by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 18, 2016 | A320neo, Featured, Lufthansa |
As part of a scheduled conference to discuss their 2015 operating results, Lufthansa’s CEO Carsten Spohr has suggested that Lufthansa will not accept additional A320neo until a known engine bug is resolved.
Earlier this year, LH took delivery of their first A320neo and put it into service even as a relatively minor issue existed with the Pratt and Whitney that is available as an option on the aircraft. The issue itself is relatively minor. In order for the engine to reach operating temperature and tolerances, it must first warm up for approximately 5 minutes before throttle can be applied so that the aircraft can move under its own power. This creates nothing more than a minor inconvenience at the gate at departure. Pratt and Whitney is working on a solution and they expect engines delivered beginning this June to no longer have this issue and will retrofit existing engines to correct the issue.
In the mean time, LH’s decision is to delay the 4 other A320neo aircraft set to be delivered this year until the issue is resolved. The one A320neo that is in service is operating as expecting, with the engines experiencing 99% reliability and the aircraft is delivering a 20% decrease in operating costs compared to the previous generation of A320 aircraft.
Because of the engine issue, LH is only operating its sole A320neo primarily between Frankfurt and Hamburg which by no coincidence are Lufthansa’s 2 largest maintenance bases so that if any work needs to be done on the new aircraft, it is never far from a mechanic. Lufthansa stated that this was a major factor in delaying the new A320s. Had LH continued to take delivery of more A320neo aircraft with this engine issue, they would have been forced to deploy engineers at all of the A320neo destinations in the event repairs were needed.
No specific date was given for the delivery of the next A320neo to Lufthansa.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 17, 2016 | Fare Sale, Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
Lufthansa has started a Premium Economy fare sale that runs for the next 7 days with fares as low as I’ve ever seen since the roll-out of the product. For example, New York – Milan can be had for as low as $1329, and Chicago – Athens for only $1479.
Attractive fares exist from all of LH’s North American gateways to most European destinations. Most east cost fares range in the $1400-1600 area, the mid-west ranges in the $1500-1700 area, while the west coast runs about $1700 to $1900. These fares are not much higher than peak economy class fares and you certainly pick up a much better value with Premium Economy seats.
The fares book into ‘N’ class so you’ll earn 100% of miles flown towards your Miles&More account balances. Premium Economy tickets also allow you to check 2 bags (50 lbs each) free of charge.
The fares cover Spring and early Summer travel. Specifically:
Departures must take place between April 13 and May 12.
Returns must take place between April 13 and August 12.
Weekend surcharges apply (so book Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday travel for best pricing).
Tickets must be purchased 28 days prior to departure.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 1, 2016 | A350, Featured, Fleet Update, Lufthansa, Munich |
The first pieces for the first A350 destined for Lufthansa are coming together.
In facilities scattered throughout Europe, components are being assembled and prepared for final assembly at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France.
Fuselage components are being assembled in Hamburg (Finkenwerder) while the wings are built in the UK before being shipped to Stade and Bremen for their final assembly. The pieces will all gather in Toulouse where final assembly will take place. Engines will also be added once the aircraft has been assembled.
According to Airbus, over 50% of the A350’s fuselage and wings will be made from carbon fibre, leading to dramatic savings in weight and operating efficiencies.
If things go to plan, we’ll see the first A350 delivered to Lufthansa later this year. Lufthansa currently has 25 on order with an option to purchase an additional 30 aircraft. The A350 fleet will be based in Munich.
The photos below are all courtesy of Airbus and Lufthansa (apologies for the resolution due to source of the photos):
MSN 074 is the serial number assigned to LH’s first A350
The interior as seen in Hamburg
Fuselage components in Hamburg.
Fuselage components in Hamburg
Wing components in Bremen
Wing components in Bremen
Wing components in Bremen
