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Historic Lufthansa Aircraft Returns to Frankfurt Airport
The Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, a iconic part of Lufthansa's history, is set to take centre stage at the new Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Centre at Frankfurt Airport. The aircraft, which joined Lufthansa's fleet in 1957, will be on permanent public display from spring 2026.
This propeller-driven airliner, part of the Constellation series, represents the pinnacle of its kind from the end of the 1950s. It was technologically advanced for its time, boasting four piston engines and long-range capabilities, with typical flight durations of up to 17 hours. The Super Star was the first Lufthansa plane to offer the exclusive "Senator Class" premium travel service, operating mainly nonstop transatlantic flights between Hamburg and New York.
During the 1950s, Frankfurt Airport served as a key hub in Lufthansa's operations, contributing to the airline's post-war growth and prestige. The Super Star, despite its powerful three-blade tail and 16-cylinder engines, was quickly replaced by emerging jet aircraft like the Boeing 707.
The historic aircraft has been meticulously restored and repainted in its original 1950s Lufthansa livery, based on company archival documents. The restoration occurred mainly at Münster/Osnabrück Airport and was completed by Lufthansa Technik with paint supplied by Mankiewicz. The airframe was reassembled after storage at Paderborn-Lippstadt and transported in parts to Frankfurt Airport.
The Super Star will stand alongside the historic Junkers Ju 52 at the new centre, symbolizing Lufthansa’s legacy and the company’s centenary celebrations. The Junkers Ju 52, built in 1936, is even older and will be transported to Frankfurt later this month.
The new centre is envisioned to engage employees, aviation enthusiasts, and passengers, showcasing Lufthansa's history, including its glorious and not-so-glorious moments. However, ambitious plans to offer nostalgic flights for passengers with the Super Star had to be abandoned due to cost reasons.
It's important to note that the Super Star, unlike the Junkers, was never actually flown by Lufthansa. The company's predecessor, Deutsche Luft Hansa Aktiengesellschaft, was founded under pressure from the German Reich government in 1926. The company has a complex history, with thousands of forced laborers having to work under exploitative conditions for the first Hansa. Moreover, the company was closely involved in the illegal armament of the German Reich and became an important part of the Nazi war machine. Lufthansa has since joined the compensation fund for forced laborers and other Nazi victims in 1999.
In March 2026, a new corporate history of Lufthansa is set to be published, shedding light on the airline's past and present. Lufthansa has also secured the trademark rights to the name, color scheme, and crane symbol of its predecessor after the war.
The visitor and conference centre at Frankfurt Airport is scheduled to open in April, providing a fitting home for the Lockheed Super Star and the Junkers Ju 52, two iconic aircraft that have played significant roles in Lufthansa's history.
