Lufthansa Has a New (and Weird) Business-Class Layout. Sort Of
Lufthansa used to operate nonstop flights from Frankfurt to Pune, India, until June -- with a Boeing 737 operated by Swiss-based luxury charter operator Privatair and configured with lie-flat business class seats. Then it suspended the service after ending its agreement with Privatair. Now it's bringing it back, but with a twist: No more lie-flat biz class. In its place, it's operating one of its own Airbus A319s, with the same seating it uses on European routes -- but on a long-haul service to India.
Lufthansa can't fly to Pune with its standard fleet of twin-aisle planes, because the runway is too short for the big jets. So it has surprisingly decided to send there an airplane that normally flies short-haul, and does not really have a premium section.
After some backlash among bloggers and passengers, it appears that Lufthansa is going to make a slight change to the way it operates its flights to and from Pune. The German airline is introducing a newly configured business class cabin onboard its Airbus A319 service to Pune, which resumes this month. Except it isn't a real biz class.
The Airbus A319 that is flown to and from Pune is configured in the airline's standard intra-European layout, with 32 seats in business and 90 in economy. "Business" means, as on all its short-range Airbuses, that Lufthansa simply blocks the middle seat and calls the product business class, on flights throughout Europe. This is standard practice for European airlines. The legroom and seat width remain the same in both cabins, at 31'' of pitch and 18'' wide.
By no means a luxurious setting, the Airbus A319 in Lufthansa layout is still a comfortable ride on flights through Europe especially considering passengers in both cabins receive complimentary snacks, meals, and drinks. However, Frankfurt to Pune isn't intra-European, and it isn't a short flight by any means. When the fuel stop in Baku, Azerbaijian, is factored in, the flight to Pune is a little over 9 hours while the return clocks in at just over 11 hours. That means passengers can expect to spend anywhere from 9 to 11 hours in an Airbus A319 configured for flights mostly around 90 minutes.
The resulting backlash has apparently got to Lufthansa. Based on the airline's website, rather than just block the middle seat, Lufthansa will block four seats at each row in Business Class, leaving only two. This means that business-class passengers on this flight will get what is commonly referred to as the "poor man's lie-flat seat."
Other than blocking one additional seat, Lufthansa was not able to confirm any further onboard improvements.
It's important to take into account the price tag on a round-trip flight from Frankfurt to Pune as well. For a round-trip flight in business class, passengers can expect to pay around USD 3600. If I were spending $3,600 on a premium ticket, I probably wouldn't be too thrilled to board the aircraft only to discover economy-class legroom and no power outlet. It will be interesting to see the reaction of passengers on social media.
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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
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $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.