Lufthansa will retrofit its entire fleet of eight Airbus A380s with new business class cabins by mid-2027, marking a renewed commitment to the superjumbo aircraft despite initial plans to retire them. The upgrade will not extend to first class, premium economy, or economy, though minor improvements like enhanced inflight entertainment are planned for those cabins.
A Shift in Strategy
The airline initially grounded its A380 fleet during the pandemic, intending to permanently retire the aircraft unless demand rebounded unexpectedly. However, a strong recovery in transatlantic leisure travel led Lufthansa to reactivate the planes starting in 2023. The decision to invest in business class cabins underscores a long-term strategy shift, as previously the A380’s future was uncertain.
Seat Selection and Capacity Changes
Lufthansa has chosen the Thompson Aero Vantage XL business class seat – a pre-certified, staggered configuration – instead of its highly anticipated Allegris seat. This decision avoids regulatory delays that have plagued the rollout of the Allegris cabin. Each seat will offer direct aisle access, a 58cm width, and a minimum bed length of two meters, along with Bluetooth connectivity and adjustable partitions. The retrofit will reduce business class capacity by ten seats, from 78 to 68, while maintaining existing configurations for other cabins.
Why Not Allegris?
The choice to skip the Allegris installation appears practical. Lufthansa has faced difficulties certifying its new Allegris business class seats, causing delays in deployment across its fleet. An off-the-shelf solution sidesteps these issues, allowing for quicker implementation. The A380’s narrower upper deck may have further complicated the integration of the Allegris design.
Retrofit Timeline
The first A380 (registration D-AIMC) will enter the retrofit process in February 2026, with expected service entry by April 2026. All eight aircraft will be reconfigured by mid-2027.
Lufthansa’s Hub Manager for Munich, Heiko Reitz, stated: “The retrofit underscores our commitment to providing a top flight experience on the long-haul aircraft that is so popular with our customers.”
The airline’s approach to cabin modernization remains inconsistent, with a complex two-part reconfiguring plan for its Boeing 747-8 fleet. However, the A380 upgrade represents a clear step forward in passenger comfort and service quality.
In conclusion, Lufthansa’s decision to upgrade its A380 business class cabins demonstrates a pragmatic response to market demand and regulatory challenges. By prioritizing speed and reliability over bespoke design, the airline ensures a faster path to enhanced passenger experience on its iconic superjumbo fleet.
