Celebrating Germany's hosting of the World Cup next year, Lufthansa, which operates 14 weekly flights between Bangkok and Germany, has launched its first Airbus A340-300 on the route. However, the maiden flight of the flying "football nose" ambassador took place 26 July when an Airbus flew from Germany to Tokyo carrying Bayern Munich players to play two friendlies in the Japanese capital."Germany is again hosting the World Cup for the first time in 32 years. Fans over the world will be coming to Germany to support their national teams playing at soccer stadiums around the country. The Lufthansa aircraft with a football nose will act as an ambassador inviting fans to come to Germany and enjoy their stay there," said Wolfgang Schmidt, Lufthansa's general manager for passenger sales who is charge of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.