Lufthansa remove the Airbus A340-600 after 23 years and announces new group flights to Caracas, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Punta Cana for 2027. Photo Lufthansa
Flight LH419 coming from Washington D.C. marked the definitive closing of an era for Lufthansa. After eight hours and five minutes in the air, the Airbus A340-600 with registration D-AIHW landed at Frankfurt Airport in front of the eyes of aviation enthusiasts and passengers who bought their tickets exclusively to witness the last commercial journey of the model..
Francesco Sciortino, member of the Board of Directors of Lufthansa Airlines and director of the Frankfurt Hub, He piloted the aircraft on his farewell. Sciortino highlighted the trajectory of the four-engine, that transported more than 40 millions of travelers throughout 23 years of continuous service.
A historical link with South America
Lufthansa introduced its first A340-600, the D-AIHB baptized “Bremerhaven”, the 25 November 2003. With 75,30 meters long, It became the longest passenger plane on the planet at the time.. Its initial operations on the airline's intercontinental network connected Frankfurt with Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile.
The fleet of 24 units performed various tasks within the company. Participated in climate research through the CARIBIC project, moved the German soccer team to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and led the return of the operation to Washington D.. C. in march 2022 after pandemic restrictions.
Fleet modernization and replacement
The retirement of the A340-600 is part of the most extensive renewal plan in the group's history. A340-300 aircraft, A330-200 y Boeing 747-400 will progressively go out of service until 2027. Their direct substitutes will be the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9, in addition to incorporating 11 additional Boeing units 787-9 at 18 that already operate currently.
The corporate objective is that the 70 % of the long-range fleet is made up of new generation aircraft to 2028. This transition will reduce operational complexity in maintenance, crew planning and training.
Expansion of Lufthansa Group in Latin America and the Caribbean to 2027
The group presented its itinerary for the summer season of 2027 with a substantial increase in connectivity to Latin America and the Caribbean through its different brands.
Return to Venezuela with ITA Airways
ITA Airways will resume the direct connection between Europe and Caracas. From 30 march 2027, the airline will link Rome-Fiumicino Airport with Maiquetía International Airport three times a week —Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays—using Airbus A330-900 aircraft.
More frequencies to Brazil
Lufthansa will reinforce its operations towards the two main economic poles of Brazil. From Frankfurt, flights to Rio de Janeiro will be increased, while the route from Munich to São Paulo will add new weekly frequencies.
Vacation reinforcement in the Caribbean
Caribe. The Swiss airline will raise its offer towards Punta Cana, on Dominican Republic, reaching up to four weekly flights during the summer of 2027.
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