Lufthansa enlarges its fleet

06.12.2006

Supervisory Board approves orders for 27 new aircraft
At its meeting today, the Lufthansa Supervisory Board approved orders for a total of 27 new aircraft. Twenty of those orders are for new long-range Boeing 747-8 jets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2010. A further seven Airbus A340-600 long-haul aircraft will be joining the fleet from 2008. Lufthansa has also taken out options on a further twenty of the B747-8 type. With the order placements, Lufthansa is underpinning its planned growth in intercontinental traffic and, simultaneously, replacing some of the existing aircraft in the fleet.

"With aircraft types in the B747 series from Boeing, on the one hand, and others from the A330/A340/A380 family from Airbus, on the other, Lufthansa is ideally equipped to strengthen and expand its leading position in intercontinental traffic," said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The orders reflect Lufthansa's growth and profitability targets. "By modernising the fleet, the new aircraft will bring further gains in efficiency as well as reduce fuel and operating costs. Both aircraft types are sustainable investments in ecological efficiency and add greater weight to Lufthansa's active commitment to environmental protection," said Mayrhuber. And he emphasised: "Today's decision on the fleet underscores Lufthansa's clear commitment to customer orientation and profitable growth as well as the deep sense of responsibility it brings to bear on environmental issues and sustainability. With these new aircraft we will reduce emissions lastingly by 20 per cent compared with earlier models."

Only profitable and sound companies are today in a position to invest in modern, fuel-saving, quiet and thereby environmentally friendly and economical long-haul aircraft for their customers. "Lufthansa is modernising, Lufthansa is growing and Lufthansa investing in further progress and a successful future," Wolfgang Mayrhuber emphasised. A modern and well-structured fleet forms the backbone of a service and market-driven airline.

Wolfgang Mayrhuber continued: "With the orders for the highly modern B747-8, Lufthansa is setting standards. The Boeing B747-8 is more than just a derivative of the successful Boeing B747 series." The airline will be the world's first carrier to operate services with the new wide-body - the longest passenger jet in the world. In the Lufthansa configuration, the B747-8 will be capable of carrying around 400 passengers. "The B747-8 underlines our strategy of graded market-specific services and capacity expansion. It fits perfectly in our intercontinen-tal fleet structure and slots neatly capacity-wise between the A380 with around 550 seats and the A340-600 with around 300 seats."

Integration of this plane in the fleet highlights Lufthansa's role as an innovation driver.
"Lufthansa is an important partner for Boeing. The airline will play a critical role in helping us shape the future of the 747," said Scott Carson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are thrilled Lufthansa has chosen the 747-8 Intercontinental to be an integral part of their young and environmentally friendly fleet."

Lufthansa is equipping the 20 B747-8s with new General Electric GEnx-2B67 powerplants.
"The GEnx engines incorporate advanced, proven technologies from our highly successful GE90 engines as well as new innovation from GE's ongoing research and development programs," said Tom Brisken, General Manager of the GEnx program. "These advancements provide customers with improved fuel efficiency and reductions in emissions and noise and engine weight, and a lower cost of ownership." The new B747-8 will burn an average of around 3.5 litres to fly one passenger 100 kilometres, setting new standards in fuel efficiency.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Corporate Communications

Anybody forsee the 7 A340-600s?

Interesting news indeed.

-Z

$10 says the A340-600s are part of the compensatory package.

This has been a good week for Boeing...20 747s, plus the Arkia and PrivatAir 787s and the Philippine 777s...

[Edited 2006-12-06 19:40:09]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

  

Once again the 777-300ER lost?

Hurrah! I think everyone kinda saw it coming, but still. Hurrah! I hope the 747-8 gets plenty more future orders!

So the 748I is launched, and with a premium customer at that! I am very pleased to see the A346 order as well.

Even with the 346 order this is a huge blow for Airbus. The 747 is still going strong after nearly 40 years....

[Edited 2006-12-06 19:34:24]

[Edited 2006-12-06 19:38:41]

Finally Boeing launched the 748-8. A great launch customer, Lufthansa is the kind of airline to make other say this plane is worth it. Now if EMIRATES sign up Boeing would be well on its way to getting the plane made. Cathay, British Airways and JAL are possibilities too.

Wow!!

That is incredible news. Of all the possible 748 customers, LH was not high up on my list.

Great news! Glad we'll officially see the 747-8I get off the ground and it will look great in LH's livery. Can't wait to see Boeing's press release with the illustration of what the LH 747-8I will look like.

Johnny, this 747-8I/A340 order must have been the mixed Airbus/Boeing order you got wind of and were alluding to the past week or so. Must have been had keeping it a secret  .

At this point, a great deal of heat has now been taken off Boeing's shoulders to "prove" there is a market for the 747-8I. It can only help Boeing in negotiations with other airlines who would perhaps fear being an orphan customer.

Quoting D-AIFB (Thread starter): "The B747-8 underlines our strategy of graded market-specific services and capacity expansion. It fits perfectly in our intercontinental fleet structure and slots neatly capacity-wise between the A380 with around 550 seats and the A340-600 with around 300 seats."

He's referring to that gap in the Airbus product line, isn't he?  

I guess LH is not willing to "abuse" A380s. Let's see what some of the fence sitters, like BA, CX and maybe even SQ think of this.

Great news for the Jumbo, glad to see they'll be around for years to come. The A346s were definately a surprise...since that line has not been selling well.

Lovely... so we have the B747-8i operating at last   .

Quoting Zamaria (Reply 2): Anybody forsee the 7 A340-600s?

Quoting Zamaria (Reply 2): $10 says the A340-600s are part of the compensatory package.

Also a good way to deflect any charges of being "anti-European".

LH has played the game masterfully.

Well done, LH!

Graet news! Finally the new passenger 747 was launched.
Many orders should now follow.....

I think the A340 was ordered to make the 747 order more palatable to European politicians. Luthansa is a ultra prestigious airline in the most powerful country in Europe and is a major stakeholder in Airbus. The A340 order was to deflect critism of LH decision to buy the B747

Evidence

a) Timing of the A340 order exactly on the same day as the Boeing order
b) The B777 is .the better product over the 340. If only plane was needed it might make it worthwhile to buy another A340 for commonality reason. But if 7 are ordered then surely it is worth it to order the better product

This is just a view point so do not think it it cast in stone!

Quoting Jfk777 (Reply 10): Cathay, British Airways and JAL are possibilities too.

Take JAL off the list in the short term.

Great news for Boeing who now have an official launch-customer for the 747-800 .
But also great news for Airbus,since the A340-600 is dying at an astonishing manufacturing rate..
Once the A380's in service and proven,LH will order more of those as well.

Well done Boeing & Airbus!
Not that much of a blow to Airbus as the 747-8 is great fit between the A340-600 and A380.
At least this aircraft has got a passenger order and it wont just be all -Fs.

Important order for both the 346 and 748, well done LH!

Quoting AndesSMF (Reply 11): Wow!! That is incredible news. Of all the possible 748 customers, LH was not high up on my list.

I had LH in 4th spot. (BA, CX and ILFC before them).

This pretty much seals whether or not we'll see more orders in the short-term.. I expect either BA or CX will follow with some 'me too' orders.. and once you get one more airline signed up ILFC will pick up around 5 for good measure.

For Boeing this is great. I'm also glad for LH. As was pointed out to me LH orders what LH wants and not what the government tells them. Hopefully this will shutup the LH arguements (while I learned from others, some have refused to).

Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 14): At this point, a great deal of heat has now been taken off Boeing's shoulders to "prove" there is a market for the 747-8I. It can only help Boeing in negotiations with other airlines who would perhaps fear being an orphan customer.

It helps Boeing's negotiations in another way: The other airlines were no doubt using the concept of being a launch customer to lobby for a lower price. With that role now taken, the airlines have less leverage.

Quoting Revelation (Reply 18): Also a good way to deflect any charges of being "anti-European".

You quoted the wrong person.

Quoting B742 (Reply 7): A340-600HGW's?

I don´t believe that there are others anymore ?

Quoting AndesSMF (Reply 11): Of all the possible 748 customers, LH was not high up on my list.

From all possible 7478 customers LH was the highest for me  
BTW 4 engines 4 longhaul seems to be still valid  

Quoting Beaucaire (Reply 22): But also great news for Airbus,since the A340-600 is dying at an astonishing manufacturing rate..

Could these be the ones that EK refused to take?

It'd be really interesting to know what LH paid for these A340-600s.

Quoting Eugdog (Reply 20): b) The B777 is .the better product over the 340. If only plane was needed it might make it worthwhile to buy another A340 for commonality reason. But if 7 are ordered then surely it is worth it to order the better product

Except that LH has a LOT of 340s in service.. commonality my friend.. I really don't believe politics played into this at all.. For *LH* with their established fleet of 340s, a few more makes more sense than a brand new type.

Quoting N328KF (Reply 26): You quoted the wrong person.

Sorry! It was not intentional.

W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!

I always "knew" this order would come, but the sheer size of it is the really astonishing thing about it.
Thats a massive expansion LH is planning. As for the options I see some 747-Fs hiding behind.

What got me was..

"In a statement, Lufthansa CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber called the 747-8 a "highly modern" plane. "The Boeing 747-8 is more than just a derivative of the successful Boeing 747 series.""

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...4892_lufthansa06ww.html?source=rss

Didn't SQ's Chew just recently mention that the 747 was an "old technological plane"? Looks like he's going to be eating his own words now..  ...

This is extremely good news for both Boeing and Airbus. I have to admit that very surprised to read about the A346 order.

The B748i will fit well into LH's fleet. Even with this order I expect LH to convert it's options on the A380 at a latter date.

Regards,
Wings

Why would LH order 773ER when they got 16-17 A346, doesn´t make sense. Hopefully there to be HGW version for A346 new order.

Good that LH got 748i to phase out the older 744, they might be buildt as freighters..

  

Micke// 

[Edited 2006-12-06 19:52:50]

Just had this flashback when it comes to the 737-100.

No one was ready and just sit and wait and see who will launch 737-100. LH did. That was 38 years ago.

Quoting Osiris30 (Reply 29): Except that LH has a LOT of 340s in service.. commonality my friend.. I really don't believe politics played into this at all.. For *LH* with their established fleet of 340s, a few more makes more sense than a brand new type.

I agree. Now that we know what will repace the 747s in LH's fleet (lots more 747s!) we can move on to discuss what will replace the A340s when they are put out to pasture. Timing may favor the A350, and if it's true that LH values a diverse fleet, one can imagine the A350 will be at an advantage to the B787.

Fan-tas-tic! I'm glad that my favorite four holers will be seen gracing the skies in LH livery. It seems aeons ago that the 747-8 was launched and most everyone ecstatic. Whew.

I'm glad it was approved. Hopefully boeing will have a press release before end of business today!  

Congrats to Boeing and LH (and Airbus...).

What are the major reasons why it has taken this long for any airline to order the B747-8i?

1. Not a huge market for very large aircraft?
2. Boeing seemingly waffling on the -8i's length?
3. Weight concerns?

What are the chances of EK eventually ordering the -8i?

-Z

Quoting Solnabo (Reply 34): Why would LH order 773ER whey got 16-17 A346, doesn´t make sense.

It made sense to Air Canada when it comes to 330 and 343....

Quoting Zamaria (Reply 39): What are the major reasons why it has taken this long for any airline to order the B747-8i? 1. Not a huge market for very large aircraft? 2. Boeing seemingly waffling on the -8i's length? 3. Weight concerns?

#2 is the main concern.

[Edited 2006-12-06 19:53:56]

Does anyone know the last time Lufthansa made an order for a Boeing aircraft? In the past they were a key Boeing customer for the 737 and 747, but more recently they have ordered new airplanes almost exclusively from Airbus.

It seems that Boeing's revamp of their sales and marketing strategy over the past couple years is paying off. They have reengaged some other key customers that have been ordering predominately Airbus in the last decade or so, like Northwest with their 787 order, Qatar with their 777 order, Air Canada with their 777/787 order, and now Lufthansa with their 747-8i order.

[Edited 2006-12-06 19:55:31]

Quoting Jacobin777 (Reply 32):

True. But LH is hardly going to say that the 748 is old technology now that they have ordered it! And SQ may be either trying to bargain Boeing down, or simply justifying why they went for 773's and A380's rather than 748's.

Where are all the A posts??

Quoting Zamaria (Reply 39): What are the major reasons why it has taken this long for any airline to order the B747-8i? [#]Not a huge market for very large aircraft?[#]Boeing seemingly waffling on the -8i's length?[#]Weight concerns?

I think that #2 is a non-issue. Boeing was going to wait and see what customers wanted. By being the launch customer, Lufthansa locked in their desired form factor. Anyhow, I think it is wrong to characterize this as an inordinate delay...there was plenty of time before projected EIS for an airline to figure things out. I think the A380 situation is what brought it to a head though.

Quoting D-AIFB (Thread starter): The airline will be the world's first carrier to operate services with the new wide-body - the longest passenger jet in the world.

Nice to see Boeing get that title back.

Over history (of jetliners) this title went to:

1. DeHavilland - Comet
2. Boeing - 703
3. Douglas - DC-8-60 series
4. Boeing - 741/2/3/4
5. Boeing - 773
6. Airbus - A346
7. Boeing - 748

Correct?

Many of the A340-600's will most likely end up in Munich,increasing the Bavarian Hub's role by adding new frequencies and destinations.
Not excluded that HAM might also get some Longhauler metal based in a few years..

Quoting Jimyvr (Reply 40):

A340-600 is much bigger than 330´s n 340´s paxwise.

AC 777: Flying toothpaste - Family Pak

sorry couldn´t resist

Micke//  

Just in case no one has actually noticed, LH will become the largest operator of the A346 with 24 frames, followed by VS.

Regards,
Wings

Quoting WINGS (Reply 33): I have to admit that very surprised to read about the A346 order.

Yah..that was an interesting order..congratulations to Airbus for getting the order..it shows LH's faith and reliance on that great plane!   

Quoting Timboflier215 (Reply 42): True. But LH is hardly going to say that the 748 is old technology now that they have ordered it! And SQ may be either trying to bargain Boeing down, or simply justifying why they went for 773's and A380's rather than 748's.

Well..they didn't have to order it and they could have said the same thing SQ did... 

I think SQ made their beds with the A380, now they will live with it..but SQ made a good choice...they will do well with the A380......  

Quoting DIA (Reply 46): Nice to see Boeing get that title back. Over history (of jetliners) this title went to: 1. DeHavilland - Comet 2. Boeing - 703 3. Douglas - DC-8-60 series 4. Boeing - 741/2/3/4 5. Boeing - 773 6. Airbus - A346 7. Boeing - 748 Correct?

Yes that is correct. It will be the longest.   In excess of 250ft long.

Boeing updated the Fact sheet on the 748i to show the same fues length!
http://boeing.com/commercial/747family/747-8_fact_sheet.html

[Edited 2006-12-06 20:08:08]

Quoting Beech19 (Reply 52): Actually the 788 will have equal range and the 789 will have a 8600nm range. But yes... Boeing has it either way.

The discussion was fuselage length, not range.