by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 21, 2015 | Featured, Fleet Update, History, Lufthansa |
Today (February 19) marks another important milestone in the evolution of Lufthansa as a major global airline.
On February 19, 1965 Lufthansa announced it would be the “Launch Customer” for Boeing’s 737. The initial order for 21 aircraft would be the first time that a Non-US based carrier would be a launch customer for a new model from Boeing. Over the course of time, Lufthansa would ultimately operate 155 737s. The cost of initial order was 65 million US dollars. Adjusted for 2014 it would be valued at approximately 475 million US dollars. The first Lufthansa 737 entered service on February 10, 1968 and LH would ultimately operate 155 737s over the years.
This was the first time that a jet was being designed specifically for short haul markets. Previously, jets were primarily used for transcontinental travel, but with the emergence of air travel’s popularity, it had become necessary to provide jet service on shorter distances. In Boeing’s development of the 737, Lufthansa played a vital role in the engineering of the aircraft. Professor Gerhard Holtje, Lufthansa’s board member in charge of engineering at the time was instrumental in the design of the new aircraft that would become the work horse of airlines the world over. This also put Lufthansa’s mark on the map as a significant and influential member of the airline community.
Some interesting facts:
* Approximately 8100 Boeing 737 (including various derivatives) have been manufactured.
*Boeing still builds approximately 45 737s EACH Month!
* There is a 737 landing or taking off every 5 seconds.
* 737’s have carried over 12 billion passengers
* 737’s have flown approximately 65 billion miles (120 billion km)
* The 737 represents approximately 25 percent of the global airline fleet.
Today, Lufthansa still operates 22 737s but it is phasing them out as more efficient aircraft are delivered to the fleet. I had a chance to witness the retirement of a 737 and was in Tulsa when it landed at Lufthansa Technical Component Services where it would be ‘decommissioned’. The last of the 737s should disappear from LH’s fleet by next year.
A very early 737…courtesy of Wikimedia.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 20, 2015 | Featured, First Class, History, Lufthansa |
For those of you who have been fortunate to experience Lufthansa’s First Class service on long haul flights, you’ll no doubt recall either having a red Rose waiting for you at your seat or being handed to you by your flight attendant.
Most passengers will see it as a colorful touch to an impeccable travel experience but not stop to think whether this is a tradition or simply part of the decor of the First Class cabin.
So now that I’ve piqued your curiosity, here is the background on this tradition.
Early in Lufthansa’s post-WWII days of the mid to late 1950s, Lufthansa began operating aircraft such as the Lockheed ‘Super Constellation’ and various Convairs to destinations around the world. At the same time, Lufthansa also introduced a new cabin experience called ‘Senator Service’, the precursor to today’s fantastic onboard experience.
However, the true First Class experience would really ‘take off’ when Lufthansa entered the jet age with the introduction of Boeing’s 707 to passengers on March 17, 1960.
With the 707, Lufthansa raised the bar (quite literally) for Senator Service. The larger aircraft afforded Lufthansa to carry 24 First Class passengers who would be cared for by a Hostess, a Cook, and a Cabin Chef. In addition, passengers were able to make use of a dedicated lounge that came complete with Beer served from wooden kegs. This also marked for the first time in Lufthansa’s history that foreign flight attendants were being introduced due to Lufthansa’s expansion into the global airline marketplace.
What First Class looked like aboard a Boeing 707 —- Courtesy of Lufthansa
And finally, to put the proverbial cherry on top of the experience, the implementation of the enhanced Senator Service aboard the 707 in the 1960s would also usher in the tradition of the Baccara Red Rose that awaits each Lufthansa First Class passenger. Now you know!
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 14, 2015 | Featured, History, Lufthansa, Photography, Plane Spotting |
After finally being painted in a beautiful tribute livery and released to the flight line, D-ABYT finally took to the skies today for her inaugural flight, also known in Boeing-speak as a B1 flight.
She took off early in the afternoon after a 3 hour weather delay at Paine Field and is due back later today.
Next up is a B2 flight which will be followed up by a C1 (Customer) flight and ultimately delivery to Lufthansa on or about March 13. She will no doubt be the guest of honor when Lufthansa celebrates its 60th Anniversary in mid-April.
So for now, enjoy the images of our favorite new Queen of the Skies! I’ll be back later after she lands.
For additional photos of her, please click here and here for my other related posts.
Preparing for taxi test
High speed taxi test completed successfully.
Moments after takeoff from Paine Field
