Anyone booking a Business Class ticket with the Lufthansa Group to destinations like Cairo, Madeira, or Jordan doesn’t get much in return onboard. There are drinks and meals, yes – but the seat is just as uncomfortable as in Economy Class. The only difference in this European Business Class is that the middle seat is kept free.
So it’s no wonder that some look enviously across the Atlantic. While onboard service is often a mess on short hops in North America, there’s still a Domestic First Class with comparatively comfortable recliner seats. Among European airlines, however, this remains the exception.
Now, the Lufthansa Group is exploring similar options. As part of a pilot project, low-cost subsidiary Eurowings will install recliner seats in an Airbus A320neo. However, these won’t be used within Europe, but only on medium-haul routes. The first route will be Berlin–Dubai, with a flight time of about six hours.
Two Types of Business Class on the Same Plane
Eurowings has recently sold Business Class tickets for the above route starting at €500 round-trip. But those hoping to get a recliner seat for that price will be disappointed. The new seats will be offered in addition to the existing BIZclass.
The Business cabin will include two rows with the new recliner seats (Premium Biz Seat, a total of 8 seats), and additional rows of the standard BIZclass (Economy seating with an empty middle seat and better catering). The difference will likely be managed through paid seat selection, similar to the Allegris suites. The new seats will be bookable from August onwards.
The seat being installed is the Comoda Geven by an Italian manufacturer. So far, this seat is relatively unknown—only U.S. low-cost airline Frontier has announced plans to install it. But if testing is successful, it could possibly be seen on Lufthansa, Swiss, and other Lufthansa Group airlines.
Source: Eurowings press release
Cover Picture: Eurowings Premium Biz Seat | © Eurowings