Lufthansa officially unveiled its new Allegris long haul cabin products today at a grand launch ceremony in Berlin’s Kraftwerk event space.
As previously reported, Allegris will include new first and business class suites, plus improvements to the premium economy and economy products. The major upgrade represents a total investment of €2.25 billion by 2025.
Across the four cabins, there will be 14 different types of seats available – with seven options in business class alone.
So, the details:
First class
First class passengers can look forward to a self-contained suite of up to 3.7 sqm, designed to “feel like a living room” with sliding doors and direct aisle access. There will be two single suites, plus a centre double suite in a 1-2-1 layout.
The suites feature 180cm-tall walls with soft panel sliding doors that help to block out sound (though gaps for the door handles will also allow cabin crew to check on passengers without disturbance).
Features include a large moveable dining table, mood lighting, and suite-width IFE screens. There are lots of storage options including a personal wardrobe space for coats and bags, plus under-seat storage for cabin luggage.
Single seats will have a width of 89cm with two recline modes for a variety of seating positions, plus an ottoman opposite that slides forward so you can further customise seating options. One new function will be the option to “set your own microclimate”, as seats can be heated up or cooled down according to preference.
New technology will also allow for more comfort when sleeping. Lufthansa found up to 80 per cent of its passengers prefer to sleep on their side, so the bed has been designed to allow for the shoulder to sink into the cushion, while the backbone remains straight, thereby creating a better sleeping environment.
A 10-inch tablet in the suite can be used to control everything from the lighting and IFE to personal temperature.
The double suite will feature two seats with a width of 60cm each (or 120cm together) that can recline into a double bed. The design of the suite means you can dine ‘resturant-style’ facing each other across the dining table, and then relax on a large double couch to enjoy entertainment on the suite-wide IFE screen that will feature 4K resolution.
Passengers will also be able to connect their own devices via Bluetooth and will find wireless charging ports in all seats.
Business class
The new Allegris business class is a huge upgrade from Lufthansa’s previous offerings, with guaranteed direct-aisle access for each passenger.
As in first class, passengers will be able to control their own temperature by heating or cooling seats as desired, enjoy new air bed technology for a more comfortable sleeping experience – particularly when lying on the side – as well as upgraded IFE with 4K screens, a personal minibar, and a tablet that will be able to control all the seat functions, lights etc.
There will be seven variations of the business class seat, each offering slightly different features.
On the front row of the cabin will be the business suites – the only business class seat to have a sliding door, and which comes with a taller privacy enclosure. Single suites are located by the window, while the two suites in the centre can be combined into a double suite experience by drawing back the privacy partition for those travelling together.
The rest of the cabin is comprised of “classic business class seats”, with the new Allegris features but minus the sliding door and additional privacy screens; “privacy seats”, which are angled closer to the window and therefore further from the aisle; “extra-space seats”, with more work surface; “extra-long bed” seats, with bed lengths of up to 2.20 metres; “double seats” in the last row of business where the centre seats can be combined; and finally, “rear privacy seats” that also feature a baby bassinet.
This image helps to map out the cabin more clearly:
Lufthansa is marketing the wide range of options as offering greater personalisation for the customer, with seats for different needs. To combat the inevitable confusion with the range of choice, Lufthansa plans to roll out a new booking system this summer, with simplified seat plans, search functions and booking options.
There will also be different pricing to account for the differences. The classic business seats will be featured at the regular ticket price, with suites or extra long bed options being charged at a premium.
There will be 28 business class seats on the B787 (including four business suites) and 38 business class seats on the A350 (with eight business suites).
New soft products will also accompany the launch, including “rethought” amenity kits that will feature a more sustainable ethos, new mattress toppers, and a new design on cushions and blankets.
Meal service will also see more personalisation, with greater steps taken towards pre-selection so passengers can choose their meal (not just special meals) and even drinks before they board.
Premium economy
The premium economy cabin has also been given a makeover. Most notably, seats will now be enclosed in a hard shell, meaning you won’t disturb the passenger behind you when you recline – or more importantly, you won’t be disturbed if the passenger in front does so.
Other adjustments include a slightly larger seat pitch at 99cm (2.5cm larger than the current version), a fold-out leg rest, a larger IFE screen at 15.6 inches with noise-cancelling headphones, double arm rests in between each seat so passengers won’t have to share, and wireless charging available under the armrest. The head cushion will also be adaptable and a more cosy blanket will be added.
Economy
Upgrades to economy will see more legroom, with a 79cm pitch (and 86cm in the first rows). Seats will also have bigger monitors and Bluetooth connection, USB ports and tablet holders. It will also be possible for economy passengers to book a free seat next to them.
So when is this all happening?
The Allegris upgrade will eventually see 27,000 new seats added to Lufthansa’s fleet, with the business, premium economy and economy products taking to the skies in autumn this year on the new B787s.
This will be followed by the A350-900s next year, which will debut the first class suites. The B777-9 will also follow in 2025. (This aircraft was meant to debut Lufthansa Allegris in 2020, however, manufacturing delays means we won’t see the new aircraft until 2025.)
Retrofitting of existing A350 aircraft and the 747-800s will begin in 2024, and gradually extend to the rest of the fleet.
The new Allegris products are also expected across the Lufthansa Group, with Swiss set to announce the retrofitting of its long-haul A330 and B777-300 aircraft with the new products in 2024, though featuring its own Swiss design.
