Lufthansa Group Expands A350 Order: Why the Fleet Modernization Accelerates

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 19, 2026 at 06:40 AM•3 min read

BUSINESS

Lufthansa Group Expands A350 Order: Why the Fleet Modernization Accelerates

Lufthansa Group solidified its largest fleet modernization by ordering five more Airbus A350-1000s, boosting its total A350 family commitment to 75 aircraft.

Key Points

1Lufthansa Group ordered five additional Airbus A350-1000s, increasing the total A350 family commitment to 75 aircraft.
2The $2 billion investment is central to the group's largest fleet modernization, targeting up to 35% less fuel consumption than older jets.
3The new A350-1000s will be delivered between 2028 and 2030, replacing aging four-engine aircraft like the Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340s.
4The order reinforces Lufthansa's position as a major Airbus customer and supports the group's CO₂ reduction goals by 2030.

The Lufthansa Group has accelerated its long-haul fleet modernization program. The airline group placed a firm order for five additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. This latest acquisition increases the total firm orders for the A350-1000 variant to 15. The overall commitment to the Airbus A350 family now stands at 75 aircraft. This includes 60 of the smaller A350-900 model. The agreement also includes options for further aircraft, securing future delivery slots.

Fleet Renewal Strategy and Sustainability

The Lufthansa Group A350-1000 order is a key part of the company's largest-ever fleet renewal strategy. The new widebody jets will gradually replace older, less efficient four-engine aircraft. These older models include the Boeing 747-400 and the Airbus A340-600 and A340-300.

The A350-1000 consumes up to 35% less fuel than its predecessors.
This directly supports the group's aviation sustainability goals and CO₂ reduction targets.
The group aims to halve its net CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to 2019.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, highlighted the investment. He noted the long-haul fleet modernization is crucial for sustainability. The new aircraft also offer customers a first-class travel experience.

Key Aircraft Details and Deliveries

The order for the five additional Airbus A350 aircraft is valued at approximately $2 billion at list price. Deliveries for these specific aircraft are scheduled between 2028 and 2030.

The first A350-1000s from a previous order are expected to join the fleet in April 2026. The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 family. It offers about 15% more capacity than the A350-900. All A350-1000s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.

Industry Impact and Operational Flexibility

This move reinforces Lufthansa Group’s position as one of the world's largest A350 customers. The Lufthansa fleet renewal strategy provides significant operational benefits.

Fleet Simplification: The group plans to reduce its widebody types. This cuts down on complexity in maintenance and crew training.
Market Position: The investment ensures the group remains competitive on long-haul routes. The new aircraft feature the latest cabin products.
Group Deployment: The A350-900s are already in service with Lufthansa. Other group airlines like SWISS and Edelweiss Air are also scheduled to receive A350-900s. The integration of ITA Airways will further expand the group's Airbus fleet.

This significant investment by the German carrier signals strong confidence in the long-term growth of international air travel. It also highlights the industry-wide shift toward fuel-efficient widebody aircraft for environmental and economic reasons.

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