BERLIN- On April 6, 1926, two aircraft took off from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport (THF) bound for Zurich (ZRH) and Cologne (CGN), marking the very first flights of Lufthansa (LH), then known as “Luft Hansa.”

Exactly one century later, the German carrier commemorated this milestone on Easter Monday with special reenactment flights and a celebration in Berlin.

Two long-haul aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A350-900, both wearing a distinctive 100th-anniversary livery, departed for Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport (BER) from Lufthansa’s main hubs in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC), carrying hundreds of employees, journalists, and invited guests.

More than 600 guests attended a festive event at the airport marking the highlight of Lufthansa’s anniversary year.

How Lufthansa Honored a Century of Aviation History

On April 6, 1926, a Fokker Grulich F II took off from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport bound for Zurich, while a Dornier Komet III, registered D-580, took off for Cologne.

The Fokker Grulich F II carried a newlywed couple on the Zurich route, while the Dornier Komet III departed for Cologne with just a single passenger aboard. These early aircraft operated with basic technology and no pressurization, a striking contrast to today’s fleet.

A century later, Lufthansa deployed a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and an Airbus A350-900, both featuring a special anniversary livery with an oversized white crane on a blue background, symbolizing the airline’s centenary.

The livery also displays the figures “100” and “1926/2026” on the rear fuselage, connecting the airline’s past with its present.

The commemorative flight from Berlin to Zurich carried the flight number LH1926, a direct reference to the year Lufthansa began its history in European skies.

The parallel flight to Cologne operated under the number LH2026, jointly marking both anniversaries across a single day’s schedule.

The Routes Retraced: Berlin to Zurich and Cologne

Around 3:15 p.m., the Boeing 787-9, which had been named “Berlin” during the ceremony, and the Airbus A350-900 with registration D-AIXL departed the capital for Zurich and Cologne. On their journey, the special flights flew over the locations where stopovers were made on April 6, 1926.

The Boeing 787-9 flew from Berlin via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart to Zurich, while the A350-900 flew via Magdeburg to Cologne.

While the historical aircraft had to make several stopovers due to the limited range and technical capabilities of the time, the anniversary aircraft flew the routes more directly, significantly reducing flight time.

Comparing technical parameters between 1926 and 2026 reveals the enormous scale of progress: the Fokker-Grulich F II achieved a cruising speed of around 140 kilometers per hour, while today’s anniversary aircraft enable speeds exceeding 900 kilometers per hour.

Aircraft Named “Berlin” and the Ceremony at BER

A major highlight of the day’s events was the official naming of the Boeing 787-9 in anniversary livery. Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, performed the naming honors at the ceremony held at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).

In his remarks, Wegner noted that the April 6, 1926, departures from Berlin to Zurich and Cologne established Lufthansa’s long-standing connection with the German capital, and expressed pride in naming the aircraft “Berlin” on this centennial occasion.

Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter, speaking at the event, highlighted that Berlin remains one of the company’s largest locations, with around 2,000 Lufthansa employees living and working in the capital region. He reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to Berlin as a key hub within the Lufthansa Group network.

More than 600 people attended the celebration at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, including Lufthansa Group employees selected through an internal raffle, aviation journalists, influencers, and guests from the political and aviation sectors.

Lufthansa’s Role in Berlin and Its Place in Global Aviation

Berlin plays a special role in the airline’s history: the first Lufthansa was founded here on January 6, 1926. Today, the Lufthansa Group is one of the four largest airlines worldwide and the largest airline group in Europe.

In Berlin, the company is the clear market leader, with around 30 percent of all flights in the capital operated by airlines within the group.

The first “Luft Hansa” was formed on January 6, 1926, through the merger of Deutscher Aero Lloyd AG and Junkers Luftverkehr AG, creating Deutsche Luft Hansa AG.

That founding set the stage for a century of commercial aviation growth, route expansion, and technological advancement that continues today.

What Comes Next: Frankfurt Ceremony on April 15

The anniversary year is not over. The ceremonial highlight of Lufthansa’s anniversary year will take place on April 15 with a ceremony in Frankfurt (FRA). On this day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to attend the Lufthansa Group Hangar One, the new conference and visitor center at Frankfurt Airport.

Lufthansa is also taking its 100th anniversary as an opportunity to critically examine its responsibility during the Nazi era, with a comprehensive scholarly account of the airline’s history set for publication in spring 2026, authored by three independent economic historians.

Sections of a permanent exhibition on Lufthansa’s history are also being installed at the new visitor center at Frankfurt Airport.

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