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Lufthansa Charges Extra for Most Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Seats
Lufthansa's Allegris business class offers five seat types, with most requiring additional fees unless reserved by top-tier frequent flyers.
The gist
Most Lufthansa Allegris business class seats come with a surcharge unless you are a top elite member with free access.
Lufthansa has introduced its new Allegris business class seating across select Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, aiming to enhance passenger experience with a variety of seat options. The Allegris cabin boasts five distinct seat types designed to cater to different traveler preferences for comfort and privacy. However, many of these premium seats incur additional fees when assigned, except for frequent flyers with the airline's highest elite status. This tiered seating system is a notable shift from standard business class configurations that typically include free seat selection for all passengers.
The Airbus A350-900 configuration includes 38 business class seats divided into five categories: classic seats, privacy seats, extra space seats, extra long bed seats, and business suites. Classic seats, the standard aisle-side options, are free to reserve for all passengers. Privacy seats, which are true window seats offering enhanced privacy, plus extra space and extra long bed seats usually carry extra charges, although Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members can assign these without fees. The high-end business suites with doors, located in the first rows of the cabin, are always subject to an additional fee regardless of status, unless assigned for operational reasons.
Lufthansa’s pricing structure for seat assignments depends on flight distance and seat type. For shorter long-haul routes (e.g., flights to the UAE or Saudi Arabia), prices for premium seats start around €100 and can rise to approximately €230. For longer routes (e.g., flights to North and South America, China, Japan), fees for select seats can reach €600, especially for the business suites. The varied pricing reflects Lufthansa’s intention to monetarily differentiate seats according to their comfort and exclusivity levels, a practice that has become more common among global carriers.
Passengers who opt not to assign a seat prior to check-in face uncertainty about their seating location in the Allegris cabin. Older classic seats may be the only free options left, often in less desirable locations such as rear center seats. Interestingly, privacy seats have been observed opening up for free at check-in, allowing passengers some chance to upgrade their seating experience without additional payment close to departure. By contrast, business suites and extra long bed seats consistently demand a surcharge even at check-in, which may discourage spontaneous seat upgrades for most travelers.
The strategy for allocating business suites also appears complex. Lufthansa prefers to assign those premium seats to top elites, but in practice, they sometimes end up with passengers who check in last, potentially non-elite travelers. This suggests operational flexibility or a system nuance that could benefit those willing to wait until check-in to select a prime seat without paying upfront. However, such a gamble risks being assigned to one of the least desirable seats if the premium options are unavailable or still require fees.
From a customer perspective, Lufthansa's approach limits the number of free seat choices to roughly one-third of the cabin for regular business class passengers. Elite status holders enjoy more complimentary options but must still pay for the most prestigious seating. This policy impacts passenger choice, emphasizing a pay-for-advantage model even within business class, especially for passengers flying on redemption tickets or lower fare classes who do not have elite status.
This fee structure marks a shift from more traditional carrier seat assignment policies and aligns Lufthansa with carriers like British Airways and Air France-KLM, which have also embraced additional charges for business class seat reservations. The business suites themselves, when accessed, provide an elevated experience comparable to 'business class plus' products, featuring spacious layouts and privacy doors, but this comes at a premium cost.
The tiered seat pricing model could challenge passengers seeking window seats or extra space without elite status, particularly on long-haul flights where comfort is paramount. It also complicates travel planning for companions who desire adjacent seating since only the center business suites provide paired seats without fees. This system may affect booking preferences and loyalty program engagement among business class travelers.
Overall, Lufthansa’s Allegris business class seating introduces a nuanced, multi-tier seat reservation system that monetizes premium seat locations and attributes, while reserving free access primarily for top-tier lovers of the airline. This update exemplifies the evolving economics of premium cabin products, where airlines balance passenger choice against revenue generation from seat assignment fees.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Lufthansa Allegris business class seats can be assigned without extra cost?
- Classic seats are free to assign for all passengers, while privacy, extra space, and extra long bed seats are free to assign only for Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members; business suites always have fees except for operational reasons.
- How much does Lufthansa charge to assign premium business class seats in Allegris?
- Seat assignment fees range approximately from €100 to €600 depending on the seat type and flight length, with business suites costing between €400 and €600 and other premium seats like privacy and extra space seats typically costing €100 to €230.
- What happens if a passenger does not assign an Allegris business class seat in advance?
- Passengers who skip advance seat assignment may only access classic seats for free; privacy seats may open free at check-in, but business suites and extra long bed seats usually require a fee at all times, although late check-in may occasionally secure better seats without fees.
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