Lufthansa has accepted delivery of its first Allegris-fitted Boeing 787-9 and is preparing to press it into service on 9 October, though all but four seats in the 28-seat business class cabin are presently blocked, pending US Federal Aviation Administration certification.
Now loaded into the schedule, the new three-class 787-9 will initially support Lufthansa’s Frankfurt-Toronto Pearson service through 25 October.
Travelers can now book seats on the twinjet. However, the only Allegris business class seats available on the Dreamliner are the front row, business-plus suites — those extra-swank, high-walled, doored ‘Business Class Suites’ that offer more comfort, privacy, storage, a personal minibar and a 27” inflight entertainment screen.
“Business Class Suites, Premium Economy, and Economy Class are already available for booking,” Lufthansa says in a statement.
“As soon as the certification process for Allegris Business Class for Boeing Dreamliners is complete, these seats will also be available for booking.”
Much of the available Business Class Suite inventory has already been snatched up by travelers.
While management recently warned that a “big portion” of the Collins Aerospace-made business class seats would be blocked on the twinjet’s entry-into-service due to protracted seat certification issues, some travelers are surprised at the sheer volume of unavailable seats, and that only four are currently on offer.
“At least they’re the best seats,” RGN contributor Jason Rabinowitz noted on Bluesky, in a ‘lemons meet lemonade’ moment.
This year, Lufthansa expects to take delivery of up to nine Allegris-fitted 787-9s. The twinjets will be stationed at its Frankfurt hub.
The German flag carrier has for months offered the full Allegris experience on Airbus A350-900s flying from Munich, though that program also saw some early hiccups with supply chain constraints delaying the installation of the Collins-made first class suites until earlier this year. Whilst the A350-900s feature four cabins including first class, the three-class 787-9 does not include a first class cabin.
Passengers have embraced the Allegris products, however, with Lufthansa fielding a very positive reception from those flying aboard the new A350s.
“I am particularly pleased that we can now offer our guests the premium Allegris experience in Frankfurt,” said Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter in a statement.
“With the arrival of the Boeing 787-9 today, the modernization of our long-haul fleet at our largest hub is now also receiving a major boost. This will enable us to use significantly quieter and fuel-efficient aircraft types featuring the latest technology for our guests in Frankfurt as well.”
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All images credited to Lufthansa