Kicking off the soccer summer: Lufthansa flies the men’s national team to the U.S.

Starting in Chicago, with the World Cup on the horizon: At around 2:30 p.m. local time today, flight LH434 took off from Frankfurt Airport with the German men’s national soccer team on board, en route to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. As the official airline of the German men’s national soccer team, Lufthansa bid the team farewell with an exclusive departure event at the new Lufthansa Group Hangar One Congress and Visitor Center.

Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines: “We are delighted to fly the German men’s national soccer team to the U.S. Soccer and we share the common goal of connecting and bringing people together worldwide. We are proud of this long-standing partnership. On behalf of all Lufthansa employees worldwide, I wish the team a successful tournament and hope the cheering fans experience many exciting, unforgettable, and ultimately joyful moments.”

To ensure the DFB team starts the tournament under optimal conditions, the squad is traveling in the multi-award-winning Lufthansa Allegris premium cabin concept aboard an Airbus A350-900, one of the most modern aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet.

On board, the players and the coaching and support staff were welcomed by the 14-member crew led by Captain Freddy Niedner, Senior First Officer Corvin Jacobs, and First Officer Johanna Thoma, as were numerous passengers, some of whom only learned about the special flight when they boarded. As a welcome gift and to get everyone in the mood for the World Cup, all guests received an exclusive jersey designed in partnership with the DFB and Adidas.

The flight had another surprise in store for the DFB team and the passengers—to be seen starting June 3 on the Lufthansa Instagram channel.