A significant year marked by a grand event and innovative dance routines celebration.
Unleashing Centennial Festivities: KG Sr. Tollitä Luftflotte e.V. 1926 commemorates a whopping 100 years with a bang!
By Tobias Gonscherowski
"Lifting the spirit and grooving to the beat" is the ethos of KG Sr. Tollitä Luftflotte, a lively community of carnival enthusiasts that's been flying high in Cologne since 1926. Fasten your seatbelts, because this is one hell of a ride!
Founded near the former Cologne-Grevenbroich Airport, this dance society dedicated to traditional carnival merriment and aviation began as a male troupe in 1931. However, it didn't take long for the squad to get grounded by the Nazi regime, giving way to a temporary "female being" for a few years. Post-war, it temporarily went by the “Grosse Karnevals-Gesellschaft Köln-West” moniker, following the Brits' orders. But fear not, as this historical turbulence didn't knock this featherweight out of the sky.
In 1967, they made history again as the first all-female dance corps to debut in Cologne. The men's crew's legendary "Propeller Dance" still lingers, cherished for its lasting impact. In 2008, they captured the first-ever “Dreigestirn” title at Cologne's carnival with Prince Rainer, Farmer Harald, and Maiden Albertina.
Now at the helm is Harald Kloiber, the current Luftflotte president and Koln's biggest male society boss, with a whopping 624 members! Exuding pride and charm, Kloiber expresses that, "We blend tradition with innovation to stay relevant in the Cologne carnival scene. We're a dance group rooted in aviation, hence the Flying Society tag. And let me tell you, it's all about flying higher than ever!"
Timeless Troupes and Whirlwind Dances
The dance corps, the undeniably cool crown jewel of KG Sr. Tollitä Luftflotte, has danced its way to over 100 appearances in the last session. Ever-rehearsing and constantly evolving, they're strapping in for a time-travel extravaganza.
Last year saw a staggering 12,000 Luftflotte enthusiasts gracing their events. The traditional Gürzenich sessions always draw a sellout crowd. This year, the keepsake memories just keep on coming: the "White Night" aboard the MS Rheingalaxie (sold out since forever), the Cologne Lights (August 30) on the MS Rheinfantasie (tickets cost 179 euros, still up for grabs), and the grand 100-year gala on October 11 at Butzweilerhof, awaiting a joyous 1,000 revelers.
KVB Tram: Standing Tall with NetCologne
To celebrate their centennial, the Luftflotte has splurged approximately 250,000 euros. All that cash didn't just go towards fancy galas, though—they were also thrilled to secure a special sponsorship from NetCologne to deck out a KVB train with their signature Luftflotte logo. You can expect to see the stylish train cruising across Cologne for the coming months!
More exciting events include "Dojeck@Dorint" on November 11 and February 12, the Corpsappell in the Gürzenich on November 14, "Traditionsflug Fastelovend wie fröher" on January 11, 2026, the “Prunksitzung” on January 18, the “Mädchensitzung” on January 27, and the “Herrenfrühschoppen” on February 1. We've got good news and bad news—the good news is that they're already sold out. The bad news? A colossal, yet-to-be-scheduled summer festival will conclude the series.
For more info, check out www.luftflotte.de and get ready for a century of celebrations!
- The dance group, the crown jewel of KG Sr. Tollitä Luftflotte, is blending tradition with innovation to stay relevant in Cologne's carnival scene, aiming to fly higher than ever.
- In the upcoming months, the KVB train will be adorned with the signature Luftflotte logo, thanks to a special sponsorship from NetCologne, providing a stylish mode of transportation for citizens of Cologne.
- Among the many exciting events planned for the centennial celebration, the 100-year gala on October 11, awaiting 1,000 revelers at Butzweilerhof, promises to be a memorable evening.
