Lufthansa’s first ever Boeing 787 arrived at Frankfurt today.
The Boeing 787-9, registered D-ABPA, is the first of 32 787-9s ordered by the Lufthansa Group.
Five of the aircraft are expected in 2022, the rest by the end of 2027.
All five aircraft were meant for another airline and have that airline’s seats and colour scheme. Lufthansa is going to rebrand the interior to its colours but will keep the seats as delivered.
That work will take place over the next weeks before training flights start within Germany in October.
The first longhaul route will be from Frankfurt to Toronto.
The Lufthansa Group has ordered the 787s as it is improving its overall environmental performance by introducing more fuel-efficient widebody jets.
The 787-9 can fly up to 20% more passengers and around 25% more cargo while reducing fuel use and emissions by up to 25% compared to the aircraft it replaces.
The Group also is a launch customer for the Boeing 777X with 20 firm orders.
Jens Ritter, CEO Lufthansa Airlines:
“With the Boeing 787, we are introducing another modern aircraft type that is one of the most fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft in our fleet. This will allow us to further improve the average CO2 balance. This aircraft is sustainable and offers customers a premium flying experience.”
Improved Passenger Experience
As the first five 787-9s were meant for another airline, they are being delivered with that airline’s seats.
This includes an ‘improved’ Business Class seat that is better than Lufthansa’s current product.
But it’s not the airline’s real new seat, developed for the 777X aircraft on order.
That seat will come with the 787-9s after the first five .
N.B. Image credits: Lufthansa and Boeing
