Lufthansa to replace A340-600 with Boeing 747-400 on Asian routes for summer 2026

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Lufthansa to replace A340-600 with Boeing 747-400 on Asian routes for summer 2026

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Lufthansa A340-600 | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Apr 9, 2025

Lufthansa has unveiled its preliminary summer schedule for 2026, which introduces significant changes to its routes to Asia. The German airline plans to operate its flights from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) using Boeing 747-400 aircraft starting March 29, 2026.

According to AeroRoutes, this change involves replacing the Airbus A340-600 that currently serves these routes. Lufthansa's flights to Shanghai-Pudong, according to data from aviation analytics company Cirium’s Diio Mi, will see the 747-400 replacing the A340-600 on the Shanghai-bound flight LH728 and the return itinerary LH729 starting in late March.

As of now, Lufthansa's A340-600 is utilized on daily flights LH796/LH797 between Frankfurt and Hong Kong during the summer season from March to October. The modified schedule indicates a possible reduction in Lufthansa's A340-600 fleet during the next summer season.

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In July, Lufthansa's 747-400 services from Frankfurt will include daily departures to airports such as New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR), along with Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). The 747-400 is not in operation from Munich Airport (MUC).

In November, the 747-400 will also be deployed on flights to Hong Kong, whereas the 747-8 will service the Shanghai-Pudong route. Other destinations for Lufthansa’s 747-400 in November include Bengaluru, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), New York-JFK, Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

These changes align with Lufthansa's long-term plan to streamline its fleet by retiring quad-engine jets, including the 747-400, A340-600, and others. These retirements will be compensated by the introduction of new aircraft models such as the A350-1000, 787-9, and 777-9. Lufthansa aims to receive its first 777-9 in 2026, as disclosed by Grazia Vittadini, chief technology officer of Lufthansa Group, during an industry event in Brussels.

"Lufthansa should welcome its first 777-9 in 2026, according to Reuters," said Vittadini, while discussing the airline's future plans.