Which Routes Feature Lufthansa First Class?

Which Routes Feature Lufthansa First Class?

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Lufthansa offers one of the best first class products across the Atlantic, and for that matter, it’s one of the best first class products between the United States and Europe that’s bookable with miles.

With the winter airline schedule officially kicking in as of the end of October, I wanted to recap which Lufthansa planes feature first class, which routes they fly, what to expect from the experience, and how to redeem miles for the product. There are a lot of seasonal changes coming to the aircraft and routes featuring first class, so let’s go over all those details.

Lufthansa planes with a first class cabin

Over the past several years, Lufthansa’s footprint of aircraft with first class cabins has shrunk considerably. This was already set in motion pre-pandemic, and was made worse by Lufthansa’s decision to ground so many aircraft. Fortunately we’re now seeing that trend reversed, as there’s a significant increase in the aircraft and routes featuring first class.

For the winter 2023/2024 season, you can expect first class to be available on three aircraft — the Boeing 747-8, Airbus A340-600, and Airbus A380. Specifically:

  • Lufthansa has 19 Boeing 747-8s, which fly from Frankfurt to key, high yield, and high capacity markets; these will stay in Lufthansa’s fleet for years to come, and they’ll even be reconfigured with new cabins
  • Lufthansa has brought back 10 Airbus A340-600s, which fly from both Frankfurt and Munich to key destinations where there’s demand for first class; expect these planes to only remain in Lufthansa’s fleet temporarily
  • Lufthansa is bringing back eight Airbus A380s, which fly from Munich to key destinations where there’s significant premium cabin demand; these planes are coming back long term, and will even be reconfigured with new cabins
Lufthansa Boeing 747-8s feature first class

Lufthansa routes operated by Boeing 747-8s

For the winter 2023/2024 season, Lufthansa will operate Boeing 747-8s with first class exclusively out of Frankfurt. You can expect these planes to operate from Frankfurt to the following destinations:

  • Buenos Aires (EZE) — on an ongoing basis
  • Chicago (ORD) — on an ongoing basis
  • Johannesburg (JNB) — on an ongoing basis
  • Los Angeles (LAX) — on an ongoing basis
  • Mexico City (MEX) — on an ongoing basis
  • Miami (MIA) — on an ongoing basis
  • Newark (EWR) — on an ongoing basis
  • San Francisco (SFO) — on an ongoing basis
  • Sao Paulo (GRU) — on an ongoing basis
  • Shanghai (PVG) — on an ongoing basis
  • Singapore (SIN) — on an ongoing basis
  • Tokyo (HND) — on an ongoing basis
  • Washington (IAD) — on an ongoing basis
Lufthansa 747-8 first class seat

Lufthansa routes operated by Airbus A340-600s

For the winter 2023/2024 season, Lufthansa will operate Airbus A340-600s with first class out of both Frankfurt and Munich. You can expect these planes to operate from Frankfurt to the following destinations:

  • Bogota (BOG) — on an ongoing basis
  • Chicago (ORD) — on an ongoing basis
  • Hong Kong (HKG) — on an ongoing basis

You can expect these planes to operate from Munich to the following destinations:

  • Boston (BOS) — on an ongoing basis
  • Miami — as of January 1, 2024
  • New York (JFK) — on an ongoing basis
  • Newark (EWR) — on an ongoing basis
Lufthansa A340-600 first class cabin

Lufthansa routes operated by Airbus A380

For the winter 2023/2024 season, Lufthansa will operate Airbus A380s with first class out of Munich. You can expect these planes to operate from Munich to the following destinations:

  • Bangkok (BKK) — on an ongoing basis
  • Los Angeles (LAX) — on an ongoing basis

Those are the first two routes to see the return of the A380. However, with at least four A380s returning to Lufthansa’s fleet in 2023, you can expect two more routes to get these planes. I’d guess that Los Angeles and/or San Francisco are the most likely markets to see this service.

Lufthansa A380 first class seat

What about Lufthansa’s new first class product?

Lufthansa has announced its new Allegris premium cabin products, including all new first and business class seats. So, when can we expect to see these products rolled out?

Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class was supposed to debut as of late 2023 on newly delivered 787-9s, and as of early 2024 on newly delivered A350-900s. Unfortunately this product has now been delayed until 2024, due to supply chain issues. Also, don’t expect any existing aircraft to be reconfigured with these seats in the coming years.

New Lufthansa Allegris business class

Lufthansa’s new Allegris first class was supposed to roll out in early 2024, on newly delivered Munich-based Airbus A350-900s. Unfortunately this product has also been delayed, and there’s no real timeline for when it will be introduced. Over the coming years, you can expect at least 10 A350s to feature these cabins, though we don’t yet know on which routes they will operate. Also keep in mind that the new first class will represent a massive capacity reduction, as there will be a single row of first class seats.

New Lufthansa Allegris first class

What to expect from Lufthansa first class

Lufthansa offers a solid first class experience on its Boeing 747-8. When departing Frankfurt, the awesome experience starts on the ground, as you can use Lufthansa’s incredible First Class Terminal.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt

While there, don’t forget to pick up your duck, since that’s always a fun feature of Lufthansa first class.

Lufthansa first class ducks

From there you’ll be driven across the apron to your plane, which sure is a treat.

Lufthansa first class tarmac transfer

Lufthansa’s 747-8 first class cabin features a total of eight seats, spread across three rows. There are three rows of single seats on each side, and then in the third row there’s a pair of seats in the middle. With so many airlines retiring the 747, it’s such a treat to be able to sit in the nose of the queen of the skies!

Lufthansa 747-8 first class cabin

Lufthansa’s inflight catering in first class is generally great as well, with a caviar service to start, along with a variety of appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Lufthansa first class catering

While Lufthansa’s inflight entertainment selection is just okay, the airline does have inflight Wi-Fi, and first class passengers even receive a voucher for complimentary access.

I’ve found service in Lufthansa first class to be pretty consistently excellent, and to strike the right balance between being professional and personable.

Lufthansa’s A340-600 first class and Airbus A380 first class also consists of eight seats, but the seats are instead spread across two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich is also pretty awesome, and in many ways I prefer it to the Frankfurt lounge.

Lufthansa A340-600 first class cabin
Lufthansa A380 first class cabin

How to redeem miles for Lufthansa first class

You can redeem miles from all kinds of Star Alliance airlines for travel in Lufthansa first class. I’d note that generally Lufthansa makes first class award seats available to members of partner airline frequent flyer programs at most 15 days before departure.

The good news is that Lufthansa pretty reliably opens up these seats as the departure date approaches, assuming there are empty seats (this might not be 15 days out, but rather more often than not will be in the days leading up to departure).

So, what are the best programs for booking Lufthansa first class? Here are some popular options that partner with transferable points currencies, with pricing listed for one-way travel between the United States and Europe:

  • The Avianca LifeMiles program charges 87,000 miles
  • The Air Canada Aeroplan program charges 100,000 points (for up to 6,000 miles of travel)
  • The United MileagePlus program charges 121,000 miles

None of those programs have carrier imposed surcharges on these awards, which is why I’m highlighting them.

Lufthansa first class champagne

Bottom line

Lufthansa’s first class footprint has increased very nicely. For the winter 2023/2024 schedule, you can expect to find first class on Boeing 747-8s and Airbus A340-600s based in Frankfurt, and on Airbus A340-600s and Airbus A380s based in Munich.

Hopefully 2024 is the year in which we’ll see the introduction of Lufthansa’s new first class product on select newly delivered Airbus A350-900s based in Munich. Then again, it’s likely that there won’t be many opportunities to redeem miles for it.

Hopefully the above is a useful summary of which routes you’ll find these planes on, what to expect, and how to redeem miles for the experience.

Any other questions about Lufthansa first class that I missed?

Conversations (19)
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  1. Andrew M Guest

    Shanghai is currently operated by a 747-400 with no First class

    1. Ben Holz Guest

      I'm pretty sure LH flies the 748 exclusively on FRA-PVG... what makes you say that it's the 744? I even think that right now it might well be one of their better performing routes when it comes to the rate of F seats sold.

    2. Andrew M Guest

      I just was on this flight two days ago and sat in 4C. I can confirm it was a 747-400

  2. splane21 Member

    Lufthansa is currently flying the 747-8 from FRA-BLR (Bengaluru)

  3. Allan Guest

    Don’t forget the A330. LH 440/441 FRA - IAH is served by the A330-300 and has 2 rows of First in a 1-2-1 configuration.

    1. Ben Holz Guest

      None of LH's remaining A330s feature F

  4. Calvin Guest

    This is a trick question. No Lufthansa routes feature first class, as Lufthansa’s shitty front-of-plane product isn’t actually first class.

  5. SBS Member

    Aeroplan cost is only 90,000 points for the FRA-BOS flight.

  6. IrishAlan Diamond

    LH did upgauge CLT-MUC to the A340-600 this summer so had F. While the A350 is back for the winter and currently scheduled for next summer, I wonder if the A340 will return? I know there’s a lot of demand from BMW on this route given the US factory being in Spartanburg, SC.

    1. TheTechnician Guest

      BMW doesn't use this route. The employees fly straight out of GSP with a connection in EWR.

      Source: am an employee

  7. Todd Diamond

    Chicago seems to have decent availability on a regular basis.

    Small typo: "For the winner 2023/2024 season"

  8. TheRubioRoom Member

    I had thought there was Lufthansa first to/from MUCIAD as well...FlightAware shows the A340-600 operating that route today at least?

    1. Ben Holz Guest

      I think today is the last day of the season that LH flies the A346 to IAD, they'll make a comeback in Apr24 for the summer

  9. InternationalTraveler Gold

    There were some hints that the new A350 will start to fly first with the new Allegris business class even if the first class product isn’t ready.

    Is there further insight on which routes it may start in 2024 ?

  10. Scott Guest

    You show the ORD-Frankfurt on both the 747 and A340?

    1. JJ Guest

      Hi Scott,

      Yes ORD has both these planes :)

    2. MRL Guest

      Any opinions on which of these products is preferable

    3. Scott Guest

      I've only done the 747 and thought it was great but I hear the hard product is dated compared to the A340, service was awesome, caviar and Champaign with only 5 of the 8 seats taken
      United Polaris on the return was a great business class

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

TheTechnician Guest

BMW doesn't use this route. The employees fly straight out of GSP with a connection in EWR. Source: am an employee

0
Andrew M Guest

I just was on this flight two days ago and sat in 4C. I can confirm it was a 747-400

0
Ben Holz Guest

I'm pretty sure LH flies the 748 exclusively on FRA-PVG... what makes you say that it's the 744? I even think that right now it might well be one of their better performing routes when it comes to the rate of F seats sold.

0
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