Lufthansa’s Much-Awaited Allegris Business Cabin Has Arrived—and We Got an Exclusive Preview

The much-anticipated 40-minute flight marked the official debut of Lufthansa’s Allegris, a cutting-edge cabin renovation by the German flag carrier that was first announced in 2017 and finally confirmed last year.

On Friday, April 26, the inaugural Lufthansa aircraft featuring Allegris—a newly delivered A350-900—completed a non-revenue flight from Munich to Frankfurt. This flight provided a glimpse of what passengers can expect as the airline gradually introduces the product across its long-haul fleet in the coming months and years.

The official launch was delayed by over a year due to supply chain issues and other challenges—a matter that Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter addressed during a preview event at Munich International Airport on Thursday, April 25.

“They say patience is a virtue, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that our patience has been tested over the past months and years,” Ritter remarked.

The next day, Allegris officially took to the skies for the first time with passengers onboard. I was among the aviation journalists invited to experience it, along with special guests and Lufthansa executives, including Ritter, who distributed meal kits before boarding and interacted with passengers during the flight.

Here are some highlights of Allegris first and business class, along with what travelers can anticipate on long-haul routes featuring the new cabins. The inaugural flight will depart on May 1 from Munich to Vancouver, with additional routes planned for this year from Munich to Toronto, Chicago O’Hare, Montreal, and San Francisco, as more aircraft equipped with the new seats arrive, according to Ritter.

Allegris First-Class Suites

Allegris is part of the most extensive product and service renovation in Lufthansa Group's history, involving an investment of approximately $2.67 billion through 2025. This upgrade will enhance all four service classes—economy, premium economy, business, and first. Unsurprisingly, many of the most impressive features are located at the front of the plane, as Lufthansa aims to attract high-paying passengers who have an abundance of choices when it comes to amenities such as privacy doors, cutting-edge entertainment systems, and customizable environments.

However, the anticipation isn't quite over for the exciting features. Due to manufacturing and certification delays, Lufthansa expects to receive its first A350 with the first-class seats in August or September. This will mark the introduction of its most luxurious first-class offering yet: three fully enclosed suites with sliding doors. One of these, the Suite Plus, will accommodate two passengers and includes two wide seats that can be combined into a double bed. Additionally, all first-class suites will boast a dining table, a 32-inch or 43-inch 4K monitor, and a personal wardrobe area.

Allegris Business Class

With the Allegris upgrade, Lufthansa has transformed its business-class cabin into a completely new experience. Passengers can choose from five seat types (down from seven), including suites located in the first row of each business-class cabin; seats featuring 'extra long' beds measuring over seven feet (perfect for taller travelers); and even a seat designed with a baby bassinet. The other two types consist of window seats and what the airline refers to as a Classic Business Class Seat, which are located in the center row and on both sides of the aisles, slightly angled away from the window, thus lacking a view and being closer to foot traffic.

For the inaugural flight, I found myself in seat 3A, a coveted window position located right behind the single-person suite in 2A. With two windows and greater privacy compared to the 'classic' seat behind (and slightly beside) me, it was a fantastic spot, much like the K window seats across the cabin.

When the seat was reclined to lay-flat mode, I had ample room to fully stretch out. I was also pleasantly surprised by the entertainment system: the 4K screen delivered an impressively sharp picture, and the sound quality from the included noise-canceling headphones was excellent (though I wished for more cushioning, as they might become uncomfortable after a while). Another great feature: passengers can individually adjust the seat temperature to their preference, making it ideal for those sensitive to either warm or chilly cabins (like myself).

The Allegris Culinary and Beverage Experience

Due to the brief nature of the preview flight, no meal or drink service was provided. However, samples from the new first- and business-class menus were offered at an event the day prior. Everything I tried—panzanella salad with tomatoes and mozzarella, truffle meatballs accompanied by whipped potatoes, and wild garlic ravioli with asparagus foam—was absolutely delightful.

Other highlights from the menu include the newly launched Avionic Apéritif, a signature cocktail crafted by the renowned Ziegler distillery, one of Germany's most prestigious, and mini artisan bread loaves exclusively made for Lufthansa by acclaimed German baker Axel Schmitt, served with butter and olive oil. A new variety of bread will be introduced every three months.

Despite the lack of meal service on the brief flight, I noticed the tray table, which extended easily with a simple push and was among the longest I’ve encountered. I appreciated the additional space it provided—no more juggling plates while trying to enjoy a meal.

More cabins equipped with Allegris on the horizon

Travelers eager to experience Allegris will have more chances as Lufthansa accelerates its rollout with the delivery of additional aircraft. The airline aims to install 27,000 new Allegris seats throughout its long-haul fleet by the end of 2027, which includes acquiring 80 new planes (Boeing 787-9s and 777-9s, along with Airbus A350s) and retrofitting existing aircraft like the Boeing 747-8. Currently, passengers can check the seat map to find out which flights feature the Allegris cabin.

Additionally, Lufthansa intends to equip long-haul flights operated by other carriers within the Lufthansa Group, such as Swiss International Air Lines, with a variant of the Allegris seats. In 2022, the airline introduced Allegris Premium Economy seats with a fixed-shell design and plans to launch its own cabin upgrade, named Swiss Senses, in 2025.

In my opinion, less than an hour was far too brief to fully appreciate everything Allegris has to offer. Based in Amsterdam, I don’t often fly with Lufthansa, but after my recent experience on an Allegris flight, I’ll certainly consider the airline for my next trip to the United States.