The Lufthansa logo, featuring an encircled stylized crane in flight, was first created in 1918 by Otto Firle. It has been a symbol of the airline's identity since then.

The name Lufthansa is believed to have been created by F.A. Fischer von Puturzyn in 1925. It was derived from the book he published titled 'Luft-Hansa', which explored aviation policy options at the time.

On October 6, 1926, Lufthansa, originally founded as Deutsche Luft Hansa by a group of aviation enthusiasts in Berlin, operated its first flight from Hamburg with two passengers and mail onboard.

In 1927, the Spanish government and Deutsche Luft Hansa established an agreement that led to the founding of Iberia Airlines, with authorization for air service between Spain and Germany.

In April 1928, the Luft Hansa pilot Hermann Köhl, Ehrenfried Günther Freiherr von Hünefeld, and Irish pilot James Fitzmaurice made the first east-west crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean from Baldonnel Aerodrome in Ireland to Greenly Island, Canada using the Junkers W 33 aircraft Bremen.

In 1929, a Heinkel HE 12 aircraft was launched off the NDL liner Bremen during her maiden voyage crossing the Atlantic, shortening the mail delivery time between Europe and North America.

In 1930, Lufthansa launched its first long-haul flight from Berlin to Rio de Janeiro, marking a significant milestone in the airline's history.

In 1932, an aircraft was made available to Adolf Hitler for his campaign for the presidential election free of charge by Deutsche Luft Hansa, which was later used by the Nazi party for propaganda efforts.

In 1933, the airline's name was changed to 'Lufthansa' and it continued to expand its routes across the Atlantic and to the Far East before World War II.

In 1934, the first regularly scheduled airline service across an ocean in the world was inaugurated after years of testing. The route used Wal flying boats initially, which were later replaced by the Dornier Do 18 in 1936 for operations in non-visual conditions.

In 1935, Luft Hansa introduced the first aircraft not manufactured in Germany into its fleet, including two Boeing 247s and one Douglas DC-2. This marked a significant expansion of the airline's operations.

Lufthansa Technik restored a Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft built in 1936 to airworthiness for use on the Berlin to Rome route.

In 1937, Sociedad Ecuatoriana de Transportes Aéreos (SEDTA) and Lufthansa Perú were founded as Luft Hansa co-operations in Ecuador and Peru respectively. They operated Junkers W 34 aircraft, strengthening Luft Hansa's presence in the South American market.

In 1938, the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 long range aircraft was introduced by Luft Hansa, enabling non-stop flights between Berlin and New York and from Berlin to Tokyo with only one intermediate stopover. This marked a significant milestone in long-distance air travel.

On 1 April 1939, Deutsche Luft Hansa launched scheduled transatlantic flights to Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, and Santiago de Chile using Fw 200 aircraft. This expanded the airline's route network to include South American destinations.

In March 1940, Deruluft, a Luft Hansa cooperation in foreign countries, was gradually dismantled and ceased to exist.

In November 1940, the Eurasia Corporation, another Luft Hansa cooperation, had to be shut down following an intervention by the Chinese government.

In 1941, Lufthansa faced challenges and adversities during wartime as depicted in the publication 'A Crane in the Storm, Lufthansa at war'. The article sheds light on the struggles and experiences of the airline during that year.

In 1943, Syndicato Condor was nationalised and renamed Cruzeiro do Sul in an attempt to erase its German roots.

The year 1944 was marked by a series of accidents and losses for Lufthansa, as highlighted in the publication 'A Crane in the Storm, Lufthansa at war: VI'. The article delves into the unfortunate events that transpired during that year.

On April 21, 1945, the last scheduled flight of Deutsche Luft Hansa from Berlin to Munich took place, but the aircraft crashed shortly before the planned arrival.

On April 22, 1945, another non-scheduled flight from Berlin to Warnemünde marked the end of flight operations for Deutsche Luft Hansa.

On January 1, 1951, all remaining assets of Deutsche Luft Hansa were liquidated following the surrender of Germany and the Allied occupation.

Lufthansa was founded on January 6, 1953, in Cologne, West Germany as Aktiengesellschaft für Luftverkehrsbedarf. The company was established by former staff of Deutsche Luft Hansa, Germany's national airline founded in 1926.

In 1954, Luftag acquired the name and logo of the liquidated Deutsche Lufthansa for DM 30,000, continuing the tradition of a German flag carrier with that name.

On April 1, 1955, Lufthansa won approval to start scheduled domestic flights, connecting Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich.

International flights by Lufthansa commenced on May 15, 1955, with routes to London, Paris, and Madrid.

Lufthansa embraced the jet age in 1958 by ordering four Boeing 707 aircraft, allowing them to launch jet flights between Frankfurt and New York City in March 1960.

On January 11, 1959, Lufthansa Flight 502 crashed near Galeão Airport in Rio de Janeiro, resulting in the loss of most passengers and crew members. The accident was attributed to a low approach executed by fatigued pilots.

In March 1960, Lufthansa introduced the Boeing 707 on its North Atlantic routes, marking the start of the jet age for the airline. This transition significantly sped up flights across the Atlantic.

In September 1960, Lufthansa christened a Boeing 707 as 'Berlin' after the divided city of Berlin. This marked the beginning of a tradition where Lufthansa named its planes after German cities, towns, or federal states, aligning with the relative size or importance of the location.

On December 4, 1961, a Lufthansa Boeing 720 crashed near Mainz during a training flight, leading to the fatalities of all three occupants. This incident marked the first crash involving this aircraft type.

In 1962, Lufthansa added Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg, South Africa to their network, further enhancing their presence in Africa during the early 1960s.

In 1963, East Germany launched Interflug as its national carrier after legal challenges from West Germany led to the abandonment of its attempt to establish a 'Lufthansa' airline.

On July 15, 1964, another Lufthansa Boeing 720 crashed near Ansbach during a training flight, resulting in the loss of all three individuals on board. The accident occurred when the pilots lost control of the aircraft during an aileron roll.

On February 19, 1965, Lufthansa became the launch customer of the Boeing 737, ordering 21 units of the twinjet.

On 28 January 1966, Lufthansa Flight 005 crashed 0.5 kilometers short of Bremen Airport, killing all 42 passengers and 4 crew members on board. The crash occurred during a go-around attempt, possibly due to pilot error.

On December 28, 1967, Lufthansa received its initial 737-100, becoming the first carrier outside the United States to launch a new Boeing aircraft.

In 1968, Lufthansa added the Boeing 737 medium-haul jet to its fleet, expanding its operational capabilities.

The wide-body era for Lufthansa commenced with a Boeing 747 flight on 26 April 1970, marking a significant milestone in the airline's fleet modernization and expansion.

The addition of 747s in 1971 contributed to Lufthansa's rise as one of the top airlines globally in terms of passenger traffic and revenues.

In 1972, during the Munich Summer Olympics, there were four reported hijackings of Lufthansa aircraft. These incidents involved demands for ransom and political motives, leading to tense standoffs and negotiations.

On 12 November 1973, Lufthansa introduced the DC-10-30, further diversifying its wide-body aircraft fleet and enhancing its operational capabilities.

On 17 December 1973, a Lufthansa Boeing 737-100 was hijacked at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome by Palestinian terrorists, leading to a multi-airport ordeal that ended at Kuwait International Airport the next day.

On 20 December 1973, a Lufthansa Boeing 707 collided with a middle marker shack at Palam Airport in Delhi. The incident occurred during approach following a flight from Bangkok. Although there were no injuries, the aircraft was severely damaged.

On 20 November 1974, Lufthansa Flight 540, a Boeing 747-100, lost power and crashed shortly after take-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 55 passengers and 4 crew members. It was the first air accident involving a Boeing 747.

In 1976, Lufthansa welcomed the first Airbus A300 into its fleet, signaling the airline's commitment to incorporating advanced aircraft models for improved passenger experience.

On 28 June 1977, a Lufthansa Boeing 727 was hijacked during a flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul and diverted to Munich.

The hijacking of the Landshut occurred on 13 October 1977, during the German Autumn, when a Boeing 737-200 was hijacked en route Flight 181 from Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt by terrorists of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

On 11 December 1978, Lufthansa was the victim of a major heist at John F. Kennedy International Airport, resulting in a loss of about $5 million American Dollars.

On 26 July 1979, Lufthansa Flight 527 crashed into a mountain 25 kilometers from Galeão Airport during initial climb, killing the three crew members on board. The crash was attributed to a flawed communication between the pilots and the air traffic controller.

On 12 September 1979, a hijacking attempt occurred on board a Lufthansa Boeing 727 on a flight from Frankfurt to Cologne, but the perpetrator quickly surrendered.

In 1982, 80% of Lufthansa's stock was owned by the West German government. The airline was elected as the airline of the year by Air Transport World.

On 18 October 1983, a Boeing 747-200 freighter ran off the runway at Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong after an engine failure during take-off. The aircraft got bogged in the grass.

In January 1984, an Iranian woman was found dead in a suitcase at LAX baggage carousel after arriving on a Lufthansa flight. She had been denied a US visa and attempted to enter the US in this tragic manner.

On 27 February 1985, a Lufthansa Boeing 727 was hijacked en route from Frankfurt to Damascus and diverted to Vienna International Airport.

On 27 March 1985, a Lufthansa Boeing 727 was hijacked on a flight from Munich to Athens, with the perpetrator demanding to divert to Libya.

Only two days later, on a flight from Hamburg to London, a mentally ill person on board a Lufthansa Boeing 737-200 demanded to be taken to Hawaii instead.

On 29 June 1985, Lufthansa initiated a fleet modernization programme with orders for Airbus A320s, Airbus A300-600s, and Boeing 737-300s, reflecting the airline's commitment to upgrading its aircraft fleet.

In 1986, Lufthansa made history by training the first two female pilots, paving the way for gender diversity in the cockpit. This milestone marked a significant step forward in aviation inclusivity.

In 1987, Lufthansa, together with Air France, Iberia, and Scandinavian Airlines, founded Amadeus, an IT company aimed at enhancing travel agencies' capabilities to sell various airlines' products through a unified system.

In 1988, Lufthansa adopted a new corporate identity, including a redesigned fleet livery, cabins, city offices, and airport lounges, showcasing the airline's commitment to modernization and brand enhancement.

Following German reunification on 3 October 1990, Lufthansa swiftly reintegrated Berlin into its network within 25 days, highlighting the airline's agility and strategic response to significant geopolitical events.

Lufthansa started operating flights to Berlin on October 28th, 1990, following the reunification of Germany. This marked the airline's entry as the flag carrier of a reunited Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

On February 11, 1993, Lufthansa Flight 592 from Frankfurt to Addis Ababa via Cairo was hijacked by Nebiu Zewolde Demeke, who intended to seek asylum in the United States. The hijacking ended peacefully with no harm to passengers or crew members.

On 14 September 1993, Lufthansa Flight 2904 overran the runway at Warsaw-Okecie Airport, crashing into an earth embankment and resulting in the death of the co-pilot and one passenger. The Airbus A320-200 was flying from Frankfurt to Warsaw.

Lufthansa was a state-owned enterprise until 1994.

Lufthansa joined Air Canada, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, and United Airlines to establish the world's first multilateral airline alliance known as Star Alliance.

On 28 May 1999, Aamir Ageeb was suffocated to death by German border police aboard Lufthansa Flight 588 from Frankfurt to Cairo. The incident led to protests over Lufthansa's role in deporting rejected asylum seekers.

Operation Yellow Ribbon was a humanitarian effort to accommodate thousands of passengers and crew stranded in Canada after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Lufthansa became the launch customer for in-flight internet connectivity service, Connexion by Boeing, in 2004, showcasing resilience and innovation in the face of industry challenges.

In late March 2005, Swiss International Air Lines merged with Lufthansa, although both companies continued to operate separately under the agreement.

In early December 2006, Lufthansa placed an order for 20 Boeing 747-8 airliners, becoming the launch customer for this aircraft type.

In December 2007, Lufthansa purchased a 19% stake in JetBlue Airways and established a code-sharing agreement, marking a significant investment by a European carrier in an American carrier.

On 28 August 2008, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines announced negotiations for a potential merger, indicating a strategic move in the airline industry.

In January 2009, Lufthansa completed the acquisition of Austrian Airlines from the Austrian government, expanding its presence in the European aviation market.

In April 2009, Lufthansa moved its inventory and departure control systems from Unisys to the Altéa platform managed by Amadeus.

Facing economic challenges, Lufthansa implemented a restructuring program in 2012 called SCORE, which included significant job cuts and the transfer of short-haul flights to its low-cost carrier Germanwings.

In 2011, Lufthansa introduced a new check-in interface aimed at simplifying the check-in process for passengers through automated procedures and self-service terminals.

On June 1, 2012, Lufthansa conducted the inaugural flight of the world's first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental passenger aircraft, marking a milestone in aviation technology.

In September 2013, Lufthansa Group announced its largest order for 59 wide-body aircraft and valued at over 14 billion euros. Additionally, earlier in the same year, Lufthansa placed an order for 100 next-generation narrow-body aircraft.

In April 2014, Lufthansa pilots, supported by Germanwings pilots, staged a nationwide strike lasting three days to demand a retirement scheme allowing pilots to retire at 55 with 60% pay retention, which Lufthansa deemed unaffordable.

In September 2014, Lufthansa pilots went on a six-hour strike at the end of the summer holidays, leading to the cancellation of 200 Lufthansa flights and 100 Germanwings flights.

In November 2014, Lufthansa signed a $1.25 billion outsourcing deal with IBM for the takeover of the airline's IT infrastructure services division and staff.

On September 1, 2015, Lufthansa introduced a 16 euro surcharge on bookings made through Global Distribution Systems, impacting travelers who did not purchase tickets directly from the airline. This move was criticized for reducing transparency in fare comparison and resulted in a revenue drop for the airline.

On 22 March 2016, Lufthansa ceased operations of Boeing 737-500 aircraft. The airline's last Boeing 737-300 was retired on 29 October 2016 after almost 50 years of service.

In October 2016, Lufthansa bid farewell to its Boeing B737 fleet, with the last commercial flight of the B737-300 marking the end of an era for the airline.

On December 19, 2016, Lufthansa welcomed its first A350-900, the most modern long-haul aircraft globally, with the inaugural commercial flight scheduled for February 10, 2017.

On December 4, 2017, Lufthansa became the first European airline to achieve the prestigious Skytrax 5-star certification. This recognition was primarily due to the unveiling of a new Business Class cabin and seating set to debut in 2020.

On 11 June 2018, a Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 was being towed at Frankfurt Airport when the towing vehicle caught fire. The aircraft suffered significant fire and smoke damage despite the quick response of the airport fire brigade.

On 30 November 2018, Lufthansa operated its last Düsseldorf-Newark route with an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, leading to the official closure of their base in March 2019.

On March 13, 2019, Lufthansa announced the removal of 6 A380 aircraft from its fleet, replacing them with Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900 aircraft. These six aircraft were sold back to Airbus for €315 million.

On March 8, 2020, Lufthansa announced the grounding of all its A380 aircraft due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 19, 2020, Lufthansa halted 95% of its flights following travel restrictions. The airline faced substantial financial losses, amounting to 1 million euros per hour by April 2020.

On May 14, 2020, Lufthansa Group unveiled strategies to navigate the pandemic crisis, aiming to operate 1,800 weekly flights by June. The company focused on cargo operations and enforced mask-wearing for all passengers.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG shareholders sanctioned a €9 billion bailout on June 25, 2020, involving capital measures and government intervention. This decision granted the state a 20% ownership stake in the airline.

In January 2021, Lufthansa CEO Spohr announced the immediate retirement of the entire Airbus A340-600 fleet, which was later reversed with some aircraft returning to service in 2021 after storage.

By June 2021, Lufthansa expressed intentions to repay pandemic-related state aid before Germany's federal election in September 2021. Additionally, the airline committed to adopting gender-neutral and inclusive communication practices.

In September 2021, Lufthansa became the first European airline to introduce the new Airbus' Airspace cabin on its A320 family aircraft, enhancing passenger comfort and experience on short and medium-haul routes.

On June 27, 2022, Lufthansa announced the reactivation of the remaining fleet of eight A380s to be brought back into service for the 2023 summer season due to increased customer demand and delayed Boeing 777-9 delivery.

On December 2, 2022, Lufthansa reactivated the first of two A380s to be entered into revenue service in summer 2023. The A380 underwent extensive maintenance and replacement work in Manila, Philippines.

On 1 March 2023, Lufthansa Flight 469, an Airbus A330 flying from Austin to Frankfurt, experienced sudden clear-air turbulence over Tennessee. The flight had to be diverted to Dulles International Airport with seven passengers hospitalized after landing.

On March 30, 2023, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr visited ITA Airways headquarters in Rome to discuss a deal to purchase a stake in the Italian airline. The negotiations started at around €200 million for 40% of the airline, with a potential option to acquire the entire company from the Italian finance ministry.

On April 24, 2023, the negotiation deadline between Lufthansa and ITA Airways ended without reaching an agreement. Both parties mentioned that negotiations were almost complete and decided to extend the discussions until May 12.

On May 25, 2023, Lufthansa finalized a deal to purchase 41% of ITA Airways for €325 million. The agreement also includes an option for Lufthansa to acquire the remaining shares based on the airline's profitability. As part of the deal, Rome will become a hub for the Lufthansa Group, with Milan also under consideration.

On June 1, 2023, Lufthansa started operating its A380 aircraft on revenue flights from Munich to Boston. The flight duration was 7 hours and 22 minutes.

On October 23, 2023, Lufthansa put D-AIMN back into commercial service with its first flight from Munich to New York JFK. Currently, Lufthansa operates 4 A380 aircraft commercially.

On February 21, 2024, Lufthansa faced a lawsuit from a man who suffered a back fracture due to severe turbulence during a flight in March 2023.