• Lufthansa Cargo celebrates 60 years since its first scheduled freighter flight to JFK, marking a milestone in dedicated air cargo service.

• From the original B707-330C with 37 tonnes capacity to today’s B777F carrying over 100 tonnes, the carrier has expanded transatlantic reach and capability.

• With over 12 daily connections and a high-performance warehouse at JFK, Lufthansa Cargo continues to lead in European–US airfreight, supported by partnerships with Swiss WorldCargo and United Cargo.

Lufthansa Cargo is marking a historic aviation milestone this week: the 60th anniversary of its first dedicated freighter landing in New York. On January 5, 1966, a brand-new Boeing 707-330C touched down at JFK on its inaugural scheduled flight—making history as the first purpose-built freighter to enter commercial service, rather than being converted from a passenger aircraft.

To commemorate the occasion, Lufthansa shared several fascinating artifacts:

• Historic first flight cover (Erstflugbrief): Featuring a special airmail stamp and commemorative postmark from Frankfurt Airport, dated January 5, 1966, celebrating the aircraft’s inaugural transatlantic cargo flight.

• Stamped postcard detail: Displayed alongside a JFK arrival postmark from Jamaica, NY, and technical specifications of the aircraft, this rare collectible highlights Lufthansa’s early branding and transatlantic cargo ambitions.

• Black-and-white ramp photo: A striking image showing the B707-330C on the tarmac being loaded with cargo via its nose and side doors.

Back then, the aircraft offered just 37 tonnes of capacity and operated six times a week. Fast-forward six decades, and Lufthansa Cargo’s modern Boeing 777F fleet now delivers up to 103 tonnes per flight across the Atlantic. Between freighters and bellyhold capacity, the airline connects New York’s JFK and Newark airports with Europe more than a dozen times a day.

“We’re not just celebrating a flight—we’re celebrating six decades of freight innovation and partnership between Europe and the U.S.,” the carrier said in a statement.

Today’s transatlantic operation reflects both scale and network flexibility. Lufthansa Cargo serves New York from its major hubs in Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Brussels (BRU), and Vienna (VIE). Through strategic partnerships with Swiss WorldCargo and United Cargo, capacity is further extended from Zurich (ZRH), London Heathrow (LHR) and additional European gateways—offering shippers a tightly integrated network into the U.S. Northeast.

Beyond airside activity, Lufthansa Cargo also operates a high-performance warehouse facility at JFK and provides ground handling services for other carriers, reinforcing its long-term presence in New York as both a capacity provider and logistics partner.

The company paid tribute to the heritage of this milestone, with thanks to Ralf Kopetzky for sharing a preserved “Erstflugbrief”—a commemorative first flight cover—from the original 1966 journey.

To mark the occasion, Lufthansa Cargo invited forwarders and partners to explore its current offering in the New York area for tailored cargo solutions.