Lufthansa has selected Tokyo/Haneda as the first destination for its new Airbus A350-1000 long-haul jet, with commercial operations scheduled to begin on December 3, 2026, from Munich.
The German airline announced on Thursday that Shanghai and Singapore will follow in the subsequent weeks. The three routes will be operated alternately by the A350-1000 and the smaller A350-900, both equipped with Lufthansa's Allegris cabin.
The first aircraft, registered D-AIFA and named "Deutschland," is expected to arrive in Munich from Airbus' Toulouse facilities in mid-November. Lufthansa will then complete final preparations before introducing the aircraft into passenger service.
The A350-1000 has already completed its maiden flight. The aircraft, carrying the Airbus test registration F-WZNY, departed Toulouse on October 5 for a flight lasting approximately three hours and 35 minutes.
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During the flight, the aircraft traveled over the Bay of Biscay before returning to Toulouse. It is the first of 15 A350-1000s ordered by the Lufthansa Group, with deliveries scheduled through 2030.
Lufthansa's largest A350
The A350-1000 is seven meters longer than the A350-900 already operated by Lufthansa, measuring 73.8 meters in length.
Despite its larger fuselage, Lufthansa has configured the aircraft with 300 seats across four classes, prioritizing premium accommodation.
The cabin includes four First Class seats, comprising two individual suites and a Suite Plus, alongside 49 Business Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats and 212 Economy Class seats.
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According to Lufthansa, the new aircraft offers approximately 40% more Business and Premium Economy seating than its existing A350-900 configuration.
The first ten A350-1000s will operate for Lufthansa from Munich, where the airline already maintains a substantial fleet of A350-900 aircraft.
Centenary aircraft
D-AIFA carries a special dark-blue livery commemorating Lufthansa's 100th anniversary, featuring an oversized white crane across the fuselage and wings.
The aircraft will become the seventh member of the airline's anniversary fleet and the 700th Airbus aircraft delivered to the Lufthansa Group.
The A350-1000 is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the higher-thrust version of the powerplant used by the A350 family.
Lufthansa expects the aircraft to consume approximately 25% less fuel than previous-generation long-haul jets.
The airline's anniversary fleet also includes specially painted Airbus A320neo, A350-900 and A380 aircraft, as well as Boeing 747-8 and 787-9 jets.
