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TUI fly Deutschland
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TUI fly Deutschland[1] (legally TUIfly GmbH), formerly TUIfly, is a German leisure airline owned by the travel and tourism company TUI Group. It is headquartered at Hannover Airport[2] with bases at several other German airports. TUI fly Deutschland is part of TUI Group's airline unit.
Key Information
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History
[edit]
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Formation
[edit]The airline was formed in 2007 by the merger of Hapag-Lloyd Flug and Hapag-Lloyd Express as a branch of TUI Travel. At that time, when the airline began operation after merger, the first aircraft was already repainted into the airline's new name and livery only months before the current airline took its first flight. The airline codes of its predecessor are still in use, and the callsign YELLOWCAB was used until it was changed to TUIJET on 24 September 2010.[citation needed]
In the second quarter of 2007, the load factor was at about 79%, compared to about 92% the year before. The company closed its Leipzig/Halle and Bremen bases. On 29 January 2008, plans were announced to merge TUIfly with Eurowings and Germanwings (Lufthansa low-cost subsidiaries) to form a joint and independent holding company, but the talks were ultimately unsuccessful.[3]
TUI Travel confirmed on 27 March 2009 that it had signed a strategic partnership with Air Berlin that would see TUI Travel take a 20% stake in Air Berlin, and Air Berlin 20% in TUI fly Germany. Due to regulatory concerns, this was changed to 9.9%.[4] Air Berlin was also to wet-lease 17 aircraft from TUI fly and take over all of TUI fly Germany's city connections. TUI was to focus on serving the charter market with 21 aircraft.[5] From 25 October 2009 onwards, all German domestic flights previously operated by TUI fly Germany were operated by Air Berlin, as well as all flights to Austria, Italy and Croatia.[6] Most of these flights were still operated by TUI fly Germany aircraft, but were marketed by Air Berlin.
Development since 2013
[edit]In December 2013, TUI fly Deutschland abandoned its distinctive yellow livery and replaced it with a blue design which had already been introduced at TUI fly Netherlands, TUI fly Belgium and TUI Airways. The first plane in the new colors arrived in Hannover on 17 February 2014.[7] The livery was updated in 2016, with titles shortened from "TUIfly" to "TUI".[8][9]
In September 2014, TUI fly Deutschland decided to relocate their operations at Zweibrücken Airport to nearby Saarbrücken Airport as Zweibrücken Airport faced bankruptcy and an uncertain future.[10] In January 2016, TUI fly Deutschland also announced it would leave Hamburg Airport entirely due to the increasing competition from low-cost carriers. The summer seasonal routes did not resume, and all remaining routes ended by March 2016.[11]
In September 2016, plans were announced to merge TUI fly Deutschland with Air Berlin's leisure operations - which were partially operated by TUI fly Germany - as well as Air Berlin's entire Austrian subsidiary Niki.[12] On 5 October 2016, TUI fly Deutschland confirmed it was in talks with Air Berlin and Etihad Airways to create a new holding company for leisure operations. The new company was planned to serve important holiday destinations from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.[13] In June 2017, TUI Group and Etihad Aviation Group announced that joint venture negotiations had ended.[14]
In July 2018, the airline announced it would close its base at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport by October 2018.[15]
TUI Group has 70 737 MAX aircraft on order.[16] The order consists of 28 MAX 10 aircraft,[17] with the remaining variants unspecified as of June 2017.[17][16] In January 2019, it was announced that TUI fly Deutschland would receive 25 of these 737 MAX 8 aircraft by 2023.[18]
After the demise of Germania in early 2019, TUI fly Deutschland announced it would base aircraft at Nuremberg Airport to fly to several leisure destinations.[19] In November 2019, it was announced that the airline planned to operate its long-haul flights to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico, similar to its sister airlines. Initially, the airline was to have taken on two Boeing 787s to operate these flights with plans to increase the number in the future. The flights were originally planned to begin in the Winter 2020/21 season, with scheduled and charter services to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Barbados.[20] The plans were shelved for the foreseeable future in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]
In October 2020, TUI fly Deutschland retired their last of their 20 Boeing 737-700s.[22] Several of them had been operated on a long-term wetlease basis on behalf of now defunct Air Berlin. In December 2020, the airline announced a major downsizing in operations with a reduction from over 30 to 17 aircraft while also terminating all services from Cologne/Bonn, Basel/Mulhouse, Paderborn/Lippstadt and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden.[23]
Operations
[edit]TUI fly Deutschland offers both charter and scheduled flights with about 60% of all seats sold directly, 30% as a part of a TUI holiday package, and 10% by other agencies. TUI fly Deutschland itself offers drinks, snacks, and meals on flights to and from Cape Verde, Egypt, Greece, Israel, southern Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain including the Canary Islands, and Tunisia. Hot meals are served on the longest flights, including those to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Madeira.[24]
Destinations
[edit]TUI fly Deutschland operates from several German airports to leisure destinations mainly around the Mediterranean, such as Spain and Greece. The airline does not operate long-haul flights contrary with the other TUI Airlines. As of April 2024[update], TUI fly serves the following destinations:[25]
Fleet
[edit]Current fleet
[edit]As of August 2025[update], TUI fly Deutschland operates the following aircraft:[26]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 15 | — | 186 | |
| 189 | ||||
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 7 | 18[18] | 189 | |
| Total | 22 | 18 | ||
Former fleet
[edit]TUI fly Deutschland formerly operated the following aircraft:[citation needed]
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 1 | 2020 | 2020 | Leased from Sundair. |
| Airbus A321-200 | 1 | 2019 | 2020 | Leased from Galistair Malta. |
| Boeing 737-300 | 3 | 2007 | 2010 | Leased from Germania. |
| Boeing 737-500 | 5 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Boeing 737-700 | 21 | 2007 | 2020 | |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 3 | 2015 | 2017 | Relocated to TUI Airways. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "STCC TRANSAVIA Archived April 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine." TUI fly. Retrieved on 16 February 2011.
- ^ "Contact Archived April 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine." TUIfly. Retrieved on 12 May 2009. "Address: TUIfly Vermarktungs GmbH Karl-Wiechert-Allee 23 30625 Hannover Germany Address Airline TUIfly: TUIfly GmbH Flughafenstraße 10 30855 Langenhagen"
- ^ "Announcement of TUI AG". Tui-group.com. 2008. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- ^ "Air Berlin information on taking over TUI fly Deutschland routes". AirBerlin.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- ^ "Charter market". TUI Travel.[dead link]
- ^ "TUIfly information on flights taken over by Air Berlin". Tuifly.com. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
- ^ "TUIfly erhält erste Boeing 737 im neuen Design". airliners.de. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Germany's TUIfly to close Zweibrücken base in November". ch-aviation.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
- ^ ch-aviation.com - TUIfly to end Hamburg operations over LCC threat 13 January 2016
- ^ handelsblatt.com - "TUI plans joint ops with Berlin's crisis airline"[permanent dead link] (German) 30 September 2016
- ^ aero.de - "Air Berlin in talks with TUIfly over merger of tourism branch" Archived October 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (German) 5 October 2016
- ^ "TUI Group and Etihad Aviation Group will not continue their negotiations - Aviation24.be". aviation24.be. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ "TUI fly to terminate Karlsruhe presence in mid-4Q18". ch-aviation.com.
- ^ a b "Boeing 737 Orders & Deliveries". boeing.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b "PARIS: Leisure group TUI converts 18 orders to 737 Max 10". flightglobal.com. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b "25 Boeing 737 MAX planned for TUI fly". aerotelegraph.com. 14 January 2019.
- ^ aerotelegraph.com - "Sundair and TUIfly help at Dresden and Nuremberg" 7 Februar 2019
- ^ "TUI Fly plans long haul from Germany". travelbook.de. 22 November 2019.
- ^ airliners.de (German) 28 May 2020
- ^ airliners.de 26 October 2020
- ^ aerotelegraph.com (German) 17 December 2020
- ^ "In the air Archived April 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine." TUIfly. Retrieved on 28 April 2009.
- ^ "TUI fly Flugplan". tui.com. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "Global Airline Guide 2025 - FTUI fly Deutschland". Airliner World. September 2025. p. 60.
External links
[edit]
Media related to TUIfly at Wikimedia Commons
TUI fly Deutschland
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History
Formation
TUI fly Deutschland traces its origins to Hapag-Lloyd Flug, a charter airline established in 1972 by the Hapag-Lloyd shipping company to transport passengers to its cruise destinations, with its inaugural flight occurring on March 30, 1973.[6] Initially operating a fleet of Boeing 727-100s, the airline expanded into broader leisure charter services during the 1970s and 1980s, incorporating aircraft such as the Boeing 737 series and Airbus A300 and A310 for medium- and long-haul routes.[6] In 2002, TUI AG acquired Hapag-Lloyd, integrating the airline into its tourism operations under the newly formed TUI Travel PLC and aligning it with the group's focus on holiday travel.[7] A parallel development occurred with the launch of Hapag-Lloyd Express in April 2002 as TUI's low-cost carrier subsidiary, targeting short-haul routes from bases in Germany with a fleet of Boeing 737-700s and emphasizing no-frills services for independent travelers.[2] By 2006, amid industry pressures for consolidation, TUI announced the merger of Hapag-Lloyd Flug and Hapag-Lloyd Express to form TUIfly GmbH, effective from the 2007 summer season, creating a unified entity with approximately 51 aircraft—33 from Hapag-Lloyd Flug and 18 from Hapag-Lloyd Express—primarily Boeing 737s for leisure-oriented operations.[8] The merger centralized flight scheduling and fleet management, concentrating on charter flights from key German airports including Hannover and Düsseldorf as initial hubs, while enhancing efficiency in the Central European market.[8] The nascent TUIfly faced significant early challenges in 2008 due to surging fuel prices, which eroded profitability and prompted a broader financial restructuring within the TUI Group.[9] To address these pressures, TUIfly entered a strategic partnership with Air Berlin in 2009, transferring its domestic city routes to the partner for operation under Air Berlin branding, which involved route reductions and the consolidation of non-core bases.[9] Under the agreement, TUIfly wet-leased 17 Boeing 737s to Air Berlin on a long-term basis, retaining 21 aircraft for its core tourism charter services and reinforcing a shift toward holiday-focused operations from primary hubs in Hannover and Düsseldorf.[9] In 2010, TUIfly further streamlined its identity by adopting the "TUIJET" radio callsign on September 24, marking a definitive pivot to primarily charter operations integrated with TUI Group's tour packages.[2] This change supported the airline's emphasis on leisure travel, aligning with the broader TUI ecosystem while navigating post-merger adjustments.[2]Developments since 2013
In December 2013, TUIfly rebranded to TUI fly Deutschland, adopting a light blue livery to align with the broader TUI Group's leisure airline identity and emphasizing its focus on holiday travel.[6] This rebranding marked a strategic shift toward integrated tourism services within the TUI ecosystem. Facing competitive pressures from low-cost carriers, TUI fly Deutschland closed its base at Hamburg Airport in early 2016, ending all operations there by the summer season.[10] In July 2018, the airline announced the closure of its Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden base effective October 2018, citing route unprofitability and market saturation.[11] These closures led to a network realignment, with expansions at Munich and Stuttgart airports to bolster capacity in southern Germany; by 2020, the airline had stabilized its operations around key bases including Hannover, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Stuttgart.[12] In late 2019, TUI fly Deutschland announced plans to enter the long-haul market with two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners based at Düsseldorf Airport, targeting leisure routes to the Caribbean and Mexico starting in the winter 2020/21 season.[13] These ambitions aimed to diversify beyond short-haul flights and integrate more closely with TUI Group's tour operations. However, the plans were abandoned indefinitely due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted new aircraft deployments and route launches.[14] The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted TUI fly Deutschland's operations, with the airline grounding most of its fleet from March 2020 through much of 2022 amid global travel restrictions.[15] TUI Group, the parent company, received approximately €1.2 billion in stabilization funding from the German government in 2020 to support liquidity and prevent collapse during the crisis.[16] Recovery began in 2023 with the resumption of pre-pandemic routes and increased flight frequencies, driven by easing restrictions and pent-up demand for leisure travel. By 2024, TUI fly Deutschland contributed to the group's rebound, with overall TUI customer numbers rising to 20.3 million—a roughly 7% increase from 2023—and the Markets & Airlines segment, including the German carrier, achieving 28% underlying EBIT growth to €304 million.[5] This progress reflected a 12% group-wide revenue increase to €23.2 billion, supported by higher load factors and route expansions. In 2025, the airline integrated additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft into service, with deliveries from new leases beginning that year to enhance efficiency on European leisure routes; these supported TUI Group's underlying EBIT reaching €1.3 billion for fiscal year 2024, up 33% from the prior year.[17][5] In November 2025, TUI Group reported preliminary FY2025 underlying EBIT of €1.459 billion, up 12.6% from FY2024, driven by strong performance across segments including Markets & Airlines.[18]Operations
Business model and services
TUI fly Deutschland functions as the primary in-house airline for TUI Germany's tour operator business, specializing in leisure-oriented charter and scheduled flights that integrate seamlessly with the group's package holiday offerings. The carrier emphasizes a hybrid model combining no-frills base fares—covering essentials like a personal item and overhead bag—with optional add-ons for enhanced comfort, such as seat selection, extra legroom, and priority boarding. This approach allows flexibility for independent travelers while prioritizing capacity for TUI Tourism, where the majority of flights support bundled vacation packages to sun destinations.[19] The airline's revenue is predominantly derived from long-term contracts with TUI Group entities, accounting for the bulk of its operations, with supplementary income from third-party charter services for other tour operators and event transport. TUI fly Deutschland contributes to the TUI Group's total of 20.3 million airline passengers in FY2024 (October 2023–September 2024), reflecting robust recovery in leisure travel and a pronounced seasonal pattern: peak summer capacity directed toward European beach resorts like Mallorca and Crete, shifting to winter sun escapes in the Canary Islands, Egypt, and Cape Verde. This demand-driven strategy underscores the carrier's role in the TUI Group's integrated tourism ecosystem, where airline services complement hotels and excursions to drive overall profitability.[5] Onboard services are tailored to cost efficiency and passenger convenience, varying by route length. Short- and medium-haul flights (under seven hours) provide complimentary bottled water and soft drinks upon boarding, with hot meals and snacks available for purchase via a buy-on-board menu priced at €5–10 for items like sandwiches, pasta, or salads. Longer routes feature included multi-course meals with wine options, while entertainment relies on passengers' personal devices, as no seatback screens or onboard Wi-Fi are offered across the fleet; travelers are encouraged to download content in advance or use offline apps. Baggage policies enforce strict limits on included allowances, with fees for extras reinforcing the low-cost framework.[20] Sustainability forms a core pillar of operations, with TUI fly Deutschland participating in TUI Airline's broader initiatives to reduce environmental impact. In 2024, the group incorporated 1,700 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across its flights, equivalent to offsetting emissions from thousands of trips, as part of ongoing trials to integrate higher blends without compromising affordability. Passengers can voluntarily participate in carbon offset programs at booking, funding verified projects like reforestation and renewable energy, aligning with TUI's science-based targets for a 24% reduction in airline emissions per revenue passenger kilometer by 2030.[21][22] In the competitive landscape, TUI fly Deutschland distinguishes itself through its vertical integration with TUI's holiday ecosystem, offering seamless end-to-end experiences that low-cost rivals like Ryanair cannot replicate, while avoiding the premium pricing of full-service carriers such as Lufthansa. However, post-COVID market dynamics have intensified pressure from Eurowings, Lufthansa's low-cost arm, which has expanded leisure routes and captured share in Germany's short-haul segment, prompting TUI fly to optimize fleet efficiency and digital sales channels for resilience. As of early 2025, TUI Group reports continued strong demand, with revenue growth of 13% in Q1 FY2025.[23][24][25]Hubs and bases
TUI fly Deutschland maintains its headquarters at Hannover Airport (HAJ), which has served as the airline's primary hub since its establishment there in the mid-2000s, handling a significant portion of its flight operations and crew training activities.[26][27] The airline's key operational bases include Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which represents one of the largest with substantial capacity allocation; Frankfurt Airport (FRA); Munich Airport (MUC); and Stuttgart Airport (STR). These bases collectively support multiple daily departures focused on leisure travel, with Hannover and Düsseldorf functioning as the core hubs for the network.[12][28] Infrastructure supporting these operations includes maintenance facilities at Hannover Airport managed through TUI Group entities, ensuring line maintenance and technical servicing for the fleet. Ground handling is facilitated via partnerships, such as with Fraport at Frankfurt and specialized providers like Aviation Handling Services at Düsseldorf, contributing to operational efficiency with streamlined processes.[29][30] Network logistics incorporate seasonal adjustments, including additional staffing at bases like Munich during peak summer periods to accommodate increased demand. Post-2020 restructuring efforts optimized the base structure by consolidating from seven to five primary locations, enhancing cost efficiency amid fleet mergers within the TUI Group. This included closures such as the Hamburg and Cologne/Bonn bases to streamline resources.[12][31] The airline employs approximately 1,300 personnel across these sites, primarily pilots and cabin crew, governed by collective bargaining agreements with the ver.di trade union to address wages, working conditions, and shift relief.[32]Destinations
European destinations
TUI fly Deutschland's European network emphasizes short-haul leisure routes from its German hubs, connecting passengers to popular sun and beach destinations with a focus on holiday packages integrated with TUI Group's offerings. These flights primarily serve vacationers seeking quick getaways, with services departing from bases like Hannover, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt to endpoints across southern Europe.[33] The Canary Islands represent a cornerstone of the airline's year-round operations, providing reliable winter sun escapes from Germany's cooler climate. Key routes include combined 50 weekly flights to Fuerteventura (FUE), Gran Canaria (LPA), and Tenerife South (TFS) as of summer 2025, operated daily or near-daily to accommodate high demand for these subtropical retreats.[33][34] On mainland Spain, seasonal summer services target beachgoers and party destinations, featuring Palma de Mallorca (PMI) as the busiest route with over 40 weekly flights during peak periods, alongside Alicante (ALC) at 10 weekly and Málaga (AGP) at 8 weekly; these connect to vibrant coastal areas popular for family vacations and nightlife.[33] Greece forms the core of the airline's summer-focused Greek offerings, linking to island hotspots with strong ties to all-inclusive package holidays. Over 75 weekly flights combined to Heraklion (HER) on Crete, Rhodes (RHO), and Kos (KGS) during the high season from May to October, emphasizing historical sites, beaches, and resort stays.[33][34] Turkey features prominently with routes to Antalya (AYT) and other coastal resorts, offering frequent services for beach and cultural holidays integrated with TUI packages. Additional European connectivity includes select routes to Italy, such as Catania (CTA) with 5 weekly flights for Sicilian explorations; Portugal's Faro (FAO) at 6 weekly for Algarve sunsets; and Bulgaria's Burgas (BOJ) at 4 weekly for Black Sea resorts. Overall, these contribute to around 50 European routes in 2025, supporting TUI's integrated travel model.[2][19][35] Route characteristics underscore the leisure orientation, with average flight durations of 2-3 hours and load factors nearing 90%, enabling efficient operations; frequencies are dynamically adjusted in alignment with TUI hotel booking trends to optimize capacity for bundled vacations.[34]African and Middle Eastern destinations
TUI fly Deutschland maintains a robust network of routes to African destinations, emphasizing exotic holiday escapes such as Red Sea resorts and Mediterranean beaches, with services typically involving flight durations of 3 to 5 hours from its German hubs. These operations integrate closely with TUI Group's charter holiday packages, providing seamless connections for leisure travelers seeking sun, culture, and relaxation. In 2025, the airline continues capacity growth to these regions. Egypt stands out as the airline's primary focus in the region, driven by demand for its iconic Red Sea resorts that offer world-class diving and luxury all-inclusive stays. Year-round flights to Hurghada (HRG) operate up to 20 times weekly from multiple bases including Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hannover, Munich, and Stuttgart, ensuring consistent access to this vibrant coastal hub. Year-round services to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) operate with approximately 6 weekly flights during winter, primarily from Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, catering to peak demand for its coral reefs and Naama Bay nightlife; these routes intensify during colder months in Europe.[33][36][37] Tunisia's offerings highlight seasonal beach getaways, with summer schedules aligning to high tourist seasons. Enfidha (NBE) receives 8 weekly flights during the summer, serving as a gateway to Hammamet's resorts and historical sites, while Monastir (MIR) sees 5 weekly services focused on its sandy shores and proximity to Sousse. These routes operate from key German airports like Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Munich, emphasizing short-haul Mediterranean escapes.[33] Morocco routes blend cultural immersion with coastal appeal, attracting travelers to its souks, riads, and Atlantic beaches. Marrakech (RAK) benefits from 6 weekly flights year-round, providing entry to the city's UNESCO-listed medina and Atlas Mountain excursions from bases such as Düsseldorf and Frankfurt. Agadir (AGA) features 4 weekly services, spotlighting its long promenades and surf-friendly waters, with seasonal charter emphasis from Düsseldorf.[33] Emerging as a long-short haul alternative, Cape Verde's Sal (SID) draws winter sun-seekers with 3 weekly flights during the season, operating from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hannover, Munich, and Stuttgart to its white-sand beaches and kitesurfing spots. This destination underscores TUI fly Deutschland's diversification into volcanic island paradises beyond traditional North African hubs.[33] Collectively, these approximately 15 routes account for about 30% of the airline's total capacity, reflecting a strategic emphasis on high-yield leisure markets in Africa.Fleet
Current fleet
As of November 2025, TUI fly Deutschland operates a fleet of 22 Boeing 737 narrow-body aircraft dedicated to short- and medium-haul leisure routes.[3] Of these, 20 are active (in service), with 2 currently parked (one 737-800 and one 737 MAX 8). The airline's fleet consists exclusively of Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 models, with an average age of 11.5 years across all aircraft.[3] These aircraft are configured in a single-economy class layout to maximize capacity for vacation travel, supporting the carrier's focus on high-volume routes to popular destinations.[38] The Boeing 737-800 forms the backbone of the fleet, with 15 aircraft total (14 in service).[39] Each features 189 economy seats, a standard 30-inch (76 cm) seat pitch, and 17-inch (43 cm) seat width, optimized for comfort on flights up to four hours.[40] Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B engines, these jets are deployed across all short-haul operations from bases in Germany, including high-frequency services to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.[3] The average age of the 737-800s is approximately 14.4 years, reflecting a mix of leased and owned units maintained primarily through TUI Group's line maintenance facilities at Hannover Airport.[3][29] Complementing the 737-800s are seven Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft total (six in service), with deliveries commencing in 2022 following regulatory approvals and TUI Group's phased rollout.[41] These newer jets also seat 189 passengers in an all-economy arrangement, with similar dimensions to the 737-800 for seamless operations.[42] Equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines, the 737 MAX 8 offers about 14% lower fuel consumption and emissions compared to previous-generation 737NG models, enabling more efficient deployment on dense leisure routes such as those to the Canary Islands. The aircraft's advanced aerodynamics and winglets further enhance performance on short-haul networks. All active aircraft in the fleet bear the current TUI "Discover" blue livery, a unified scheme introduced across the TUI Group in 2013 to emphasize the brand's tourism focus.[43] One 737 MAX 8 (D-AMAH) features a special heritage livery commemorating the airline's 50-year history, blending elements of past designs while retaining the modern blue base.[44] Maintenance is handled by TUI Group's in-house teams at Hannover, ensuring compliance with EASA standards and supporting an operational utilization rate typical for European leisure carriers at around 10 hours per day during peak seasons.[29] Looking ahead, TUI fly Deutschland benefits from the broader TUI Group's fleet renewal strategy, which includes orders for additional Boeing 737 MAX 8s as part of a €2 billion investment to phase out older 737-800s by 2030.[25] Recent leases, such as 14 MAX 8s from BOC Aviation with deliveries starting in 2025 through 2026 and 2028, will bolster capacity and sustainability, in addition to two on order.[17][3] This expansion aligns with TUI Group's goal of modernizing its 130+ aircraft across subsidiaries to reduce emissions and support growing demand.[45] The current fleet enables TUI fly Deutschland to transport approximately 8 million passengers annually, contributing to the TUI Group's overall volume of over 20 million air travelers per year.[25]| Aircraft Type | In Service | Seats (Economy) | Engines | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 14 | 189 | CFM56-7B | Total 15 (1 parked); average age ~14.4 years; short-haul mainstay.[3][40] |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 6 | 189 | LEAP-1B | Total 7 (1 parked); deliveries from 2022; 2 on order; 14% fuel savings vs. NG.[39][3] |
| Total | 20 | - | - | 22 total fleet (2 parked); supports ~8 million passengers/year.[3] |
Former fleet
TUI fly Deutschland has operated several aircraft types that have since been retired as part of fleet modernization and restructuring efforts. The airline's former fleet primarily consisted of narrowbody Boeing 737 variants inherited or acquired from its predecessors, Hapag-Lloyd Express and Hapagfly, along with temporary Airbus narrowbodies leased during peak demand periods. Retirements accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning with a broader shift toward a standardized all-Boeing narrowbody fleet to enhance operational efficiency and parts commonality.[46][47] The Boeing 737-700 formed a significant portion of the early fleet, with 21 aircraft operated from 2007 until their full retirement in 2020. These jets, typically configured with 148 seats, were retired due to their age—many exceeding 20 years—and rising maintenance costs, exacerbated by the sharp decline in demand during the COVID-19 crisis; the last aircraft was returned to its lessor on October 20, 2020.[3][48] In 2019, TUI fly Deutschland wet-leased one Airbus A319-100 aircraft, with 156 seats, to boost capacity at bases like Baden-Baden. This was a short-term addition operated until 2021, after which it was returned to lessor as travel recovered post-pandemic and the airline prioritized Boeing standardization.[49] One Airbus A321-200 aircraft, configured for 220 seats, was leased in 2019–2020. This high-capacity jet was phased out by 2021 to align with the carrier's focus on uniform Boeing narrowbodies.[3] Earlier in its history, prior to 2007, the airline's predecessors operated three Boeing 767-300ER widebodies for long-haul charter services, which were sold off during a 2009 restructuring to refocus on short- and medium-haul routes.[3]| Aircraft Type | Number Operated | Introduction–Retirement | Configuration (Seats) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-700 | 21 | 2007–2020 | 148 | Retired due to age and COVID-19 impacts; last flight October 2020.[48] |
| Airbus A319-100 | 1 | 2019–2021 | 156 | Wet-leased for capacity; returned post-pandemic.[49] |
| Airbus A321-200 | 1 | 2019–2021 | 220 | Leased; phased out for fleet standardization.[3] |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 3 | Pre-2007–2009 | N/A | From predecessors; sold during restructuring.[3] |