Lufthansa has ordered 32 new widebody long-haul Boeing 787-9s, 26 additional Airbus A350-900s and 20 previously delayed Boeing 777-9s – now expected sometime in 2025. Though these new orders are for the Lufthansa Group, it is unknown how many will go to SWISS and Austrian Airlines.
The deal includes a sub-fleet of five “ready-manufactured” 787-9 Dreamliners originally intended for Hainan Airlines and four A350-900s procured from Philippine Airlines during its bankruptcy protection measures. Lufthansa - the German flag carrier - intends to launch a new Business Class product on its new A350s and 787s from mid-2023 to include direct aisle access for all passengers.
Lufthansa took delivery of its first ready-manufactured Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, named “Berlin”, at the end of August 2022. But now, Business Class passengers will be left wondering which Business Class product to expect on their future flights.
Previous Business Class seats were the same, no matter what type of Lufthansa aircraft was flown, in the V-shaped 2-2-2 configuration. The introduction of the A350s acquired from Philippine Airlines with its Thompson Vantage XL seat and now the 787s from Hainan Airlines with the Safran Cirrus reverse herringbone seat will throw that product consistency by the wayside.
Lufthansa is expected to keep the existing products of the acquired aircraft – a significant improvement over their conventional offering – and conduct cabin refurbishments at Lufthansa’s maintenance facility in Frankfurt before deploying the aircraft on domestic familiarisation routes ahead of Toronto being its first long-haul destination later this year or early next year. The new Lufthansa Business Class product – announced in 2017 – will then be introduced to the new deliveries of A350s and 787s from 2023.
While customers will enjoy upgraded Business Class seats with quickly converting, spacious lie-flat beds and direct aisle access, Lufthansa has moved from a model of consistency to one of uncertainty for its passengers. However, this shouldn’t be an issue for the airline so long as customers know what to expect from the outset and continue receiving the best service Lufthansa offers.
Read the full BusinessClass.com review of Lufthansa Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Best Business class Beds & Bedding– Part 1
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Best Business Class Suites
