Lufthansa has announced plans to refresh the cabins on some of its short and medium haul aircraft, with some changes that customers will (maybe?) like.
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38 Lufthansa Airbus A320s getting new cabins as of 2025
As of the spring of 2025, Lufthansa intends to introduce new cabins on 38 Airbus A320 aircraft. These are planes that are already in service, and they’ll feature what Lufthansa is calling “a new innovative cabin.” Okay, manage your expectations here…
So, what should we expect in these new A320 cabins?
- The planes will feature Airbus’ new larger overhead bins, which are 40% larger, and can hold twice as many carry-on bags, as bags can be stored on their sides in these bins
- The planes will feature USB ports at every seat; as far as short haul cabins go, Lufthansa already has this on some of its newer narrow body aircraft, like Airbus A320neos and Airbus A321neos
- The planes will feature a tablet and smartphone holder at each seat, which is the first time that Lufthansa is introducing this on any plane
- The planes will feature “more legroom,” as the new seats from Italian manufacturer Geven “offer more legroom with the same seat spacing thanks to ergonomic shaping of the backrests”
Lufthansa hasn’t yet released pictures of the new cabins.
My take on Lufthansa’s new Airbus A320 cabins
I have several thoughts on Lufthansa’s plans to introduce new cabins on its existing Airbus A320s:
- Lufthansa currently has 53 “classic” Airbus A320s (not Airbus A320neos), so my guess is that the 15 oldest A320s will eventually be retired (these were delivered as early as 2000), while the 38 newest A320s will stick around for a long time to come (these were delivered in 2013 and beyond)
- It’s interesting how European airlines are investing in larger overhead bins, given the very strict carry-on limits they have; unlike in the United States, you don’t see bags gate checked on every full flight in Europe
- I’m happy to see that Lufthansa finally has plans to add power to more of its existing narrow body aircraft
- The fact that these planes will have “more legroom” while the cabin layout stays the same suggests that Lufthansa is choosing even thinner seats for these A320s; how much thinner can the seats get, and are they really “ergonomic?”
- Much like with its new Allegris cabins, what is it with Lufthansa announcing these projects so far in advance? Lufthansa will only start reconfiguring its A320s in around 18 months at the earliest, so it seems awfully early to announce this
Bottom line
Lufthansa will be refreshing the cabins of 38 Airbus A320s, starting in the spring of 2025. As part of this project, the airline will be introducing new overhead bins, new seats with more legroom (meaning the seats will be thinner), USB outlets, and entertainment device holders.
I’ll reserve judgment until these new cabins are actually flying, but I’m at least a fan of most of these changes.
What do you make of Lufthansa refreshing its Airbus A320 cabins?
I don't get the idea of European Business Class with economy seats, middle seat unoccupied. It's still selling an economy seat. Why not make the seats roomier and no wasted space in between?
No word on installing 2×2 seating in A320 business class unfortunately.
As expected from the epitome of German efficiency, the one and only 5Stardyhansa. Brandenburg airport who?
Why announce that now with a Year plus to the start of the configuration?
Looking forward to flying these in 2042!
I'm glad Lufthansa is finally giving at least some consideration to the customer experience again. Seems like it's been ages since they'd last done that. I like the addition of device holders even though I wish they went a little further and installed seatback screens. I also like the addition of legroom. It's good that they're making a decent effort to be more premium than Ryanair and Easyjet. What I'm not sure about is them...
I'm glad Lufthansa is finally giving at least some consideration to the customer experience again. Seems like it's been ages since they'd last done that. I like the addition of device holders even though I wish they went a little further and installed seatback screens. I also like the addition of legroom. It's good that they're making a decent effort to be more premium than Ryanair and Easyjet. What I'm not sure about is them narrowing the seats. If this trend keeps up, passengers will be sitting on sheets of cardboard. Also, do their current or new seats on the A320 family even recline? It would be terrible if they didn't. I'm also disappointed that they're not planning on replacing the blocked middle seat in business class with pairs of larger seats like on US airlines.
Slimline seats hurt my seat.
Thinner slimline seats?
Ye Gods!
Not sure I’d agree on Gate checking bags. I see it a lot on BA. If you’re not a status holder in Group 0-3 very likely your wheelie case will get gate checked
Mine was never gate checked on BA. I wasn't even approached. BA has new bigger overhead bins on some aircrafts.
Airlines created the issue with hand baggage by adding extra rows, so it's time they sort it out.
I aboid Lufthansa and KLM due to their low weight limits for hand baggage. 8kg is a joke.
Unless it's USB-C, forget about it.
Looking forward to experiencing this revolutionary improvement when it launches in 2032!
Big point and my sence of humour..
LH should have added real business class as part of the upgrade. Intra europe leg is always economy feel even when you book business class.
Lufthansa can wait until the 1st retrofit is done before announcing.
Bigger baggage bins to accommodate more cabin bags.
Is that the solution to them having a appalling record of losing passengers hold luggage.
You really need to sort your rubbish logistics out first ,because you are competing against budget airlines,who will gladly take your disgruntled passengers.
Funny. Both our checked bags were delayed 24 hours on our last trip. The compensation just got deposited to my bank account.
This is good news for those that choose Lufthansa for their short hall flying. But as stated, the remodel doesn't even begin until after 18 mos. I guess it is better than not at all but they are crawling along with it like United Airlines is. Still, they seem to be trying. By the time all of the project is finished they will need to remodel all over again.
Spring 2025...
The day Lufthansa actually keeps to an announced date is the day Kaliningrad becomes Konigsberg (again)..
I detest the A320. The ones with LH & BA are particularly bad. Just upgrade to the A321 (which is a much better product) and move on from these rusty relics. Truly a case of lipstick on a pig.
Ummm ... you don't say WHY you detest the A320 or what's better about the A321. Admittedly, I haven't really paid much attention as to which of the A320 family I fly in so haven't noticed if there's a difference
Bring the yellow crane back. New livery is terrible.
Following this announcement Skytrax will award a 6th star to Lufthansa
It's about time..I usually check my bag on Lufthansa which I can easily fit in an overhead bin in the US. Same thing with power ports. Again years behind the US, but glad to see it coming.