Condor Airlines Plans End to Boeing 757-300 Operations
Germany’s Condor Airlines has announced the retirement of its Boeing 757-300 aircraft, marking the end of an era in European aviation. The last flight is scheduled for November 5, 2025, departing from Frankfurt (FRA) to Vienna (VIE). Passengers can purchase one of 75 tickets for this special voyage starting September 22, 2025, through the Condor Shop, with tickets available via auction.
For those unable to secure a spot on the farewell flight, there will still be opportunities to fly on Condor’s last Boeing 757-300 during regular operations until early November. The airline plans to operate six Boeing 757s until the end of October 2025.
The Complete Transition to Airbus
The retirement signals Condor’s transition to an exclusive Airbus fleet, aiming for uniformity and efficiency. The farewell flight will travel a short distance of 336 nautical miles (622 km) from Frankfurt to Vienna. The event will be celebrated with a dedicated farewell ceremony, culminating in a return flight featuring the “world’s highest party.” Christian Schmitt, COO of Condor, commented:
“By bidding farewell to the Boeing 757, an era at Condor comes to an end. At the same time, this marks the beginning of a new chapter with a modern, more efficient, and more sustainable Airbus fleet.”
Historical Context of Condor’s 757 Operations
Condor began operating Boeing 757s in 1996, initially ordering 12 of the narrowbody aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show. The phase-out of these planes started in 2023 and will continue until October 2025. The airline will maintain service on routes from Düsseldorf and Frankfurt to popular destinations like Palma de Mallorca and Gran Canaria until then. The final flights are planned for Düsseldorf–Palma–Düsseldorf and Frankfurt–Hurghada–Frankfurt in late October and early November.
| Aircraft Type | Number Of Units |
|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 20 |
| Airbus A321-200 | 13 |
| Airbus A321neo | 6 |
| Airbus A320neo | 3 |
| Airbus A319 | 2 |
| Boeing 757-300 | 7 |
| Airbus A330neo | 18 |
As of September 14, 2025, Condor operates seven Boeing 757-300s, average 25.8 years old. Some of these can carry up to 275 passengers in a single-class setup, while others include 26 premium seats.
Fleet Modernization Efforts
Condor is actively modernizing its aircraft, focusing on both widebody and narrowbody planes. The airline refreshed its long-haul fleet in 2024, incorporating 18 Airbus A330neo aircraft, with plans to expand to 25 by 2031. Their short- and medium-haul fleet also saw updates, forecasting the addition of 43 new A320neo family aircraft by 2029.
The carrier strengthens its long-haul strategy by investing in widebody fleet growth, recently ordering additional Airbus A330-900 aircraft, with deliveries expected between 2029 and 2031. This order includes options for four additional A330-900 units.
