Jumbo upgrade: Lufthansa 747s to get Allegris first, business class

Lufthansa will add a customised version of its new Allegris first class suites to its Boeing 747-8 jumbo jets, with the private berths being modified from the A350 version to suit the sharply-curved nose of the jumbo jet.

“There will be Allegris first class on the 747-8,” promises Kai Peters, Lufthansa’s Heads of Customer Experience, who spoke with Executive Traveller on the sidelines of this week’s Allegris launch in Berlin.

“But it will be optimised because of the different shape” of the jumbo jet’s first class cabin, which sits at the very front of the main deck.

Lufthansa's current 747 first class (left) and business class (right).

“It won’t be the exact same product” as the Allegris first class which will launch in 2024 on Munich-based A350s, Peters says. “It will be a different type of Allegris First.”

Lufthansa currently flies 19 of the stretched 747-8I or Intercontinental version of the jumbo, and was in fact the 747-8’s launch customer in 2012.

Lufthansa's new 747 first class (left) and business class (right).

The Allegris first class seat converts to a wide fully-flat bed, although during the rest of the flight passengers face an ottoman which can also serve as a companion seat.

The A380s will also contain a unique double-berth suite flanked by two conventional solo suites; each Allegris first class suite is framed by 1.8m-high walls and includes a personal wardrobe so that travellers can change into and out of their pyjamas, with space under the ottoman for stowing a standard-size cabin bag.

As part of a tip-to-tail makeover, the 747-8s will receive the new Allegris business class suites, along with premium economy and economy seats.

However, the older 747-400s will continue to make do with their previous-gen seats, while Lufthansa has yet to decide on the Airbus A380 superjumbos.

“That’s too early to call, because we are just getting them into the fleet again,” Peters tells Executive Traveller. “We have to decide what we are going to do (with them).”