Lufthansa’s first Airbus A350 with Allegris departs May 1

After years of delays and anticipation, Lufthansa‘s new Allegris product equipped with state-of-the-art first- and business-class seats will take flight for the first time in a matter of days.

In May, the German carrier will launch service with the Allegris product on board its first-ever Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which features an eye-popping 14 seat types — including some suites with floor-to-ceiling privacy walls and sliding doors, plus one up front with a double bed.

Lufthansa’s inaugural A350 flight on May 1 will feature nonstop service from Munich Airport (MUC) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia.

Planned for years, Lufthansa’s new Allegris concept technically features a nose-to-tail reimagination of the carrier’s onboard product that includes an overhauled experience in each cabin; the airline bills it as the “most personalized travel experience” to date — one in which it’s investing some 2.5 billion euros (about $2.7 billion) through 2025.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

Perhaps most notable is the all-new first-class suites and dozens of business-class suites and pods on each of its new A350s, with the first such jet set to take off for its first commercial service in the coming weeks.

Allegris takes flight May 1

From the outset, Lufthansa plans to switch off flying its new Allegris-equipped A350 on MUC-to-YVR routes and routes from MUC to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).

Later this summer, though, as its A350 fleet expands, Allegris is expected to make its U.S. debut on flights to and from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). It will also deploy new A350s to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

As TPG saw during an in-person tour of the concept last year, the A350-900 features a wide array of seats to fit various travel needs, preferences and budgets.

First class

Up front, you’ll find three first-class suites, including a “Suite Plus” option featuring a double bed for two passengers.

This will mark the first time Lufthansa has offered such a suite concept on board its aircraft, with passengers treated to a large entertainment screen, a dining table, seats with heating and cooling options and wireless charging areas. Passengers in these seats will also have access to a “personal wardrobe” while inflight.

Business class

Beyond the first row are 38 business-class suites and pods. Spread across two business-class cabins, the seat features vary from one seat to another.

The first row of business class has suites, with double suites in the middle (ideal for two travelers flying together) and single suites near the windows. There are also window seats with extra privacy, a pod with a baby bassinet, seats with an extra-long bed and classic business-class pods — each with direct aisle access.

In all, business class on the A350-900 will offer an assortment of seating concepts.

Clearly, the premium Allegris cabins will serve as a significant upgrade from Lufthansa’s current and aging premium product.

Premium economy and economy

The all-new product extends to the back of the plane, where you’ll find 24 premium economy recliners and 201 economy seats — 22 of which are extra legroom seats.

The minimum seat pitch in economy will be 31 inches, which is fairly standard on major international carriers.

The entire cabin will include new entertainment screens with large monitors, as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

More Allegris cabins planned

Though the Allegris product will make its debut on the A350-900, Lufthansa has big plans to expand it across much more of its long-haul fleet.

Future Lufthansa 787 Dreamliner deliveries will feature the Allegris product, too, as will future Boeing 777-9 deliveries. The airline is also planning retrofits of its existing Boeing 747-8 fleet.

Booking

If you’re hoping to secure an early seat on an Allegris-equipped aircraft, you may need to buck a common piece of trip-booking advice and not book too early: Lufthansa says its booking channels will be updated to reflect its Allegris product about three weeks in advance, at least from the outset.

Here’s a case where you can find seats on an Allegris-equipped aircraft: a May 5 flight from Munich to Vancouver. A business-class seat starts at $5,381.

You can click through the new aircraft’s seat map to find the accommodations that best suit your travel needs.

Bottom line

After a multiyear wait, travelers flying Lufthansa will be able to enjoy their first taste of the all-new Allegris cabin on select flights in the coming weeks. Though the product will only be offered on a limited number of aircraft early on, the carrier is planning to roll the concept out to a much wider array of long-haul jets in the coming months and years — making an overseas flight on Lufthansa a far more comfortable option moving forward.

Related reading: