If Lufthansa is a 5-star Skytrax airline, we can’t say it owes it all to its business class product. But things could soon change, even if the Star Alliance member airline’s strategy remains unclear.
A dated business product
While we appreciate the service on board Lufthansa’s long-haul business class aircraft, the same cannot be said of the “hard product”, with an outdated seat unworthy of an airline of this standing, as this review of a Lufthansa flight in business class on an A350 proves.
2-2-2 configuration, seat with no privacy …. Apart from the few Air France aircraft still equipped with the regrettable NEV 4 cabin still in service, I don’t think there’s anything worse on an airline of this level.
Waiting for the 777X
Except that at Lufthansa, this seat is standard on all aircraft currently in service. It’s a shame, but understandable on older A330s, A340s, B747s and A380s (well, when they were still in service), but very surprising on a recent aircraft like the A350, which inherited the old cabin instead of inaugurating a new one.
The reason? The new cabin, developed by Thompson Aero, was due to appear on the Boeing 777X. But the latter’s entry into service has been postponed several times (to 2024), so the arrival of a new “hard product” at Lufthansa has been postponed even further.
For the record, Lufthansa earned its 5th Skytrax star solely on the promise of this seat, unveiled in 2017. We think it’s also a certain consistency of service that’s being rewarded here, but the fact is that after 4 years the promise remains a promise, and this cabin won’t see the light of day until 7 years after it was announced.
Thank you Philippine Airlines
This is where Philippine Airlines, now bankrupt, comes in. Bankruptcy means returning the aircraft to the lessors, who then have to find a new destination for them. And four of these aircraft are rumoured to be destined for…Lufthansa.
When an aircraft changes ownership, it is of course repainted in the owner’s colors, but the cabin is rarely changed. This is why Air France’s first A350s kept the Joon cabin for which they were originally intended.
In all likelihood,Lufthansa will inherit four aircraft equipped with the popular Thompson Aerostrong, Vantage XL seat.
Admit that it looks better. But is it enough to convince us to try a Lufthansa long-haul business class flight? With only 4 aircraft equipped in this way, Russian roulette is not our favorite pastime.
Lufthansa’s unclear product strategy
So, when will Lufthansa roll out a genuine new business product?
In all likelihood, we’ll have to wait for the 777X to enter service in 2024.
Meanwhile, the German airline will take delivery of its first B787-9s in early 2022, and rumors suggest that they too will be equipped with the Vantage XL seat. But so far it’s just rumors.
In 2023, 10 new first-class equipped Airbus A350s will join the fleet, but it is not yet known whether they will feature a new or existing first class, or which business seat will be fitted.
Bottom line
While Lufthansa’s long-haul business class product continues to be outdated and even undignified, it’s far from clear when a new product will be rolled out across the board.
In the meantime, it should get its hands on 4 A350s from Philippine Airlines, which won’t raise the overall standard, but will be a pleasant surprise for those who come across them.
Image : A330 Lufthansa by BlueBarronPhoto via Shutterstock
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