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Lufthansa Will Charge for Some Biz Class Perks on Its 777X Aircraft

June 18, 2019
2 min read
Lufthansa Lounge - LHR T2_April 2019_DRoss-3
Lufthansa Will Charge for Some Biz Class Perks on Its 777X Aircraft
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Lufthansa has revealed its newest business class product, which will let passengers choose perks or upgrades they want to pay for, the Australian Business Traveler reports. The new model for the cabin will be rolled out on the airline's Boeing 777-9 aircraft, expected to be delivered in 2020.

Unlike the new Emirates "Basic" Business class, which restricts features like lounge access from passengers, Lufthansa is not offering a discounted product. The airline says it will instead provide the same business class staples as before while allowing travelers to select additional options on top of their fare.

While all passengers will still enjoy access to business lounges and inflight meals, they'll soon have the option to pay more for extras like a larger bed, extra desk space or additional privacy.

Lufthansa spokesman Harry Hohmeister said that customers' tastes for peaceful flights and the desire to customize their experiences are the key reasons for the change. "It's really this privacy which is ‘premium,’ or what is defining ‘premium’ in these days: so too is individualism, and this is a trend to which the answer is our new business class concept," he said.

À la carte choices aren't the only update coming on the new 777. Lufthansa's new planes will have aisle access for all seats in biz with a new alternating 1-2-1 and 1-1-1 seating layout. The new seating arrangement will also offer all business passengers additional privacy. Of course, those "throne" seats in the middle row will now cost you extra.

Hohmeister reassured fliers that if they don't want to pay extra, they can expect the same product.

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"It's not unbundling, it's upgrading,” he said, describing the new price structure. He added that passengers can expect the base fare for biz tickets to remain comparable to their current product.

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • $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.