German carrier sets final flight for October 25 as industry shifts away from four-engine widebodies toward more fuel-efficient twin-engine jets.
Lufthansa will retire its fleet of Airbus A340-600 aircraft by late October, ending two decades of service for the four-engine widebody as the German flag carrier accelerates its transition to more efficient twin-engine jets.
The final scheduled passenger flight will operate on October 25, 2026, from Riyadh to Frankfurt, according to scheduling data from aviation analytics company Cirium. The date coincides with the transition from the IATA Summer Schedule to the Winter Schedule, a period when airlines typically implement major fleet changes.
Lufthansa currently operates 13 A340-600 aircraft with an average age of 19.6 years, but only four remain in active service. The remaining nine jets have already been placed in storage, according to fleet data from ch-aviation.
The retirement comes more than a year later than originally planned. Lufthansa had targeted October 2025 for the A340-600’s exit, but delivery delays for replacement aircraft such as the Boeing 787 forced the carrier to extend operations.
The airline conducted the fleet’s final heavy maintenance check last April, signaling the approaching end of the type’s service life at Lufthansa.
Final months of operations
Cirium data shows Lufthansa has scheduled 1,669 flights with the A340-600 in 2026, all operating to or from its Frankfurt hub. The aircraft primarily serves long-haul transatlantic routes to U.S. destinations.
This month, the type operates daily service from Frankfurt to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. In January 2026, JFK was the only destination receiving daily A340-600 service, with O’Hare reduced to 21 monthly rotations. The reduced frequency will allow the aircraft to also serve Boston and Riyadh 11 times each that month.
October 2026 will mark the final month of scheduled passenger operations. Lufthansa has scheduled 145 flights with the type that month, operating daily rotations from Frankfurt to JFK, Riyadh and Washington Dulles from October 1 through 24.
Simple Flying has contacted Lufthansa for comment on the retirement plans. The airline has not yet provided a statement.
Fleet modernization push
The retirement reflects Lufthansa’s broader strategy to phase out four-engine aircraft and modernize its fleet with more efficient twin-engine widebodies. The carrier’s overall fleet has an average age of 14.9 years, making the A340-600s among its oldest aircraft.
The A340-600s carry 281 passengers across four cabin classes. The configuration includes eight first-class suites, 56 business-class flatbeds, 28 premium economy recliners and 189 standard economy seats, according to Seat Maps.
The first-class cabin features a 1-2-1 layout across two rows, providing direct aisle access for all eight seats. Business class uses an angled 2-2-2 configuration where window passengers lack direct aisle access. Premium economy seats are arranged 2-3-2, while economy class uses a 2-4-2 setup. Some lavatories are located below the main cabin deck.
Lufthansa is a Cologne-based carrier and Star Alliance member. The A340-600 retirement represents the latest step in the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal program aimed at reducing operating costs and improving fuel efficiency across its long-haul network.
Key Takeaways
- Lufthansa will retire its 13-aircraft Airbus A340-600 fleet by October 25, 2026, with only four currently active and nine already in storage.
- Boeing 787 delivery delays forced Lufthansa to postpone the retirement from October 2025 to October 2026.
- The final month will see 145 scheduled flights operating daily from Frankfurt to New York JFK, Riyadh, and Washington Dulles through October 24, with the last service from Riyadh to Frankfurt on October 25.
- The retirement reflects the aviation industry’s broader shift away from four-engine aircraft toward more fuel-efficient twin-engine widebodies for long-haul operations.
