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Lufthansa rolls out Premium Economy across the Gulf

The new cabin product is expected to help the German flag carrier compete with regional giants such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways
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Lufthansa’s Business Class

Lufthansa is now offering its Premium Economy product on all flights to and from Dubai as well as the entire Gulf region, starting from October 25, in a bid to compete against regional airlines.

Launched just 18 months ago, the German flag carrier’s newest cabin of service comes with a promise of additional privacy, space, more individualised service and amenities.

'Lufthansa has invested €1 million daily [$1.13 million] for the last three years in upgrading our onboard product. With this important milestone, Lufthansa is well on its way to becoming Europe’s first five-star airline,' said Karsten Zang, regional director Gulf, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan for the Lufthansa Group.


Premium Economy

The new cabin service offers a seat pitch up to three centimetres wider, a separate wide armrest, and about 10 centimetres more space. The seat back can be tilted further and the adjustable headrest can be folded at the sides. Premium Economy passengers can also expect an upgraded inflight entertainment experience with a screen size from 28 to 30 centimetres. Each seat offers a USB port and an electrical outlet so passengers can use their own devices. A diverse selection of newspapers and magazines complement the diverse entertainment programme.

With two pieces of luggage up to 23 kgs, each passenger has twice as much free baggage allowance as standard Economy Class allowance. For a surcharge of €25 ($29), passengers also have the opportunity to enjoy the amenities of many Lufthansa Business Lounges before their flight and access to the Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt is possible for a fee of €50 ($58).

The new premium economy product is part of a $3.4 billion investment in Lufthansa Group, which included a new business class and a refurbished first class on its entire long-haul fleet. The airline seeks a Skytrax five-star rating to compete with regional giants such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.


No-trolley service

Karsten Zang

Lufthansa Business Class passengers flying to and from the Gulf region can look forward to a completely new service on board long-haul flights. Flight attendants will now adapt their service to provide an even more personalised experience to reflect the service found in high-end restaurant.

After flight attendants have welcomed guests on board in person and by name, they will take their orders and set the table with ceramic crockery. Meals are then served directly from the galley so trays and flight trolleys are replaced by service plates.

After launching on introductory flights in June and July on the Airbus A380 routes to New York (JFK) and Miami, the restaurant service is being launched on Middle Eastern routes.


Eurowings changes plans

Lufthansa’s budget airline, Eurowings, is set to fly from Dubai International from December this year, and not Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC), as the group now believes the airport is not the best match for them.

Eurowings, a rebranding of Germanwings, was supposed to launch flights to DWC from Cologne in East Germany on October 25.

Karsten Zang, regional director Gulf, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan for the Lufthansa Group, also announced that Lufthansa will open a lounge at Dubai International Airport – Concourse D – the new terminal that is yet to open, and cited this investment as another reason for the group’s preference of Dubai International over DWC.

'Eurowings, with its different cost structure, will help us compete with others, opening up big opportunities. Destinations such as Muscat, which are more tourist-friendly than business, will be our focus for Eurowings going forward.

'Eurowings was invented to expand our horizons. It will only serve our non-hub routes.'


Focus on Iran

The regional director showed great interest in Iran, saying the airline is just waiting for US sanctions to be lifted before making a move into the country. 'You can rest assured we will have plans in Iran, and not just Tehran, in multiple secondary cities as well.'

Zang also hinted at the possibility of having flights to the country by 2017.


By a Staff Reporter

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