Lufthansa plans May 1 launch for new Airbus A350 with Allegris seats
After years of delays and anticipation, Lufthansa’s new Allegris product equipped with state-of-the-art first- and business-class seats will take flight for the first time in a matter of days.
In May, the German carrier will launch service with the Allegris product on board its first-ever Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which features an eye-popping 14 seat types — including some suites with floor-to-ceiling privacy walls and sliding doors, plus one up front with a double bed.
Lufthansa’s inaugural A350 flight on May 1 will feature nonstop service from Munich Airport (MUC) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia.
Planned for years, Lufthansa’s new Allegris concept technically features a nose-to-tail reimagination of the carrier’s onboard product that includes an overhauled experience in each cabin; the airline bills it as the "most personalized travel experience" to date — one in which it's investing some 2.5 billion euros (about $2.7 billion) through 2025.
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Perhaps most notable is the all-new first-class suites and dozens of business-class suites and pods on each of its new A350s, with the first such jet set to take off for its first commercial service in the coming weeks.
Allegris takes flight May 1
From the outset, Lufthansa plans to switch off flying its new Allegris-equipped A350 on MUC-to-YVR routes and routes from MUC to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).
Later this summer, though, as its A350 fleet expands, Allegris is expected to make its U.S. debut on flights to and from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). It will also deploy new A350s to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
As TPG saw during an in-person tour of the concept last year, the A350-900 features a wide array of seats to fit various travel needs, preferences and budgets.
First class
Up front, you’ll find three first-class suites, including a “Suite Plus” option featuring a double bed for two passengers.
This will mark the first time Lufthansa has offered such a suite concept on board its aircraft, with passengers treated to a large entertainment screen, a dining table, seats with heating and cooling options and wireless charging areas. Passengers in these seats will also have access to a "personal wardrobe" while inflight.
Business class
Beyond the first row are 38 business-class suites and pods. Spread across two business-class cabins, the seat features vary from one seat to another.
The first row of business class has suites, with double suites in the middle (ideal for two travelers flying together) and single suites near the windows. There are also window seats with extra privacy, a pod with a baby bassinet, seats with an extra-long bed and classic business-class pods — each with direct aisle access.
In all, business class on the A350-900 will offer an assortment of seating concepts.
Clearly, the premium Allegris cabins will serve as a significant upgrade from Lufthansa’s current and aging premium product.
Premium economy and economy
The all-new product extends to the back of the plane, where you'll find 24 premium economy recliners and 201 economy seats — 22 of which are extra legroom seats.
The minimum seat pitch in economy will be 31 inches, which is fairly standard on major international carriers.
The entire cabin will include new entertainment screens with large monitors, as well as Bluetooth connectivity.
More Allegris cabins planned
Though the Allegris product will make its debut on the A350-900, Lufthansa has big plans to expand it across much more of its long-haul fleet.
Future Lufthansa 787 Dreamliner deliveries will feature the Allegris product, too, as will future Boeing 777-9 deliveries. The airline is also planning retrofits of its existing Boeing 747-8 fleet.
Booking
If you’re hoping to secure an early seat on an Allegris-equipped aircraft, you may need to buck a common piece of trip-booking advice and not book too early: Lufthansa says its booking channels will be updated to reflect its Allegris product about three weeks in advance, at least from the outset.
Here’s a case where you can find seats on an Allegris-equipped aircraft: a May 5 flight from Munich to Vancouver. A business-class seat starts at $5,381.
You can click through the new aircraft’s seat map to find the accommodations that best suit your travel needs.
Bottom line
After a multiyear wait, travelers flying Lufthansa will be able to enjoy their first taste of the all-new Allegris cabin on select flights in the coming weeks. Though the product will only be offered on a limited number of aircraft early on, the carrier is planning to roll the concept out to a much wider array of long-haul jets in the coming months and years — making an overseas flight on Lufthansa a far more comfortable option moving forward.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.