Lufthansa has just unveiled what many are calling the best first class experience in the world aboard its new jet. I had the opportunity to get an exclusive look at this impressive setup.
When you think of Lufthansa, your mind might immediately jump to flights to Germany. But here’s something that could change your perspective: the German airline has now introduced the world’s first aircraft with nine different seating classes, utilizing the state-of-the-art Airbus A350. During my visit to Munich Airport, I was particularly struck by the luxurious offerings found in the first-class section of the plane.
As I stepped onboard, greeted by Lufthansa's iconic crane logo designed by Otto Firle back in 1918, my eyes were drawn to the Allegris first-class cabins. With only three suites available, this section is already considered one of the most exclusive flying experiences available today. For comparison, Air France offers four individual seats in its La Première cabin, making it a notable competitor in the realm of luxury air travel.
The design of the Allegris First Class suites is a beautiful blend of elegance and minimalism, featuring comfortable blue leather and fabrics harmoniously paired with illuminated blond wood accents and hints of gold. Each suite boasts a spacious 3-foot-wide seat that smoothly transitions into a nearly 7-foot-long bed, perfect for a restful sleep. While the suites feature sliding shutter doors for privacy, they unfortunately don’t extend fully to the ceiling, unlike Emirates’ first-class options on their Boeing 777s. However, the lightweight fabric doors are designed to avoid rattling during turbulent moments, which can be a common issue with heavier plastic alternatives.
Passengers will find ample entertainment options with TV screens measuring up to 43 inches diagonally—comparable to what you’d expect at home. There’s also a cleverly designed ottoman equipped with a seatbelt, allowing couples to enjoy dining together comfortably.
What sets this experience apart further is the customizable ambiance; mood lighting and temperature can be adjusted via an iPad, allowing for fine-tuning of not just the air temperature but even the upholstery’s warmth—something never before offered by any airline. Additionally, each suite features a nearly full-length mirror cleverly placed on the inside of the closet door, adding to the overall convenience and luxury.
For those lucky enough to book the central suite, known as First Class Plus, there is even more space to enjoy. This suite includes two adjacent seats without a divider, seamlessly converting into a double bed measuring over 6 feet long and more than 4 feet wide—the largest of its kind in commercial aviation.
As we await the unveiling of new first-class offerings from Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines for their latest Boeing 777X models, Lufthansa currently holds the title for the best first-class experience in the sky.
The business class on this aircraft also impresses, featuring heated and cooled upholstery technology across its four seating options—more than any other airline provides. The front-row business suites are designed without any seats directly in front, offering additional room and storage while ensuring greater privacy thanks to taller walls.
Some strategically placed seats in the center of the cabin have no adjacent neighbors, providing larger table space ideal for work. For passengers wishing to rest, select seats can recline into extra-long single beds, measuring 7 feet and 2 inches—longer than what most first-class offerings provide. The remaining business class seats are standard configurations located either by the aisle or next to windows.
Meanwhile, the premium economy section showcases tasteful blue fabrics and faux wood finishes, with head-height partitions for added privacy. Uncharacteristically, the seat shell remains stationary, which means reclining the seat causes the upholstery to slump forward instead of encroaching on the space of the person behind you—an appealing feature for those who dislike leaning seats, especially on lengthy flights. However, it remains to be seen if this design will offer adequate comfort for sleeping.
In the economy class, the newly introduced front-row seats stand out not only for their additional legroom but also for their enhanced entertainment options—each equipped with a 15.6-inch TV screen situated on the back of the premium economy seats ahead, which is a 25% increase in size compared to typical economy seat-back screens. The new A350 includes four rows of these extra-legroom economy seats, providing 2.7 inches more space than standard configurations. Notably, for the first time among major European airlines, passengers can purchase the adjacent seat to create even more room, bringing the total seating options on the jet to an impressive nine.
But this abundance of options isn’t without its critics, who argue that such a multitude of classes—each priced differently—can be overwhelming. Personally, I believe that frequent travelers appreciate having choices tailored to their specific preferences, and this new setup certainly caters to that desire.
Lufthansa plans to deploy these innovative jets on routes from Frankfurt and Munich to various international destinations including Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. These flights present a fantastic alternative to traveling through Turkey or Gulf states, and if you shop wisely, they can often be more economical than those Gulf carriers.
Still hesitant about flying with Lufthansa? Consider this: they are one of the few major European airlines still operating the iconic Boeing 747, affectionately known as the Queen of the Skies. With a fleet of 27 refurbished 747s, Lufthansa is integrating all of its latest seating designs, including business class accommodations on the upper deck. Don’t miss the chance to experience this classic aircraft while it’s still in service.
