German airline Lufthansa is reportedly finalizing a deal to sell two of its Boeing 747-8 aircraft to the United States Air Force. Aviation insider JonNYC shared this information on X, indicating that Lufthansa plans to remove these aircraft from its fleet in the near future. Currently, the airline operates a total of 19 Boeing 747-8s, making it one of the few carriers worldwide still using this model for scheduled passenger services, alongside Korean Air and Air China.
Lufthansa has not publicly indicated a desire to part with these relatively new planes, leading to speculation about the implications of this transaction. Some analysts believe this move might be connected to ongoing delays in the replacement of Air Force One. President Donald Trump has criticized the existing modified 747-200 aircraft, arguing they are outdated. The Air Force has ordered two new 747-8s from Boeing, but delivery has been pushed back until at least mid-2028. This timeline raises concerns that the current president may not have access to the new aircraft during his tenure.
Details of the Aircraft Sale
The two Boeing 747-8s in question are registered as D-ABYD and D-ABYG. According to reports, D-ABYD is set to leave Lufthansa’s fleet by January 2026, while D-ABYG will exit in the latter half of 2026. With these departures, Lufthansa’s fleet will be reduced to 17 active 747-8s. These aircraft, known for their long-haul capabilities, are powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B67 engines and are commonly seen at major international airports, including Los Angeles International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Both planes have been in service for over a decade, with D-ABYD first delivered on August 24, 2012, and D-ABYG following on March 13, 2013. The specifications of these aircraft reveal that they are configured to carry 8 first class, 80 business class, 32 premium economy, and 244 economy passengers.
Current Status and Future Plans
Lufthansa has not yet confirmed the sale or commented on the speculation surrounding it. The airline has been actively reconfiguring its Boeing 747-8 fleet, with plans to introduce new Allegris cabins starting in 2025. This refurbishment includes adding private suites on the lower deck, while the upper deck will retain its older business class layout until the introduction of new first-class seats around 2027 or 2028.
The aircraft involved in the sale are named after German regions, with D-ABYD representing Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and D-ABYG named after Baden-Württemberg. As the aviation community closely monitors this development, many enthusiasts are eager to see where these iconic jumbo jets will ultimately end up.
While the potential sale raises many questions, it is essential to note that no official confirmation has been provided by Lufthansa. JonNYC emphasized that the information shared is speculative, and further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
