Lufthansa offers one of the best first class products across the Atlantic, and for that matter, it’s one of the best first class products between the United States and Europe that’s bookable with miles.
With the summer airline schedule officially kicking in as of the end of March, I wanted to recap which Lufthansa planes feature first class, which routes they fly, what to expect from the experience, and how to redeem miles for the product. There are a lot of seasonal changes coming to the aircraft and routes featuring first class, so let’s go over all those details.
In this post:
Lufthansa planes with a first class cabin
For the summer 2024 season, you can expect first class to be available on three aircraft — the Boeing 747-8, Airbus A340-600, and Airbus A380. Specifically:
- Lufthansa has 19 Boeing 747-8s, which fly from Frankfurt to key, high yield, and high capacity markets; these will stay in Lufthansa’s fleet for years to come, and they’ll even be reconfigured with new cabins
- Lufthansa has brought back 10 Airbus A340-600s, which fly from both Frankfurt and Munich to key destinations where there’s demand for first class; expect these planes to only remain in Lufthansa’s fleet temporarily
- Lufthansa has brought back eight Airbus A380s, which fly from Munich to key destinations where there’s significant premium cabin demand; these planes have been brought back long term, and will even be reconfigured with new cabins
Lufthansa routes operated by Boeing 747-8s
For the summer 2024 season, Lufthansa will operate Boeing 747-8s with first class exclusively out of Frankfurt. You can expect these planes to operate from Frankfurt to the following destinations:
- Bangalore (BLR) — on an ongoing basis
- Buenos Aires (EZE) — on an ongoing basis
- Chicago (ORD) — on an ongoing basis
- Houston (IAH) — May 1 through July 31, 2024
- Johannesburg (JNB) — on an ongoing basis
- Los Angeles (LAX) — on an ongoing basis
- Mexico City (MEX) — on an ongoing basis
- Miami (MIA) — on an ongoing basis
- Newark (EWR) — on an ongoing basis
- San Francisco (SFO) — on an ongoing basis
- Sao Paulo (GRU) — on an ongoing basis
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) — on an ongoing basis
- Singapore (SIN) — on an ongoing basis
- Tokyo (HND) — on an ongoing basis
Lufthansa routes operated by Airbus A340-600s
For the summer 2024 season, Lufthansa will operate Airbus A340-600s with first class out of both Frankfurt and Munich. You can expect these planes to operate from Frankfurt to the following destination:
- Boston (BOS) — as of May 29, 2024
- Hong Kong (HKG) — on an ongoing basis
- Seattle (SEA) — as of July 1, 2024
- Shanghai (PVG) — on an ongoing basis
- Washington (IAD) — on an ongoing basis
You can expect these planes to operate from Munich to the following destinations:
- Delhi (DEL) — as of June 1, 2024
- Mumbai (BOM) — on an going basis
- Newark (EWR) — through June 30, 2024
- Washington (IAD) — through May 30, 2024
Lufthansa routes operated by Airbus A380
For the summer 2024 season, Lufthansa will operate Airbus A380s with first class out of Munich. You can expect these planes to operate from Munich to the following destinations:
- Boston (BOS) — on an ongoing basis
- Delhi (DEL) — through May 31, 2024
- Los Angeles (LAX) — on an ongoing basis
- New York (JFK) — on an ongoing basis
- Washington (IAD) — as of May 31, 2024
Lufthansa is continuing to build up its A380 network, as the airline puts more of these jets into service. We can expect to see even more A380 routes in the summer of 2025.
What about Lufthansa’s new first class product?
Lufthansa has announced its new Allegris premium cabin products, including all new first and business class seats. So, when can we expect to see these products rolled out?
- Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class is expected to debut as of May 2024, initially on newly delivered Airbus A350-900s based in Munich, followed by newly delivered Boeing 787-9s based in Frankfurt
- Lufthansa’s new Allegris first class is expected to debut in the fall of 2024, initially on newly delivered Airbus A350-900s based in Munich
What to expect from Lufthansa first class
Lufthansa offers a solid first class experience on its Boeing 747-8. When departing Frankfurt, the awesome experience starts on the ground, as you can use Lufthansa’s incredible First Class Terminal.
While there, don’t forget to pick up your duck, since that’s always a fun feature of Lufthansa first class.
From there you’ll be driven across the apron to your plane, which sure is a treat.
Lufthansa’s 747-8 first class cabin features a total of eight seats, spread across three rows. There are three rows of single seats on each side, and then in the third row there’s a pair of seats in the middle. With so many airlines retiring the 747, it’s such a treat to be able to sit in the nose of the queen of the skies!
Lufthansa’s inflight catering in first class is generally great as well, with a caviar service to start, along with a variety of appetizers, main courses, and desserts.
While Lufthansa’s inflight entertainment selection is just okay, the airline does have inflight Wi-Fi, and first class passengers even receive a voucher for complimentary access.
I’ve found service in Lufthansa first class to be pretty consistently excellent, and to strike the right balance between being professional and personable.
Lufthansa’s A340-600 first class and Airbus A380 first class also consists of eight seats, but the seats are instead spread across two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich is also pretty awesome, and in many ways I prefer it to the Frankfurt lounge.
How to redeem miles for Lufthansa first class
You can redeem miles from all kinds of Star Alliance airlines for travel in Lufthansa first class. I’d note that generally Lufthansa makes first class award seats available to members of partner airline frequent flyer programs at most 15 days before departure (and lately even closer to departure than that).
The good news is that Lufthansa pretty reliably opens up these seats as the departure date approaches, assuming there are empty seats (this might not be 15 days out, but rather more often than not will be in the days leading up to departure).
So, what are the best programs for booking Lufthansa first class? Here are some popular options that partner with transferable points currencies, with pricing listed for one-way travel between the United States and Europe:
- The Avianca LifeMiles program charges 87,000 miles
- The Air Canada Aeroplan program charges 100,000 points (for up to 6,000 miles of travel)
- The United MileagePlus program charges 121,000 miles
None of those programs have carrier imposed surcharges on these awards, which is why I’m highlighting them.
Bottom line
Lufthansa offers a solid first class product on a subset of its long haul fleet. For the summer 2024 schedule, you can expect to find first class on Boeing 747-8s and Airbus A340-600s based in Frankfurt, and on Airbus A340-600s and Airbus A380s based in Munich.
Later in 2024, we should see the introduction of Lufthansa’s new first class product on select newly delivered Airbus A350-900s based in Munich. Then again, it’s likely that there won’t be many opportunities to redeem miles for it, given how small the cabin is.
Hopefully the above is a useful summary of which routes you’ll find these planes on, what to expect, and how to redeem miles for the experience.
Any other questions about Lufthansa first class that I missed?
Is it possible to upgrade from biz to First when availability opens up? Would be using aeroplan.
@ Aeroplan Newbie -- There would be a fee to do so, but you could essentially redeposit your existing ticket and rebook it in first class (if done online), or they can help you swap it by phone for a fee.
FRA-PVG only sees an A340-600 during summer :/
Ben, I saw a 747-8 (with First Class) operate IAD-FRA yesterday (Fri March 29th).
@ Jerry Wheen -- Indeed, the 747-8 to Washington ends with the winter schedule, and as of the summer schedule it has an A340-600.
We arrived on the inbound flight LH418 the same day (FRA-IAD, B747-830, D-ABYH, seats 3D & 3G).
The last 748-operated LH418 flight for this season departed FRA the next day. LH418 switched from B748 to A346 on the 31st. We returned to FRA on the 3 April on A346 D-AIHY.
FRA-SEA will have first class on A340-600 post July 4th as well. But even as a SEA base, I booked away and chose to connect because I am scared they’d change their mind and pull F off too late to rearrange the summer trip. I don’t fly LH business
@ Concorde02 -- That's a curveball I didn't see, thanks! Updated post to add that.
FRA-BLR on 747-8 from April. Flying that route in F next week.
@ Toby -- Good catch, thank you!
Lucky, maybe a post also detailing which routes they still may fly the 787-9 and A350s with the reverse herringbone and staggered seats respectively? Since those offer 1-2-1 seating in business class they would be more appealing than flying on planes offering the standard 2-2-2 seating.
@ Julia -- I'll work on this, thanks for the idea. :-)
BKK
@ Jakob -- BKK had first class in winter, but not in summer, as far as I know. Or am I missing something?
No more F to BOG? :(
@ hbilbao -- Looks like BOG has been downgraded from the A340-600 to A340-300, sadly.
Believe you missed IAH. Flights show first class with 747-8 in June and July
@ Kmct111 -- Good catch, thank you! Updated post to add that. :-)
FRA-ICN is being upgauged to a 747-8 for the summer season. First class is being sold
@ Mike -- Added, thanks! :-)