Lufthansa unveils historic airplanes at its new tourist attraction center

Lufthansa's New Visitor and Conference Center Unveils Historic Planes

Lufthansa is set to open a visitor and conference center at Frankfurt Airport next April, offering a unique blend of aviation history and modern-day innovation. The center will house two iconic planes: the Lockheed Super Star and the Junkers Ju 52, both on display for the public to marvel at.

The Lockheed Super Star, a propeller plane from the 1950s, has already found its place at the construction site. Despite never being flown for Lufthansa, this historic plane from the Constellation series symbolizes the peak of propeller-driven passenger aircraft. Only 44 Super Stars were ever built, making each one a rare gem. The plane's wings are expected to arrive next week, completing its installation.

The Super Star has been restored to gleam with authentic details in cockpit and cabin. Although it's not airworthy, the meticulous restoration process has ensured that this piece of aviation history maintains its original charm. Most of the funds for the restoration came from sponsors, a testament to the public's appreciation for these historical planes.

The Junkers Ju 52, nicknamed "Auntie Ju," is even older than the Super Star and will be transported to Frankfurt in September. Built in 1936, this plane has a rich history and is a significant addition to the center.

The visitor and conference center is intended to be a special place for employees, aviation enthusiasts, and passengers. It will not only showcase these historic aircraft but also address Lufthansa's own, not always glorious history. The corporation is open about its role during National Socialism, including its predecessor Deutsche Luft Hansa's complicity in Nazi war crimes and exploitation.

Lufthansa Technik is not making any statements about the costs for the visitor and conference center and the restoration of the two aircraft. However, excavations of forced labor camps at Tempelhof airport and other historical work have helped uncover harsher realities during the Nazi era.

A new corporate history, commissioned to historians Hartmut Berghoff, Manfred Grieger, and Jörg Lesczenski, is scheduled to appear in March 2026. The airline has publicly acknowledged its historical ties to the Nazi regime and forced labor through historical research and disclosure, but the process remains complex and ongoing.

As Lufthansa moves forward, it's clear that the new visitor and conference center is a step towards acknowledging and preserving its past, while also celebrating the wonders of aviation history. For more information, visit the Lufthansa website or stop by the center once it opens in April.

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