Lufthansa now flies Allegris first class on 10 Airbus A350s, but joint middle suite proves divisive
August 25, 2025
Lufthansa’s new Allegris first class experience is no longer a one-off. The airline now operates 10 Munich-based Airbus A350-900s with the new three-suite cabin. They rotate across long-haul routes that have included Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Shanghai, Bengaluru and New York.
Allegris is, overall, a bold, modern design and a unique approach to cabin layouts. But early reaction from passengers and crew suggests that the central double suite on Lufthansa’s Allegris first class requires a rethink.
Lufthansa Allegris: a bold new first class design with teething problems
Each Allegris First Class suite has near floor-to-ceiling walls and a closing door, a ~40-inch screen, a large dining table with buddy seat, personal wardrobe, wireless charging and Bluetooth audio, plus heated/cooled seating and tablet controls for lighting and temperature.
The centre double cabin, Suite Plus, offers two wide seats that can convert into a double bed. The airline promised that it “creates a unique travel experience.” But unique may not be all good.
Lufthansa’s Suite Plus: it’s dark in the middle
The design of Allegris is a dark tone, which works well in terms of maintenance, keeping the cabin looking clean longer. There is a pleasant light to dark contrast in the window suites where natural light is plentiful.
In the centre suite, however, the structural design gives little access to natural light. The privacy walls obscure it.
Emirates addressed centre suite light isolation on its “gamechanger” First Class cabin by adding virtual windows to the middle suite, and also uses a lighter design palette.
Lufthansa did not consider this in its design of Allegris, and it is not the only oversight.
Suite Plus: designed for couples, not for two singles
In the Lufthansa Suite Plus, the two seats are close together, with no privacy divider between them. If one traveller wants to sleep while the other wants to eat or watch in-flight entertainment, they will be disturbing each other.
Even if their sleep schedules align, they would need to feel comfortable sleeping together on the double bed. Both would need to agree on what to watch, as there is a single screen for both travel companions. They would also need to coordinate their meals and oworking time as there is a single tray table to share. What is more, the personal space available to each passenger in this double suite is less than in the individual window-suites, and so is the stowage space for personal items.
The double suite concept may work when the two seated there are a couple, as initially envisioned, assuming the couple gets on well. With Lufthansa offering a 30% discount on airfare to the travelling companion, it is a tempting option for two. It is also a delightful cabin experience for the individual who pays extra to have the Suite Plus entirely to themselves.
However, that is not always the case. Two business partners travelling together are unlikely to enjoy the joint experience. Also, the airline may assign the suite to two first-class single bookings that haven’t made a seat selection. This suite is hardly ideal for two strangers to share.
Lufthansa cabin crew pushback on Allegris First Class design and service
In an internal letter seen and reported on by aeroTELEGRAPH, the airline’s cabin crew call out the design flaws of the Suite Plus in service.
Even when couples book the centre suite, as intended, they say:
“Couples rarely have the same sleep patterns or movie preferences. Instead of an exclusive, comfortable atmosphere, it creates a feeling of confinement and pressure – no trace of a premium experience.”
They also call out the airline’s inadequate storage planning for the first class cabin, with bedding having to be stored in the overhead bins, which reduces the space available to passengers.
During the Allegris introduction phase, Lufthansa rostered an extra flight attendant to the First Class cabin. However, as familiarisation ends, the airline is reverting to its planned complement for the A350s.
Only one first-class-qualified flight attendant would cover the four first-class seats exclusively, while the second would be assigned to help elsewhere in the cabin.
“The removal of the flight attendant not only represents a clear decline in service quality, but also once again reveals significant weaknesses in strategic planning and product design,” crew representatives warn, adding, “This will massively reduce the time spent with guests – especially in first class. And this is happening at a time when Allegris, a new seating product requiring explanation, is being introduced.”
A Lufthansa spokesperson argues this is all as intended, telling aeroTELEGRAPH:
“During the Allegris introduction phase, the crew complement on the relevant flights was expanded to include a flight attendant. This transition phase was limited a priori, and the crew size will now be returned to the actual planned number as planned in the fall.”
Allegris: an excellent cabin design, but mainly by the windows
None of this is to say that the Allegris first class on the A350 displeases. The design is elegant and comfortable, and the suites’ features are state-of-the-art.
On hardware, Allegris is undoubtedly a step change for Lufthansa. With enhanced privacy, temperature-controlled seating, larger screens, and smarter storage, it improves on the old first class product significantly.
But the centre “Suite Plus” remains polarising despite its impressive tech. Its execution is muddled and the passenger experience hinges on how well they like their travel companion.
In short, the window suites are a definite step up from the airline’s earlier product. The Suite Plus, however, is best enjoyed by a single passenger who will pay to have it all to themselves.
