As I feel all OMAAT readers know by now, Allegris is the title of Lufthansa’s new lengthy haul journey idea, and this contains all-new cabins for lengthy haul plane. Nonetheless, the precise rollout of this has been difficult, to place it mildly.
Whereas I’ve written about a number of of Lufthansa’s Allegris rollout and certification woes, right here’s a brand new one for me, as I wasn’t conscious that the airline can’t seat individuals within the first row of Allegris economic system, and this downside persists after many months.
Lufthansa’s first row of A350 economic system stays empty
Should you’re on a flight operated by Lufthansa’s new Airbus A350-900 with Allegris interiors, you’ll discover that the primary row of economic system (row 19) exhibits as blocked on the seat map. As soon as onboard, you’ll see indicators on the seats, indicating that they shouldn’t be occupied. I really wasn’t conscious of this, but it surely was reported by airliners.de.
What’s the rationale for this? Properly, these seats haven’t been correctly licensed. Since there’s no full bulkhead between economic system and premium economic system, and because the Allegris premium economic system seats have arduous shells, the seat belts within the first row of economic system want particular airbags (simply as you’ll discover in some premium seats).
Nonetheless, these airbags haven’t but been licensed by regulators. Clearly not with the ability to promote seven seats onboard isn’t ultimate, particularly since these are entrance row seats that the airline may most likely cost passengers further to assign.
A spokesperson for the airline explains that the expectation is that these seats should stay empty for the approaching months. Provided that these planes have been flying since Could 2024, that means that the certification might solely occur a yr or so after the plane entered service. Ouch.
That is considered one of a numerous variety of Allegris points
Needless to say when Lufthansa’s Allegris Airbus A350-900s began flying, the area of the primary class cabin was empty, since there have been provide chain and certification delays with that product. Happily that has lastly modified, and that cabin is now being retrofitted on beforehand delivered Allegris A350s.
Lufthansa’s greatest Allegris certification concern in the meanwhile entails the Boeing 787-9. Shortly, the airline can have 15 of those 787s able to fly, however there’s only one concern — the enterprise class seats haven’t been licensed, and there’s no timeline for once they may occur. As a matter of reality, the airline hasn’t dominated out the potential of the seats not being licensed in any respect.
So Lufthansa is confronted with a tricky choice — does the airline begin flying these jets with all enterprise class seats unoccupied (and possibly empty bulkhead economic system row), or maintain the planes grounded? A choice is anticipated to be made quickly.
Lufthansa Group service SWISS will even quickly introduce its model of Allegris, generally known as SWISS Senses. The airline has its personal concern with these seats. SWISS A330s will get the brand new top quality cabin, although there’s a problem — the cabin is simply too heavy. In consequence, the airline should set up a 3,000 pound weight close to the again of the plane.
Backside line
Because it seems, Lufthansa’s first row economic system seats on Allegris A350s haven’t but been licensed. That is as a result of lack of a correct bulkhead, plus the arduous shell of the premium economic system seats within the row in entrance. In consequence, these seats want particular airbags with seatbelts, however they haven’t but been licensed.
The airline thinks it’ll be months earlier than that occurs, so provided that these planes have been flying since Could 2024, that’s not precisely ultimate, eh?
What do you make of this Lufthansa Allegris A350 economic system seat concern?
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