• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Lufthansa  >  Lufthansa Wants To Swap Large Jets For Smaller Ones
Lufthansa

Lufthansa Wants To Swap Large Jets For Smaller Ones

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 16, 2021February 16, 2021 4 Comments

Lufthansa is in talks with both Airbus and Boeing to modify existing aircraft orders, potentially replacing widebody jets with smaller aircraft.

Lufthansa In Discussions To Downsize Jet Orders

Speaking virtually, Lufthansa Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr told the London School of Economics on Monday that both Airbus and Boeing have been approached concerning the new reality of a pandemic-altered world. And both have shown “flexibility” in discussions over existing existing orders, according to Bloomberg.

Spohr also expressed pessimism about the future of intercontinental travel, shockingly predicting that business travel between the U.S. and Europe would NEVER return to pre-pandemic levels. As a result, Lufthansa is looking at modifying existing orders with both planemakers.

Spohr clarified:

“We are putting many four-engined long-range aircraft out of the fleet and this creates a certain need for smaller long-range aircraft. These are very dynamic discussions.”

Currently, Lufthansa has the following confirmed widebody orders:

  • 20 Boeing 777X
  • 20 Boeing 787-9
  • 43 Airbus A350-900s (17 have already been delivered)

It also has orders for 89 Airbus single-aisle aircraft on the books.

As Lufthansa adjusts to the new reality, a number of possibilities are at play. The 777X aircraft, first to feature Lufthansa’s new business class cabin, could be scrapped for more Dreamliners. Airbus A350s, now a backbone of the Lufthansa longhaul fleet, could give way to smaller A330neos or even single-aisle A321LR aircraft that could make transatlantic crossings feasible despite fewer passengers.

Or it could be that Lufthansa claims force majeure (i.e., a contractual term for an “act of God” that releases one or both parties from performance obligations) and tries to wiggle out of its contracts that way.

CONCLUSION

Lufthansa is holding discussions with Airbus and Boeing to potentially downsize orders on the book, potentially trading larger jets for much smaller ones. While the disposition of such discussions may come down to how well-written the contacts are, the revelation from Spohr reveals what will likely be an industry-wide trend.

Previous Article Abraham Lincoln, A Hero Through The Ages
Next Article Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson Dead At 62

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Lufthansa 2022 Christmas Duck

    December 24, 2022
  • Lufthansa business class falling apart broken remote 2

    Lufthansa Business Class Is Falling Apart

    December 4, 2022
  • Lufthansa Jewish Settlement

    Lufthansa Settles With Jewish Passengers Denied Boarding For $21,000 Each

    November 30, 2022

4 Comments

  1. Scott Schultz Reply
    February 16, 2021 at 6:57 am

    So if Lufthansa cancel their order for the 777X, does that mean they would lose their Skytrax 5 Star rating for a business class product that will never come to fruition? 🙂 Not that I want them to cancel their order since I work for a large aircraft manufacturer, just not on the commercial side.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 16, 2021 at 10:57 am

      Yeah, nothing like awarding them five-starts a decade early. Lol.

  2. Ryan Reply
    February 16, 2021 at 7:26 am

    A force majeure clause in a contract would not allow an airline to get out of a contractual obligation due to a change in market conditions. Most force majeure clauses in aerospace contracts function to benefit the manufacturer only. When a customer demands a reciprocal force majeure clause, they clause often carves out the customer’s payment obligation from its scope. A termination for convenience clause might allow for an out, albeit with equitable compensation, but most aerospace contracts do not have such a clause.

    Most likely there will be a negotiated resolution.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 16, 2021 at 10:56 am

      I’m talking about the virus as a force majeure. That said, I concur there will be a negotiated resolution.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • 11 Hours In KLM 787-10 Economy Class… February 7, 2023
  • Delta Promises Louis Vuitton Bag Won’t Get Damaged. It Does. February 7, 2023
  • Petra Photo Essay
    Photo Essay: The Ancient City Of Petra, Jordan February 7, 2023
  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch February 6, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Meal Service: The Sad State Of Affairs January 27, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.