Lufthansa is planning to sell two Boeing 747-8 aircraft and phase out an additional two Boeing 747-400s from its scheduled operations next year, a spokesperson confirmed.
“As part of the Lufthansa Group’s strategy to modernize its fleet, we are continuously reviewing opportunities for early renewal of our fleet, particularly our four-engine aircraft,” the airline said in a statement shared with AirlineGeeks. “We will therefore continue the rollover of the 747 fleet next year, removing two 747-400 and two 747-8 aircraft from the scheduled fleet.”
The airline added that the two 747-8s “will be sold soon,” with the first aircraft scheduled to be handed over to a buyer in January 2026. Lufthansa said details of the transaction are subject to confidentiality.
Industry sources – including insider JonNYC – have speculated that the two 747-8s could be acquired by the U.S. Air Force, which has been evaluating used Boeing 747-8i aircraft as part of its effort to replace the aging VC-25A presidential fleet.
Lufthansa is currently the world’s largest operator of the passenger Boeing 747-8, with 19 aircraft in its fleet. The airline has previously said it plans to fully retire its remaining 747-400s by 2028 as part of a broader effort to simplify its fleet.
The planned changes come as Lufthansa continues to induct newer widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, while it awaits the delayed entry into service of the Boeing 777X.
