Austrian Airlines Loses Five New 787-9s to Lufthansa as 777X Delays Ripple Through the Group

VIENNA, Nov. 7, 2026 — Lufthansa Group has reassigned five new Boeing 787-9s that were meant for Austrian Airlines to Lufthansa’s Frankfurt operation because of continuing Boeing 777X delays. Austrian will keep flying its older Boeing 777-200ERs for years longer.

What changes

The five 787-9s were due at Austrian from late 2027. They will now go to Lufthansa mainline at Frankfurt to fill the gap left by late 777-9s; Lufthansa had expected its first 777-9 in 2027.
Group CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed the move at a media conference on Nov. 3 and called it temporary.
Austrian’s six 777-200ERs will stay in service until at least the end of 2029 or early 2030, a company spokeswoman said.
Austrian had planned 12 Dreamliners by the end of 2028: four 787-9s already flying, three more planned and the five now reassigned. They were to replace six 777-200ERs and three 767-300ERs.
Future aircraft for Vienna depend on Lufthansa reaching agreement with the Austrian government and Vienna Airport on location costs. Timing: TBA.

What it means for non-revs

Austrian’s long-haul fleet will not grow as fast as planned, so Vienna long-haul seat supply stays tight. Expect continued high loads on Austrian’s widebody routes.
From late 2027, the extra 787s at Frankfurt add Lufthansa long-haul capacity there. Exact routes: TBA.