Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Review: A Completely New Way to Fly Lufthansa

For years, Lufthansa Business Class had one major issue. The airline’s service was highly polished, but its 2-2-2 seats were lagging behind those of newer competitors.

Allegris will change all that. Lufthansa is rolling out its next-generation Business Class across its entire Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 fleets. Another version is scheduled for installation on its retrofitted A380S.

The new cabin offers fully flat beds, direct aisle access, larger screens, individual temperature controls, and greater privacy.

But there is a twist.

Rather than developing just one Business Class seat, Lufthansa created several. Do you want even more privacy? A slightly longer bed? Additional space? A completely enclosed suite? You have your choice – and in many instances you’ll be able to pay extra for it.

This approach really sets Allegris apart from other Business Class cabins right now.

Airport Experience & Lounges

Business class travel with Lufthansa starts with classic premium benefits. Consider priority check-in, fast-track security where available, priority boarding, and business lounge access.

In Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa runs many lounges. But business class passengers shouldn’t get them mixed up with the carrier’s renowned first class lounges and first class terminal. The latter are exclusively for eligible first class and HON Circle travelers.

Frankfurt’s got a very special business lounge near gate A26. It sits within a former first-class lounge, so it retains some features that aren’t typical in your average business lounge.

Private workspaces, sleeping rooms, showers, private bathrooms – and yes, even a bathtub leftover from its first-class days – give this lounge a distinct edge. Barista-style coffee is another top-class addition, although the previous à la carte dining service is no longer available.

The lounges in Munich really reflect their Bavarian character, using alpine images and elements inspired by traditional beer halls. Nonetheless, they can get very busy during peak times.

Food generally follows the familiar Lufthansa lounge formula of hot dishes, lighter snacks, desserts, beer, wine, spirits, and plenty of coffee.

One inconsistent area is priority boarding. While Business Class passengers officially get it, the separation between priority and regular queues isn’t always as clearly marked as you might expect at major German hubs.

One Cabin, Several Different Business Class Seats

Allegris is quite interesting when you actually get on board.

Instead of offering every passenger essentially identical seating, Lufthansa developed several different seating experiences within Business Class.

Right at the top is Suite Plus – an option that actually approaches First Class standards. It boasts a closing privacy door, a bed about one meter wide, a personal wardrobe, and significantly more personal space.

The standard suite offers a very similar enclosed environment, albeit in a smaller space.

Then we have the extra-long bed option for those who are taller – and the extra-space seat offering even more room plus additional work surface space.

Traveling alone might make the privacy seat your choice – it makes use of even more side shielding to produce a much more secluded setting.

Last but not least, there are standard window and central seats themselves. These still turn into fully flat beds and give you direct aisle access, but they don’t offer the extra space and privacy of the premium options.

Your chosen seat will determine just how long your bed will be (ranging from 190 to 218 cm), although seat width remains roughly 56 cm. The cabin alternates between 1-2-1 and 1-1-1 configurations – a decision based on your row and specific seat type.

That variety is both Allegris’s greatest strength and perhaps its most perplexing aspect.

Those premium seats can come with high supplementary costs. The price of Suite Plus might be several hundred euros higher than a standard Business class seat, and seats such as ‘Privacy’, ‘Extra Space’, or others will require extra payment too.

So two people with Lufthansa business class tickets could have very different experiences in the same cabin.

If total privacy is what you’re after, look to the front-row suites. On the other hand, the standard center seats may sometimes feel more exposed than the finest business-class offerings from competing airlines.

Dining Gets an Upgrade Too

Lufthansa didn’t stop at the seats. Allegris also debuted improvements to the Business Class dining experience.

Menus center on seasonal dishes and feature collaborations with chefs and culinary partners like Tim Raue and Käfer for selected German departures. Regional partners may be involved if flying from another destination.

Depending on your route, you can also pre-order specific meals before departure, giving you more control over what will be waiting on board. The drinks list is truly impressive.

Champagnes such as Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée appear on Allegris flights, while Lufthansa still puts a lot of emphasis on German wines. Riesling fans should be especially pleased here.

Interestingly, neither the food nor the beverage service depends on your seat category. A passenger in a standard business class seat gets the same meal and drinks as someone who paid more for a suite plus seat.

Service itself seems efficient and precise rather than overly dramatic. Lufthansa’s crews always strive to keep things flowing smoothly, though travelers seeking very personalized hospitality may find this experience slightly less attentive than on a few leading Asian carriers.

Menu variety itself may differ from one flight to another, but overall the new catering feels much better than Lufthansa’s previous business class offering.

Better Screens, Smarter Controls, and Your Own Temperature

Allegris will also bring Lufthansa’s onboard technology firmly into the modern era.

Entertainment screens measure about 18 to 24 inches, depending on the seat, offering sharp images and a more contemporary interface.

Each passenger gets a personal control tablet.

Instead of stretching to reach the main screen or searching for buttons around your seat, you can control entertainment and seat functions from a comfortable position.

One of Allegris’s cleverest features is individual seat temperature control.

Passengers can set their own heating and cooling around their seat – a feature that may seem small until you’ve spent 10 hours in a cabin feeling several degrees too warm.

Noise-canceling headphones are provided throughout Business Class.

Wi-Fi isn’t quite so impressive. Free basic messaging is available, but full internet access usually needs a paid package. As more airlines give out complimentary fast connectivity for premium passengers, this is one area where Lufthansa still has room to improve.

Amenities Can Be a Little Unpredictable

Allegris’ amenity kits have varied a lot during the rollout. Some flights will have kits that include L’Occitane skincare items. These are made up of facial moisturizer, hand cream, body products, and lip balm alongside socks, an eye mask, earplugs, and dental essentials.

Other special rotations feature BABOR products, slippers, mattress toppers, and van Laack loungewear tops.

Bedding is slightly more consistent, though. Lufthansa gives you a comfortable pillow and blanket, and on certain flights, they add a mattress topper so the sleeping surface feels softer.

There’s also a tiny Lufthansa tradition worth noting: passengers might get a box of branded chocolates right before they land. It’s simple, but it’s a really nice way to end a long flight.

The Bottom Line

Allegris represents a major step forward over Lufthansa’s aging 2-2-2 Business Class.

Direct aisle access, fully flat beds, better privacy, larger entertainment screens, smarter controls, and enclosed suites finally give Lufthansa a hard product that can compete with newer international Business Class cabins.

Complicated seat categories won’t appeal to all travelers – especially so when the best options come with substantial extra fees. And since the rollout is ongoing, it will remain essential to check your aircraft before booking if Allegris is the reason you’re choosing Lufthansa.

However, get on the right aircraft and in the right seat – and you’ll be experiencing a totally different Lufthansa product.

Travelers making their bookings through Simply Business Class (SBC) might also discover Lufthansa Business Class fares available at very considerable discounts – sometimes saving up to 50 % based on route and availability.