Premium Economy, affordable First Class - News from Lufthansa.
With 75 million passengers in 2012, almost two million more than in the previous year, Lufthansa is one of the world's leading airlines. However, the management had to painfully admit some time ago that this is no guarantee of lasting success.
Although the crane earns money, it also has to save in order to be able to invest. And it has to think about new products in the face of tough competition.
"One of these investments in the high double-digit million euro range will be our new Premium Economy Class," says Jens Bischof, member of the Lufthansa Executive Board. "We will be presenting this Premium Eco here in Berlin next year." The new intermediate class will have its own seats and is to be installed in all long-haul aircraft. The new class will take up around ten percent of the capacity on each long-haul jet.
Bischof could not confirm whether this will also be installed on board in 2014. An interesting detail in passing: Turkish Airlines will abolish its Premium Economy again.
With one thousand First Class seats on offer, Lufthansa claims to have the largest First Class offering in the world. Now a flight in the First Class cabins is to become more affordable, especially for those passengers who are planning their trip for the long term. The new "First Saver Plus" fare model will be offered for 30 long-haul routes and will reduce the price of a flight by an average of 40 to 50 percent. Business Class can also be booked with the new saver fare. There will be no reduction in service. However, "Saver Plus" tickets are only available up to 60 days before departure. "The minimum stay at the destination is six days for destinations on the American East Coast and ten days for all other destinations." The Saver Plus fare cannot be rebooked, but can be canceled for a fee of 400 euros in First and 240 euros in Business Class. According to Bischof, Lufthansa can fill its premium classes to an average of 80 percent capacity.
However, the conversion of the long-haul fleet with the new Business Class is proceeding somewhat hesitantly. Only eight aircraft have the new seats. "There should be 30 by the end of the year. We are currently investing 50 million euros to complete the conversion to the new product even faster. All wide-bodied aircraft should then be equipped with it by 2015. After all, this month the fifth of 19 Boeing 747-8I jumbos will enter service and will be used on the Hong Kong route.
Kurt Hofmann
April 2013
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