AviTrader sponsorship ad

LHT completes assembly of restored Lockheed L-1649A Super Star

The Lockheed L-1649A Super Star was the flagship of the Lufthansa fleet in the late 1950s © LHT
The Lockheed L-1649A Super Star was the flagship of the Lufthansa fleet in the late 1950s © LHT

Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has successfully completed the extensive assembly of a Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, which was the flagship of the Lufthansa fleet in the late 1950s. On Friday, January 17, the fully restored long-haul aircraft was rolled out from the hangar on its own landing gear for the first time in Hamburg, a moment that captivated aviation enthusiasts.

The Lockheed Super Star joined Lufthansa’s fleet in 1957, offering the exclusive Senator class for the first time. It primarily serviced the non-stop route between Hamburg and New York, a significant milestone in transatlantic aviation. The aircraft was a technical marvel, with its four piston engines marking the end of the classic propeller-driven era on North Atlantic routes. The flights, lasting up to 17 hours, departed from Hamburg, which also served as the base for aircraft maintenance. The aircraft’s roll-out took place at this historically important location for both Lufthansa and LHT. The Lufthansa German Airlines Berlin Foundation is partnering with Lufthansa Technik to support this exceptional project.

The restoration team in Hamburg faced the challenge of assembling several large components with precision. In October 2023, the fuselage, wings, distinctive triple tail unit and 292 wooden crates of smaller parts were delivered. A standout feature of this non-airworthy restoration is the cockpit, which has been faithfully recreated to reflect the 1950s design. The lighting and controls are fully functional, while cable pulls allow the rudders and flaps to be moved – a tribute to the engineering expertise of that era.

After its roll-out, the aircraft will be dismantled into larger segments in the coming weeks for transport to Münster/Osnabrück Airport in July. There, it will undergo repainting in the original Lufthansa design from the Parabola phase.

The cabin has been designed to evoke the style of the 1950s while incorporating modern technology. The seats, originally from a Lufthansa A340, have been painstakingly redesigned and upholstered in wine-red leather. The carpet and curtains also reflect historical patterns, bringing the vintage experience into the present.

Once repainted, the Lockheed Super Star is scheduled to arrive in Frankfurt in October. It will become one of the main attractions at Lufthansa Group’s new conference and visitor centre, which is set to open in spring 2026, coinciding with Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary. With a glass façade, the aircraft and other exhibits will be visible from the outside, providing a striking and historic display for all to admire.

Share this Article
Friday August 15, 2025
Star Air has taken delivery of two Embraer E175 aircraft from Azorra © Azorra
Azorra has announced the delivery of two Embraer E175 aircraft to Indian regional carrier Star Air, marking the start of its first customer partnership in India. The second of the 88-seat, all-economy jets has now arrived in Bengaluru, Karnataka, following the... Read More »
Friday August 15, 2025
Ryanair will significantly expand its operations in Albania by opening a new base at Tirana Airport in April 2026, with three Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The move represents an investment of US$300 million and will create over 3,000 jobs, including 100 new positi... Read More »
Friday August 15, 2025
Nick Smythe of Lockheed Martin (l) presents an F-16 model to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (r)
Poland’s Ministry of National Defence has finalised an agreement with the United States to carry out a major modernisation of its fleet of 48 F-16 Block 52+ fighter jets, bringing them up to the advanced F-16 Viper (F-16V) configuration. The deal, set out in... Read More »
Friday August 15, 2025
LOT will equip its upcoming fleet of 13 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with Honeywell's latest avionics systems © Honeywell
Honeywell has confirmed that LOT Polish Airlines (LOT) will equip its upcoming fleet of 13 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with its latest avionics systems. The aircraft are scheduled to join the airline in 2026 and will feature advanced cockpit technologies aimed at ... Read More »
Friday August 15, 2025
© ULS Airlines Cargo
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG), a prominent provider of cargo aircraft leasing, air cargo transport, and related services, has delivered its second Airbus A330 passenger-to-freighter conversion to ULS Airlines Cargo, based in Istanbul, Türkiye. The... Read More »
Friday August 15, 2025
Travelport and Air Canada have signed a new content distribution agreement
Air Canada says it’s gradually shutting down operations ahead of a possible strike or lockout this weekend. More than 10,000 flight attendants could walk off the job on Saturday, August 16. In a statement, Air Canada said it would “begin a phased wind ... Read More »
Thursday August 14, 2025
Jet2.com has officially opened its new maintenance hangar at Manchester Airport © Jet2
Jet2.com has unveiled a new multi-million-pound hangar at Manchester Airport, a key development to support its operations and future growth. The facility replaces a previous hangar on the site, which was demolished and rebuilt in partnership with technical con... Read More »
Thursday August 14, 2025
Eve Air Mobility
Eve Air Mobility, the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) developer focusing on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced a significant capital raise through a registered direct offering. The company has entered subscription agreements with B... Read More »
Thursday August 14, 2025
AirAsia aircraft © AirTeamImages
GE Aerospace has announced that low-cost carrier AirAsia will adopt its Fuel Insight platform to enhance fuel efficiency across the airline’s fleet. This move represents a renewed collaboration between AirAsia and GE Aerospace’s Software as a Service (SaaS... Read More »
Thursday August 14, 2025
GA Telesis, through its Component Repair Group Southeast (CRGSE) division, has entered into a multi-year supply agreement with a leading aerospace manufacturer. The deal guarantees a steady supply of factory-new proprietary components to support the company’... Read More »
Thursday August 14, 2025
SalamAir
SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost carrier, has taken a major step in its distribution strategy by officially launching its services on the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS). This integration allows travel agents using Sabre to book SalamAir flights under the ai... Read More »
Thursday August 14, 2025
Ethiopian Airlines Group CCO Lemma Yadecha and African Development Bank Group President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, sign a mandated lead arranger agreement authorizing the Bank to mobilize up to $8 billion in financing for the new Bishoftu International Airport
Ethiopia has begun preparations for a US$10 billion plan to build Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), set to rival the world’s largest hubs. The African Development Bank (AfDB) will lead the financing effort, aiming to mobilise nearly US$8 billion. It will... Read More »
Wednesday August 13, 2025
AAR CORP., a major provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs and OEMs, has acquired Aerostrat. The deal is worth US$15 million plus up to US$5 million in contingent consideration. The move strengthens AAR’s software portfolio... Read More »
Wednesday August 13, 2025
Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft
According to Reuters, Boeing delivered 48 aircraft in July 2025, down from 60 in June but five more than in July 2024. This marks the company’s highest number of deliveries for the month since 2017, when it handed over 58 planes. The majority of deliveries l... Read More »
Wednesday August 13, 2025
© CAE
CAE has reported its results for the fiscal first quarter 2026 ended June 30, 2025. Revenue reached CA$1,098.6 million, up from CA$1,072.5 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings per share (EPS) were CA$0.18, compared with CA$0.15 last year. Adjusted E... Read More »
Wednesday August 13, 2025
easyJet
easyJet has finished retrofitting FANS-C technology on 54 of its A320 and A321neo-family aircraft. All new deliveries from Airbus will now arrive with the system installed as standard. FANS-C, a form of advanced traffic management software, improves collaborat... Read More »
Wednesday August 13, 2025
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines will adjust its transpacific network from November. The carrier will boost capacity on routes with strong demand while suspending three underperforming services. Flights between Honolulu and Incheon, South Korea (five weekly), Fukuoka, Japan ... Read More »
Wednesday August 13, 2025
AeroSHARK application
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has begun the process to certifying AeroSHARK for the Airbus A330ceo, marking the first time the drag-reducing riblet film will be applied to an Airbus model. Developed in partnership with BASF Coatings, AeroSHARK has already proved eff... Read More »
Tuesday August 12, 2025
VT-ANT at Air India hangar in Mumbai before departure to Victorville
Air India has started the wide body retrofit programme for its legacy Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The first plane, VT-ANT, flew to a Boeing facility in Victorville, California in July 2025. Meanwhile, a second aircraft is set to depart in October 2025, with both ex... Read More »
Tuesday August 12, 2025
Corrosion protection
General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) is manufacturing the new Do228 NXT special mission aircraft in Germany. Many main components, including the wings, are now made in-house. Importantly, GA-ATS has introduced a new surface treatment process called tartari... Read More »

2023 MEDIA KIT

VP Sales & Business Development Americas
Tamar Jorssen
tamar.jorssen@avitrader.com
Phone: +1 (778) 213 8543
VP International Sales & Marketing
Malte Tamm
malte.tamm@avitrader.com
Phone: +49 (0)162 8263049

Subscribe to the most widely accepted news source in the aviation industry!


Free Daily, Weekly and MRO Publications delivered to your Inbox!
News Alerts, Editorials, Marketplace, Executive Interviews +more

Select publications:

*we respect your privacy and AviTrader will not share your email address to any 3rd Parties.