Updated with comments from Boeing
Lufthansa has ordered 34 Boeing 777-9X widebodies and 25 Airbus A350-900s to replace its A340 and 747-400 long-haul fleets.
The German flag carrier said in March that it would make a widebody order by the fourth quarter 2013 to replace its ageing long-range aircraft below the very large A380 and 747-8. Following negotiations with both manufacturers, Lufthansa’s supervisory board met on 18 September to approve the deal.
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| Boeing 777-9X |
| Lufthansa |
Now, the carrier has disclosed a split order for 34 777-9X aircraft – with Lufthansa thus becoming a launching customer for the next-generation 777 programme that is still awaiting official kick-off by Boeing – and 25 A350-900s.
Boeing plans to officially launch the 777X programme by the end of the year, it says.
While the 777X will be exclusively powered by General Electric GE9X engines, the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB is the incumbent engine for the A350.
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| Airbus A350-900 |
| Lufthansa |
This is the first time that Lufthansa has ordered 777 passenger aircraft for its fleet. The carrier has thus far resisted the long-range twinjet in favour of the A340. But the 777 has made inroads with the airline as a freighter at cargo joint venture AeroLogic and, more recently, with orders for Lufthansa Cargo and group subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines.
Lufthansa operates 22 747-400s and 48 A340s, split evenly between the A340-300 and -600 variants.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
