by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 10, 2014 | Featured |
As part of Lufthansa’s overhaul of their long haul fleet which includes the migration to a new Business Class and Premium Economy seat, attention has also been given to enhance the Infight Entertaintment (IFE) experience.
Recent IFE software and hardware upgrades that have been undertaken have enabled passengers traveling in all 3 class to have access to the same content. Additionally, LH has expanded the IFE menu which has dramatically increased the options available to passengers:
300 Music CDs by various artists in a variety of genres and languages.
Movie selections have doubled from 100 to 200 full length feature films.
200 TV shows included digital ‘boxed sets’ that provide multiple episodes of a given TV show.
Increased family-friendly offerings for children including 10 films, 20 TV shows, audio books and audio CDs.
Increased assortment of regional content for flights operating to Asia, India and the Middle East.
In addition to the audio/visual IFE enhancements, Lufthansa has also begun the expansion of FlyNet (inflight internet access) that will allow passengers to use their personal ‘Smart Devices’ to access internet content, email and text messaging.
This decision to upgrade came in the 4th quarter of 2013 as Lufthansa committed to create a complete ‘5-Star’ airline experience for all passengers. The decision came as a result of earning several prestigious awards for their First Class product. In 2013 LH was awarded a 5-Star rating for their First Class product including Best First Class Lounges from Skytrax as well as a 5-Star award from the American Academy of Hospitality Services for their Inflight First Class service and First Class Lounges in Frankfurt, Munich and New York’s JFK.
As of April 2014, approximately half of the long haul fleet will be updated with the new IFE systems. Upgrades will continue throughout mid-2015 as the long-haul fleet goes through the process of having their new cabins installed.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 5, 2014 | Featured |
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.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 3, 2014 | Featured |
Lufthansa has loaded into its reservation system specific flights where passengers flying on an A380 will find the new Business Class cabin. The update only goes through early April which is normal since LH does not assign specific aircraft to specific routes too far in advance.
Additionally, a new A380 is joining the fleet (D-AIMK) with the new Business Class cabin already installed so there will 2 A380s with the new Business Class cabins in service.
You’ll see below that they are really spreading around the 2 A380s so that a wide variety of cities will get a look at the new interior.
Here is the schedule (Frankfurt Departures so return flights on these days will have new cabin as well):
March 30: LH 400 (FRA-JFK), LH 720 (FRA-PEK)
March 31: LH 720 (FRA-PEK), LH 778 (FRA-SIN)
April 1: LH 778 (FRA-SIN)
April 2: LH 440 (FRA-IAH)
April 3: LH 440 (FRA-IAH), LH 728 (FRA-PVG)
April 4: LH 572 (FRA-JNB), LH 728 (FRA-PVG)
April 5: LH 572 (FRA-JNB)
April 6: LH 462 (FRA-MIA)
April 7: LH 400 (FRA-JFK), LH 462 (FRA-MIA)
April 8: LH 400 (FRA-JFK), LH 720 (FRA-PEK)
April 9: LH 720 (FRA-PEK), LH 778 (FRA-SIN).
Of course route rotation will continue beyond these dates and more A380s will see the new cabin over the coming months. I’ll provide updates as best that I can.
H/T: FlyerTalk’s Oliver2002 (Lufthansa Thread).
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 3, 2014 | Featured |
Beginning March 28, Lufthansa will be introducing the 747-8i on its Frankfurt – Sao Paulo route, replacing the 747-400 that currently flies between the cities. This is being done well ahead of the World Cup that will be hosted by Brazil in June and July so that fans will be able to experience a great ride aboard one of LH’s newest and most advanced aircraft.
If you are in the US and planning on going to the World Cup, doesn’t it make more sense than ever to get to Sao Paulo via Frankfurt? 🙂
One of Lufthansa’s 747-8i aircraft – This one is D-ABYD, the 3rd one to join the fleet.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 1, 2014 | Featured |
Over the past months Lufthansa has been ramping up the installation of their new Business Class cabin throughout the 100+ long-haul aircraft in the fleet.
In all, 24 aircraft currently have the new Business Class cabin, including ALL 11 747-8i aircraft. Additionally, 4 A340 and 9 A330 aircraft have been retrofitted with the new cabin. Of the 9 A330s, 3 of them have been recent deliveries with the new cabin already installed by Airbus while 6 were retrofitted by Lufthansa Technik.
The first A380 to have the new business class seat is currently going through the retrofit and is expected to re-enter service at the end of March. Additionally a new A380, D-AIMK, will be joining the fleet with the new seats already installed so we’ll see 2 A380s with the new seats beginning March 30.
To help you determine whether or not your flights will have the new Business Class cabin, here is a list of the tail numbers that currently have it installed:
Boeing 747-8i: D-ABYA, D-ABYC, D-ABYD, D-ABYF, D-ABYG, D-ABYH, D-ABYI, D-ABYJ, D-ABYK, D-ABYL, D-ABYM (just delivered on March 1 & not in service yet).
Airbus A330-300: D-AIKD, D-AIKE, D-AIKG, D-AIKH, D-AIKN, D-AIKM, D-AIKP, D-AIKQ, D-AIKR
Airbus A340-600: D-AIHN, D-AIHR
Airbus A340-300: D-AIGM, D-AIGS
Airbus A380: D-AIMB (expected to be completed by end of March), D-AIMK (New and enters service onMarch 30).
