Ranking: The Best Seats in Lufthansa’s New Allegris Business Class

It’s well-known that not all seats in the same cabin are created equal. In business class, for instance, the first row often offers extra legroom because there are no seats in front of it.

Lufthansa takes this to the next level with its new Allegris cabin. There are five different seat categories, ranging from suites with doors to privacy seats by the window, and classic seats by the aisle. We’ve already reviewed the (classic) seat with the long bed and the suite in detail.

In this post, we’ll revisit the cabin and examine the other seats. While trying to evaluate them, we realized that even five categories aren’t enough, so we’ve broken them down further.

If you missed it, here are our two detailed reviews of the Allegris business class:

Let’s start with the undoubtedly best seat:

1. Single Suite by the Window

Once the first-class suites are installed, they’ll likely be the best seats on the plane. For now, row 1 only has placeholders, so the title goes to the business class suites. Specifically, the four seats by the windows: 2A, 2K, 8A, and 8K.

The advantage of window seats is not just the ample daylight and view. They also offer nearly unlimited storage and surface space. We tried to fill them up, but eventually ran out of things to put. For added privacy, there’s a sliding door that separates the suite from the rest of the cabin.

Other advantages over standard seats include a huge 4K screen (27 inches instead of 18), foot space as wide as the rest of the seat (with the usual 2-meter length), plus pyjamas and sleepwear, as well as extra drinks and snacks. But here, we’ll focus mainly on the seat itself, not the service.

2. Double Suite in the Middle

If you’re travelling with a companion, the middle suites (2D, 2G, 8D, and 8G) are the best choice. Compared to the window suites, you have to compromise on three points: significantly fewer storage compartments, limited surface space on the narrow middle console, and no windows. However, the wall in the middle can be completely lowered, creating a small, private double room.

The other advantages are identical to those of the window suite. Here too, there are huge screens and an enhanced soft product with higher-quality snacks and drinks. For more details on the suites and their differences, we recommend checking out the corresponding review. The middle suites will also be costly, with an unknown pricing structure.

3. Privacy Seat with Baby

It was expected that the suites would top the list. From the third place onward, things get tricky. The privacy seat, extra space seat (throne), and the extra long bed seat all have their own pros and cons.

There are only two of what we consider the next best seats, and they have one thing in common: 7A and 7K are for travellers with an infant (up to 2 years old). These seats are likely reserved for this group until check-in, and rightly so. The seat is significantly more spacious to accommodate a bassinet.

If you’re travelling without a baby and get this seat, there are various advantages. All the space normally occupied by the baby bed is available as a storage surface.

4. Privacy Seat

In the Allegris business class, there are relatively few normal window seats. These still rank among the world’s best business class seats and therefore cost extra. These seats are 3A, 3K, 5A, 5K, 9A, 9K, 11A, and 11K.

In some business cabins, window seats offer a lot of privacy but can feel claustrophobic due to plastic walls. This is not the case in the Allegris business class. The seats are quite wide, and this width extends throughout the 2-meter bed. Even tall side sleepers (like me) will find the privacy seats comfortable.

For storing valuables, there’s a side compartment with a sort of rolling shutter. In front of it, there’s a small surface. The real highlight, however, is the table for eating and working. It extends from below the screen and is about a meter long. You can place a meal tray, a laptop, and a book in a row and still have space.

5. Extra Space Seat (“Throne”)

In some business classes, throne seats are considered the ultimate choice. We were curious about what the thrones (here called extra space seats) in Allegris would offer. In the A350, these are seats 3E, 5F, 9E, and 11F. The letter indicates which aisle the seat is accessible from. They are all in the middle of the cabin:

Two things stand out about these seats. Firstly, there’s the 27″ screen we know from the suite. With no neighbouring seat, Lufthansa was able to install this huge touchscreen here. It actually looks even better than in the front suites because you’re sitting closer to the screen, making it feel like a home cinema.

Equally impressive is the enormous storage space to the side. On one side, there’s the table with a rolling shutter known from the privacy seat, and on the other, almost unlimited space for documents, a computer, snacks, etc. The storage areas deserve 6 out of 5 possible points.

However, the throne also has some disadvantages. Firstly, due to the low walls and the proximity to neighbours, you feel quite exposed. Secondly, the foot area is very cramped due to the seat design. It’s almost impossible to bend your legs. Also, the seat is rather narrow at the shoulders. I wouldn’t recommend the throne seat for night flights overall.

6. Classic Seat in the Last Row (12C / 12H)

Surprisingly, we’ve now arrived at the classic seats. However, only two of them stand out: the seats in the last row, 12C and 12H. The reason is that behind them is the premium economy class:

The gained space benefits the storage options. While storage is limited with normal classic seats, there’s a small, two-story shelf here. The shoulder space benefits from the seat arrangement, and there’s at least one full window to look out of. However, you will need to stow your laptop in the overhead bin during takeoff and landing.

The foot space is just as cramped as in any other classic seat. Anyone over 1.90 meters will have trouble and bump their feet.

7. Extra Long Bed

There are four seats with long beds in total. Wherever the throne passengers enjoy their large storage areas, there’s a seat with a long bed behind them. These are seats 4G, 6D, 10G, and 12D:

The extra long bed seat is essentially a normal classic seat, just with a longer bed. But this is exactly what makes a crucial comfort difference for tall people. Instead of 2 meters, the bed is 2.20 meters long (and a bit wider at the bottom). An extra 20 centimetres turn cramped lying into comfortable stretching out. Furthermore, another 20 centimetres for Lufthansa to improve their finances, as these seats will also cost extra.

All other aspects are identical to the classic seat. There’s little privacy, limited storage, and not many surfaces to place things on. So the overall verdict is rather sobering.

One more thing worth mentioning: In the last row of each cabin (rows 6 and 12), the seats are set up a bit differently than in the others. If you’re travelling with a companion, you can talk better here than in rows 4 and 10. Lufthansa calls this a double seat, consisting of one classic seat and one with a long bed. It’s unclear if this will also cost extra for people travelling together.

8. Classic Seat by the Window

There are a total of 10 seats remaining that we haven’t yet discussed. Six of these are the Classic seats by the window. They don’t have a proper window, but if you’re lucky, at least a partial one. These are seats 4C, 4H, 6C, 6H, 10C, and 10H:

These seats are directly next to the aisle and thus offer little privacy. However, there is at least one advantage: Between the seat and the window front, there is a medium-sized storage area. You can’t really look out of the window, but at least some daylight can come in.

The bed is just as short and the footwell just as narrow as with the other Classic seats.

9. Classic Seat in the Middle

As expected, the regular Classic seat takes the last place. Since the seats with the letters C and H are slightly better, only the four middle seats remain: 4D, 6G, 10D, and 12G:

On the positive side, these seats still offer all the features available elsewhere: the heated or cooled backrest, high seating comfort, an air nozzle on the side, a tablet for seat control, and five (shaky) cameras for a virtual window view. In general, the seating comfort is almost equally good everywhere, and this holds true here as well.

But the list of negative aspects is equally long. Due to the low walls combined with an open seating structure, there is almost no privacy. The storage areas are small, and there’s no proper place to store a laptop. Additionally, the lie-flat area is again short (officially 2 meters, but it feels like only 1.90 meters) and the footwell is narrow. Tall people won’t be happy here, nor will those with large feet. Fortunately, both often go hand in hand.

As previously mentioned, in rows 6 and 12, each Classic seat and an Extra Long Bed seat are combined into a double seat. We are curious about the pricing for these. But it would also be unfair if tall people have to pay extra while couples do not.

Conclusion

Anyone who thought that the Allegris business class with its 5 different seat types was complicated will be even more surprised on board. Five categories aren’t enough, and you really have to try each of the 38 seats yourself to form an opinion.

Within a business class cabin, the selection ranges from possibly the best business seat in the world to a standard product already surpassed by the competition. And your willingness to pay determines which seat you get. Maybe you’ll need a bit of luck if a free selection is possible at check-in.

Translated by Ditmar