Lufthansa is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and we now have a better idea of what the business class seat onboard will look like, at least for the first few aircraft deliveries. While the seat itself will represent a substantial upgrade for consumers, predictable Lufthansa is suddenly becoming quite unpredictable in terms of offering a consistent business class product.
Predictable Lufthansa Becomes Unpredictable When It Comes To Business Class
A few months ago, whatever Lufthansa long-haul aircraft you flew featured the same business class seat. The proprietary seat was designed by PearsonLloyd, manufactured by B/E Aerospace, and debuted in 2012. A330? Same seat. A340? Same seat. A350? Same seat. 747-400? Same seat. 747-8? Same seat.
While not a passenger favorite, at least you knew what you were getting. Couples enjoyed these seats because the V-shaped configuration meant it was easy to converse with your seatmate (your feet were also just inches from your neighbor).
Then along came additional A350 aircraft featuring the Thompson VantageXL seat that Lufthansa acquired from Philippine Airlines. These are considered superior seats because they offer more room and privacy to solo travelers.
Now comes a subfleet of 787 Dreamliners that will likely feature Safran Cirrus reverse herringbone seats. Lufthansa is obtaining some Dreamliners that were intended for Hainan.
Next year, it will begin receiving factory fresh Dreamliners, which will feature its long-rumored new business class seat. Future A350 and 777 deliveries will also feature the new seat.
So in a matter of a year, Lufthansa will go from having one business class seat type to four.
What is this, Turkish Airlines? (the carrier is notorious for offering different aircraft configurations on the same plane type, particularly the A330)
That is not an inherent problem, but Lufthansa needs to do a great job of managing expectations from the start. While flights may always be subject to last-minute aircraft swaps, consumers should have a good idea of what to expect onboard and Lufthansa should make every effort to stick to the configuration from which the flight was sold.
CONCLUSION
Lufthansa will soon go from having one business class product to four. Managing expectations will be an important part of moving from a model of consistent expectations to one of more uncertainty. That makes offering a consistently stellar onboard soft product all the more important.
top image: Lufthansa
Well, as a long LH customer (as I’m based in FRA and there is not too much choice within Europe and you then want use status in long haul). I’m doing this as I did this with United once Polaris came out. Know what you book (e.g. the ex Hainan/Philippines seat on Canada routes) but be prepared to get he old product. I’m the end it’s still better than EK where you have still angled seats in some planes and 3 uprest in C
Lufthansa has the worst product of any airline. Why waste your money on them.
The menu planning could do with similar increases in variety.
Portion size and food selection are a reminder that Aunty Lufty almost went bankrupt – a study in genteel poverty.
First this dreadful old Biz class seat “footing” with a stranger has to good. Either it is the PR or HA seat, does not matter as long as they have more privacy and less intimacy space. I call it the nosy configuration when strangers are too nosy over you and desperately starting a conversation or the worst giving some body noices! Let alone the scent! So I am definitely for more space and privacy as possible.
Of course the catering, it is a hit or miss adventure. A more consistant and flavoursome meals are always welcoming.
Unsere liebste Tante Hansa muss noch viel in Biz nachholen. Sie soll ja nicht die Konkurrenz verschlafen, andernfalls wir wandern zur Konkurrenz, die nur darauf warten die deutschen Paxe für sich zu gewinnen. Ich erwähne insbesondere QR, SQ, NH und BR.
“While not a passenger favorite, at least you knew what you were getting. Couples enjoyed these seats because the V-shaped configuration”
To be fair, while the seats were all the same, not all of them were in a V-shaped configuration, depending on the plane (as the pic you posted shows).
Also, to be fair, the majority of airlines don’t have only one type of seat configuration across their entire fleet. Qatar has what, 3 now?
Predictably awful. Why would anybody fly LH in business class? So many way better products out there including all the US carriers.
I fly them a few times every year. The reality is that the LH group is the only game in town if you want to fly around Europe without being beholden to the super thin schedules of the low cost airlines (AFKL are the only alternative, but they usually have far fewer options plus I value my *G status) and the premium for business class is often pretty small compared to the economy fare (particularly if you need to check in luggage).
The above doesn’t mean that I am fond of the product – quite the contrary, I actively avoid them on long haul. I’d much rather fly TAP, or even ET, than subject myself to 8+ hours of Lufthansa.
The only sure thing about any ‘new’ seat Lufthansa introduce rather than inherit is that it will be something that was leading edge ten years ago. The supposed new seat that was to be on the 779 and they failed to introduce it on the A350 but now they are supposed to be installing it there and on the 787 has been around so long but not installed it’s probably an antique. Lufthansa long haul business class really isn’t worth the money any more and it’s to be avoided. Almost anyone else offers something better and much more consistent.
If the DOT does implement the rule where you’re due a refund for a major change in aircraft type, do you think it could be an issue for airlines like this? In addition to TK and LH, ET comes to mind.
These seat wars are getting out of hand.
Entitled much?
I will always struggle to understand the hard core LH fans. The business class product was terrible. The same people fever dreaming about the great LH were complaining about having to climb over someone’s leg in the BA yin yang configuration. Still one of my favourite seats where there is nothing above your foot stool and you have little to no restriction of movement while asleep. I am not an LH fan to put it mildly, but the few times I used their product I was in shock how bad it is. Anything over the current sear and configuration is an improvement in space, comfort and privacy.
Unpredictable maybe, but with a chance of getting a more modern product. This is at least not a bad thing is it? If they merged in a less comfortable seat, then that’s a not so fun lottery, but now it’s a chance of getting something better, surely this is good?
Hi Matthew, looking at the future J seat I wonder if the central solo seat will cost more than the 2 coupled…room is much wider, why should I fly in narrower seat for the same price?
It’s a good question – we will see. I think there will be some premium to reserve it.
Frankly, I’m really looking forward to seeing the new A350 first class product as well.