A century after the first Lufthansa aircraft took off from Berlin, the German carrier marked this symbolic anniversary by returning to the very origins of its history. On April 6, the same date as in 1926, special flights were operated retracing the original routes to Zurich and Cologne, marking a highlight of the anniversary year.
On that historic day in 1926, then known as “Luft Hansa,” the airline launched its operations from Berlin Tempelhof Airport with two flights to Switzerland and western Germany. One hundred years later, the story was retold through modern technology and symbolism, with the flights operated by widebody aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A350-900, both painted in a special anniversary livery featuring the iconic crane.
More than 600 guests were on board the special flights and present at the celebration in Berlin, including airline employees, political representatives and members of the aviation industry. Among them was Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, who took part in the naming ceremony. The Boeing 787-9 was officially named “Berlin,” underlining the deep connection between the airline and the city where it all began.
Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter emphasized in his speech that Berlin is where the foundations of today’s global airline were laid, driven by a pioneering spirit and passion for aviation. Today, Berlin remains one of the company’s key locations, with around 2,000 employees in the region.
The special flights were not only symbolic but also carefully reconstructed. The routes followed the original paths from 1926, including overflights of cities such as Halle, Erfurt, Stuttgart and Magdeburg. Even the flight numbers, LH1926 and LH2026, were chosen to reflect the centennial milestone.
Berlin continues to play a significant role within the Lufthansa Group, which has grown into one of the world’s largest airline groups and the largest in Europe. In the German capital, airlines within the group account for around 30 percent of total traffic, reinforcing their strong market position.
The anniversary celebrations will continue in the coming days, with a central ceremony scheduled for April 15 in Frankfurt, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to attend. This will mark the culmination of Lufthansa’s 100-year journey, from its pioneering beginnings in Berlin to its current global presence connecting continents.
