Germany’s Lufthansa retired its last Airbus A340-600 on October 19, ending 23 years of commercial service as it replaces older long-haul aircraft.
Flight LH419 from Washington, DC, landed in Frankfurt with 267 passengers and 15 crew aboard, the airline said in a statement. The aircraft, registered D-AIHW, completed the journey in eight hours and five minutes.
Lufthansa operated 24 A340-600s over the period. The type carried more than 40mn passengers, according to Francesco Sciortino, the airline’s Frankfurt hub manager, who captained the final flight.
The carrier took delivery of its first A340-600 in November 2003. Buenos Aires and Santiago were among its initial destinations.
The retirement forms part of what Lufthansa describes as its largest fleet renewal programme. The airline expects next-generation aircraft to account for 70% of its long-haul fleet by 2028.
Lufthansa said it also plans to retire its A340-300s, A330-200s and Boeing 747-400s by 2027. Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s will join the replacement fleet, with the carrier expecting its first 777-9 next year.
It already operates 18 Boeing 787-9s and expects another 11 by 2027. Fewer aircraft types should reduce the complexity of maintenance, crew training and fleet planning, the airline said.
The 787 also supports Lufthansa’s network expansion. The carrier is due to launch five weekly Frankfurt–Kuala Lumpur flights on October 25 using the type, with its Allegris cabin product.
Photo: Lufthansa Group.
