Lufthansa Unveils Premium Economy Class
Lufthansa unveiled its new Premium Economy Class to industry experts yesterday at ITB 2014 in Berlin.
The new travel class can be booked from May onwards and will be available as of November, initially on Boeing 747-8 aircraft. The new seats will gradually be fitted on the entire long-haul fleet within the next year.
“Our Premium Economy Class will create a completely new travel experience that combines affordability with greater comfort. The seats offer up to 50% more room than Economy Class and will position us in a premium segment within the international competitive environment,” said Jens Bischof, a member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board.
The new product will enable Lufthansa to meet the requirements of many business and private passengers who travel with other airlines in a similar travel class or who fly Economy Class due to travel specifications. Following the introduction of its new full-flat Business Class, Lufthansa created a much wider gap between Economy and Business Class. As a result, there is now room for its new Premium Economy Class, which offers considerably more space and comfort, as well as many additional product features, but is closer to Economy Class than Business Class in terms of its average prices. The move also means that Lufthansa is introducing a completely new travel class for the first time in 35 years.
“The design and features of the new seat in particular are based on extensive passenger surveys and workshops with sales partners – a process that has been successfully used at Lufthansa. Following the upgrade of our First and Business Class, the installation of 3,600 seats on all 106 of our long-haul aircraft in just one year will mean another step towards becoming a five-star airline,” added Bischof. “We expect to see more than 1.5 million passengers per year in our new Premium Economy Class.”
With a baggage allowance of two items weighing up to 50 lb each, passengers can take twice as much free luggage with them compared to Economy Class. For an extra EUR 25, passengers can also enjoy the comfort of the Lufthansa Business Lounges before their departure.
Upon boarding, passengers will be greeted with a welcome drink and will find their own water bottle, as well as an amenity kit with practical travel accessories at their seat. Meals are presented on menus commensurate with the new travel class and served on porcelain tableware.
