In 2024, Lufthansa will debut an elevated first class concept in the form of a private cabin featuring a double bed and dining table. Olivia Palamountain reports
Comprising a fully enclosed double cabin, inside will be a large table and two seats (each measuring almost one metre wide) that can be combined to form a double bed.The cabin will also have its own temperature controls like a mini hotel room.
An in-suite wardrobe will provide ample storage space for hanging clothing, and passengers will be able to connect their own mobile devices to the entertainment system to watch their own content on a big screen.
The food and drink will also be elevated, with a gourmet menu served by the crew anytime, on request. A large table inside each suite will allow for a restaurant-quality, shared dining experience.Designed by PriestmanGoode, Suite Plus will be introduced in 2024 on Lufthansa’s brand-new A350s. By 2030, more than 200 new short- and long-haul aircraft will be delivered to the airline.
Daniel MacInnes, director of PriestmanGoode, says: “The design team has pushed so many boundaries in the development of each of the cabins we have created. Lufthansa has not only shown a commitment to including a First Class product, they challenged us to take it to a whole new level and every aspect has been designed and developed from ground up.
“The design language not only speaks of the future direction of the Lufthansa brand, it’s a signature project that is packed with features that will attract passengers that appreciate the level of comfort they expect to find at home or in the most premium vehicle brand – and that they can now enjoy in the air.”
Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa, adds: “Every guest has their own understanding of premium, which is why we focus on maximum individuality and exclusivity. The first class Suite Plus conveys the feeling of privacy and individuality similar to a hotel room – only at an altitude of 11km.”
The new planes and upgraded suites form part of the “Allegris” collection of economy, premium economy, business and first class seats (also conceived by PriestmanGoode), contributing to an all-new travel experience on long-haul routes.
Allegris is just one of several massive upgrades to Lufthansa’s product and service as it undergoes the largest overhaul in its corporate history, with a total investment of €2.5 billion by 2025.
What will Allegris mean for Lufthansa business class travellers? Six additional seat options, each with high seat walls and a personal minibar will be on offer, serving up a range of benefits – from an extra-long bed to more space for working and a seat with a baby bassinet. (Millennial parents sometimes want to fly at the front end of the plane, after all.)
A double seat, in which the centre console can be retracted to transform into a reclining surface for two, will also be available, while all seats are equipped with a heating and cooling system, giving business class travellers the flexibility to set their own temperature.
Entertainment is provided via high-definition screens and complete with wireless charging, noise-cancelling headphones and Bluetooth connectivity.