Lufthansa has in the present day unveiled its biggest-ever funding within the premium cabin expertise, as a part of what’s referred to as the brand new “Allegris” product era. That features a new top notch product.
Lufthansa’s new top notch suite
Lufthansa has revealed that will probably be introducing suites in top notch, providing “practically ceiling-high partitions” that may be closed for privateness. Because it’s described, the seat shall be nearly one meter extensive, and will be transformed right into a mattress. All suites shall be ahead dealing with, and can characteristic a wardrobe.
Due to the brand new privateness dividers, prospects may even become their pajamas of their suite (which is type of a humorous factor to focus on, however I suppose it’s meant to clarify simply how non-public the suite shall be). Visitors will have the ability to dine collectively at a big eating desk, whereby one particular person can sit throughout from their journey companion on an ottoman. Leisure screens will prolong throughout the complete width of the suite, and there shall be bluetooth connectivity for wi-fi headphones.
Under are the primary renderings of the brand new top notch.
Sadly particulars are extraordinarily restricted past that at this level. We’re informed to anticipate extra particulars in regards to the suite, in addition to different improvements to top notch, as of the start of 2023.
The brand new top notch will debut on the A350
We’ve recognized for fairly a while that Lufthansa plans to introduce a brand new top notch product. Whereas it’s not explicitly talked about with this announcement, as of mid-2023, Lufthansa plans to introduce top notch on choose Airbus A350-900s. Particularly, not less than 10 A350-900s will characteristic top notch, they usually’ll be primarily based in Munich.
Because it stands, Lufthansa has top notch on its 19 Boeing 747-8s, that are primarily based in Frankfurt. On prime of that, the airline has briefly introduced again some Airbus A340-600s, that are primarily based in Munich. These have been particularly introduced again as a result of they characteristic top notch, and it’s additionally anticipated that Lufthansa will short-term reactive some Airbus A380s.
Subsequently it’s protected to imagine that this product will debut on the A350. What I’m actually interested by is the structure right here:
- These suites look reasonably spacious given the fuselage width of the A350, so whereas I’d typically assume the configuration could be 1-2-1, will Lufthansa be going for a 1-1-1 configuration, or how can the airline have such extensive seats whereas nonetheless having 4 seats per row?
- Will Lufthansa have one or two rows of top notch? In different phrases, will there be three to 4 or six to eight seats within the cabin?
We additionally don’t know if the brand new top notch shall be retrofitted on current Boeing 747-8s. Frankly I’ve a tough time imagining how this product may match into the nostril of the Boeing 747-8, however who is aware of.
What are the implications for award tickets?
I can’t assist however marvel what this growth means for Lufthansa top notch award availability. Forgetting cabin capability for a second, take into account that Lufthansa makes top notch award seats accessible to companion packages at most 15 days upfront.
SWISS can also be a part of the Lufthansa Group, but SWISS top notch is barely bookable with miles by Lufthansa Miles & Extra Senator members and above, and isn’t bookable with companion miles. I can’t assist however marvel if Lufthansa introducing a brand new top notch may trigger the airline to eradicate companion top notch award availability altogether.
If that have been the case, it could imply that Air France, Lufthansa, and SWISS awards are completely off limits for companion award redemptions. Add in American eliminating top notch and British Airways drastically lowering its top notch footprint, and transatlantic top notch awards might kind of be a factor of the previous.
Backside line
Lufthansa has unveiled its new top notch product, which is able to encompass suites with doorways for the primary time. This seems like a large enchancment over Lufthansa’s present top notch product, so that is thrilling. We’re informed to anticipate extra particulars in early 2023. It seems like this product ought to debut on the Airbus A350-900 as of mid-2023, so the massive query is simply what number of seats shall be within the cabin.
What do you make of Lufthansa’s new top notch?
