Hotel room in the sky - Lufthansa Reveals Meter-Wide First Class Suite + New Seats
The airline is spending $2.6 billion by 2025 to upgrade its long-haul cabin offerings.
Premium-class traveling got somewhat of a boost during the pandemic. Along with the ultimate social distancing form of air travel, the private jet, people flying commercially also seem increasingly willing to pay for more spacious accommodations. Another trend is that we travel less frequently but are prepared to spend more money to make our journeys as comfortable as possible.
As such, it makes sense that airlines are rolling out revamped and refurbished premium offerings. Now, the turn has come to Lufthansa, who revealed its new First Class Suite Plus concept on Tuesday, along with the rest of its upcoming Allegris long-haul cabin products.
First Class Suite Plus coming to the A350
Private suites in the sky on commercial routes have thus far been the domain of the Gulf carriers, but now the German national airline wants to make its mark on the luxury segment. The First Class Suite Plus is a separate double cabin with ceiling-high walls, an entirely closable door, a large table, and two wide seats that can be combined into a comfortable double bed if required.
It will be introduced in 2024 on the newly delivered Airbus A350s as part of "Lufthansa Allegris," the airline’s new long-haul product. The A350s will have three suites with up to four seats each.
Guests will have control of a heating/cooling system for the nearly one-meter-wide seats and access to wireless charging stations, full suite-width screens, shoulder sink-ins, and personal wardrobes.
Of course, if one installs a suite on an aircraft, one needs to develop a service concept to go along with the standard passengers expect. Gourmet menus will be served at the preferred time of the suite's occupants at a table resembling the set-up of a restaurant.
"Hotel room in the sky"
The presentation of the Lufthansa Allegris product took place in Berlin on Tuesday. Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa, commented on the launch of the new long-haul concepts,
"Every guest has their own understanding of premium, which is why we focus on maximum individuality and exclusivity. The First Class Suite Plus conveys the feeling of privacy and individuality similar to a hotel room – only at an altitude of eleven kilometers. The Allegris range promises individuality, exclusivity, and premium service along the entire travel chain."
Lufthansa is investing more than $2.6 billion by 2025 to install the First Class Suites and upgrade every other segment of the cabin - mere mortals will also be able to enjoy the historic upgrade efforts across the airlines' widebodies.
The concept will be fitted onto new dual-aisle aircraft joining the fleet - the Airbus A350, the Boeing 787-9, and the Boeing 777-9. Furthermore, it will be retrofitted to existing aircraft, such as the Boeing 747. All in all, the airline will replace 27,000 seats.
Allegris business class
Business class travelers will also get their own suite, with chest-high walls and sliding doors, a personal wardrobe, and a minibar. Two suites can be connected so that two people traveling together can share the space, where the center console can be retracted to transform it into a reclining surface for two.
Seats all have direct aisle access and can be converted into beds at least 2 meters long. They also feature the same heating/cooling system as the First Class Suites seats. Furthermore, the business class equivalent will also offer wireless charging, noise-canceling headphones, and Bluetooth connectivity. A tablet-sized control unit provides access to all seating, lighting, heating/cooling, and entertainment functions.
Meanwhile, that is only part of business class options. Considering that the premium travel segment is expanding, and people are booking spaces at the front of the cabin for several reasons, Lufthansa is catering to all travelers. Seat choices include an extra-long bed measuring 2.20 meters, extra room and a work area, a seat with a baby bassinet, or simply an exclusive seat directly by the window.
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