For years, travelers went out of their way to avoid Lufthansa business class. Compared to the direct-aisle access and private suites with closing doors available on other airlines, the German airline's outdated cabins with seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration seemed positively ancient.
That's changing: Finally, Lufthansa's long-awaited “Allegris” business class seats are in the sky. And in my experience, they're some of the best business class flying to Europe and back today.
Lufthansa's newest business class seats are a massive and much-needed upgrade, with brand-new technology onboard as well as amenities you won't find on virtually any other carrier. They're incredibly comfortable and far more private than their predecessors – though exactly how private you'll feel hinges on which of the five different seat types inside the business class cabin you pick. Add in surprisingly warm and attentive service with solid catering, and it made for an excellent flight.
Check out my full review of a recent flight in Lufthansa Allegris business class from Montreal (YUL) to Munich (MUC) on the Airbus A350-900.
How to Book Lufthansa Allegris Business Class
First and foremost: You need to find a route where Lufthansa is flying its latest and greatest seats. And that's no sure thing.
Currently, Lufthansa only offers its Allegris business class cabin on Airbus A350-900s – and only a select few of them: Many Lufthansa A350-900s still sport an outdated business class cabin.
As of publication, you'll generally only find these seats flying between Munich (MUC) and …
- Chicago-O'Hare (ORD)
- Montreal (YUL)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Toronto (YYZ)
- Vancouver (YVR)
And keep in mind: Just because a city is listed here doesn't mean you'll find Allegris business class seats flying every day. As Lufthansa takes delivery of more A350-900s (and eventually some Boeing 787-9s, too) equipped with these seats and retrofits older models, it should get easier to find them.
When it comes time to book, you don't want to pay the $7,000 or more roundtrip Lufthansa typically charges for business class. Instead, it's time to turn to your balance of credit card points from cards like the *chase sapphire preferred*, the *venture x*, or the *amex gold*.
Because Lufthansa is part of the massive Star Alliance, you have plenty of options to book one of these business class seats using transferrable credit card points, including:
- Air Canada Aeroplan is an excellent program and a great place to start. Though rates start as low as 60,000 miles each way, Aeroplan charges 70,000 points each way from most cities to Munich – and this can jump up to 90,000 from the West Coast. You can transfer from Chase, Capital One, Amex, and Bilt points.
- You can also use Avianca LifeMiles – though, after a recent devaluation, it'll now cost you 69,000 miles each way from the U.S. … or still just 63,000 miles from Canada. They're transferrable from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Points, and Wells Fargo points, too.
- If you've racked up miles flying with United, you can book for 88,000 United MileagePlus miles each way – transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt if you’re short.
- You can also book through other Star Alliance programs like Turkish Miles & Smiles or ANA Mileage Club … but you won't want to: Both pass on hefty surcharges north of $2,000 roundtrip.
Beyond finding a route with Allegris business class seats onboard and figuring out which points to earn, there's the most important part: finding the award availability to actually book at these rates. And lately, it's been slim pickings – Lufthansa is typically only releasing award availability to book these seats last minute.
Here's hoping that changes. It did briefly just a few weeks back, when we sent an award alert to our Thrifty Traveler Premium members including some rare award space to book Lufthansa Allegris business class as well as some of the airline's other, older seats.
These seats are gone now. Get the next award alert with Thrifty Traveler Premium!
Here at Thrifty Traveler, we're not above getting high on our own supply and booking our own deals. I used that alert to book a one-way ticket from Montreal (YUL) to Munich (MUC) for 70,000 Aeroplan points and under $60 USD in taxes and fees. I was even able to throw in a segment from my hometown of Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) up to Montreal with Air Canada for the same price.
At Thrifty Traveler, we don't accept freebies. We use our own points, miles, or cash to pay for every single flight or hotel you see reviewed here – including this one!
Checking in and Lounge Access
Checking in online and getting a boarding pass is an option if you’re a light traveler who doesn't need to check bags. Exactly 24 hours before departure, I received an email from Air Canada prompting me to check in for my flights.
I went through the process rather quickly, verified my original seat selections were still in place, and completed the check-in. That said, when I got to Minneapolis before my Air Canada flight up to Montreal, I grabbed new boarding passes from the Air Canada check-in counter. Entering the priority business class queue with no luggage to check in meant I finished this extra step in less than five minutes.
A painless and quick flight to Montreal on Air Canada’s Bombardier CRJ-900 got me to Montreal with just over a three-hour buffer before the Lufthansa flight. I breezed through the connection zone in immigration and made my way over to the lounge. Because Lufthansa is a part of Star Alliance, I was granted access to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.
Located near gate 52, this lounge was very easy to find. A quick scan of my boarding pass and I was cleared to enter.
At first glance, this lounge seemed very nice with big, beautiful windows looking out at the tarmac behind an elegant bar in the middle. Overall, it looked very clean and had plenty of room for me to grab a spot to sit.
This lounge featured small serving areas with several food choices and a self-pour beer station. I didn't try any food at this lounge as I had just eaten on my Air Canada flight en route to Montreal.
With plenty of room, clean facilities, a nice bar, and gorgeous windows overlooking the runways, this Maple Leaf Lounge was a decent spot to unwind before my upcoming Lufthansa flight to Munich.
Getting to the gate was simple: It was just a short walk from the Maple Leaf Lounge. It took me just about five minutes to walk over to Gate 59.
Shortly after arriving at the gate, my name was called on the intercom and I was requested to see the gate agent. He notified me that my seat was being changed because the TV was not functioning correctly in my seat. I was a little anxious about this announcement but that anxiety quickly turned to delight when he told me I'd be in seat 8A: one of the business class suites onboard!
Boarding began almost right on time. It was a fairly well-organized event compared to some other boarding situations I’ve encountered.
Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Cabin
On many airlines, every business class seat onboard is more or less identical. With Lufthansa Allegris business class, that's not the case. Lufthansa has five different types of seats in this new business class cabin.
There are:
- First Row Suites, a “business class plus” experience with more space and higher walls for additional privacy. There are eight suites total, with four located in the first row of the business class cabin and another four located in the eighth row behind the galley separating the two business class cabins.
- Extra space seats, aka “throne” seats that sit alone in the center aisle
- Extra long seats, which have more legroom than others
- Privacy seats, solo seats along the windows that are positioned further away from the aisle for additional privacy
- Classic seats, those positioned closest to the aisles
Naturally, selecting some of these seats will cost you extra.
All told, there are 38 seats in the Allegris business class – each with the same technology (though some have slightly larger screens), direct aisle access, and ability to recline into a lie-flat bed. The entire cabin is decked out in Lufthansa's signature dark blue, with gray and white from the seat walls and a pop of brown leather here and there.
Let's take a look at each of these seats.
Lufthansa Allegris Extra Space Seats
Often referred to as ” throne” seating, these seats are located directly in the middle of the business class cabin. Instead of two seats as normal, there's just one, giving you far more privacy and storage space.
There are a total of four of these extra space seats: two in the front cabin and two in the rear.
Passengers sitting in these seats have access to just one aisle – the other side is closed off. Having storage consoles on both sides seemed like it would be great for solo travelers.
While it would mean sacrificing a window seat, these larger middle seats seemed like a great option on future trips. The entertainment screen is also slightly larger than the other seats.
Lufthansa Allegris Extra Long Beds
There are a total of four “Extra Long Bed” seats, located in the middle of each cabin. These have 2.2 meters (or over 86 inches) of legroom – slightly more than the rest of the seats.
Because these are positioned closer to the aisle and further apart from one another, these aren't quite as intimate as the pair of suites at the front of each cabin. Still, they're a solid option for couples traveling together who want to sit next to each other and for those who require a little more legroom.
Lufthansa Allegris Privacy Seats
When I originally booked this flight, I ended up choosing seat 11A, a so-called “Privacy Seat.” This seemed like the best option for me as a solo traveler, with the Extra Space Seat coming in a close second. At the time I booked, front-row suites were not available to select, period.
Nestled directly next to the windows, there are a total of 10 of these seats. I was first attracted to this option because they seemed more private than the Classic Seats directly on the aisle. I could still have easy aisle access and yet sit next to the window, with a large storage console and the seat walls providing a ton of privacy.
Lufthansa Allegris Classic Seats
With minimal table space and not much privacy at all, avoiding the Classic Seats was my top priority.
On the plus side, passengers in these seats still have one window to look through. On the downside, you're angled toward the aisle.
Maybe frequent bathroom goers would appreciate these more than others.
But I saved the best for last.
Lufthansa Allegris First Row Suites
As I mentioned, I was moved to seat 8A before boarding due to the seatback screen not working in seat 11A. It was a pleasant surprise, and I was very eager to check out the suites.
There are a total of eight suites, located in rows 2 and 8 of the plane. Unlike the other seats in the cabin, each first row suite is equipped with a fully closing door. The suite walls are also slightly higher, adding even more privacy.
Both rows are laid out in a 1-2-1 fashion. The center pair of seats are joined but can be separated with a retractable partition.
With sliding doors on both sides, this center section would have been the choice if I was traveling with a companion.
Back to seat 8A, there was quite a bit to love about this seat. Just the fact that you have the option to close a door is the main selling point of this seat.
But beyond being a bona fide suite, these come with a few other standout features: There are arms rests on both sides, a large side table, and a massive amount of storage. The footwells are also substantially more spacious than what you'll find in other seats onboard.
Lufthansa Business Class Lavatories
There are just two lavatories in the business class cabin, both in the center galley. But they were some of the nicest facilities that I've seen on any aircraft.
My first thought was how spacious these are. I'm a taller guy – some aircraft bathrooms require me to duck a bit to fit in. There was so much headroom in these stalls that I didn't come close to the ceiling.
Another thoughtful touch by the Lufthansa team was the padded seat with a backrest on the toilet. This would be useful for anyone changing or adjusting their shoes.
A full-length mirror was on the opposite side of the sink. Here's another look at the surplus of space in the restroom.
Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Suite
I hit the jackpot getting a first row suite on my flight to Munich.
The seat was very comfortable … and even had a firmness control! You could adjust the seat itself to make it firmer or softer … and it actually worked. That's a feature you won't find on many other airlines these days.
A beautiful 4K TV was the centerpiece of these suites. And as you can see, there was no shortage of space to spread out and enjoy the flight.
Legroom was never an issue. Even for someone who is 6 foot, 3 inches, I never felt cramped. The TV monitor almost felt too far away at times. This is one of the nicest and most spacious business-class suites I've personally ever flown in.
The tray table was situated directly under the TV. One quick push of a button released it, allowing you to slide it back and unfold.
A nice feature that Lufthansa added was a mini storage compartment on the sides. Inside were noise-canceling headphones and a water bottle, with a small light inside.
You could also easily slide the door shut. This was especially helpful at night because the light inside this compartment does not turn off.
It's not every day you see a closet in a business class suite! Lufthansa did a great job with these and even included some additional storage space under them! Traveling in summer meant my jacket stayed at home, but I'm sure there would be many travelers who'd find this useful on upcoming trips.
The extra side compartments were super helpful, too. I put my passport and headphones case in there during the flight. One of these compartments would have been plenty, but two were more than enough room to put some of my smaller items.
See that small circle on the bottom left of the photo below? That's a wireless charging station. I set my iPhone on there for a quick charge when I wasn't using it. This is just another small feature that sets Allegris apart from many other airlines.
Not only could the firmness be controlled with a touchpad, but the seats could also be heated or cooled! So far as I know, this feature is unique to Lufthansa. I ended up using just the cooling feature – it was too warm to keep the heated seat mode activated – but it was definitely effective. I never thought I'd see this technology on an aircraft!
Adjusting the seat from upright to lie-flat was very easy and quick, using either that touchpad or a side panel.
Both armrests could be raised or lowered, which was incredibly helpful come time to sleep. In lie-flat mode, it gave me more space around my shoulders and to stretch my arms out without feeling cramped or constrained.
I got a couple of hours of sleep on this nearly seven-hour flight. My feet were just shy of hitting the end of the suite and the bed was very comfortable. The pillow had solid support and the blanket was soft.
The seat also features a shoulder sink-in which is intended to give some passengers who sleep on their sides extra comfort. I loved how the seats felt, whether I was lying down on my side or back.
Lufthansa Business Class Amenities
Some airlines put a ton of effort into impressing their business class passengers with lavish amenity kits. Lufthansa is not one of those airlines.
There was a very simple Porsche Design bag with a few small items inside. That's it.
Inside the kits were an eye mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, cleansing wipe, and socks. I didn't end up using any of these products.
Yet surprisingly, there were pajamas available – a rarity in transatlantic business class. After dinner, the flight attendants dropped off pajamas, which contained a pair of trousers and a shirt. They seemed to made from nice material, but I did not end up using either.
Lufthansa Business Class Dining & Service
About an hour after takeoff, the service started.
The menu contained several different options from appetizers, to main course, and also breakfast. I started with the prosciutto with baba ghanoush, cherry tomato, and kalamata olives as an appetizer.
Before meal service started in earnest, we kicked things off with a drink. The Champagne Blanc de Noirs was quite good – so good, in fact, I decided to go with another glass for my meal.
But the drink menu continued with some other great red and white wine options.
There was also an assortment of soft drinks, beer, spirits, and hot beverages available.
Dinner started with a small amuse bouche: cheese in a sweet sauce. It paired well with the champagne.
Shortly after, my appetizer of prosciutto and salad with a pretzel bun arrived. It was a great starter: The prosciutto had great flavor, complemented well by the vegetables, with a perfect citrus dressing on the simple garden salad. But the highlight was the warm pretzel roll. The Germans sure know their pretzels.
Sometimes, a simple meal is just better on planes. And the beef pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and asparagus really hit the spot.
The beef was very tender and flavorful, with an accompanying porto sauce providing the perfect match. The hearty side of vegetables weren't overcooked.
After that big meal, I didn't think I had room for dessert. But my flight attendant insisted the desert should not be missed and I was easily convinced. She dropped off an incredibly tasty cheesecake with caramel sauce on top, built on a chocolate cookie crumble base. A fresh strawberry on the side was just right.
After a brief sleep, I woke up just before breakfast service began. I could have skipped it – unlike dinner, breakfast wasn't worthwhile.
I chose the yogurt with chia seed and maple syrup rather than the salmon, but it still didn't do much for me. Fortunately, a cappuccino and warm croissant were enough to tide me over until I landed.
The food and drink were solid overall – simple yet high quality dishes and great portions with just enough variety to pick from. Next time, I might skip breakfast altogether.
But the service throughout the flight was a highlight and truly top-notch. The same flight attendant helped me out from start to finish, always quick to clear plates and offer a refill of drinks. Great service like that goes a long way.
Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Entertainment
No matter what seat you're in, the technology and entertainment is a massive improvement in the Lufthansa Allegris business class cabin. But I really lucked out in the first row suite.
Gorgeous, 27-inch 4K monitors were the centerpiece of these business class suites. And there was a wide variety of music, TV series, movies, games, and anything else you could imagine to keep me busy on this sub-seven-hour flight.
You can control that the monitor – as well as other features in business class seats – using a 10-inch tablet stationed next to the seats. I simply operated this while it was attached to the wall of the suite, but you can pop it out with the touch of the top button.
I really liked how easy and responsive all the controls were on this tablet. It put older handheld devices you'll find on other airlines to shame.
Here's a view of the tablet when it's removed from the wall. As you can see, it's still wired into the wall but could be easily be extended or retracted. While the main seatback monitor is also touch screen, it was too far of a reach to manage.
In the settings menu, there were plenty of helpful tools … including the option to pair your own Bluetooth headphones! I paired my Bose headphones shortly after takeoff on this screen. You could also control the lights and any feature you needed on your seat right on this tablet.
Beautiful accent lights lit up the side during the evening flight. The display was crystal clear and the audio was perfect. I watched a movie, taking up the majority of the downtime.
Even in the daylight with all the windows open the display was great.
I did not need to use Wi-Fi on this flight, but there were three options available, topping out at 25 euro (or roughly $27.70 USD) for a full flight pass at 4 Mbps.
Bottom Line
It took a while – too long, you might say – for it to get here, but Lufthansa Allegris business class was worth the wait. This was one of the best business class experiences I've ever had.
These new seats are decked out with technology you won't find on many (if any) other airlines: Heating and cooling in your seat, firmness control, massive 4K monitors with Bluetooth compatibility. The extra space, storage, and privacy in the special first row suites made it all better.
Throw in Lufthansa's (mostly) tasty food and excellent service on this flight, and it was one I won't forget anytime soon. I'd go out of my way to book Lufthansa Allegris business class for my next trip to Europe.
Great thorough review, Jon. I’ll be most tempted to try out LH and, in particular, their Allegris business class, the next time I’m flying internationally, especially as these flights from YUL are not far from YOW, where I’m based.