Lufthansa is introducing its new Allegris premium product on long-haul routes throughout the aircraft as part of a mega €2.5 billion upgrade in product and service.
The German flag carrier’s new first and business class products are destined for more than 100 new A350 and B787-9 aircraft, and will also be retrofitted into the airline’s existing B747-8 fleet.
The new Allegris concept will feature suites with closing doors in both first and business class with nearly ceiling-high walls in first class for enhanced privacy together with a first class seat width of almost one metre and personal wardrobe in every suite.
The exact details of the suite system will not be revealed until the beginning of 2023, although the carrier said IFE screens would extend across the full width of the suite. Each seat and bed in first class will face the direction of flight, and customers will be able to dine with a guest in their suite, that is equipped with a large dining table and second seat.
The new business class will also offer suite options with sliding doors in the front row of the cabin as well as a further six seating options to be be confirmed next year. Even so, the carrier said that every business class passenger will have direct aisle access, adding that seat walls would be at least 114 cm high, with generous space in the shoulder area. IFE screens in business class will span nearly 17 inches, and there will be wireless charging capabilities and noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones.
Economy customers will be able to book seats in the first rows of the cabin that have a greater seat pitch for additional comfort while the airline added that it will develop its existing Sleeper’s Row that allows travellers to book a row of economy seats which convert into a lie-flat bed by offering a reclining surface that will be 40% larger than the original. In premium economy, passengers will be offered a fixed shell seat with 15.6-inch IFE screen.
The European airline said the simultaneous improvement of the travel experience in all classes, along with the Lufthansa Group-wide replacement of more than 30,000 seats, will be unique in the airline group’s history. “With these initiatives, the company is underscoring its clear premium and quality standards,” it said.
By 2025, the Lufthansa group plans to invest €2.5 billion in product and service to improve the customer experience at every stage of the journey – from initial booking, throughout the airport, lounge and border experience, to customer requests even after the flight.
Carsten Spohr, chief executive of Lufthansa, said: “We want to set new, unprecedented standards for our guests. The largest investment in premium products in our company’s history underpins our claim to continue to be the leading Western premium airline in the future.”