Lufthansa, the German airline, has been counting the days until it switches from its aging fuel-consuming A340 to its brand-new fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Many of them are standing on Boeing Field in Seattle, waiting for approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so they can be put into service in Frankfurt by Lufthansa.
The problem is Lufthansas proudly announced Allegris business class seats had been approved to fly by European regulators, but American FCC is refusing, since they failed the necessary crash test requirements.
The problem has been getting worse and more costly; even after some improvement, a second test failed, and Lufthansa may continue operating its Boeing without offering a business-class cabin.
So far, 12 brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners are in this situation, and 8 more are being built without knowing the outcome.
In 2017, the German airline revealed its intention to launch fresh Business and First Class seats. However, the initiative, ‘Allegris,’ has encountered many embarrassing and expensive problems.
Lufthansa has resolved other issues with its first-class seats, and this cabin is finally being fitted. For a while, it may serve as a short-on-supply alternative for business class.
Interestingly, although the seats are essentially the same, Thompson Aero produces the seats on the Airbus A350, while Collins Aerospace makes the 787 seats.
Due to the gravity of the certification process, Lufthansa does not anticipate receiving its initial Boeing 787 Dreamliner until at least the middle of 2025. Nonetheless, Sophr did not provide additional information regarding the reason behind the delay.
This is what Lufthansa explains on its new Allegris seats:
Under the name “Lufthansa Allegris”, a completely new travel experience is being created on long-haul routes: all Lufthansa travel classes, from Economy to Premium Economy, Business, and First Class, are being given a new top-quality product that is unparalleled in the market thanks to its seating variety.
With “Allegris,” the freedom of choice for Business Class guests has never been greater. Travelers can choose four additional seat options, depending on whether they want an extra-long bed measuring 2.20 meters, extra space and work area, a seat with a baby bassinet, or simply an exclusive seat directly by the window. A double seat is also available, and the center console can be retracted to transform it into a reclining surface for two people.
The seats can be converted into a bed at least two meters long and also offer high-definition screens (4K), generously-sized dining tables, wireless charging, noise-canceling headphones and Bluetooth connectivity. All seats are also equipped with a heating and cooling system, giving business class travelers the flexibility to set their own temperature. For extra comfortable side sleeping, seats also feature a shoulder sink-in, allowing the shoulder to sink into the seat, increasing sleeping comfort for side sleepers. A tablet-sized control unit provides access to all seating, lighting, heating/cooling and entertainment functions. Naturally, each seat is directly accessible from the aisle.
