Lufthansa Group Says It's Committed to Keeping First Class
TPG considers Lufthansa First Class one of the top products in the sky. Its large seat and stellar onboard service is matched by an amazing ground experience that includes top-shelf drinks and even being driven directly from the lounge to the aircraft in a Mercedes.
While other airlines are slashing their first class cabins and routes, including Asiana and Korean Air, the Lufthansa Group has committed to keeping its flagship product, said Heike Birlenbach, senior vice president of sales for Lufthansa Hub Airlines at Lufthana Group's annual leadership forum in New York City on Friday.
While the airline updates its fleet, it's still evaluating which aircraft will get First Class and which won't. In March, the airline group announced an order for 20 Airbus A350s and 20 Boeing 787s that will start to replace its Airbus 380 jumbos. It also has an order of 20 777-9s that will take the place of its aging 747-400s. Both Lufthansa's A380s and 747-8s have first class cabins, so there was some uncertainty whether the new aircraft would get first class, even as Lufthansa plans on installing a new and completely overhauled business class.
What Birlenbach said is that it's just a matter of how many aircraft will get first class installed, adding that the group, which owns Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Austrian and Eurowings, will be making a decision on that in the next few months. She said that both Lufthansa and Swiss First Class will stick around.
"There are certain destinations where there is definitely first class demand," said Birlenbach, adding that New York is one of the those cities, but noted that there are some other areas, like Canada, that has never had demand and probably never will.
One area where Birlenbach sees growth is premium economy. It's a class that attracts both business and leisure travelers and Birlenbach said that all Lufthansa Group will get the a new premium economy product.
For more, check out TPG's ultimate guide to Lufthansa First Class and six tips for booking Lufthansa First Class awards.
For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.