Lufthansa Welcomes Its First 787-9 Despite Allegris Cabin Issues
FRANKFURT– Lufthansa has welcomed its inaugural Boeing 787-9, complete with the highly anticipated Allegris cabins. Initially, this aircraft will operate within Europe before shifting to long-haul routes. However, due to pending certification, a limited number of business-class seats are presently available for use.
This delivery signifies a new chapter for the Star Alliance carrier, which has placed orders for a total of 34 Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Unlike previous Dreamliners with interiors designed for Hainan Airlines, this new plane showcases Lufthansa’s proprietary Allegris product.
Lufthansa Incorporates First 787 with Allegris Cabins
Lufthansa is actively modernizing its long-haul fleet. Currently, the airline operates five Boeing 787-9s featuring legacy interiors sourced from Hainan Airlines. Plans are in place for those aircraft to be transferred to Austrian Airlines, a sister company within the Lufthansa Group.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming 34 Boeing 787-9 deliveries, which will all come fitted with Lufthansa’s latest Allegris cabins. These new aircraft will not feature a first-class section but will highlight revamped business class, premium economy, and economy seating. Positioned in Frankfurt (FRA), they are set to serve key international markets on long-haul flights.
The initial delivery under this plan is aircraft D-ABPF, which has made its way from Everett (PAE) to Frankfurt (FRA) as flight LH9789.
This journey covers an impressive 5,081 miles, bringing the Dreamliner to its new base, where Lufthansa expects to introduce additional 787-9s shortly. Several aircraft are already assembled but remain on hold due to cabin certification delays.
Challenges in Cabin Certification
The deployment of Lufthansa’s Allegris-equipped Dreamliners hasn’t come without its hurdles. The primary challenge lies in obtaining certification for the new business class seats. Although the aircraft have been delivered, many of the seats remain unavailable for sale until regulatory approval is granted.
Currently, just four out of the 28 business class seats are certified for passenger use, specifically the suites located in the cabin’s front row. The unavailability of the remaining seats limits service options until approval is secured.
Lufthansa finds itself in a challenging predicament. Delaying further aircraft deliveries would hinder fleet modernization efforts, whereas introducing planes with limited seating capacity hampers revenue opportunities and complicates scheduling.
In the short term, the airline plans to utilize these aircraft on European routes, with transatlantic flights expected to commence in October. Lufthansa aims to have the certification finalized by year’s end, but timelines remain fluid.
Strategic Role of the 787-9
Despite the ongoing challenges, the Boeing 787-9 is pivotal to Lufthansa’s long-haul strategy. This aircraft aligns with the airline’s commitment to enhancing fuel efficiency and passenger comfort while striving to minimize emissions.
The Allegris cabins represent a significant advancement for Lufthansa, particularly in the competitive transatlantic market.
Upon certification approval, the airline anticipates an immediate doubling of its long-haul fleet with aircraft featuring the new cabins.
In Summary
Lufthansa’s delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 with Allegris interiors marks a critical milestone in its fleet renewal process. However, operational challenges due to seat certification delays prevent most business-class seats from being utilized at present.
While travelers can soon look forward to flying on these new Dreamliners, the full advantages of the Allegris cabin may not be available until the certification process is complete.
This delivery is a substantial step toward modernizing Lufthansa’s offerings and significantly enhancing the passenger experience on long-haul routes. What excites you most about the new Allegris cabin experience?
