The introduction of Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin idea hasn’t been with out drama, to place it mildly. Nonetheless, the messiness of this case has simply reached a brand new degree, as reported by Spiegel Enterprise (due to @MeenzMev for flagging this).
Lufthansa can’t get 787 enterprise class seats licensed
Earlier this yr, we noticed Lufthansa introduce its new Allegris idea, with essentially the most thrilling growth being the introduction of the brand new Allegris enterprise class, lastly providing direct aisle entry from all seats.
This product debuted on the Airbus A350-900, however that wasn’t with out its challenges. First there have been provide chain points with getting the brand new seats. However even when the brand new enterprise class, premium economic system, and economic system, had been able to go, the brand new firstclass wasn’t. So Lufthansa began flying these planes with the area of the primary class cabin empty.
Lufthansa is now going through a a lot greater concern with its Boeing 787s, that are additionally alleged to characteristic the brand new Allegris cabins (although no firstclass). In accordance with feedback at an occasion on Wednesday by Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa has a staggering 13 Dreamliners able to be delivered, and that quantity will attain 15 within the close to future. Six of these jets already totally have the brand new cabins put in.
The difficulty? The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly refusing to certify these new seats. The seats have to endure a crash check, however the seats haven’t but handed that check. It’s not clear whether or not the seats failed the check, or if the check simply hasn’t occurred, for no matter motive. These exams are after all necessary to maintain passengers protected within the occasion of an emergency.
You could be considering “wait, aren’t these the identical seats as on the A350?” Type of. The A350 seats are produced by Thompson Aero, whereas the 787 seats are produced by Collins Aerospace. On high of that, particular person certification is required for seats on each plane kind.
Most just lately, Lufthansa was anticipating that it could get these new seats licensed within the close to future, with plans for the planes to enter service in early 2025. Now Lufthansa doesn’t anticipate approval earlier than the summer time of 2025 on the earliest, and even envisions a “state of affairs during which the seats will not be accepted in any respect just isn’t out of the query.” (!!!!!!) Yowzers. That implies to me that the problem isn’t that the seats haven’t been examined, however reasonably that they will not be passing the check, for no matter motive.
Lufthansa considers flying 787s with out enterprise class
Lufthansa is already coping with a serious plane scarcity. The airline was counting on the Boeing 777X for its fleet renewal, however that aircraft has been delayed by no less than six years. Then Lufthansa had delays with its new Airbus A350s as a result of Allegris cabins. Now Lufthansa is coping with points on the brand new Boeing 787s — the overall Boeing supply delays aren’t even a problem, however simply the seat certification.
Endlessly to points with Lufthansa’s 787 Allegris enterprise class seat certification, the airline is now reportedly weighing its choices. One of many prospects might embody the airline placing these 787s into service, however not seating anybody in enterprise class, so as an alternative simply utilizing them for economic system and premium economic system.
Gosh, the economics of that may’t be good in any respect. Then once more, parking over a dozen 787s in summer time whereas there’s a variety of demand isn’t nice both. Spohr reportedly claimed that Lufthansa doesn’t make a majority of its income in enterprise class anyway, suggesting that this might occur.
Backside line
Lufthansa’s new 787s are delayed. Whereas over a dozen of those jets are able to be delivered, Lufthansa can’t get the brand new Dreamliner enterprise class seats licensed. Till just lately, the assumption was that this might occur in early 2025, however now Lufthansa doesn’t anticipate to fly the planes earlier than summer time, and leaves open the opportunity of the seats not being licensed in any respect.
I… I… I… I’m speechless as to what a large number Lufthansa’s Allegris scenario is. First the airline needed to fly A350s with the area of the primary class cabin empty. Now Lufthansa could must fly 787s with the area of the enterprise class cabin empty. By no means thoughts that SWISS is introducing the identical product, and should set up a 1.5 ton weight behind A330s, as a result of firstclass is simply too heavy.
If Spohr had been somewhat bit much less smug, I’d nearly really feel dangerous for Lufthansa Group right here. Lufthansa deserves to win an award for its Allegris rollout… but it surely’s not a Skytrax 5-star award I’m considering of.
What do you make of Lufthansa’s Dreamliner drama?
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