A KEY milestone in Lufthana’s accelerated programme for its new Business Class was reached in Hamburg last month when Lufthansa Technik handed over the first of the 10 Airbus A380s to be modified to the German airline.
The new Business Class offers exceptional comfort both when lying and sitting, and has an integrated air-cushion system, intuitive controls, additional storage space and an innovative entertainment system with larger 15-inch screens. At the push of a button, seats can be converted into comfortable, fully flat beds measuring 1.98 metres in length.The Airbus A380-800 just delivered, which has the tail number D-AIMB, was one of two planes to be handed over to Lufthansa for the first time on 19 July 2010, and was named ‘Munich’ nine days later. BUSINESS CLASS Not only the seats in Business Class, but also the in-flight service will be the focus of important improvements in 2014. A more personal touch in the service provided and greater flexibility in terms of processes as a whole should make passengers feel even more pampered than before. The current in-flight service on long-haul routes will be enhanced, with the introduction of a signature service. The aim is to provide a service that reminds passengers of being in a top restaurant. The new aspects will be tested this summer and, if successful, will be implemented on the entire long-haul network from 2015. From as early as August 2014, the amenity kits provided in Business Class will also be upgraded. PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS As of summer 2015, Lufthansa’s fleet will also have the new Premium Economy Class, for which a high-quality seat has been developed that offers much greater comfort and up to 50 per cent more room in this class. Tickets for the initial flights will be available for sale in May, and the first flight is planned for October. The first aircraft to feature the new travel class will be the Boeing 747-8.