Lufthansa, the German national airline, continues to operate a fleet of Airbus A340 aircraft despite their age and inefficiency compared to more modern planes. As of 2025, Lufthansa maintains 22 A340s in service, consisting of 15 A340-300s and seven A340-600s, with an average age of 23.4 years.
The airline's decision to keep these four-engine aircraft operational is driven by practical needs rather than nostalgia. The A340 fills a critical gap in long-haul capacity for premium-heavy routes until newer models like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 become available in larger numbers. "Lufthansa continues to operate the Airbus A340 because it fills a temporary but critical gap in long-haul capacity," said an industry observer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines faced disruptions that affected fleet management. Lufthansa reactivated some of its older aircraft as demand for long-haul travel rebounded faster than anticipated. This included bringing back the A340 due to its configuration, which is well-suited for routes with high demand for premium seating.