Business · Companies · 12 hrs ago
Lufthansa ends A340-600 passenger flights as SWISS begins retirements
Lufthansa has ended passenger flights with its A340-600s, while SWISS has started retiring its A340-300s.
Lufthansa’s final A340-600 flight, from Washington to Frankfurt, arrived on the morning of 19 October 2026.
SWISS has retired one of its four remaining A340-300s, and three are still flying.
The A340 was once important for long routes that twin-engine planes could not serve under earlier rules.
Newer twin-engine aircraft use less fuel, making the four-engine A340 harder to justify as airlines face higher costs.
SWISS plans to use A350s and Boeing 777s for long-haul flying, but the timing depends on new aircraft deliveries.
Two more SWISS A350s were expected in November and December, though delays could keep the remaining A340s flying into 2027.
Lufthansa operated its last Airbus A340-600 passenger service on 18 October 2026.
Flight LH419 from Washington Dulles arrived in Frankfurt the following morning.
SWISS has begun retiring its remaining Airbus A340-300s, with three still in service after HB-JMB departed on 14 October.
Lufthansa Group is withdrawing the four-engine aircraft as it reduces costs and shifts long-haul operations toward twin-engine types.
The timing of SWISS’s remaining retirements depends partly on deliveries of new Airbus A350-900s.
- Who
- Lufthansa and SWISS, both part of Lufthansa Group.
- What
- Lufthansa ended A340-600 passenger flights, while SWISS began retiring its A340-300s.
- When
- Lufthansa’s final A340-600 passenger service was on 18 October 2026; HB-JMB departed SWISS service on 14 October.
- Where
- Lufthansa’s final flight ran from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt. SWISS’s remaining A340-300s operate routes including Chicago, Montreal, Johannesburg, Dubai, Mumbai, Shanghai and Málaga.
- Why
- Lufthansa Group is seeking to reduce costs and simplify operations amid higher fuel costs and financial pressure from industrial disputes. New aircraft deliveries have enabled the retirements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SWISS A340-300 HB-JMB departed service.
Lufthansa operated its final A340-600 passenger service, flight LH419 from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt.
LH419 arrived in Frankfurt the morning after its final passenger service.
- Lufthansa final flight
- LH419, Washington Dulles to Frankfurt
- Final service date
- 18 October 2026
- SWISS A340-300s remaining
- Three
- Departed SWISS aircraft
- HB-JMB, on 14 October
- Pending SWISS A350-900 deliveries
- Two, expected in November and December