Lufthansa Group Places $9 Billion Order for 737 MAX, A220 Jets

Tuesday's announcement marks Lufthansa Group's first Boeing narrowbody jet order in nearly three decades.

Lufthansa Group adds more A220s, 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet. (Photo: Lufthansa Group)

[ Aircraft Orders and Deliveries ]December 19, 2023 12:52 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

On Tuesday, the Lufthansa Group announced an order for 80 narrowbody aircraft, valued at around $9 billion at current list prices. As part of the order, the European airline group is opting for both Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to bolster its short and medium-haul operations.

Several of the new aircraft will be operated as part of the group’s recently formed Lufthansa City Airlines. Deliveries are expected to take place from 2026 to 2032, according to the company.

Lufthansa’s First Boeing Narrowbody Order in Three Decades

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Lufthansa has ordered Boeing narrowbody aircraft. The carrier retired its remaining 737 fleet in 2016.

In Tuesday’s order announcement, the airline said it has placed firm orders for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft along with 60 purchase options. The aircraft are set to be configured with 190 seats in both Business and Economy classes.

The company has yet to officially decide on which Lufthansa Group carrier the 737 MAX aircraft will operate.

“It is a good strategic decision for the Lufthansa Group to order Boeing 737 aircraft again for the first time since 1995,” said Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, in a press release. “Around 60 years ago, Lufthansa was co-developer and launch customer of this globally successful model. With the new modern, quiet, economical and efficient 737-8 aircraft, we are making progress both in modernizing our short- and medium-haul fleet and in achieving our carbon CO2 reduction targets.”

Adding the Airbus A220-300 at Lufthansa City Airlines

Intended for use in the Lufthansa City operation, the company has also ordered 40 Airbus A220-300 aircraft with options for an additional 20. The A220s are slated to operate from Lufthansa City’s Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

The A220s will have 148 seats, according to the carrier. Deliveries are expected as early as 2026. Currently, Lufthansa Group carrier SWISS operates a fleet of 30 Airbus A220 jets.

“The Lufthansa Group was one of the first customers for the A220 and has successfully operated the aircraft in its SWISS route network ever since. We are delighted by this testimony of confidence from our long-standing partner and customer,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, in a press release.

Also included in the overall order announcement are 40 purchase options for A320-family aircraft. These aircraft will join the 450 A320-family jets that currently operate within the Lufthansa Group’s various brands.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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