Lufthansa Group tests next-generation AeroSHARK technology

Lufthansa Group is testing a new generation of AeroSHARK technology on Lufthansa City Airlines aircraft, aiming to unlock additional fuel-efficiency gains and further reduce CO₂ emissions through advanced aerodynamic innovation.

Summary:

Lufthansa Group has begun testing next-generation AeroSHARK material samples on Lufthansa City Airlines aircraft to further improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Around 70 transparent test patches will be evaluated during scheduled flights through February 2027 to identify the most durable and effective material.
The trials build on AeroSHARK’s existing deployment across 22 Lufthansa Group aircraft, which currently saves around 19 tonnes of fuel and 60 tonnes of CO₂ each day.

Lufthansa Group is testing a new generation of fuel-efficient AeroSHARK technology. Lufthansa Technik will test approximately 70 transparent film patches measuring 20cm by 20cm each on short-haul aircraft together with its development partner Surventis (formerly BASF Coatings) through February 2027. These material samples are attached to selected areas on the sides of the fuselage, as well as on the inside and outside of the engine cowlings. Their performance will be analysed over the next few months during regular flight operations between Munich and Hamburg and is expected to provide insights for the further development of the AeroSHARK technology. The long-term goal is to tap into additional efficiency potential in flight operations through the broader use of AeroSHARK, thereby contributing to greater sustainability in air travel.

For passengers aboard the Lufthansa City Airlines aircraft, the test remains virtually invisible. The material is transparent and hardly noticeable to the eye. Flight operations also remain unchanged. For informational purposes, a welcome panel featuring the AeroSHARK design at the aircraft’s entrance draws the attention of interested travellers to the test.

With the test run that has now begun, various new AeroSHARK material samples are being evaluated under real-world conditions. The 70 test patches differ in terms of their material and layer composition. The goal of the study is to identify the material that combines the highest durability with easy application, straightforward cleaning, and residue-free removal. Lufthansa Technik conducts regular material inspections during regular ground time in Hamburg.

As of July 2026, the Lufthansa Group has already equipped 22 aircraft with AeroSHARK: SWISS’ entire fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs (12 aircraft), five Boeing 777Fs from Lufthansa Cargo, four Boeing 777-200ERs from Austrian Airlines, and one Boeing 747-400 from Lufthansa. As a result, the Lufthansa Group’s AeroSHARK fleet saves 19 metric tonnes of fuel and 60 metric tonnes of CO₂ daily.