Lufthansa Logo PNG
The Lufthansa logo soars into the sky like a bird. The carrier is ready to deliver passengers anywhere in the world quickly and easily. The emblem shows special protection and insurance in the air. All flights with the airline are completely safe.
Lufthansa, formally Deutsche Lufthansa AG, was founded on January 6, 1953, as Luftag, continuing the legacy of Deutsche Lufthansa AG established in 1926 and dissolved in 1945. The restored airline began operations on April 1, 1955, with a domestic flight between Hamburg and Munich.
In the 1960s, Lufthansa expanded across Europe and beyond, introducing its first jet aircraft, the Boeing 707, in 1960. The transition to long-haul mass transport accelerated in 1970 with the arrival of the Boeing 747. In 1986, the airline ordered the Airbus A320, marking a shift toward a more standardized and efficient fleet.
During the 1990s, Lufthansa underwent full privatization, completed by 1997. In the same year, it became a founding member of Star Alliance, creating a framework for coordinated international routes and shared services.
The 2000s were defined by consolidation. Lufthansa acquired Swiss International Air Lines in 2005, Austrian Airlines in 2009, and Brussels Airlines in 2012, integrating them into its group structure. In 2008, it launched Lufthansa Italia to expand in the Italian market, though the project was discontinued in 2011.
In 2013, the airline announced a large-scale fleet renewal program, including orders for Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 aircraft. A corporate rebranding followed in 2014, updating aircraft livery and visual identity.
From 2015 to 2019, Lufthansa focused on restructuring operations, improving cost control, and advancing digital services, maintaining its position among the largest European carriers in terms of passenger traffic and fleet size.
Meaning and History
Although the air carrier officially appeared in 1953, its entry into the aviation arena was delayed by two years, so it has been operating since 1955. Moreover, based on the logo, its name is derived from another company that ceased operations eight years before Lufthansa’s emergence. The prototype name is Deutsche Luft Hansa. In both cases, the emphasis is on the German word for “air” and on the name of the historical union, the Hanseatic League. The logo designer is Otto Firle. In general, the company currently has three personal identification marks.
What is Lufthansa?
This is the largest German airline, and one of the world’s leading carriers, based in Frankfurt am Main and Munich. The company is known for its innovative approach to passenger service, including the use of biometric technologies to expedite the boarding process. The carrier operates a diverse fleet, from narrow-body Airbus A320s to flagship Airbus A380s, serving an extensive global route network. The company’s uniqueness lies in its “Lufthansa Technik” program, which provides aircraft maintenance and repair services to airlines worldwide. It is distinguished by its Miles & More loyalty program, one of the largest in Europe, and its first-class service in first and business classes, including exclusive lounges at key airports.
1953 – 1963
The first logo depicts a bird typical of an air carrier, as its activity is clear from the icon. The flying silhouette resembles several representatives of the feathered world at once: a stork, a crane, and a heron, each of which is found in Europe. The bird has long legs, a neck, and a beak. Spreading wings are spread and laid back, indicating the bird is flying. Her subtle body is stretched into a string and directed upwards, personifying the aspiration to heaven. Below is the company name in large letters. All elements are located in a blue rectangle.
1963 – 2018
In 1963, the airline changed its logo style. The developers circled the bird and placed it at the center of the circle, making the lines wide and visible. The in-flight icon is located to the left of the Lufthansa wordmark. The color of all elements has become a deep blue.
2018 – today
The logo seems to have returned from the past, with only minor changes, and now consists of two main elements: the text and the symbol. On the left is a circle with a stylized crane in flight inside. The crane is depicted in dark blue, symbolizing lightness, grace, and a striving for height. The circle emphasizes the design’s completeness and integrity.
The only differences are the thinner lines and the darker blue color. The company has changed the stroke width and length, making the letters narrower and more expressive, and removed the lower serif from the “a.” Hannes von Döhren created the font, and Ronald Wild designed the logo.
To the right of the circle is the company name “Lufthansa,” set in a simple, modern sans-serif font. The text is in dark blue, creating a sense of reliability and professionalism.
The minimalist, easily recognizable logo design contributes to a positive visual impact and associations with high levels of service and flight safety.
Font and Colors
All Lufthansa visual identity signs use the German word for “air” in their names. For this, the developers used the image of a bird resembling a crane. He has an elongated neck, long legs, and a narrow beak. The upward-pointing silhouette indicates the aircraft’s ascent. Moreover, the air carrier does not want to lose its established image; therefore, it avoids any radical changes to the logo at all costs, instead correcting the existing version. Martin and Karczinski developed the latest version. For the successful redesign, the company logo received four awards: in 2018, the Red Dot Award Winner, the Corporate Design Priest, and the German Brand Award; in 2019, the German Design Award Winner.
The typeface used for the airline’s name is as similar as possible to Helvetica Black. It is a strict, sleek serif typeface with the same letters and nothing deviating from the standard. The color scheme is as laconic and monochrome as possible. It only includes white (background) and dark blue (icon, text). Previously, deep yellow was also used.
FAQ
What is the symbol on the Lufthansa logo?
The logo features an encircled stylized crane in flight. Otto Firle created this emblem in 1918. The crane first appeared on the livery of Deutsche Luft-Reederei (DLR), Germany’s first airline, which began service on February 5, 1919.
The crane has become a strong symbol of the brand’s heritage and dedication to aviation. Its elegant design, showing a bird in flight, represents freedom, precision, and efficiency. Over time, the logo has been updated, but the crane has always remained central, keeping a link to its origins.
The encircled crane captures the brand’s identity, showing its history and mission to provide high-quality air travel. The simple and clear design makes it easily recognizable worldwide. The choice of a crane, a bird known for long migrations and strong navigation skills, symbolizes reliability and long-distance travel, key aspects of the airline’s service.
What font is the Lufthansa logo?
The logo uses Helvetica®, a typeface known for its clean and modern look. Helvetica® was chosen for its readability and simplicity, which match the brand’s image.
Swiss typeface designer Max Miedinger designed Helvetica®. It has become one of the most popular and widely used typefaces globally. Its clear and straightforward design makes it suitable for various uses, like signage and branding.
The brand’s choice of Helvetica® shows its commitment to clarity and professionalism. The font’s neutral and efficient look aligns with the airline’s focus on reliability and high standards.
The simplicity and elegance of Helvetica® ensure that the logo remains timeless and effective in conveying the brand’s values and mission.
What is the Lufthansa logo?
The logo features a Canadian crane in flight. This iconic symbol, created in 1918 by Otto Firle, represents the brand’s heritage and dedication to aviation.
On the right, next to the crane, is the airline’s name in bold sans serif type. The font used is Helvetica®, chosen for its clean and modern look. This typeface improves readability and shows the brand’s focus on clarity and professionalism.
The crane in flight stands for freedom, precision, and efficiency. The simple design makes it easily recognizable worldwide. The crane, known for long migrations and strong navigational skills, symbolizes reliability and long-distance travel. Combining the crane and the Helvetica® font creates a cohesive and timeless logo.
Why did Lufthansa change its logo?
The company changed its logo to update its look and keep up with modern design trends. The main symbol, the Canadian crane in flight, stayed the same. The designers removed the yellow color and replaced it with dark blue.
This new color scheme made the logo more visually appealing, giving it an elegant and professional look. The dark blue color conveys reliability, which is important to the brand.
The redesign included updating the font to make it clearer on the small screens of modern gadgets. This change ensures the logo looks sharp and readable on digital platforms, showing the brand’s commitment to staying current with technology.
The new design, with its dark blue color and improved font, keeps the logo effective and relevant in today’s digital world.
What does Lufthansa stand for?
The company name has two parts. The first part, “Luft,” is German for “air.” The second part, “Hansa,” comes from Latin and means “guild.” This term refers to the Hanseatic League, a group of merchant guilds and towns in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Combining these two words creates the brand name “air guild,” which shows its connection to aviation and trade. The Hanseatic League was known for its influence and organization, which the brand aims to reflect.
The choice of this name reflects the brand’s German roots and its goal of maintaining high standards in aviation. It captures the airline’s mission to offer excellent service and support global connections.
Who is the owner of Lufthansa?
The company’s parent organization is the Lufthansa Group, which its shareholders own. Nearly 90% of the shares are held by German citizens. As of July 2020, the Federal Republic of Germany owns about 20% of the company.
The Lufthansa Group manages several airlines and aviation-related businesses. This setup allows the brand to operate efficiently and offer a range of services to its customers. The significant ownership by German citizens and the government shows the brand’s strong national ties and importance to Germany’s economy.
The Federal Republic of Germany’s stake provides stability and support for the brand. This ownership structure helps the airline maintain its operations and offer reliable service to passengers.