In October, Lufthansa unveiled its new first class suite, which will be debuting on Airbus A350s as of 2023 (though it’ll also eventually be retrofitted on Boeing 747-8s). Lufthansa has been pretty light on details so far, and aside from two renderings, has more or less told us to stay tuned.
I wanted to analyze the product Lufthansa has announced in a bit more detail, as people seem to have very different takes — some people think it looks great, while others think it looks unremarkable. However, there are some clues that make me think we should maybe be excited.
In this post:
The basics of Lufthansa’s new first class suite
Formally Lufthansa has released very few details about its new first class. According to what has been announced so far, the first class suite:
- Will be one meter wide
- Will be forward facing
- Will have a wardrobe
- Will have “nearly ceiling-high walls”
- Will have a buddy seat so you can dine with a companion
On top of that, there are two renderings. They look beautiful and give you a fairly decent sense of the seat, but don’t really really give you context for the overall cabin.
The two extremes of what we can expect
Realistically speaking, what can we expect from the new Lufthansa first class suite in terms of how spacious it is?
Worst case scenario, I’d expect personal space to be comparable to Malaysia Airlines’ A350 Business Suite (this is how the airline rebranded its former first class). Malaysia Airlines has one row of these seats on the A350-900 in a 1-2-1 configuration, and this is about as spacious as seats can get on this plane while maintaining four seats per row.
On the other end of the spectrum, I think Emirates’ new 777 first class is about as impressive as it gets — I consider this to be the best first class product in the world. The airline has two rows of these seats on the 777-300ER in a 1-1-1 configuration.
No matter what, Lufthansa’s product won’t be quite as wide, since the A350-900 fuselage is a bit narrower than the 777-300ER fuselage. However, the difference isn’t huge.
Is Lufthansa’s new first class a “game changer?”
German blog FrankfurtFlyer has some interesting observations about the renderings of Lufthansa’s new first class. It’s noted that:
- In the renderings, the seatbelt and shoulder harness start much closer to the center of the seat than normal, suggesting that the seat is massively wide; this is further supported by Lufthansa claiming the seat is one meter wide
- Rumor has it that Lufthansa is using the same seating manufacturer as Emirates for its new first class, and you’ll specifically notice some similarities between the renderings and Emirates’ new first class; this includes the high location of the door handle, the design of the ceiling above the seat, and even the monitor to the side of the seat
I’ve now received information that matches the above, and more or less confirms that Lufthansa’s new first class will be very similar to Emirates’.
What I’m expecting from Lufthansa’s new first class
This is purely speculation, but here’s what I’m expecting:
- I feel fairly confident that Lufthansa’s new first class will be in a 1-1-1 configuration on the A350; I just can’t imagine how you can have a suite that wide while still having four seats per row, and this looks like it’s in a different league than Malaysia Airlines’ product
- The question then is whether there will be one row of seats (three seats) or two rows of seats (six seats); personally I think six seats is more likely, and I bet Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8s also get six first class suites in the nose, creating seat count consistency (which Lufthansa has historically had on all jets)
- I would guess this product will be very impressive; the suite as such will be marginally narrower than Emirates’ new first class, and since there were will be a console along the side of the seat, the actual usable space might not be quite as big, but I still think it will impress with a lot of personal space and privacy
I certainly could be wrong, but all of the clues we have so far (and all the information I’ve received) lead me to believe that this will be a very impressive product, significantly better than your typical current generation first class suite.
Unfortunately it will likely be off bounds for a vast majority of us, since I can’t imagine Lufthansa first class award space will continue to be made available to partner airlines when this is introduced.
Bottom line
Lufthansa has a new first class suite launching in 2023, which looks pretty cool. Details are limited as of now, as we only have two renderings and a few details. Understandably, people have had different takes on the product, since the renderings don’t really give us context for how impressive this product is.
Given the clues so far, as well as the information I’ve received, I think this product will be more like Emirates’ “game changer” first class than anything else. I expect seats to be in a 1-1-1 configuration, and I’d speculate we’ll see two rows of seats.
What’s your take on Lufthansa’s new first class suite?
Well, we're in October/November 2023. Game changer is the dire situation of the world of simple mortals living in. Air fares beyond the stratosphere and upper. Airlines that couldn't be more snobby. Good hearted people vanishing from the planet and egoistic people surge like plagues. Airplanes that look all the same twin engine boredom ( except for decrepit 380, 340, 747-8). All in all the end is near!
It's nice but not as nice as you are making it out to be and let's see the price vs the soft and hard product.
When you know that Lufthansa actually serve red wine who cost 7USD and Champagne Lanson Vintage who cost 50USD in First class cabin, it will be a long way to experience a real First class experience... it's not all about the seat.
I hope Lufthansa will “upgrade” all facets of their First & Business class, including the attitude of their personnel! Terrible service from beginning to end. As a frequent and long time client/passenger, I avoid Lufthansa at all costs!
If it is simlar to the Emirates seat, Lufthansa will have an advantage over Emirates, given that there can be two people in a suite together, e.g. to share a meal, which is not possible in the Emirates seat. When I travel with my partner that really annoys me as it feels like traveling alone.
Note: the Malaysia Airlines Suite covers 2 windows, the Lufthansa rendering, just like the Emirates Suite, covers 3 windows. Just saying.
It’ll be 3 seats :)
Where are you supposed to rest your arms? The right armrest looks incredibly narrow and awkward, and the left armrest has a lamp where your elbow would go.
Ben, why all the recent coverage on Lufthansa? It sort of feels like TPG's wave of cruise articles. Given Lufthansa's history of service and terrible issues this year, why would anyone still consider flying on Lufthansa? Even if it was for a one-and-done bucket list flight.
The last Lufthansa-group flight I was on was about 10 years ago. I was traveling with a group of medical patients. All of the medical equipment had to be...
Ben, why all the recent coverage on Lufthansa? It sort of feels like TPG's wave of cruise articles. Given Lufthansa's history of service and terrible issues this year, why would anyone still consider flying on Lufthansa? Even if it was for a one-and-done bucket list flight.
The last Lufthansa-group flight I was on was about 10 years ago. I was traveling with a group of medical patients. All of the medical equipment had to be pre-approved by its HQ and then double-checked at check-in. At check-in, while checking one patient's oxygen system, the check-in agent noted the pre-approved model number and serial number and compared it to the actual model number and serial number on the unit. The serial numbers matched but the unit's actual model number had a suffix "A". The check-in agent said the patient couldn't fly. The pilot would not permit an exception because it was against the regulations. Can you contact HQ? It was the May Day holiday and the offices were closed. The patient was denied boarding. As a result of that incident and others, our group discontinued use of the Lufthansa group for transporting patients.
Have you been recounting the same LH grievance story for 10 years every time you see an unrelated LH story in a travel blog?
That’s crazy.
How can you even comment on the current situation when you haven't flown Lufthansa for 10 years?
It’s Lufty, son. Rules are rules.
Time to let that big ole chip on your shoulder fly away.
It all does not matter to be first class long haul when their CRJ series have the big toilet next to the business class. I connect always, but their CRJ is just a drama. Besides the unlogical boarding process on remote stands.
I try and avoid flying with them. Over hyped airline and their customers service when they screw up is dreadful. See the hundreds of google reviews
With all the positive buzz around LH - a big story is being missed.. They kept passengers en route to BLR stranded at IST for 40 hours without food or accommodation!
Hopefully, bloggers like you can help make Lufthansa accountable for this, as they don't seem to be doing anything about it for whatever reason - https://twitter.com/rickykej/status/1582805579315437568?s=20&t=ojqIa_c4Voz8ujh7uvQuwQ
LH needs to find a better photographer to image their cabin. The perspective is such that the passenger will need binoculars to view the IFE screen.
Agree with the comment about the relative value based on the flight time and distance. Also, I don't think that this product is as spectacular as you make it out to be. It's basically a larger business class seat with nicer trimmings. Wonder what the costs would be like.
Sounds grand at 1-1-1. Hope for two rows
I’m angling for FRA GRU First next spring arriving from HND then home on AA First for old times sake and my favorite feature: to swivel the seat around and look directly out the windows :-)
Another thing I forgot to add-- European carriers (typically) don't have the same ultra-long haul flights as the East Asian, Middle Eastern, Australian, or even US carriers, so there's not as much incentive for many to trade up to First. How long is Lufthansa's longest flight? Would it be to Singapore?
Longest flight is FRA-EZE (Buenos Aires)
If I'm not mistaken Frankfurt - Buenos Aires is currently Lufthansa's longest nonstop flight.
Frankfurt to Haneda or Narita are both longer timed flights - by an hour or so - so I'm supposing longer by distance as well
I believe longest LH route is FRA-EZE, blocked at 13:45
Well,
It’s because of the current situation with Russia…both flights have to cover longer distances than usual.
given that the 747-8s, A350s and 787s each have different widths, (and for the 747 further complicated by the nose curvature), will the suites be consistent across product?
Most likely there won't be any first on 787, which does have the smallest diameter. And in the 747-8, it could be moved away from the nose to some other area.
Honnestly, looks like the LX F product with different finishes. Nothing wrong with that. Its a render, so take it with a grain of salt. Glad to see the buddy seat is there. Easily the best feature when traveling with your partner/wife/gf.
Or when travelling with partner/husband/bf
Been on Malaysia first. The side table is a huge waste of space. If lufthansa has a narrow console at the side, this should be doable on the A350 As 1-2-1.
It’ll be a wider Air France seat, with less polished service.
Also, they’ll make changing travel dates on full first flex tickets impossible to do without spending two weeks and 10 hours on the phone with them.
"some people think it looks great, while others think it looks unremarkable." I do not think these have to be mutually exclusive. To me it looks great and is a significant upgrade over their current product, but it also doesn't seem to have anything groundbreaking or that makes it stand out. Anyone complaining about this product is probably fortunate enough to have been very spoiled with flying over the past several years and most likely needs a reality check.
It will be 1-2-1. Refer to SWISS's 777 first class. The 777 curves a lot in the front, so row 1 is noticeably narrower than row 2. The A350 doesn't curve. There is plenty of space wasted in row 2 of SWISS first class. The A350, being only marginally narrower, will provide plenty of space in a 1-2-1 layout. Malaysia's business suite is not comparable; the side console takes up way too much space. This...
It will be 1-2-1. Refer to SWISS's 777 first class. The 777 curves a lot in the front, so row 1 is noticeably narrower than row 2. The A350 doesn't curve. There is plenty of space wasted in row 2 of SWISS first class. The A350, being only marginally narrower, will provide plenty of space in a 1-2-1 layout. Malaysia's business suite is not comparable; the side console takes up way too much space. This is before we even mention Airbus's new production standard for a 4-inch wider cabin on the A350 which debuted recently. Lufthansa's new first class will be in a 1-2-1 but I believe there will be adequate space efficiency to make this a solid product, and a great one if the doors are as high as the renderings show.
Status quo/industry standard for me.
Now this is a revolutionary product: https://mainlymiles.com/2021/02/03/singapore-airlines-boeing-777-9-deliveries-delayed-until-at-least-2024/
Ben, is Lufthansa allowing points transfers (eg from Marriott) yet?
I reckon it will be 1-2-1, the seat in itself reminds me a lot of the new ANA first class on their 777-300er and A380.
I think they’ll go for 1 row on the A350 and 6 or 8 seats for the 747.
My guess is they keep the same footprint they have now on the 747. So whatever that allows for, they'll fit in. Maybe lose 1 seat in row 3, unless they can manage 2 in the middle.
The size of the A350-900 basically guarantees they do 1 row.
Why would they do just 1 row? There should be no issue installing 2 rows.. or do you mean it is likely it is sent to 2nd tier cities and therefore 4 seats would suffice?