Lufthansa Celebrates 100 Years of Flight Amidst Its Challenging Past

Lufthansa marked a noteworthy milestone on January 6, 2026, celebrating a century since the establishment of its predecessor, “Luft Hansa,” in Berlin.

This centenary highlights an impressive legacy, with the airline group now serving over 150 million passengers each year across more than 300 destinations, solidifying its position as Europe’s largest airline.

The anniversary, guided by the theme “We are the Journey,” pays tribute to the airline’s 40,000 employees from 122 countries. Additionally, it acknowledges the 100,000 individuals from more than 160 nations who are part of the Lufthansa Group, which encompasses SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Eurowings, ITA Airways, and Brussels Airlines.

The original Lufthansa was born from the merger of Junkers Luftverkehr and Deutsche Aero Lloyd on January 6, 1926, with its inaugural flight occurring on April 6 of the same year. The airline quickly set the foundation for Germany’s domestic flight network and expanded its routes throughout Europe, marking it as a trailblazer in German aviation.

Facing the Dark Past

The airline’s centenary has also prompted it to confront what it calls “the darkest chapter” in its history—its involvement with the Nazi regime during the 1930s and 1940s.

Lufthansa acknowledged that this period marked a troubling time, stating, “The darkest chapter in Lufthansa’s history was during the Nazi era, when the airline became part of the regime and played an active role within it.” The airline plans to critically address this aspect of its past based on thorough historical research.

During World War II, Lufthansa managed pilot training and aircraft maintenance for the Luftwaffe, Germany’s air force, and relied on forced labor for many of these operations, mainly taking place at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport, the airline’s headquarters.

This acknowledgment signifies a significant shift from earlier perspectives. In 2016, the airline faced criticism for minimizing its Nazi past, but its current stance emphasizes a comprehensive assessment of its history. CEO Jens Ritter highlighted the need to recognize these challenging chapters of their narrative.

“Looking back also means facing the darkest parts of our history,” Ritter noted on LinkedIn. “During the Nazi era, Lufthansa played an active role in the regime. It’s important to acknowledge responsibility.”

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Rebirth and Growth After the War

Following Germany’s defeat in 1945 and the subsequent Allied occupation, all Lufthansa aircraft were grounded, leading to the official liquidation of Deutsche Luft Hansa on January 1, 1951.

The airline’s resurgence began in 1953 when a new entity, Aktiengesellschaft für Luftverkehrsbedarf (Luftag), was established in Cologne. The following year, it secured the rights to the Lufthansa name, and in 1955, Deutsche Lufthansa AG resumed operations.

Initially, the airline focused on domestic flights connecting major cities such as Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich before expanding its services internationally. By June 1955, flights to New York were launched. A significant moment in its history occurred in 1989 when Lufthansa’s aircraft returned to Berlin for the first time since 1945, symbolizing Germany’s reunification.

Through various challenges, including hijackings, the oil crisis, the aftermath of September 11, 2001, economic downturns, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Lufthansa achieved numerous milestones. Notable accomplishments included privatization, the establishment of its cargo division, and being a founding member of the Star Alliance.

Centenary Celebrations

To commemorate its 100th birthday, Lufthansa has introduced a special anniversary fleet consisting of six aircraft adorned with celebratory liveries. This fleet includes an Airbus A380, an Airbus A350-1000, an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A320, and a Boeing 747-8. Leading this collection is the Boeing 787-9, named “Berlin,” which began service in January, along with two aircraft featuring retro designs.

The airline’s iconic crane logo, originally created by Otto Firle in 1918, continues to stand as its recognizable emblem.

Throughout 2026, Lufthansa plans several activities, including a permanent exhibition at Hangar One, special events, a history book, film productions, employee celebrations, and customer experiences. The anniversary logo will be featured on boarding passes, at airports, and onboard flights, while a poster campaign will showcase the airline’s rich history through iconic imagery in urban centers.

Lufthansa views this centenary as both a moment of pride and reflection, alongside a bold vision for the future as it embarks on its second century.

How do you feel about airlines understanding and confronting their historical legacies?