At the ITB show being held in Berlin this week, Lufthansa has unveiled its long awaited Premium Economy seat that will be installed throughout their long haul fleet. With the new seat, Lufthansa is hoping to accomplish 2 things: One, give those who typically travel an economy an option to have a better seat for considerably less money than a Business Class seat. Second, provide a good option to someone traveling for business whose company travel policy does not allow travel in Business Class. Now Businesses and their employees have a reasonable option that strikes a balance between cost and comfort.
The New Premium Economy Cabin – photo courtesy of Lufthansa
As far as roll-out, expect to see the first seats serving Frankfurt in the 747-8i aircraft beginning in December. The A340 will bring Premium Economy seats to Munich in early 2015. Previously LH suggested that the A380 would debut the new seat but apparently plans have changed.
Booking the seats will be possible beginning in mid-May and fare classes E, G, N will reflect Premium Economy fares. Additionally, advanced seat assignments will be possible for no additional fee.
As the rollout takes shape, if there is ever a situation where you book a Premium Economy seat, but for some reason the aircraft that you are flying that day does not have a Premium Economy section, Lufthansa will first look to upgrade passengers to Business Class. If the upgrade to Business Class is not possible and a passenger is forced to sit in regular Economy Class, appropriate compensation will be paid to the passenger.
Plans call for the Premium Economy seats to be installed across the long haul fleet by Summer 2015. It is a simple cabin retrofit and each aircraft will take 2-3 days to complete the installation.
According to Lufthansa, the cost of a round-trip ticket for a transatlantic flight in Premium Economy will be approximately $800 more than a typical Economy Class seat.
Important things to know about the new seat……
The Hardware:
Seat pitch increases 50% compared to the normal economy seat.
Each seat is 10cm (4 inches) wider than a typical economy seat. Seating area is approximately 3cm wider.
Each seat has 2 dedicated armrests — no more sharing!
The seat reclines 10cm (4 inches) more than a traditional Economy Class seat.
The leg rest in the first row (Bulkhead) folds out from beneath the seat due to lack of a Premium Economy seat in front of it. Premium Economy seats in other rows will have a fold down leg rest that is installed to the seat in front of them.
IFE Screen is much larger (11-12 inch) than Economy, with both touch and wired remote control.
A dedicated power and USB outlet is built into each seat.
Depending on the aircraft, between 21 and 52 Premium Economy seats will be available.
Onboard in Premium Economy:
Welcome drink.
Premium Economy amenity kit.
Bottle of water waiting at seat.
Dedicated Premium Economy menu (menu upgrade over standard economy offerings).
Glassware and Porcelain plates used for meal service.
Additional Benefits:
Premium Economy passengers will be allowed to check a second bag at no charge.
Premium Economy passengers can access Lufthansa’s Business Class and Welcome Lounges (A €25 fee will apply).
Miles & More members will earn 100% or 150% of miles flown (depending on which Premium Economic fare class is booked).
Additional Images (Courtesy of Lufthansa):
The Premium Economy Amenity Kit
Feel free to ask any questions or join the conversation at FlyerTalk.com.
I am planning to take a bicycle packed in a box. Total weight would be about 16kg. Would that be treated as a second bag without additional charge?
If it meets the dimension maximums of luggage then yes, otherwise it could be considered oversized.
Do the armrest go up in Premium economy
I’m flying round trip on Lufthansa 346 Airbus from LAX to Munich. I have PE seats 22G and 26G. Does anyone know which has more legroom or what the primary difference is between these seats. I noticed that 26G has much more space between the seat in front.
Stick with the 22G and have the bulkhead in front. This way no one leans back into your space and you are further away from Economy. I flew the 346 recently in Y+ and had 22A….in looking at the cabin, I was glad I had that seat vs others. Only downside is the monitor is in the arm rest and your foot rest folds from under your seat and might be a bit short. But the space is nice. Plus you will not have anyone walking past you going back to the Lav in the A346’s basement.
Hi! On my Lufthansa flight from EWR to MUC, are there any power outlet options in premium economy seating to rum my CPAP machine or will I need to bring a battery? Also, do I need to get permission ahead of the flight to bring my CPAP machine on board to use during the flight? Thanks for any insight to my questions. Geo
Hello. Has anyone flown on PE in A380 in row 52 (middle section)? Have family of 4 flying soon, am choosing b/w rows 52 (bulkhead) and 54 (regular). 52 is right behind the stairs on the main deck and am wondering whether the legroom is too restricted and whether isle seats have too much traffic passing by. thanks!
Which is the width available underneath the seat in front of your own seat to put on a bag or a small suitcase ? Usually, my wife puts her small suitcase (33 cm width) under the seat of the front row and uses it as a leg rest ( larger and more convenient for her than the fold down rest leg).
at 33cm wide she should have plenty of space.
Hi.
Could you advise which PE seat has more leg room on the 340-600?
a) the 22D middle bulkhead. or:
b) the 26K exit.
this is onboard the version with 32 PE seats starting at row 22 ending row 26.
Thank you,
Ariel
26k exit. the bulk heads typically have less leg room.
Looks super! I haven’t found a 340-600 map out yet, but the seats are for sale. Would you take a bulhead seat on PremEco rather than a regular one?
Bulkhead. Sorry, typo! Thanks!
Absolutely go with the Bulkhead. You get more leg room, and a leg rest that unfolds from the seat.
Will do! I had doubts but no longer. Thank you
I am surprised that fare classes Y and B are NOT economy extra, is that really the case?
AFAIK that is the case – Premium Economy will have E,G & N fare classes
Does anyone know what the designation E, G and N represent.