Tried & Tested: Lufthansa Allegris First Class
After a four-year delay, the long-awaited new Lufthansa Allegris cabin was finally launched in May 2024 in the first Airbus A350 from Munich – but without the new First Class suites. They've now just been installed in five aircraft since the end of last month and can be booked for the very first time. Lufthansa promises a completely new dimension of comfort in the three First suites, but will this €2 billion investment pay off? LuxuryWise puts it to the test.
As experienced by LuxuryWise author Andreas Spaeth
The Airline
Lufthansa aims to continue to be a premium airline. For airline boss Carsten Spohr, First Class is the epitome of exclusivity in air travel and in his opinion positioning the airline as such also includes a Premium First Class. At the same time, he is aware that there is often a gap between what Lufthansa claims and what it actually delivers. Major performance problems regarding reliability and punctuality over the past three summers has been a serious issue. Nevertheless, Lufthansa is placing a strategic focus on being premium, and the new Allegris First Class is intended to do just that.
Lufthansa introduced its last new First Class cabin in 2012, which now flies on the Boeing 747-8, the Airbus A380, and the A340-600. It's intentionally not available on all long-haul routes, as the top product only pays off on certain routes. The previous First Class is no longer up-to-date, above all because there is an almost complete lack of privacy here with free-standing seats, while self-contained suites are now standard in First and often also in Business Class. The new Allegris First currently only flies on five A350s from Munich to: Bangalore, Mumbai, New York-JFK and, starting February 22nd, to Chicago. Flights to Shanghai and San Francisco will follow this summer.
The Cabin
Less is more is the new motto. Instead of eight seats in the old First, the Allegris First now only offers three suites in the front row: two single suites by the windows and a large double suite in the middle. The colors are all very muted. The seats are black, the walls of the suites are covered on the inside with sound-absorbing gray-blue Alcantara and a light gray carpet with a less-than-high-end appearance. The suites have imitation wood slats on the outside and soft gray-blue sliding doors with the same surface as the interior. All in all it's discreet, but not gloomy.
Almost automatically, the two flight attendants in charge of First ("Surely you want champagne?") bring a 200-euro bottle of 2004 Pommery Cuvée Louise and pour it in, the great perlage alone showing the quality of the drink. With macadamia nuts on the side, the journey from Munich to New York can begin.
The Seat
The new Lufthansa suites are lavishly spacious – the single compartment measures around three square meters (32.3sq. ft.), depending on the aircraft type (as the 747-8 will soon also be converted). The double compartment measures up to four and a half square meters (48.4sq. ft.). For the first time, Lufthansa First Class now offers suites with 1.80 meter (~6ft.) high sliding doors and equally high outer walls, which guarantees almost complete privacy at a whim. It's a welcome and stark contrast – the previous First seats were completely open, now they are enclosed cocoons. I really enjoy this seclusion, especially as the flight attendants are always happy to have a chat. Good to know: Lufthansa is very restrictive at this level, and there are no upgrades for miles or money – not even for HONs. Not everyone is willing to put 13,163 euros on the table for a return flight to New York – that's how much the ticket costs up here on a sample date in early March 2025.
Each suite has one seat (or two in the middle) plus an ottoman opposite, where for the first time the backrest can be reclined. One guest can sit here, and if a spouse or colleague is traveling in business, they can apparently also come over from time to time. The single suites have 89-centimeter-wide (35in.) seats that turn into a 2.05-metre-long (81in.) bed, the HD screen measures 32 inches, so everything is very generously proportioned. The real sensation is the double suite, where either one or two beds can be created. The flight attendants prepare the sleeping area with mattress toppers and bedding. I take my midday nap on the double bed, probably the largest four-poster bed ever at 1.26 meters wide (49.6in.) – even more than at home. And there's not even a crack between the two beds, which is really phenomenal. With no windows and the high walls, you can almost forget for a moment where you are.
Despite the spaciousness, there is room for criticism. It's practical that every seat has its own wardrobe and a hand luggage compartment on the floor so passengers have easy access to everything in-flight. But I don't understand why there is nowhere to stow my laptop safely within easy reach. And why do I have to bend over backwards to take the water bottle out of the holder? The biggest minus, however, is the meagre range of in-flight entertainment. Yes, there are great wireless Bluetooth headphones, but unlike many of Lufthansa's competitors there is no live TV on board and no current premium movies or audio. Definitely a cut corner. I always like to listen to the latest rock and pop albums from the charts during my flights for inspiration. Lufthansa doesn't have a single one, not even Taylor Swift. I counted the entire range of music programs of all genres, which totals 187. By comparison, Emirates has over 3500 music albums and playlists on board.
When it comes to relaxing, which is one of the main reasons for flying in a higher class, just turn to the buttons on the inside of the seat. For anyone up to 1.90 meters (6'3'') tall, the full-flat seat design with the small, lateral bulge for stretching out in the front seat is fine. For taller clients, you should try to book one of the eight ottoman seats in the first and emergency exit rows. This costs around 150 euros extra in the Delight fare and 100 euros in the two higher fares. To be able to sleep and lie down even more comfortably, the flight attendants prepare my bed complete with mattress topper while I enjoy a nightcap with the lady in the row behind me.
The Service
You expect top service in the First Class of a major airline, and Lufthansa can certainly score points here. In Munich, I am allowed my own security check, and to walk across a "red carpet" taped to the floor for First Class check-in. Anyone who is familiar only with Lufthansa's Business Class lounges will experience a different dimension of service in the First Class waiting room. The staff are extremely courteous and look after every guest personally.
After arriving here without breakfast, I enjoy delicacies from the buffet and à la carte in the lounge restaurant. The avocado and black bread toast with scrambled eggs is perfect! I am the first to board, no crowds anywhere. The first thing the flight attendants explain to me: "Today you decide what you want and when." The so-called "Dine on Demand" is now the gold standard for in-flight service, even in Business Class on some top airlines. Unfortunately not with Lufthansa, it is only available here in First. And something else: at least partially free Wi-Fi on board is also common in Business Class on many airlines today. Not so with Lufthansa. Here, everyone on board has to pay for everything (messaging will be free for everyone starting in the summer, but today it still costs nine euros). Only in First there is free Internet access during the entire flight, and it works well.
One highlight is the mini metal case – the limited-edition amenity kit for the launch of Allegris First, which is full of luxury cosmetics. More knowledgeable people have told me that these alone are worth almost 80 euros, which definitely makes for a great souvenir or present. I also get the regular First wash bag made of fabric, but it is far less spectacular.
The Catering
First Class is synonymous with indulgence, and the menu offers a correspondingly large number of options. As I am the only First guest on board today, I get to try a lot of the First catering. The huge, massive folding table in First is then lavishly laden and starts with caviar – a key distinguishing feature of this class. Two 100-gram tins of Chinese Kaluga farmed caviar with a retail price of about 230 euros are served, but without caviar spoons. No blinis so far either, just toast to go with it, but that will change in the summer after many comments from passengers. Nevertheless, I enjoy the fine fish eggs to the full.
The three starters after the caviar are equally exquisite, especially the vegetarian one: roasted carrot with Cajun spice, nectarine, and cashew. I sample two of four main courses to choose from: the duet of pike-perch fillet and Norwegian lobster with potato and leek puree and mini fennel is one of the best fish dishes I've ever had above the clouds. The braised veal cheeks with truffle ravioli are unfortunately not as flavorful. The four wines vary greatly in quality – from the South African Muratie Chardonnay (12 euros retail) to the 2016 Bordeaux La Tour Figeac (100 euros). Before landing, I treat myself to a small portion of sushi and a tapas plate with salami and cheese from France, followed by a delicious yogurt ice cream with raspberry compote. It's all very good, but in First Class it's still not the kind of culinary offering that gourmets would be willing to fly a detour for.
The Sale
Lufthansa flights with the new First from Munich are very well connected to all European destinations. Many customers already fly detours because they absolutely want to book First. This will be even more worthwhile with the new cabins. However, only ten A350s and two converted 747-8s will be flying with the new product by the end of 2025. Additionally, the new cabin is not always available on every day of a route, but booking systems and the website clearly indicate this.
Booking the double suite, which Lufthansa calls Suite Plus (pictured), is more complex. It can only be booked for travel starting on March 30th, and solo travelers have to pay another 1900 euros per route on their First Class ticket for single use. Booking for two people is possible only by telephone via the Lufthansa First Class Hotline. The price for two people together in the double suite is cheaper than buying two one-way tickets. For example, a roundtrip flight at the end of March between Munich and San Francisco is 22,377 euros.
Lufthansa has another tough nut to crack for travel advisors: the first two Boeing 747-8s will be refitted as early as this year and will receive new Business Class seats on the main deck, while the existing ones will remain on the upper deck, for now anyway. First Class in the jumbo nose and the Business compartment on the upper deck will not be refurbished until early 2027. This will mean a considerable class difference within Business Class on certain aircraft for some time to come and it is not yet clear how this will be resolved regarding sales.
In a Nutshell
Lufthansa has succeeded in creating a coherent, high-quality product with its new Allegris First. However, it is extremely late among its competitors. Singapore Airlines has had something at least comparable in its A380s since 2017 and will be launching the next generation of its First as early as 2027. It's not yet clear on how many aircraft Lufthansa will actually install Allegris First. Only 39 have been confirmed so far, which is about a third of the entire long-haul fleet. That will take until 2028, with the eight A380s retaining the previous First Class from 2012.