Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) plans to continue operating A380-800s through the late 2020s or early 2030s to backfill capacity missing due to delayed B777-9 and A350 aircraft deliveries.

"It depends on demand and when Airbus and Boeing are able to deliver other airplanes," Lufthansa Group Chief Executive Carsten Spohr told Flightglobal.

The German carrier retired all fourteen A380s at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and initially was committed to the type's permanent exit. However, as demand rebounded after the relaxation of travel restrictions, the airline decided to reactivate six aircraft. It recently committed to reintroducing another two. The other six units were sold to Airbus during the pandemic.

So far, Lufthansa has reactivated three A380s, using them on services from Munich to Boston and New York JFK. One more aircraft is under maintenance at Manila Ninoy Aquino International airport, while the others remain in storage.

Spohr confirmed that all eight aircraft will undergo cabin refurbishment and will have Lufthansa's much-awaited new business class seats installed in the coming years.

The carrier has firm orders for thirty-four A350-900s (on top of 21 already in its fleet and five more ordered for subsidiary Swiss), ten A350-1000s, and twenty B777-9s. While the A350s are being delivered, just behind schedule, the B777-9 is stuck in a lengthy certification drive and will not enter service before 2025.