Commercial Aviation
Lufthansa Unveils Boeing 787-9 with Centennial “Super Crane” Livery
Lufthansa celebrates 100 years with a Boeing 787-9 featuring a new “Super Crane” livery and announces six special anniversary aircraft.
Lufthansa has officially commenced its 100th-anniversary celebrations with the arrival of a specially designed Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Touching down on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the Commercial-Aircraft, registered as D-ABPU and christened “Berlin”, marks the beginning of a year-long campaign honoring the Airlines‘s history.
According to the official press release from the Lufthansa Group, the aircraft was ferried directly from the Boeing Manufacturing plant in Everett, Washington. Upon arrival, it was greeted by a crowd of plane spotters, travelers, and airline executives, including Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter. The aircraft is scheduled to enter commercial service in January 2026, serving as a “flying ambassador” for the carrier’s centennial year.
The most striking feature of the new arrival is its unique livery, dubbed the “Super Crane.” Departing from the airline’s standard white fuselage, this commemorative design features a deep blue background dominated by a massive white crane graphic.
Lufthansa describes the design as a symbolic merger of nature and engineering. The crane’s wings are depicted sweeping back to visually integrate with the physical wings of the Dreamliner, representing the unity of “the bird and the machine.”
The livery includes several specific tributes to the upcoming anniversary:
The design pays homage to the original crane logo created by graphic designer Otto Firle in 1918, a symbol that remains central to the airline’s identity today.
“It’s always a special moment to take Delivery of a brand-new aircraft, but today’s landing of this anniversary Boeing 787-9… was even more exciting and fascinating. The Dreamliner ‘Papa Uniform’ combines tradition and the future in an iconic design.”
, Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines
The arrival of D-ABPU sets the stage for the airline’s major milestone in 2026. The company is celebrating 100 years since the founding of the original “Deutsche Luft Hansa AG” on January 6, 1926. The original carrier’s maiden flight took place shortly after on April 6, 1926.
While Lufthansa celebrates this centenary, aviation historians often note the distinction between the pre-war entity and the current company. The modern Lufthansa was legally founded in the 1950s following World War II. However, by acquiring the trademark rights and adopting the crane logo, the modern carrier officially traces its brand heritage and tradition back to the 1926 founding. This anniversary campaign reinforces that lineage, utilizing the “Super Crane” to bridge the gap between the 1920s and the 2020s. According to the airline’s announcement, the “Berlin” Dreamliner is merely the first of six aircraft that will comprise a special “Anniversary Fleet.” Over the coming months, five additional aircraft types will receive special centennial liveries to join the celebration:
In addition to the exterior design, the new Boeing 787-9 is equipped with Lufthansa’s new “Allegris” long-haul cabin product, signaling the airline’s focus on modernizing its passenger experience as it enters its second century of brand history.
“Our Lufthansa crane stands for safety, pioneering spirit, premium quality, but also for freedom and reliability. This has been the case for the past 100 years and will continue to be so in the future.”
, Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines
Lufthansa Kicks Off Centennial with “Super Crane” Boeing 787-9 Arrival
The “Super Crane” Design
Historical Context and Future Fleet
AirPro News Analysis
The Anniversary Fleet
Sources
Photo Credit: Lufthansa