Lufthansa has provided a thorough update for its 2015 timetable that will see substantial changes to fleet operations on long haul flights around the world. The changes include the removal of First Class seats from 747-400 aircraft, the introduction Premium Economy cabins throughout the long haul fleet and minor adjustments in Business Class / Economy Class seat inventory.
The announcement, first made on October 9, was quite lengthy and covered all of LH’s long haul fleet so I decided to break up the information into separate posts in the hopes that it is easier to absorb. This installment covers the 747-400 fleet, while future posts will cover other aircraft types.
The following routes will see the removal of First Class cabins on the 747-400 aircraft that fly these routes. Initially these aircraft will have Business and Economy class seats only (67 Business Seats / 322 Economy Seats per aircraft), however beginning in August Premium Economy seats will begin to appear on these routes (67 Business Seats / 32 Premium Economy Seats / 272 Economy Seats per aircraft).
Frankfurt – Vancouver beginning on March 26, 2015.
Frankfurt – Toronto beginning on March 29, 2015.
Frankfurt -Denver beginning on April 10, 2015.
Frankfurt – Shanghai beginning on May 7, 2015.
Frankfurt – Orlando beginning on May 15, 2015.
Frankfurt – Boston beginning on May 25, 2015.
Frankfurt – Osaka beginning on May 25, 2015.
Frankfurt – Washington DC (LH416/417) beginning on June 22, 2015.
Frankfurt – Mumbai beginning on June 30, 2015.
Frankfurt – Seattle beginning on June 30, 2015. A 3-Class (F/C/Y) 744 will fly FRA-SEA effective March 29. On June 29 it becomes a 744 with Biz / Prem Eco / Eco.
missing like in the old times FRA-EZE-SCL
As I understand it, they have announced that they are doing away with first class on all 744s, which is a real shame, can’t say I blame them though.
Since when has Lufthansa flown a 747 on FRA-SEA? It’s been a 333 or 343 since forever.
747-400 since forever, LH fourninerzero
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DLH490
Funny, I didn’t know Lufthansa called their 744s “A343”. Is that a German thing?
(They switched it from A333 this past summer, I think, and dumped F as a result.)
From March 29, a 744 will replace the A340 to seattle. It will be a 3 class 747 (F/C/Y) until June 29 at which point it reverts to a 744 with Biz, Prem, Eco
SEA is getting a 747-400 effective March 29…….
Is that a three class including F or PE?
3 class: biz / Prem Eco / Eco. No F after June 29. From March 29 to June 29 it will be a 3 class with F / C / Y.
That’s a pretty huge jump in capacity to Europe (80 seats a day or so from a 343 with 44J/222Y, even more from a 333), especially given that Delta and BA are tussling over LHR these days out of SEA.
Good times if you want an award, I’d think.
Perhaps I should fit in one last F trip while I can. Heading to GRU next week. Perhaps should take SQ to BCN and the LH home. How sad to see these changes, but understandable.
I understand (but don’t like) getting rid of first but I don’t think the new LH C class is a premium product. Sure it’s fine if you are traveling with someone, but I want more privacy (single seat configuration) when I am alone.
Important to note is that FRA-BOS is the seasonal late flight (LH420/421), with the yearly LH422/423 operating with 747-8 – nice!
Since Business is the new First, LH should improve the product in Premium economy to differentiate it.
NZ put old business class recliners as “premium economy” and it is worth spending more for, esp for long hauls where it makes a difference
Replace 8 seats and 8 beds with 32 reclining seats w 38in pitch and it can hold its own price premium over economy I suspect from the numbers that it will be on the upper deck (also very quiet)