Lufthansa Group is reallocating five factory-new Boeing 787-9s that had been intended for Austrian Airlines to other carriers within the group. The aircraft, originally expected from late 2027, were part of Austrian’s plan to operate 12 Dreamliners by the end of 2028 and replace its Boeing 767 and 777 fleets. The change leaves the timing and composition of the airline’s long-haul fleet renewal uncertain.
Austrian currently operates four 787-9s, with three additional aircraft transferred from Lufthansa expected to join in 2027. Those transfers would bring the fleet to seven Dreamliners, short of the 12 originally planned. The five new aircraft were to complete the replacement of Austrian’s remaining Boeing 777s; the airline now expects those aircraft to remain in service at least until the end of 2029 or early 2030.
Austrian has not ruled out another replacement option but has provided no details. It has linked further fleet renewal to discussions with Austrian politicians about securing the country’s aviation location, while pointing to high costs in Vienna and limited availability of new long-haul aircraft. Deliveries from both Boeing and Airbus are delayed. Lufthansa Group has not publicly detailed the reasons for reallocating the five aircraft.