• Tom Boon-169
    Lufthansa
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LH/DLH
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport
    Year Founded:
    1953
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    Airline Group:
    Lufthansa Group
    CEO:
    Carsten Spohr
    Country:
    Germany

Lufthansa is preparing to take delivery of its first Dreamliner in a matter of days, with the jet set to arrive before the end of August. The 787-9 has been stuck at Boeing factories for months as the FAA imposed a ban on deliveries which was only lifted two weeks ago. Here's more on the upcoming plane.

'Berlin' coming home

Lufthansa's first 787-9 is registered D-ABPA and nicknamed 'Berlin.' However, calling the aircraft new might be a bit of a stretch given it was manufactured three years ago (in August 2019). D-ABPA/MSN 62730 has had an interesting journey before reaching Lufthansa, previously earmarked for Hainan Airlines and Vistara.

Now, after months of delays, first due to COVID and then Boeing's FAA woes, Lufthansa's first Dreamliner is finally set to arrive for commercial service. The plane has actually already been in Germany, undergoing an extensive cabin refurbishment to feature Lufthansa's new business class cabin.

As the tweet mentions, D-ABPD (nicknamed 'Frankfurt am Main') will join the fleet sometime in the fall. With an order for 32 aircraft, it will be a while before all aircraft are inducted but Lufthansa is looking forward to taking as many as possible.

Discover more aviation news here!

New cabin

Lufthansa is definitely a late adopter of the Boeing 787, which came into service 11 years ago. However, the carrier is going to make a splash with its brand-new business class product. For years now, the German flag carrier has been targeted for its aging 2-2-2 layout that denies direct aisle access to window-seat passengers.

This is set to change with the introduction of the Boeing 787-9, which will feature a new, 1-2-1 cabin configuration in business class. Lufthansa is tight-lipped on which seat it has picked for its latest product, with more to be revealed in the coming days once the aircraft touches down.

Lufthansa_Business_Class_Rendering_1
Lufthansa released a render of its 777X business class cabin years ago, but it's unclear if the 787 will see a similar product. Photo: Lufthansa

For aviation enthusiasts hoping to fly the 787 early, Lufthansa will be operating the 787-9 on domestic rotations for a few weeks to familiarize the crew with the new aircraft type. Keep an eye out for a schedule update on Simple Flying to see where you can fly this long-haul jet for a short hop.

Headed to Toronto

Last year, Lufthansa revealed that Toronto Pearson International Airport would be the first in its network to see the Dreamliner. The Frankfurt-based aircraft will operate the 8+ hour flight, replacing a Boeing 777 or 747, signaling the entry of more efficient jets into the fleet.

What do you think about Lufthansa's new 787 fleet? Are you excited to try the new business class? Let us know in the comments!