Lufthansa has operated its final scheduled Airbus A340-600 passenger service, ending the aircraft’s nearly 23-year career with the German airline. The final round trip, LH418/LH419, linked Frankfurt with Washington Dulles, with the inbound flight arriving in Frankfurt on 19 October after departing the United States the previous evening.
The last service departed Washington Dulles at 17:55 local time on 18 October and was scheduled to reach Frankfurt at 07:55 the following morning. Lufthansa introduced the A340-600 in 2003 and operated as many as 24 aircraft of the type. Four remained in service during the final phase, serving routes including Washington and New York.
The retirement forms part of Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet modernisation and cost-reduction measures. Newer, more fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9, are taking over a growing share of intercontinental flying. The A340-300 will replace the A340-600 on the Washington route in the immediate term.
Lufthansa will continue to operate other four-engine passenger aircraft, including the A340-300, Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. The airline has not disclosed the subsequent disposition of each retired A340-600.