Lufthansa is marking its 100th anniversary with a striking nod to its aviation heritage as another specially painted aircraft touches down in Frankfurt on Feb. 3. An Airbus A321-200, freshly repainted in Norwich, England, is scheduled to arrive at Germany’s largest airport at around 2:45 p.m. under flight number LH9898, drawing attention from aviation enthusiasts and passengers alike.
Lufthansa’s Classic Design Returns
Registered as D-AISZ, the short- and medium-haul aircraft joins a growing fleet of commemorative jets celebrating a century of Lufthansa operations.
The Airbus A321 now wears the historic Lufthansa parable design, a visual hallmark introduced in the mid-1950s. Inspired by the streamlined aesthetics of the 1930s, the sweeping curve symbolised speed, progress and technical confidence at a time when air travel was entering a new era.
The design was once far more than just aircraft decoration. It appeared on tail fins, baggage tags, flight schedules, official documents and even cigar bands, making it one of Lufthansa’s most recognisable brand elements.
Honouring the Super Star
The retro livery pays tribute to the Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, which joined the Lufthansa fleet in 1957. The aircraft made history as Lufthansa’s first to introduce Senator Class, the most exclusive travel experience of its time. Its primary mission was ambitious: non-stop transatlantic flights between Europe and New York, setting new standards for comfort and range.
To further honour this legacy, a restored Super Star will soon be displayed alongside a Junkers Ju 52 in the new Lufthansa Group Hangar One. The conference and visitor centre at Frankfurt Airport is set to open in April, offering the public a closer look at the airline’s storied past.
Lufthansa’s Anniversary Fleet Continues to Grow
The A321’s arrival follows the recent landing of a blue Airbus A350-900 in Munich, freshly painted in France. It becomes the third aircraft in Lufthansa’s anniversary colours, alongside a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A320neo. More wide-body icons, including the A380, 747-8, and A350-1000, are expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks.
Which classic aircraft livery would you love to see return next? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
