by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 11, 2014 | Featured, First Class, Industry News, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
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.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Sep 29, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
Lufthansa’s much anticipated Premium Economy Seat is set to begin rollout later this year throughout the long-haul fleet and is expected to be completed by Spring 2015. With this new product come changes that will be quite obvious to those who are familiar with Lufthansa’s on-board product.
For passengers old and new, Premium Economy (lets call it PE) will provide a reasonable balance between Business and Economy Class with attractive pricing and ‘perks’ such as bonus miles, amenity kits and enhanced dining.
With 11 aircraft types/versions that will feature the new PE cabin, I thought it would be helpful to consolidate all the Lufthansa seating charts to one post so that you can compare seat charts without having to ‘flip’ screens. Feel free to bookmark and use this as a reference. I’ll update this post should LH update the seating maps so it will always have the most up to date information. If you have any questions regarding Premium Economy, please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me an email.
The ‘PE’ seats will be identical across all aircraft types. You can find details specific to the seat in a post that I published when PE was officially rolled out in March 2014.
The charts below are directly from Lufthansa and I’ve grouped them accord to aircraft type (747, A340, etc) and then by sub-type (340-300, 340-600, etc.). You’ll notice a consistency with PE placement aboard all the aircraft. Apart from the A380, all of the PE seats are located in the middle of the aircraft and share similar traits such as being in ‘mini cabins’ which should create a sense of privacy compared to the typical economy class cabins.
The A350:
The A350 will feature only one cabin configuration comprised of 48 Business Class, 21 Premium Economy Class, and 224 Economy Class seats. The Premium Economy seats are located in rows 12, 14, and 15 (no row 13!). The seats are located behind Business Class and in Front of Economy. The A350 will not have a First Class cabin installed.
The A380:
There is only one configuration for the Premium Economy cabin on the A380. Premium Economy will be located on the Main Deck in front of the aircraft, using rows 50 through 57. Row 50 and 51 will only have 2 seats on each side of the cabin due to the staircase leading downstairs. Rows 52 through 57 will be laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. My recommendation would be to use rows 52 to 55, otherwise you run the risk of traffic to and from the lavatories and galleys.
A380 Premium Economy Seating Map (Main Deck)
click on seat map for larger view
A380 Upper Deck
The A330-300:
The A330-300 will feature 2 versions that offer the Premium Economy cabin. Both versions will be 4-class aircraft offering First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class seats. The difference between the 2 will be the amount of Business and Economy class seats installed.
The first version will offer 8 First, 30 Business, 21 Premium Economy and 177 Economy seats. The ‘PE’ cabin will be located between Row 20 and 23, directly behind Business class. Seat layout will be in a 2-3-2 configuration with row 20 offering additional leg room. This should be a very quiet cabin since since the Galley and Lavs are located far enough away to not be a nuisance.
A330-300 (8 First / 30 Business / 21 Premium Economy / 177 Economy)
click on the seat map for a larger view
A330 (6 First / 30 Business / 21 Premium Economy / 177 Economy)
The other version of the A330-300 will have 8 First, 42 Business , 21 Premium Economy and 145 Economy seats. ‘PE’ will be located between rows 24 and 26 directly behind Business Class. The only difference with this cabin as compared to the other A330 layout is that the lavatories are located fairly close to the rear of PE, behind row 27. This may create a bit more distraction than the other A330 layout noted above. As with the other A330 version, it will be in a 2-3-2 configuration.
A330-300 (8 First / 42 Business / 21 Premium Economy / 145 Economy)
click on seat map for a larger view
A330-300 (8 First / 42 Business / 21 Premium Economy / 145 Economy)
The A340-300 and A340-600:
The A340 aircraft will have 4 different configurations that will offer Premium Economy. Specifically, the A340-300 and the A340-600 will each feature 2 versions.
The two A340-300 versions with Premium Economy seats will each have 28 PE seats. These aircraft will be a 3-class aircraft – Business / Premium Economy / Economy. The difference between the 2 A340-300 versions will be with the number of Business Class and Economy seats.
In A340-300 aircraft that have 42 Business and 181 Economy seats, Premium Economy will be located in rows 15,16,18 and 19 (Lufthansa does not have row 17 in any of their aircraft). The cabin will be a separate ‘mini-cabin’ located directly behind Business Class. This cabin should be very well insulated from most noise and traffic since it is no where near the lavatories or galleys. Row 15 will offer additional leg room as an extra bonus:
A340-300 Premium Economy Seating Map I (42 Business / 28 Premium Economy / 181 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
A340-300 (42 Business / 28 Premium Economy / 181 Economy)
In A340 Aircraft that have 30 Business and 221 Economy Class seats, Premium Economy will be located in rows 10,11,12 and 14 (Lufthansa aircraft do not have a row 13). The seats will be have their own ‘mini-cabin’ directly behind Business Class and located directly behind the lavatories and galley. Row 10 will offer additional leg room, however the benefit may be offset a bit by the proximity to high-traffic areas:
A340-300 Seating Map II (30 Business / 28 Premium Economy / 221 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
A340-300 ‘More Economy’
The A340-600 aircraft will have 2 versions that include Premium Economy. Both will have 4 class cabins – First / Business / Premium Economy / Economy. The difference between the 2 versions will be the amount of Business, Premium Economy and Economy seats.
One version will have 8 First, 44 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 213 Economy seats. The PE seats on this aircraft will be located in rows 22 through 26. Located in the middle of the aircraft, the PE cabin will be nicely isolated and should be very quiet. There should be virtually no traffic coming from Economy since the lavatories are located downstairs behind rows 38-40. Seats are laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration:
A340-600 Seating Map I (8 First / 44 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 213 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
A340 (8 First / 44 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 213 Economy)
The other version of the A340 with ‘PE’ seats will feature more Business Class seats at the expense of Premium Economy and Economy seats. This version will have 8 First, 56 Business, 28 Premium Economy and 189 Economy class seats. Premium Economy is located in rows 26 to 29, directly behind Business Class and in the middle of the aircraft. Row 26 should be the best seat in the PE cabin with additional leg room. As with the other A340-600 version, this should be a very quiet cabin since all the Economy lavatories are located downstairs towards the rear of Economy.
A340-600 Seating Map II (8 First / 56 Business / 28 Premium Economy / 189 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
A340-600 (8 First / 56 Business / 28 Premium Economy / 189 Economy)
The 747-400:
The 747-400 aircraft will feature 2 versions with Premium Economy. Absent from these versions will be the First Class cabin which was removed to make room for more Business Class seats in the upper deck. The 747-400 will have 2 unique looking Premium Economy cabins.
The first version will feature 53 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 308 Economy seats. The ‘PE’ cabin in this aircraft between row 24 and 27, in a 2-4-2 layout. The odd bit about this layout is that the PE Cabin is sandwiched between 2 Economy Class cabins, the galley and the lavatories. The logic behind this layout is that it allows Lufthansa to have some flexibility with the small economy section located between row 20 and 23. These seats can be quickly removed to add more Business OR Premium economy seats. Lets call it a flexible floor plan:
747-400 (53 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 308 Economy)
click on the seat map for a larger view
747-400 (53 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 308 Economy)
The other 747-400 version will feature 67 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 272 Economy seats. For this version, Premium Economy will be located between row 24 and 27 behind the Business Class Galley and ahead of Economy Class. As with the other 747-400 version this will be a 2-4-2 layout with Row 24 providing additional leg room:
747-400 (67 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 272 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
747-400 (67 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 272 Economy)
The 747-8i:
The newest aircraft type in Lufthansa’s fleet will offer 2 cabin versions. As with other aircraft the difference between the 2 configurations will be the amount of Business Class and Economy Class seats.
The first version will have 8 First, 80 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 244 Economy class seats. In this version ‘PE’ will be located between row 22 and 25 and will be sandwiched between 2 Economy cabins. Lavatories are also located in front of Premium Economy which will add traffic coming from both Economy cabins that surround Premium Economy. Row 22 will over additional leg room as it is the Exit Row. Be aware that the lavs are located in front of Row 22 so there is the risk of passengers loitering in the exit row space. As with one of the 747-400 versions, this layout allows Lufthansa to quickly add additional Business Class or Premium Economy seats based on demand:
747-8i (8 First / 80 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 244 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
747-8i (8 First / 80 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 244 Economy)
The second version of the 747-8i will have Premium Economy located between rows 22 and 25, directly behind Business Class. Row 22 is the Exit Row, so expect to find substantial leg room. This version of the 747-8i will have 8 First, 92 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 208 Economy seats. A pair of lavatories is located in from of the PE cabin which could increase the traffic through PE and you may have people using the extra room around the Exit Row as a waiting area for the Lav. If you’re sitting in the exit row, be prepared for this and defend your space! :
747-8i (8 First / 92 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 208 Economy)
click on seat map for larger view
747-8i (8 First / 92 Business / 32 Premium Economy / 208 Economy)
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 26, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
Lufthansa has updated their roll out of Premium Economy seats among the long haul fleet. Below is a breakdown of aircraft and routes as well as the debut dates for Premium Economy seating as of June 25, 2014:
747-8i (32 Premium Economy Seats)
Beginning December 1:
Frankfurt – Tokyo (HND)
Beginning December 10:
Frankfurt – Beijing
Frankfurt – Buenos Aires (through March 28, 2015)
Frankfurt – Chicago
Frankfurt – Hong Kong
Frankfurt – Los Angeles
Frankfurt – Mexico City
Frankfurt – Mumbai
Frankfurt – Sao Paulo
Frankfurt – Seoul
Frankfurt – Washington (IAD) only on flights LH 418 and 419.
Beginning April 22, 2015:
Frankfurt – Delhi
A340 (28 Premium Economy Seats)
Beginning January 28, 2015:
Munich – Hong Kong
Munich – Shanghai
Munich – Tokyo (HND)
A380 (52 Premium Economy Seats)
Beginning March 29, 2015:
Frankfurt – Beijing
Beginning April 22, 2015:
Frankfurt – Houston
Frankfurt – Johannesburg
Frankfurt – Miami
Frankfurt – New York (JFK) only on flights LH400 and LH401
Frankfurt – San Francisco
Frankfurt – Shanghai
Frankfurt – Singapore
The rollout of Premium Economy continues to be a fluid situation so I would expect that we’ll see more updates and tweaks to the plan, especially since we are 6 months away from it’s debut.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 22, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
Earlier this week LUFTHANSA unveiled specific plans regarding the roll out of the much-acclaimed Premium Economy Seat. To mark the event at the time, fares were being offered from Chicago for as low as $1500.
Today, Lufthansa has improved upon that deal by introducing Premium Economy fares from Washington DC to Europe for as low as $1289 (Barcelona!). Most other major European destinations range in the low $1300 to mid $1500 range from Washington DC. Fare deals are also available from Chicago for slightly higher prices.
The sale is limited to Washington DC and Chicago at this point because the 747-8i is the only LH aircraft that will have Premium Economy installed throughout all -8i aircraft in the fleet by December 10 that will serve the US. You’ll notice that LAX, another 747-8i destination, is not part of this promotion since Lufthansa does not plan to introduce Premium Economy to LAX until March 29, 2015. This may suggest that the 747-8i may be removed from LAX service in very late 2014/early 2015. I do know that LH is considering bringing the A380 to LAX, but has not formally decided which would make sense that LAX would not see Premium Economy until Q1 of 2015.
The fare sale runs through June 30. Departures must take place between December 24, 2014 and March 26, 2015. Returns must take place between December 28, 2014 and September 26, 2015. Additionally, tickets must be purchased 14 days ahead of departure.
As I compared these Premium Economy fares during the fare sale, the prices are actually equal to, or LOWER than regular economy class tickets during the same time frame. Looks like Lufthansa wants as many people to experience Premium Economy as possible!
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 19, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
As luck would have it, Lufthansa has followed up a day after my post regarding the Premium Economy rollout with more information regarding the new seat.
As of today, passengers can book Premium Economy seats for travel that begins on December 10, 2014. December 10 is the date that the seats will enter service aboard 747-8i aircraft ONLY and at the moment only the 747-8i operated flights can be booked for Premium Economy travel.
Destinations that will be covered by the 747-8i flying from Frankfurt to Washington DC, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Mexico City.
To reward those making early reservations, Lufthansa is running a Premium Economy Fare sale valid for travel between December 10 and March 30, 2015. The fare sale is a 15% discount off of normal Premium Economy fares. For example, the fare between Chicago and Frankfurt during this sale will be approximately $1500.
ADDITIONALLY, The A340-600 will debut Premium Economy in January from Munich to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Beginning in late April the A380 will have the new cabin on flights between Frankfurt and San Francisco, Houston, Miami, New York (JFK), Singapore, Shanghai and Johannesburg.
When booking, passengers will have 3 levels of Premium Economy Tickets: Basic, Basic Plus and Flex.
BASIC tickets will be non-refundable, earn 100% of miles flown and have a rebooking fee ($300). Basic tickets will not be upgradeable with the use of Miles & More Miles.
BASIC PLUS tickets will be refundable ($300 fee), earn 100% of miles flown and have a rebooking fee ($300). Basic Plus tickets will not be be upgradeable with the use of Miles & More Miles.
FLEX tickets will be refundable ($0 fee), earn 150% of miles flown and have no rebooking fee. FLEX tickets can be upgraded to the next higher cabin available by using Miles & More Miles.
Here’s a chart that illustrates the differences between the Premium Economy fare classes:
WHAT TO EXPECT ON BOARD AND AT THE AIRPORT
Premium Economy passengers will be entitled to several enhancements when it comes to their experience as compared to Economy:
Passengers will be allowed to check 2 pieces of luggages (50 lbs. each) at no cost.
Access to a Lufthansa Business Class Lounge outside of Germany will cost only $35.00.
Access to the Lufthansa Arrivals Lounge in Frankfurt will cost €50.
Star Alliance Gold Credentials can still be used for access to Senator/Business Lounges and Arrivals Lounge at no cost.
On board, Passengers will receive a Premium Economy Amenity kit along with a bottle of water. Additionally, meal service will be enhanced and will be served on porcelain china. Passengers will also be greeted by an enhanced IFE (In Flight Entertainment) system that features an 11 or 12 inch screen, approximately 15-20% larger than the Economy Class IFE screen.
Before you ask about earning or redeeming Star Alliance member FF program miles, Lufthansa has not set up the infrastructure at the moment. Expectations are that by mid-2015 Lufthansa will establish a fare class that can be used by partner airlines for redeeming miles for travel in Premium Economy. In the same vein, mileage earning rates have yet to be determined as well. My thoughts on this is that LH is waiting for the Premium Economy cabin to be fully rolled out throughout the fleet and timetable before delving into frequent flyer program compatibility with other airlines.
