Lufthansa Welcomes First 787-9 with Allegris Interiors
Lufthansa (LH) has officially received its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft equipped with the highly anticipated Allegris cabins. Initially, the aircraft will service routes across Europe before transitioning to long-haul flights. However, due to pending certification, only a limited number of business-class seats are currently available.
Modernizing the Long-Haul Fleet
This delivery marks an important step for the Star Alliance airline, which has ordered 34 Boeing 787-9s. Previously, the Dreamliner’s in Lufthansa’s fleet featured interiors initially designed for Hainan Airlines (HU). The new aircraft is the first to include Lufthansa’s proprietary Allegris product.
Details of New Deliveries
Lufthansa is working to update its long-haul fleet. Currently, the airline operates five Boeing 787-9s, all with interiors previously intended for use by Hainan Airlines. These planes are expected to eventually be transferred to Austrian Airlines (OS), another carrier within the Lufthansa Group.
The focus is now on the forthcoming deliveries of the Boeing 787-9. These aircraft will incorporate Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabins, featuring redesigned business, premium economy, and economy seating, though not a first-class cabin. All will be based in Frankfurt (FRA), operating long-haul routes to major international destinations.
D-ABPF: First of Its Kind
The first aircraft in this program, designated D-ABPF, was built more than a year ago and is currently en route from Everett (PAE) to Frankfurt (FRA) as flight LH9789. Covering a distance of 5,081 miles, this journey is part of Lufthansa’s plan to introduce additional 787-9s in the coming weeks. Some of these aircraft are already completed but remain stored, pending cabin certification.
Challenges in Cabin Certification
The integration of Lufthansa’s Allegris-configured Dreamliners has not been without challenges, particularly regarding the certification of the new business class seats. Although the aircraft have been delivered, many of the seats are unusable until regulatory approval is obtained. Presently, only four out of 28 business class seats are certified for use—these are located in the first row.
The remaining seats are unavailable, reducing seating capacity and complicating scheduling. While delaying deliveries could disrupt fleet renewal plans, deploying aircraft with limited seating restricts revenue opportunities.
Lufthansa plans to operate the aircraft on European routes initially, with transatlantic flights starting in October. The airline anticipates seat certification by year-end, though the timeline is not fixed.
The Strategic Role of the 787-9
Amid these hurdles, the Boeing 787-9 plays a crucial role in Lufthansa’s long-haul strategy. Known for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, the aircraft aligns with the airline’s objectives to lower emissions and enhance passenger services. The Allegris cabins are considered a significant upgrade, particularly in the competitive transatlantic market.
Once certification is complete, Lufthansa expects to double its fleet of long-haul aircraft featuring the new cabin overnight.
Conclusion
While Lufthansa’s acquisition of the Boeing 787-9 with Allegris interiors marks significant progress in fleet modernization, operational difficulties persist due to seat certification delays. Passengers will soon fly on the new Dreamliner’s, but the complete advantages of the Allegris cabin await regulatory clearance. Nonetheless, this development is key to advancing Lufthansa’s fleet and passenger experience on long-haul services.
