Lufthansa announces start of A380 retrofit, like 747 will be a Frankenstein
First, a necessary step back. In recent years, Lufthansa has been dealing with a situation that is anything but simple on the [...]
Lufthansa
Star Alliance
First, a necessary step back. In recent years. Lufthansa found itself dealing with a situation that was anything but simple on the long-haul cabin front.
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The project Allegris, designed to revolutionize the group's flight experience, is still accompanied by delays, complex certifications, different solutions among widebodies, and a fleet traveling at multiple speeds. The result is an uneven business class, with very different products and, in some cases, now difficult to defend in comparison with competitors.
This is precisely why, when it comes to retrofitting the A380, Lufthansa has decided to play it safe.
Business class: conservative choice, but a winning one
For the European superjumbo, LH chose a proven and beloved product: the Vantage XL, a seat that needs no introduction. It is the same configuration that we find on the A330neo from ITA Airways, but also aboard many other first-tier companies around the world.
No doors, so no "suite" in the strict sense. But there is one certainty: all passengers will have direct access to the aisle, a now essential requirement for a modern business class. The new seats, provided by Thompson Aero Seating, they will offer:
- seat width of 58 cm
- fully flat bed by at least 2 meters
- Bluetooth connectivity
- adjustable dividers to increase privacy and comfort
Lufthansa's business class
A clear leap forward from the current A380 Business, which now counts 78 places, but with an outdated configuration.
Ready-made certification: quick turnaround time
Another key point: Lufthansa can count on an existing certification For this booth. Translated: no endless waiting, no regulatory bottlenecks. The first A380 will go into retrofit in February at Elbe Flugzeugwerke and will be back in operation as early as spring.
According to the statement, passengers will be able to fly on the new Business Class as of April, an almost "miraculous" timing when compared with other recent experiences at LH.
Lufthansa's words
Heiko Reitz, Hub Manager Munich, summed up the strategy this way:
"Lufthansa operates the only significant A380 fleet in the European Union based at a 5-star airport. This retrofit reinforces our commitment to offering a premium flight experience on one of our customers' most beloved aircraft. The new seats provide much more privacy and comfort than ever before."
What about the rest of the plane? It will NOT change anything
The press release talks exclusively about business class. And that means only one thing: the rest of the plane will remain as it is now different choice than what was announced for the 747/8, which will instead see the new cabins.
Basically, business seats will go down, from 78 to 68, so the only change might be that the entire upper floor will be dedicated to business (in addition to the first class) The rapid retrofitting times leave no doubt, will be a stopgap: old First, new business and old chairs downstairs: small screens, outdated (and often broken) power outlets much less modern seating than in Allegris.
Conclusion
While waiting for Allegris to finally find operational stability across the fleet, Lufthansa is choosing a pragmatic path: a well-known, valued and reliable product. No "suite with a door" wow effect, but a marked improvement in the actual travel experience.
And, given the problems of recent years, this time playing it safe is probably the smartest decision.
