruptions, and aircraft delivery delays. At the same time, the core Lufthansa Airlines brand has struggled to match the profitability levels achieved by competitors such as International Airlines Group and Air France-KLM.
In response, management launched an extensive turnaround programme aimed at restoring margins and improving operational efficiency across the group. The restructuring effort includes approximately 700 individual efficiency measures, increased digitalization and automation, stronger integration between Lufthansa Group airlines, optimization of hub operations, and the planned reduction of around 4,000 administrative positions by 2030.
Within this context, fleet renewal has become a central financial tool rather than simply a growth initiative. Lufthansa’s management sees new-generation aircraft as essential to lowering structural costs, improving reliability, and strengthening long-term competitiveness.
The group is targeting an Adjusted EBIT margin of 8–10% between 2028 and 2030 while improving cash generation and returns on invested capital.
This latest order therefore fits into a much broader transformation programme that has been reshaping Lufthansa since the post-pandemic COVID recovery period.
Why the Airbus A350-900 Remains Central to Lufthansa’s Strategy
The Airbus A350-900 has progressively become one of Lufthansa’s key long-haul aircraft and a cornerstone of its premium intercontinental network.
The type is particularly valued for:
- high fuel efficiency,
- long-range capability,
- lower maintenance requirements,
- reduced noise levels,
- and strong passenger appeal in premium cabins.
For Lufthansa, the A350 is primarily intended to continue replacing older four-engine aircraft such as the Airbus A340-600, whose operating economics have become increasingly difficult to justify in today’s market environment.
Compared with previous-generation aircraft, the A350 consumes significantly less fuel and generates substantially lower emissions and noise levels. This directly supports Lufthansa Group’s environmental targets, which include reducing net CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 compared with 2019 levels and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
The aircraft is therefore both an economic and environmental asset for the group.
The Strategic Role of the Boeing 787-9
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner serves a somewhat different purpose within Lufthansa Group’s fleet strategy.
While the A350 is increasingly positioned as a flagship aircraft on dense premium routes, the 787 provides greater operational flexibility on medium-density long-haul markets. Its lower fuel burn and operating costs make it particularly well suited for routes where capacity requirements are lower but efficiency remains critical.
The aircraft has already become an important part of the fleet strategy at Austrian Airlines, which is gradually replacing older long-haul aircraft with Dreamliners.
The order also reflects Lufthansa’s long-standing policy of balancing purchases between Airbus and Boeing. Maintaining relationships with both manufacturers allows the group to preserve flexibility while strengthening its negotiating position.
In addition, the extra 787s provide an important safeguard as Lufthansa continues to wait for the delayed Boeing 777X programme. Lufthansa remains one of the launch customers for the Boeing 777-9, but repeated certification and production delays have forced the airline to adapt its long-term fleet planning.
The additional Dreamliners therefore offer both flexibility and capacity security during a period of continued uncertainty surrounding the 777X timeline.
Preparing for the Next Decade of Long-Haul Competition
The timing of the order is also significant.
Demand for new-generation widebody aircraft remains extremely strong worldwide, while both Airbus and Boeing continue to face large order backlogs and production constraints. Airlines are increasingly being forced to secure delivery positions many years in advance.
By locking in deliveries between 2032 and 2034, Lufthansa ensures continuity in fleet replacement while preserving flexibility for future network development.
The aircraft could eventually operate across several Lufthansa Group carriers, including:
- Lufthansa,
- SWISS,
- Austrian Airlines,
- Discover Airlines,
- and potentially ITA Airways as integration into the group progresses.
The order also reflects a broader strategic reality within European aviation: long-haul operations remain one of the few areas where legacy airline groups can still generate strong margins, particularly in premium traffic markets.
Conclusion
More than a simple fleet expansion, Lufthansa Group’s latest aircraft order illustrates how the company is reshaping itself around a leaner, more efficient long-haul model.
By investing in additional Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787-9s while simultaneously pursuing deep structural reforms, Lufthansa is attempting to reduce costs, modernize operations, improve margins, and reinforce its position among Europe’s leading global airline groups for the next decade.
Source: Airbus
