Condor Schedules Retirement of Europe’s Last Boeing 757-300s

(FRANKFURT, GERMANY) Condor Airlines will retire its final Boeing 757-300 aircraft on November 5, 2025, closing the book on Europe’s last passenger 757-300s and ending a 35-year link between the German leisure carrier and Boeing narrowbodies. The farewell comes with a one-off revenue service between Frankfurt and Vienna and caps a year in which the six remaining 757-300s, each nearly 25 years old, are expected to carry more than 800,000 passengers across nearly 3,000 flights. The decision anchors a wider fleet plan built around new Airbus jets—the A320neo and the A330neo—that Condor says will cut fuel burn and emissions, lower maintenance costs, and give travelers a quieter, more modern cabin experience.

Final flights and farewell events

Condor’s farewell flight plan is precise and public. The airline says the final 757-300 revenue trip will operate on November 5, 2025, with an exclusive, ticketed service from Frankfurt to Vienna.

To give fans a chance to be part of aviation history, Condor will auction 75 seats through the Condor Shop starting September 22, 2025. This special flight follows two last scheduled services by the type:

• October 29, 2025 — Düsseldorf to Palma de Mallorca
• November 2, 2025 — Frankfurt to Hurghada

Regular bookings on remaining 757 flights are open through early November. Farewell flight details, photos, and press updates will post on the Condor Newsroom.

Important dates:
– September 22, 2025 — 75 auctioned seats go live on the Condor Shop.
– October 29, 2025 — Last scheduled Düsseldorf–Palma de Mallorca flight.
– November 2, 2025 — Last scheduled Frankfurt–Hurghada flight.
– November 5, 2025 — Final Frankfurt–Vienna farewell flight.

Fleet transition: the Airbus pivot

The retirement is more than fleet tidying; it’s an intentional pivot to a leaner, younger Airbus lineup.

• Short- and medium-haul: Condor is introducing A319s from Avion Express for summer 2025 to bridge capacity as the 757s leave service.
• Narrowbody deliveries: First A320neo expected in April 2025, followed by additional A320neo and A321neo deliveries.
• Long-haul: Since March 2024, every long-haul flight has been flown by the A330neo family.

Management expects these steps to reduce the airline’s average fleet age to around 8 years, improving fuel economy, maintenance intervals, and fleet commonality—simplifying training and operations.

A330neo expansion and long-haul strategy

Condor now operates 18 A330-900s, with three more due by the end of 2027 and a target of 25 aircraft by 2031. In August 2025, Condor ordered four additional A330-900s, with options for four more, underscoring leadership’s belief that a standardized, efficient widebody fleet supports growth during demand swings and regulatory change.

The airline highlights passenger benefits—quieter cabins and cleaner air systems—and airport benefits—reduced noise at approach and takeoff.

Leadership perspective

Christian Schmitt, Condor’s chief operating officer, framed the change as both emotional and practical:

“By bidding farewell to the Boeing 757, an era at Condor comes to an end. At the same time, this marks the beginning of a new chapter with a modern, more efficient, and more sustainable Airbus fleet.”

CEO Peter Gerber linked the A330neo order book to international growth and operational stability, noting strong customer feedback for a consistent long-haul product.

Operational and network implications

The 757-300 has been a workhorse for European and North African leisure routes since the late 1980s. Its long fuselage and runway performance let Condor serve many holiday destinations with a single-aisle jet at relatively low unit cost.

As the type ages, the balance shifts toward higher maintenance checks, parts scarcity, and heavy fuel bills—key reasons for retirement. Replacing 757-300s with A320neo/A321neo narrowbodies and A330neo widebodies improves the cost math and reliability.

Condor’s network plan builds on the fleet reset:

• Expanded long-haul cities, including daily flights to Bangkok and Johannesburg.
• New or increased European city routes such as Barcelona, Budapest, and Venice.
• Narrowbodies help secure quiet morning slots and reliable turns; A330neo supports daily long-haul frequencies.

Environmental and policy context

The move aligns with Europe’s environmental policy push: newer aircraft reduce fuel burn per seat and carbon output, and quieter engines shrink noise footprints affecting airport neighbors.

For policy context, see the European Commission’s ReFuelEU Aviation initiative on sustainable aviation fuels: ReFuelEU Aviation.

Passenger experience and practical effects

Passengers may not see immediate changes in seat pitch or ticket prices, but they will notice:

• Quieter cabins and new interiors on Airbus aircraft.
• Updated LED lighting and newer inflight systems where installed.
• Potentially more reliable schedules due to fewer maintenance surprises.

In 2025, with nearly 3,000 planned 757 flights carrying over 800,000 travelers, Condor expects steady demand even as fans say goodbye.

Farewell booking and media resources

For those eager to be on the farewell service, the rules are straightforward:

1. September 22, 2025 — Auction for 75 seats opens at the Condor Shop.
2. Book last scheduled services on October 29 and November 2 via normal channels if you want a regular flight experience.
3. Monitor the Condor Newsroom for media materials, event timing, and updates.
4. Customer contacts and FAQs are available on the Condor Official Website.

Industry context and analysts’ view

Analysts see Condor’s choice as part of a global trend: airlines replacing older aircraft with younger, more efficient models as fuel costs rise and regulations tighten. Benefits include:

• Fewer engine types and common flight decks across fleet segments.
• Simplified training and spares logistics.
• Lower risk of extended ground time during peak seasons.

These operational gains help stabilize costs and support consistent service.

Human side: crews and passengers

The retirement has an emotional dimension. For pilots, engineers, and cabin crews who worked with the 757-300, the final flights close a career chapter. The type’s strong runway performance and distinctive long fuselage shaped memories for generations of Condor crews and passengers.

Many families first flew abroad on a Condor 757; the farewell auction gives them a chance to say thanks—to the aircraft and the people who kept it flying safely for decades.

Transition timeline and long-term outlook

Condor emphasizes this is a plan stretching to 2031:

• Target of 25 A330neos by 2031.
• Ongoing narrowbody deliveries until the short-haul fleet is refreshed.
• Near-term A319 additions from Avion Express for summer 2025 to maintain seat supply.

As the fleet modernizes, Condor expects the average fleet age to fall to about 8 years—a meaningful change from the remaining 757s that were nearly 25 years old.

Summary takeaways

• Condor will retire Europe’s last passenger Boeing 757-300 on November 5, 2025.
• The airline is replacing older types with A320neo/A321neo narrowbodies and A330neo widebodies to improve fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance, and lower noise.
• Key dates, auction rules, and media updates are being posted on the Condor Newsroom and Condor Shop.
• The change reflects both sentimental closure and a strategic move for sustainability, reliability, and growth.

For the latest travel-planning details, ticket auction rules, and farewell photos, check the Condor Newsroom and the Condor Official Website. With the Boeing 757-300 era closing, Condor bets its next decade on the A320neo and A330neo families—aiming for less fuel use, less noise, and smoother operations across Europe, Asia, and Africa.