Zach Vasile

Lufthansa is planning to sell two Boeing 747-8 aircraft and phase out an additional two Boeing 747-400s from its scheduled operations next year, a spokesperson confirmed.

“As part of the Lufthansa Group’s strategy to modernize its fleet, we are continuously reviewing opportunities for early renewal of our fleet, particularly our four-engine aircraft,” the airline said in a statement it  shared.

“We will therefore continue the rollover of the 747 fleet next year, removing two 747-400 and two 747-8 aircraft from the scheduled fleet.”

The airline added that the two 747-8s “will be sold soon,” with the first aircraft scheduled to be handed over to a buyer in January 2026. Lufthansa said details of the transaction are subject to confidentiality.

Industry sources – including insider JonNYC – have speculated that the two 747-8s could be acquired by the U.S. Air Force, which has been evaluating used Boeing 747-8i aircraft as part of its effort to replace the aging VC-25A presidential fleet.

Lufthansa is currently the world’s largest operator of the passenger Boeing 747-8, with 19 aircraft in its fleet. The airline has previously said it plans to fully retire its remaining 747-400s by 2028 as part of a broader effort to simplify its fleet.