Lufthansa’s Historic Junkers Ju 52 Arrives in Frankfurt

Lufthansa’s historic Junkers Ju 52 has arrived at its new home at the Lufthansa Group’s Conference and Visitor Center at Frankfurt Airport.  The legendary aircraft will be on permanent display from spring 2026 alongside the Lockheed Super Star.

Lufthansa’s Historic Junkers Ju 52 has arrived at the Lufthansa Group’s Conference and Visitor Center at Frankfurt Airport – Courtesy Lufthansa

On Wednesday (October 15, 2025), Lufthansa announced that their historic Lufthansa Junkers Ju 52 has arrived at its new home at the Lufthansa Group’s Conference and Visitor Center at Frankfurt Airport.  There, the legendary aircraft will be on permanent display from spring 2026 alongside the Lockheed Super Star, which arrived in August. Thanks to the building’s glass façade, aviation enthusiasts will also be able to admire the two icons from outside.

Following over 80 years in service, the aircraft (registration D-AQUI) was retired from commercial operations at the end of 2018.  After a long and eventful history, the aircraft was extensively restored between 1984 and 1986.  Since then, the lovingly nicknamed ‘Aunt Ju’ has carried over 250,000 passengers on sightseeing flights for Lufthansa.  The first Junkers Ju 52 joined Lufthansa’s fleet in 1932 and quickly became the backbone of the airline’s fleet. Known for its efficiency and reliability, the Ju 52 accounted for about 50 percent of Lufthansa’s aircraft at that time.  

The ‘Iron Annie’ is a symbol of pioneering spirit, engineering excellence, and the fascination of flight.  With its distinctive corrugated metal skin, three characteristic engines, and unmatched dependability, the Ju 52 has captivated generations of pilots, passengers, and aviation enthusiasts alike.  Developed in the 1930s, the Ju 52 set new standards in passenger comfort and cargo transport, serving in both civil and military aviation.  The aircraft’s robust design and ability to land on unpaved runways made it synonymous with reliability and innovation.

Additionally, Lufthansa has announced that the assembly of the legendary Lockheed Super Star is progressing rapidly, and the wings have now been installed.  The completion of the Super Star remains a highly anticipated event, symbolizing Lufthansa’s unique connection between tradition and technical excellence. 

Located next to the Lufthansa Aviation Center (LAC), the Lufthansa Group is building a new Conference and Visitor Center that will serve as a venue for new forms of collaboration among team members, customers, business partners, and aviation enthusiasts.  The opening of the center next spring will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the founding year of the first Lufthansa, and highlights the importance of aviation heritage for the Lufthansa Group.  The center will feature an open gallery with numerous exhibits from Lufthansa’s corporate history, many of which will be on public display for the first time.  Like the Group’s training and conference hotel ‘Lufthansa Seeheim,’ the Frankfurt Conference and Visitor Center will also be available for external events. 

Source: Lufthansa