Editing Lufthansa (section)

=== 1960s: Introduction of jetliners ===
[[File:Boeing 707-330B, Lufthansa AN2025731.jpg|thumb|A [[Boeing 707]] at [[Hamburg Airport]] in 1984, shortly before the type was retired.]]

Lufthansa embraced the [[jet age]] in 1958 by ordering four [[Boeing 707]] aircraft. This marked a significant leap forward, allowing them to launch jet flights between Frankfurt and New York City in March 1960. To further bolster their jet fleet, [[Boeing 720B]] aircraft (a 707 derivative for shorter flights from shorter runways) were later acquired.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=The History |url=https://cdn0.scrvt.com/fcc1c913dc63063c259fa05200249ccd/0b731d3206c7515e/bf1389bccf84/The-history-of-Lufthansa-Technik.pdf |url-status=live |website=Lufthansa Technik}}</ref>

Lufthansa's network continued to expand throughout the early 1960s. In February 1961, their Far East routes extended beyond [[Bangkok]] to include [[Hong Kong]] and Tokyo.<ref name=":6" /> Africa saw additions in 1962 with [[Lagos]], Nigeria, and [[Johannesburg]], South Africa joining the network.

[[File:Lufthansa Boeing 727-30C Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|right|A Lufthansa [[Boeing 727-100]] approaching [[Heathrow Airport]] in 1978]]

Innovation continued with the introduction of the [[Boeing 727]] in 1964.<ref name=":6" /> This enabled Lufthansa to launch a pioneering [[Polar route]] from Frankfurt to Tokyo via Anchorage in May of that year.  Further expansion plans were solidified in February 1965 with the order of twenty-one [[Boeing 737]] aircraft, entering service in 1968.[[File:Lufthansa 737-130 D-ABED.jpg|thumb|right|Lufthansa was the launch customer of the [[Boeing 737]]. The image shows an original 737-100 at [[Hannover Airport]] in 1968.]]Lufthansa's role in Boeing's history is noteworthy. They hold the distinction of being the first customers for the Boeing 737<ref name=":6" /> and one of only four buyers of the initial 737-100 model (alongside [[NASA]], [[Malaysia-Singapore Airlines]], and [[Avianca]]). While NASA technically had the first built 737 airframe, it was ultimately delivered last and originally intended for Lufthansa, making them the first foreign launch customer for a Boeing airliner.