Lufthansa to sell two Boeing 747-8s to US Air Force - reports

Lufthansa plans to sell two of its Boeing 747-8 aircraft, reducing its passenger fleet of the type from 19 to 17 units by the third quarter of 2026, according to reports. The aircraft, registered as D-ABYD and D-ABYG, are scheduled to exit in January and later in the year, respectively.

The move is linked to reported interest from the US Air Force (USAF), which is seeking interim solutions amid delays in the delivery of new presidential aircraft based on the 747-8 platform. The transaction is unusual for commercial widebodies of this age and type.

Lufthansa remains one of only three airlines still operating the 747-8 for passenger service. The company’s decision to proceed with this sale suggests a targeted transaction rather than a response to routine fleet renewal or market-driven pressures.

The two 747-8 have been in service for 13 and 12 years, respectively, which is relatively young for commercial widebody aircraft. Their transfer to a government operator differs from standard market retirements or secondary-market placements.

The US Air Force continues to face delays for its new VC-25B presidential transports, with delivery timelines recently pushed back to 2028. As a result, sourcing available 747-8s from commercial operators has become a practical consideration for interim government use.

For Lufthansa, losing two large wide-body aircraft is also unusual at the moment, as the airline is under pressure from high demand for long-haul flights.

At the same time, delays in the production of aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X have led the German carrier to keep less efficient aircraft like the A340 and the 747 in service for longer.

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