Lufthansa Expands Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Usage on US Routes This Winter

Lufthansa Expands Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Usage on US Routes This Winter

Lufthansa is enhancing its fleet by expanding the deployment of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft this winter. The shift involves replacing the older Airbus A340 models with the more modern Dreamliners on several routes between Germany and the United States. Alongside this upgrade, service frequencies on certain corridors will be reduced.

Lufthansa’s Commitment to the Boeing 787-9

The integration of the Boeing 787-9 into Lufthansa’s operations hasn’t been entirely seamless, initially hindered by delays in certifying certain premium seats. Nonetheless, the airline’s increased use of this aircraft on US routes underscores its growing importance.

Aircraft Replacements and Route Changes

According to Aero Routes, Lufthansa plans to substitute Airbus A340 aircraft with the Boeing 787-9 on several major US routes this winter from its Frankfurt Airport hub (FRA). Notably, the Dreamliner will replace the A340-300 on the Frankfurt to Atlanta (ATL) route starting November 2. However, from December 26 to February 23, the frequency will drop from daily to six times a week.

For flights from Frankfurt to Detroit (DTW), the situation is complex. Initially scheduled for an A340-300, the route will transition to an A340-600 from October 26 to November 30, before switching to the Boeing 787-9 from December 1. On the arrival of the first 787 equipped with Allegris, Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter remarked on the modernization and benefits of quieter and fuel-efficient aircraft.

Adjustments in Flight Frequencies

Like the Atlanta route, flights between Frankfurt and Detroit will see a frequency dip from daily to five weekly services from January 27 to February 24. However, certain routes will maintain their existing schedules. For instance, flights from Frankfurt to Newark (EWR), a crucial hub for Star Alliance ally United Airlines, will continue daily. This route will see the Boeing 787-9 starting January 20, following its initial use on the Frankfurt-Raleigh/Durham (RDU) route on January 1.

Interestingly, some routes will experience a reverse aircraft switch, with the Airbus A340-300 temporarily replacing the Boeing 787-9 on flights between Frankfurt and Montréal (YUL) this October.

Boeing 787-9: A Strategic Asset for Lufthansa

Lufthansa presently operates six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with an average age of three years, according to ch-aviation. The airline plans to expand its Dreamliner fleet to 35 in the coming years.

These configurations highlight a preference for three-class seating arrangements, with Allegris configurations providing more extensive premium options. Certification delays have affected the sale of some business class seats on Allegris-equipped planes, awaiting FAA approval. Additionally, delivery delays have postponed the retirement of the Airbus A340-600 until 2026.