Lufthansa begins Airbus A380 business class refit
February 2, 2026
Lufthansa is set to modernise the business class seats across its entire Airbus A380 fleet, marking the latest step in a broader push by airlines worldwide to upgrade cabins on the world’s largest passenger aircraft.
The German carrier will retrofit all eight of its in-service A380s with new business class seating, with work commencing in early February at Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) in Dresden.
The first aircraft scheduled for modification is A380 “Mike-Charly”, which will undergo both cabin upgrades and routine maintenance during its downtime.
New business class seats for Lufthansa’s Airbus A380
At the centre of Lufthansa’s A380 upgrade is the introduction of new business class seats supplied by Thompson.
The seats are designed to offer direct aisle access for every passenger, with a seat width of 58cm and a fully flat bed measuring at least two metres in length.
Additional features include Bluetooth connectivity, flexible privacy partitions and a revised cabin layout intended to deliver what Lufthansa describes as a “new premium level” of comfort.
Once complete, each A380 will feature 68 business class seats, alongside eight first class suites, 52 premium economy seats and 371 economy class seats.
Crucially for Lufthansa, the business class seat has already secured certification, allowing the airline to avoid a lengthy regulatory approval process.
As a result, the first refitted aircraft is expected to return to service from Munich in April, with passengers experiencing the updated cabin only weeks after installation.
Munich and the A380 long-haul strategy
Lufthansa operates the only Airbus A380 fleet currently based in the European Union, with all aircraft stationed at Munich Airport.
The superjumbo remains an important part of its premium long-haul offering, particularly on high-demand intercontinental routes.
The programme forms part of what Lufthansa describes as the most extensive fleet renewal in its history, which also includes new cabin products for the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A350-900 fleets. All eight A380s are expected to complete the retrofit programme by mid-2027.
Airbus A380 cabin investment gains momentum globally
Lufthansa’s move comes amid a broader wave of Airbus A380 cabin upgrades across multiple global carriers, reflecting confidence in the aircraft’s long-term role on dense long-haul routes.
Australian airline Qantas has unveiled a range of upgrades to its Airbus A380 first class proposition as the carrier prepares for the introduction of Project Sunrise flights in 2027.
The upgrades being introduced to the airline’s largest aircraft include enhanced onboard dining options, improved amenity kits, and redesigned pyjamas, as the company seeks to retain first-class customers.
Emirates adapts ‘Game Changer’ suites for the A380
Emirates has announced a comprehensive upgrade of its iconic Airbus A380 first class product, adapting its “Game Changer” suite design for the double-deck flagship.
The floor-to-ceiling private suite was first designed for the Boeing 777X and introduced on a select few of the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
The updated first-class suites will feature fully enclosed private cabins with floor-to-ceiling walls.
First introduced in 2017, this product is installed on nine of the airline’s Boeing 777-300ERs.
These private suites feature a window view for passengers seated in the middle, facilitated by cameras on the aircraft that relay real-time images from the exterior to a window-shaped screen.
British Airways targets mid-2026 for new A380 first class
British Airways is also preparing to introduce a new first class cabin across its retrofitted A380 fleet by mid-2026.
Crafted in collaboration with Collins Aerospace, the new seat features a 36.5-inch width, a 79-inch fully flat bed, and intuitive features such as adjustable lighting modes and a 32-inch 4K screen.
Each suite is enclosed in a 60-inch curved wall for privacy, inspired by the Concorde’s sleek design.
Touches include integrated luggage storage, acoustic sound-absorbing panels, and a new “do not disturb” feature on its wireless control.
Featured image: Lufthansa
