Lufthansa Technik has completed its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabin modification at its European Center of Excellence for widebody base maintenance in Malta. The project marks a strategic expansion of the Malta facility’s widebody service portfolio. The complex modification involved removing and installing a new seating configuration and fully upgrading cabin monuments to improve comfort, efficiency, and passenger experience.
The program was executed in close partnership with Boeing, which contracted and supported the modification, and with operator Lufthansa. Technical challenges included converting a bay in Malta to accommodate larger space requirements and managing substantial logistics to replace an entire cabin interior. Six additional 787 cabin modifications are scheduled in Malta by year’s end.
Marcus Motschenbacher, Vice President and COO of Aircraft Maintenance Services at Lufthansa Technik, said the first completion is a proud moment for the team, showcasing technical capability, reliability, and workforce dedication. He noted that delivering the complex 787 project precisely and on time proves readiness for more widebody work. Lindsey Douglas, Boeing’s Vice President of Cabin Modifications, Maintenance & Digital Services, said the collaboration expands post-delivery retrofit options for the 787 fleet. As a Boeing Licensed Service Center, Lufthansa Technik adds vital capacity for tailored cabin modifications. Thomas Spriesterbach of Lufthansa Airlines praised the new Allegris cabin installed in Malta as a game changer for passengers, thanking the team for a seamless installation.
Lufthansa Technik Malta is building a new 6,400-square-meter hangar, operational from late 2026, dedicated to 787 cabin modifications and widebody base maintenance. The hangar will accommodate one widebody and three narrowbody parking spots, bringing Malta’s total to four hangars capable of servicing nearly all commercial Airbus aircraft (except A380) and the 787.
In 2024, Boeing designated Lufthansa Technik as the first Boeing Licensed Service Center for 787 cabin modifications. This license allows Lufthansa Technik to design new cabin interiors, provide engineering, and perform integration per customer wishes, including certification coverage. All modifications are performed at the Malta center of excellence.
