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Lufthansa unveils its new ‘Allegris’ First Class cabin – and we were there (Part 1)

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Yesterday, Lufthansa finally unveiled its new ‘Allegris’ cabin concept at an in-person event in Berlin. I was invited down to take a look.

Lufthansa Allegris is a nose-to-tail refresh that introduces new seats in all cabins – First, business, premium economy and economy. This is the seat that propelled Lufthansa to its 5-star Skytrax rating back in 2017 – purely on the basis of renderings – and will, finally, be installed on Boeing 787s arriving from September.

The arrival of Allegris was initially scheduled for 2020. Covid put that plan on ice as Lufthansa postponed any capital expenditure as it fought for survival. Three years later it is finally ready to unveil the new cabins.

Lufthansa unveils its new 'Allegris' business and First Class cabins

What is Lufthansa Allegris?

Allegris is part of a €2.5 billion investment into customer experience across the Lufthansa Group, which also includes airlines such as SWISS, Austrian and eurowings.

Lufthansa is getting 80% of this cash which it will need in order to refresh its 60+ strong fleet of long haul aircraft. At least 27,000 new seats will be installed across all cabin classes.

Allegris includes a new First class suite and business class cabin as well as premium economy and economy seats.

One of the cornerstones of the Allegris concept is giving passengers the ability to customise their experience. To that end Lufthansa unveiled fourteen unique seat options today, including seven in business class. (Yes, to repeat, there will be seven types of seat to choose from in business class.)

In this article, I’ll be looking at both the new First cabin. Part 2, also published today, looks at the changes in business class.

Which aircraft will feature Lufthansa’s Allegris cabins?

At present, the new Allegris seat concept will be installed on its Boeing 787s, A350s, Boeing 747-8s and Boeing 777Xs (which aren’t due to arrive for another two years). No decision has yet been made for the A380, of which Lufthansa has nine aircraft.

The first aircraft to feature the Allegris cabins will be a Boeing 787, currently scheduled to start commercial operations in September.

Lufthansa Allegris First

The Lufthansa Allegris First cabin

The pinnacle of the Allegris cabin refresh – and the one that understandably garnered the most interest – is the new First Class suite, pictured above.

The future of first class has long been catastrophised, with the improvement in business class cabins often cited as a reason for its demise. Even top tier airlines such as Qatar Airways have slowly phased the cabin out, although it is back temporarily on its A380s.

However, as Lufthansa demonstrates, first class is far from dead. If anything it is becoming increasingly exclusive, with both Lufthansa and other airlines (such as British Airways and Air France) reducing the number of first class seats on offer.

With Allegris, Lufthansa will reduce the size of its First Class cabin from eight seats to four suites in a 1-2-1 configuration.

It’s not quite that simple. Lufthansa is actually introducing what is effectively a honeymoon suite, although it doesn’t like calling it that; the name being used is ‘First Class Suite Plus.’

Lufthansa Allegris First Class

That’s because the middle pair is actually a private mini-cabin. These aren’t just two seats that can be sold separately – they are in one suite with no divider and share the same, massive 42″ in-flight-entertainment screen:

Lufthansa Allegris First Class

You’re also locked into a buddy dining concept, with a large, restaurant-sized table folding out from the side console to create an intimate dining experience:

Lufthansa unveils its new 'Allegris' business and First Class cabins

Both seats can also recline to create a seamless 1.4m wide double-bed, although they can also be reclined independently:

Lufthansa unveils its new 'Allegris' First Class cabin

Clearly, this seat is designed for couples rather than those travelling with friends or colleagues – and specifically only for couples who share the same taste in IFE!

Lufthansa isn’t saying how it will price this double suite, although according to the executives I asked it will probably not be twice as much as a single suite. This could make it good value for couples travelling together. I assume it will also be available for any solo traveller willing to pay the premium.

For anyone travelling solo (or with someone you don’t want to share a bed with!) you have the option of the two outboard suites next to the window. This is how it looks on a plan:

Lufthansa Allegris first class seat map

These are fundamentally the same as the Plus suite, although they feature a slightly wider seat width, at almost 1m wide, as well as windows with electric blinds. Windows are notably absent from the double suite.

All Allegris First Class suites focus on privacy with sidewalls that reach almost to the top of the cabin space.

The suites aren’t totally private. Due to safety regulations, the ‘door’ is made of a stiff, felt-like fabric curtain with a magnetic strip, and large cut-out handles allow cabin crew to take a peak in when necessary. Still, the seats offer a level of privacy you’ll find on few other airlines.

Lufthansa Allegris First Class

Other innovations include in-seat heating and cooling, just as you’d find in a luxury car. In fact this is the same system as used by Mercedes Benz, and will allow you to customise the temperature of your seat independently of the rest of the cabin.

Whilst the heated seat is achieved with a heating element much like an electric duvet, the cooling works by sucking the air through the seat with the use of a fan.

This is an impressive innovation and a genuine competitive advantage for both First and business class passengers. Lufthansa claims it is the first airline in the world to introduce custom microclimates on board.

Lufthansa’s First Class suites will also feature wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity and a multitude of charging sockets as standard, as well as large tablets to control the seat functions including the lighting.

You’ll also have plenty of storage, with the ottomans big enough to store a standard size carry on:

Lufthansa Allegris First Class suite

Overall, Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class suite is impressive and will rival some of the best First Class seats out there including Etihad’s First Apartment and Singapore’s A380 suites. In terms of design and style, it definitely feels cosy and elevated versus the business class cabin, with the deep shades of blue evoking Finnair’s new (and iconic) business class seat. Build quality feels hefty and solid, with a real focus on materials to make it feel premium.

It creates a widening canyon between Lufthansa First and that found on other airlines. British Airways was due to unveil a new First Class with the (delayed) arrival of its Boeing 777Xs, although there hasn’t been an update on that project in several years and it is difficult to see it matching this.

What about business class?

Due to length we had to split this article into two. Click here to read about the new Lufthansa Allegris business class seating.

Comments (107)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Charles Martel says:

    Is there any airline thats making the A380 work? I’ve never travelled on one but have an inexplicable hope that they stays in the air.

    • Ironside says:

      Emirates, whose business model largely fits the hub-and-spoke network that the superjumbo was designed for.
      I’d be surprised if Emirates weren’t a little miffed at the A380’s early bath.

    • Richie says:

      BA on their LHR-JNB service, it has a daytime nap at JNB before flying back to LHR overnight. BTW @Rob ‘s recent QR A380 review was very informative.

    • Rob says:

      Now that fuel prices are drifting back down, most of them can make it work I think. It is just a gas guzzler given the four engines, but as long as you fill it with people paying sensible fares you’re sorted.

      • Dev says:

        The problem with the A380 is that it has to be filled with reasonable fares as you say but is furthered hampered by low cargo uplifting capability as well.

        The 787 can uplift 40 tonnes. Even if it’s just fruit and veg at $1.50 a kg, you’re still making $60,000 per flight – nearly $22m a year with 1 daily operation.

        • mkcol says:

          What’s the A380 cargo capacity?

          • Blair Waldorf Salad says:

            On Emirates, maximum 6 ex-Love Island contestants being transported to their new habitat of Five Dubai

          • Charles Martel says:

            I did not know any of this but according to IAG the a380 isn’t as bad as you say, but its blown out of the water by the a350:
            A380-800: 13.2tons
            787-10: 13ton
            787-9: 11tons
            A350-900: 17tons
            A350-1000: 25tons

            https://www.iagcargo.com/en/fleet

  • Andrew says:

    “Lufthansa Group, which also includes airlines such as SWISS, Austrian and Condor.”

    Are you sure about Condor? I’m pretty sure they’re not part of LH group unless something happened recently.

    • HAM76 says:

      They are competing with Lufthansa and used to be part of Thomas Cook. They are definitely not Lufthansa.

    • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:

      Indeed they aren’t.

      The groups passenger airlines are LH, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowinga

      • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:

        Just seen Condor had been removed and replaced by Eurowings in the article

    • Rhys says:

      Sorry, brain fart!

  • Navara says:

    Takes a bit of the excitement out of joining the “mile high club”

    • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:

      Der Beitritt zum Mile High Club ist verboten.

  • dougzz99 says:

    On a related subject given it was a new seating concept do you have any inside info on how the Finn business seating is working out.

  • Alex Sm says:

    Hi Rhys – is there any chance to run an article about Skytrax / interview with them to learn more about their system and process: how they do it and what matters to them? This would be extremely insightful for HfP readers too.

    • BC says:

      Skytrax provides consulting services to airlines…..need I say more?

    • Rhys says:

      Would it be? I assumed most people just ignored Skytrax, like I do 🙂

      • vlcnc says:

        They were always a bit dodgy but kind of torched their reputation by giving LH that 5-star rating back in 2017 for a product that is still yet to be introduced and not likely to be consistent product while flying with them for quite some years – in fact 5 years on it looks positively absurd so not sure the value of asking them for their expertise lol

        • mkcol says:

          I was told they were torched well before then, when allegedly QR crew would fill in surveys in the galley giving 5* reviews back when it was all paper based.

      • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:

        About a dozen years or so ago two friends submitted reviews to Skytrax. One just wasn’t published (was a very positive review). The other was edited to make it less glowing.

        It’s never had any credibility with me after that.

      • His Holyness says:

        Is it a one man band?

        • Alex Sm says:

          How can that be? Given all these assessments and ceremonies they have. Even a superhuman cannot make it on their own

      • Alex Sm says:

        But you still mention it as a benchmark for LH in your article!

      • Dubious says:

        I know of some research that was done into the effect Skytrax has on passenger behaviours…it was found to have practically no discernible effect!

        • Alex Sm says:

          Links please, everyone is talking about “something” but no traces of anything

    • The Original David says:

      “Well, we assess candidates across a range of robust and objective metrics, including factors such as the thickness of their brown envelopes, the face value of the notes inside them, and the quality of the material gifts that accompany them. We combine this with in-depth consideration of the hospitality provided to our independent judges, and calculate our Skytrax ratings accordingly.”

      • vlcnc says:

        If you believe that spiel, then I have some “genuine” leather jackets to sell you…

        • vlcnc says:

          (sorry replied to the wrong comment in error – that was for Alex Sm 😛 )

      • Lady London says:

        Did I not see something similar written about…was it FIFA… a while back?

      • Alex Sm says:

        Well, this is nothing more than unfounded claims, which are also quite superficial. It’s an industry standard for marketing and branding, respected by the airlines and wider industry. How likely could they ALL COLLECTIVELY involved in this if this is a scam? In the world of Panoramas and Wikileaks they would have been exposed a long time ago if it was the case, would they not?

    • Rui N. says:

      It’s pay per play. That’s the whole article, nothing more you need to know.

      • Alex Sm says:

        How do you know? One can claim whatever – but are there any sources, articles, reports?

  • Richie says:

    My guess is there are plenty of first class couples who have never slept as a pair in a 1.4m wide bed and never will.

    • Rhys says:

      What’s the alternative – a fairly narrow single bed?

      • Richie says:

        A window seat each at 1m wide for sleeping.

        • Rhys says:

          Nothing is stopping you from booking that instead!

          The whole point of offering 14 different seat types is that Lufthansa believes one size does NOT fit all. Nobody is forcing you to share a bed!

    • Rob says:

      In my experience, the wealthier you are, the bigger the bed you have to keep further away from your partner. At a certain level of wealth you can – like the couple opposite us who have a kid in school with my daughter – have, like the Queen and Prince Philip did, two identically sized connecting bedrooms. My wife would be very happy with this I promise you.

    • Tom says:

      It’s not 1.4 metres though, if that was the case it would be fine! The bed is 1.2 metres (two 60cm seats), it’s the suite as a whole that’s 1.4 metres.

  • mkcol says:

    Is that a lav behind each of the window suites?

    I’m not sure which would be worse – a business class lav flushing away, a galley bulkhead being slammed into by the bar carts or a bassinet with a screaming kiddo.

  • Dubious says:

    I wonder if it will be possible to pay for upgrades on the day to occupy the second seat…(assuming the other has already been booked…)

    • TimM says:

      You must be mad. Can you imagine paying for F and being forced to share a (narrow) bed and TV with a complete stranger? What sort of airline would that be?

      • Blair Waldorf Salad says:

        It’d be one that would justify reviving Eurotrash on Channel 4 simply to report on it

      • Dubious says:

        🤣
        Could market it in collaboration with match.com or such like

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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