Lufthansa Business Class Still Sucks (even with Allegris)

Summary

In this detailed review of Lufthansa's Allegris business class, the speaker highlights both the highs and lows of the experience. While the Allegris cabin offers luxurious features, such as spacious and premium seats, there are notable inconsistencies, including pricing confusion, seat selection issues, and meal service mix-ups. The speaker critiques Lufthansa’s focus on revenue generation over customer satisfaction, resulting in a dull experience despite the potential for improvement. Despite these flaws, the Allegris seat is seen as a step in the right direction, though much work remains for Lufthansa to enhance service and consistency.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lufthansa's Allegris business class offers a first-class-like seat, but with inconsistent experiences based on seat selection and additional costs.
• 😀 The premium seats in the Allegris cabin cost extra, with prices around $600 USD, but these seats were often unoccupied during the flight.
• 😀 Frequent flyers and elite members do not get to select premium seats for free, adding to frustration about the pricing structure.
• 😀 The inconsistency in seat quality within the same cabin, ranging from mediocre to top-tier, creates confusion and disappointment among passengers.
• 😀 The lavatories are one of the standout features of Lufthansa's business class, with high-end amenities like foot pedals and a covered toilet.
• 😀 The entertainment system has its flaws, such as malfunctioning controls and limited TV show selection, though the Bluetooth connectivity for personal devices is appreciated.
• 😀 The meal service had issues, with a catering mix-up where the wrong meal was served, which could have serious implications for passengers with dietary restrictions.
• 😀 Lufthansa's service lacks consistency and personalization, with the airline being described as more focused on its own business model than customer experience.
• 😀 There is a lack of leadership and passion in the airline's operations, which detracts from an otherwise potentially great business class product.
• 😀 Despite the flaws, Lufthansa's Allegris seat is still considered one of the best business class seats the reviewer has flown, especially when accessed via points.

Q & A

What is the key selling point of the Lufthansa Allegris business class seat?

The key selling point of the Lufthansa Allegris business class seat is its spaciousness, premium features like individual storage compartments, and the ability to offer a seat that could rival first-class offerings on other airlines. Additionally, it offers a seat that was initially priced at €600, but the reviewer got it for free by selecting it at the airport.

What are the issues faced by the reviewer with Lufthansa’s seat selection process?

The reviewer faced frustration when trying to select a premium seat in the Allegris cabin. Despite hearing that any seat could be selected for free during online check-in, Lufthansa still required payment for seat selection. The reviewer was only able to get the premium seat for free at the airport, which raised concerns about the seat's actual demand.

How does the reviewer compare Lufthansa's Allegris product to other airlines' business class seats?

While the reviewer appreciates the Allegris seat's features, such as storage and comfort, they still consider it not on par with the best in the industry. They specifically mention that it falls short of seats like Finnair's AirLounge, even though it's a significant upgrade over previous Lufthansa offerings.

What was the issue with the meal service during the flight?

There was a catering mix-up, where the reviewer received a meal meant for another passenger, which led to confusion. The reviewer theorized that a vegetarian special meal was mistakenly swapped with another standard meal, and noted that this could have been a serious issue if passengers had dietary restrictions.

How does the reviewer describe Lufthansa’s business class soft product?

The reviewer describes Lufthansa’s business class soft product as lacking, especially in comparison to its competitors. The soft product includes meal service, seat controls, and other in-flight services, which were inconsistently delivered, contributing to an underwhelming experience despite the strong hard product (the seats).

What is the reviewer’s opinion on Lufthansa’s in-flight entertainment system?

The reviewer finds the in-flight entertainment system underwhelming. They note that although the Airbus A350 has the capacity for a better system, it falls short in terms of TV show selection and content variety. However, the system does offer Bluetooth connectivity, which was a positive aspect of the entertainment.

What did the reviewer think about the consistency of the Allegris seat experience?

The reviewer highlighted a major inconsistency in the Allegris cabin, where the quality of the seats varied significantly. Some seats were mediocre for business class in 2025, while others, like the one the reviewer occupied, were excellent. This inconsistency led to confusion and dissatisfaction about the value of paying for premium seats.

How does the reviewer feel about Lufthansa’s approach to customer service?

The reviewer feels that Lufthansa is not a customer-centric airline and is more focused on squeezing out as much revenue as possible. This approach creates confusion for passengers, especially regarding seat availability and the pricing structure. The reviewer also notes a lack of passion and consistency in the airline's service, which detracts from the overall experience.

What positive aspects did the reviewer mention about the seat and amenities?

The reviewer praised the spaciousness of the seat, which they considered one of the best business class seats they've experienced. The seat also provided an abundance of storage space, and the individual foot pedal in the lavatories was a standout feature. The quality of the seat and the cabin design were some of the few positive aspects of the experience.

What is the overall conclusion the reviewer reached about Lufthansa and its business class offering?

The reviewer concluded that while Lufthansa’s Allegris seat is a step in the right direction, the airline’s inconsistency, poor service culture, and focus on maximizing revenue over improving the passenger experience need significant work. The reviewer suggests that Lufthansa has potential but needs better leadership and a more customer-focused approach to fully compete in the premium airline market.