Condor: History

2024

After completing the modernisation of its entire long-haul fleet, Condor will also be renewing its entire short and medium-haul fleet from 2024 and is expected to receive a total of 43 new aircraft from the A32Xneo family by the end of 2028. The first factory-new A320neo landed in Frankfurt from Toulouse in April 2024 and took off with guests for the first time at the end of April, with the maiden flight to Mallorca. The first A321neo aircraft was delivered from the Airbus plant in Hamburg in June; the aircraft with the registration D-ANMZ flew guests from Frankfurt to Tenerife South on its maiden flight. By 2029, Condor will gradually replace its existing short and medium-haul fleet with 15 Airbus A320neo and 28 Airbus A321neo aircraft - a clear commitment to greater efficiency, modern comfort and responsible travelling.

October 2023

The 16 aircraft originally ordered will completely replace the B767 fleet by spring 2024 as part of the long-haul fleet renewal program. In addition, Condor announced last fall that it had ordered two more A330neo aircraft, making a total of 18 aircraft, to join the fleet by the end of 2024. The three additional aircraft of this type will further expand the long-haul fleet.

March 2023

On March 12, 2024 the last commercial Condor flight by a Boeing B767-300ER arrived from Havana, Cuba to Frankfurt. The aircraf with the registration D-ABUK was the last aircraft out of 16 B767 that was operated by Condor for the last decades. With the complete phase-out of this aircraft type, Condor becomes an A330neo-only operator on its long-haul flights.

December 2022

On December 19, 2022 the first brandnew Condor A330neo landed at Frankfurt Airport. The aircraft, with the registration D-ANRA, was the first of the 18 long-haul aircraft on order that will fly for Condor as part of the fleet renewal. On December 27th, 2023 the first Condor A330neo took off on its commercial inaugural flight with passengers. At around 4:10 p.m., the aircraft, registered D-ANRA, took off from Frankfurt Airport bound for Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. In Mauritius, the aircraft will then be received at the airport during a small ceremony.

2022

Condor unveils new brand identity: Inspired by parasols, bath towels and beach chairs, Condor now wears stripes in five colors, showing its evolution from a vacation airline to a unique and distinctive vacation brand.

2021

Condor has a new owner: as a healthy company, Germany's most popular leisure airline takes off with the European asset manager Attestor. In July 2021, the Supervisory Board agrees to order 16 new Airbus A330-900neo long-haul aircraft. As the German launch customer for the Airbus A330neo, Condor is thus focusing on latest technology, maximum efficiency and the highest level of customer comfort. Fuel consumption per passenger per 100 kilometres will be 2.1 litres, which makes Condor the European frontrunner on long-haul flights. As of end of 2022, our 2-litre aircraft will take our guests to the most beautiful holiday destinations far away. Moreover, Condor will receive 43 brand-new short- and medium-haul aircraft of the A32Xneo family from 2024.

2020

Condor remains the most popular leisure airline in Germany and will once again fly from Munich to Cancun in Mexico, Halifax in Canada, Seattle in the United States and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic from summer 2020 and will therefore bring back Condor long-haul flights to the Bavarian capital. The route network from Frankfurt will also be further expanded this year. With the new destination Edmonton in Canada, the leisure airline is enlarging its North American route network. Short and medium-haul routes are also going to receive a breath of fresh air: Condor will fly to Paphos in Cyprus, Tivat in Montenegro and Toulon in France. In addition, Condor now also flies to Greece, Italy and the Canary Islands from Berlin-Schönefeld.

2019

For the fourth time in a row Condor is the most popular holiday plane of the Germans. In the categories price-performance ratio, reliability, service and recommendation, Condor is among the top three airlines. Even after the compulsory liquidation of the Thomas Cook Group plc, flight operations continue on a regular basis. Condor is released from joint liability for the accountabilities of the Thomas Cook Group with the aid of a protective shield procedure.

2018

The Thomas Cook Group Airline, consisting of Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Balearics, Scandinavia, Thomas Cook Aviation and Condor, increased its profit for the 2017/18 financial year by 37% to GBP 129 million. With an 8.8% increase in available seats and a fleet of 100 aircraft, total revenues increased by 10.1% to £3.5bn in 2017/18. Condor is the second largest airline at Düsseldorf Airport and maintains its Airbus fleet in Düsseldorf via its subsidiary Condor Technik GmbH.

2017

For already the third time in succession, Condor has been chosen as the airline with the most satisfied customers in Germany and can claim the title of “Germany’s most popular airline” for itself. With three new US destinations; New Orleans, Pittsburgh and San Diego, the North America portfolio for the leisure airline has been extended.

2016

Germany's most popular leisure airline celebrates 60th anniversary. On March 29, 1956, the first Condor aircraft took off from Frankfurt.

2015

Condor offers a Germany-wide unique concept Airshoppen. Guests can use Condor's Airshoppen service with more than 950 products at home before their flight to shop tax-free and save up to 60 percent. The goods will be brought to the passenger's seat on the booked outbound or return flight Portland, Oregon, and Providence, Rhode Island, are new Condor destinations for summer 2015.

2014

All Condor long-haul aircraft undergo an extensive cabin refurbishment. The cabin refurbishment includes the installation of a completely new cabin with in-seat entertainment in all classes and new fully automated, comfortable angled-lie-flat seats in the new Condor Business Class. In February and April, the first new Airbus A321-211 with Sunny Heart design and extended wings, so called Sharklets, are delivered to Condor. In a survey by Focus and Focus Money, Condor is awarded as sustainable airline. Condor receives the gold seal.

2013

Condor merges with the airlines Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium to form the Thomas Cook Group Airline. Since October 1st, all companies within the Thomas Cook Group plc. are united under a common symbol: The Sunny Heart.

2012

In spring 2012 Condor moves into its new company headquarters in Gateway Gardens, in May the first Airbus A321-200 is registered. Condor extends its fleet to twelve long-haul airplanes of the type Boeing 767. According to a customer satisfaction survey of the German Institute of Service Quality (DISQ) in December 2012, Condor is awarded the most popular airline among German travelers. As test winner, Condor carries the official seal "very good".

2011

The Thomas Cook Group plc decides to renew all short – and long-haul distance fleets of all airlines. In September, Condor integrates an additional Boeing 767 in its long-haul fleet. In December, the Airbus A320 with the registration D-AICA is painted in nostalgic design of the 1960s, and named Hans in commenoration to the first tour operator chartering Condor, Hans Geisler.

2010

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti and successful transport of relief supplies, Condor and the aid organisation “Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e. V. – Wings of help” set up a partnership in June. Condor furnishes its Airbus A320 fleet with a new cabin interior. Condor provides the latest news, travel tips and more on Facebook.

2009

Condor retrofits its Boeing 767 long-haul aircraft with newly developed aerodynamic winglets. This wingtip extension reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Aircraft of the type Boeing 757-300 are being equipped with winglets as well.

2008

While overhauling the cabins in its Boeing 767 long-haul fleet, Condor introduces a new Premium Economy Class in addition to the regular Economy Class. A separate technical unit, Condor Technik GmbH, is set up to perform the highly demanding repair and maintenance work on the Condor Boeing fleet at Frankfurt Airport.

2006

In March, Condor Flugdienst GmbH celebrates its fiftieth birthday. Its exciting history is relived through a number of different campaigns. In the anniversary year of 2006, Condor flies a declaration of love around the world, the uniquely designed Boeing 757-300 called “Willi”, after Wilfried Meyer, who for 30 years was the defining influence for Condor’s image. On October 16, Condor welcomes on board its 15 millionth passenger since 1956.

2004

Beginning in May, the Thomas Cook AG airline in Germany returns to the skies under the Condor brand name. As the first and up to now only German airline, the new Condor also begins offering discount prices on long-haul flights: Starting at 99 Euros, guests can fly with Condor to America, to the Caribbean, to Africa and to Asia.

2002

Thomas Cook becomes the integrated international tourism brand: Condor is transformed into the new brand, “Thomas Cook powered by Condor”. In Germany, the Condor and Condor Berlin airplanes gradually bear the new Thomas Cook design: The fuselage sections of the aircraft feature the Thomas Cook name, and the tail unit displays the Thomas Cook logo. The reference “powered by Condor” makes it clear that the new airline brand is relying on the tried-and-true Condor quality. In June of 2002, the first aircraft takes off displaying the new livery.

2001

Condor redesigns the Comfort Class in its Boeing 767-300 aircraft, featuring new seats with significantly increased space between seats and an on-board entertainment system equipped with portable DVD players.

1998

Condor founds “Condor Berlin GmbH”, a 100 percent subsidiary with its headquarters in Berlin Schönefeld. By the end of the year, Condor is awaiting six Airbus A320-200 aircraft, the most technologically modern short-haul aircraft in the world. During the next couple of years the fleet expands to twelve aircraft.

1997

Condor Flugdienst GmbH belongs to C&N Touristic AG (today Thomas Cook AG): With the merger of Condor Flugdienst GmbH and NUR Touristic GmbH, Deutsche Lufthansa AG and KarstadtQuelle AG have created the basis for an integrated tourism concern with a European format – both partners each hold 50 percent in the company.

1996

For Condor’s 40th birthday celebration, American artist James Rizzi creates a Boeing 757 as a flying work of art, the so-called “Rizzi-Bird”. With twelve firm orders, Condor Flugdienst GmbH is the launch customer for the Boeing 757-300.

1995

Condor expands its shareholdings. Meanwhile Condor-Touristik-Verbund owns holdings in alpha Holding GmbH (30 percent), Kreutzer Touristik GmbH (37.5 percent), Fischer Reisen GmbH (100 percent) and 10 percent of Öger Tours GmbH. Condor additionally assumes the 40 percent owned by Lufthansa in the Turkish charter airline SunExpress, which will be later extended to 50 percent.

1990-92

Condor takes modern Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 jets into service. They had been initially operated by the production company Südflug, a 100 percent subsidiary of Condor. Condor is the first tourism airline to introduce a separate, more comfortable class into its aircraft: The new Condor Comfort Class creates new quality standards. In fall 92 the subsidiary Südflug is integrated into Condor.

1989

"Condor Flüge Individuell" (today Condor Individuell): Condor no longer markets only charter capacities, but now also uses its individual seat business to sell airline seats directly to customers.

1973

With turnover of 291 million Deutschmarks, Condor is the world’s leading vacation airline. The fleet consists of a total of 14 Boeing aircraft: Two Boeing 747s, two Boeing 707s and ten Boeing 727s.

1966

The first long-haul flights go to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.

1962

Condor Flugdienst GmbH has a 63.3 % market share of all German tourism air travel. Some 66,000 passengers are transported in this year – Majorca is the leading destination with 36 000 passengers.

1961

Deutsche Flugdienst GmbH takes over “Condor-Luftreederei”, founded in 1957 by the Hamburg-based Oetker concern, and changes its name to Condor Flugdienst GmbH.

1959-60

Deutsche Lufthansa AG takes over 100 percent of the capital.

1956

The company’s tourism flight operation begins on March 29th with a pilgrimage flight to the “Holy Land”. Within the first year of operation, Majorca and the Canary Island of Tenerife are already added to the flight schedule.

1955

Condor is founded on December 21st as “Deutsche Flugdienst GmbH” by the four partners Norddeutscher Lloyd (27.75 %), Hamburg-Amerika-Linie (27.75 %), Deutsche Lufthansa (26 %) and Deutsche Bundesbahn (18.5 %). Condor’s hub is Frankfurt am Main. The fleet consists of three British-made Vickers Viking two-engine propeller aircraft, each with 36 seats.

History