Many happy landings and a small ‘seat’ back: Lufthansa christens first Frankfurt-based Dreamliner amid FAA certification delays
October 23, 2025
A proud Lufthansa tradition took place on 21 October in Hesse’s most well-known city, Frankfurt. Minister-President Boris Rehin officially christened Lufthansa’s newest Boeing 787-9 “Dreamliner” with the name “Frankfurt am Main”.
The ceremony took place at Frankfurt Airport and marked a decades-old tradition of naming aircraft after German cities and regions. The new Dreamliner is also the first Lufthansa long-haul aircraft based in Frankfurt to feature the airline’s next-generation Allegris cabin concept. The concept is a comprehensive redesign of its premium travel experience across all cabins.
However, there is one small snag. There has been a delay in the certification of Lufthansa’s new Business Class seats by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This process is currently held up by the ongoing US government shutdown.
Lufthansa’s Allegris premium-cabin concept
Lufthansa’s Allegris product marks a major step in the flag-carrier’s €2.5 billion fleet modernisation programme. The premium concept offers passengers an enhanced travel experience across all classes with redesigned seating, premium materials and cutting-edge technology.
“This Boeing 787-9 is another milestone in our consistent fleet modernisation journey. I am delighted that we can now also offer Allegris to guests at our largest hub. The new “Frankfurt am Main” not only carries the name of its home into the world: it also represents billions in investment in the premium experience at the Frankfurt hub.”
Allegris was debuted on the Airbus A350-900 from Munich in May 2024. But, as of the beginning of October, Allegris has expanded to long-haul destinations from Frankfurt with the new Dreamliner aircraft.
“Allegris has been enthusiastically received by guests who have already experienced it,” said Francesco Sciortino, Hub Manager Frankfurt at Lufthansa Airlines. “We are particularly proud that the new premium cabin is now also being used on other routes, and above all, from our largest hub.”
The first Allegris flights from Frankfurt took off on 9 October, flying to Toronto, Canada. Additional destinations include Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Hyderabad and Austin (Texas).
Key features of Lufthansa’s premium-cabin concept include private suites featuring chest-high walls in business class, a 27-inch monitor, personal minibar and wardrobe. Meanwhile, in Premium economy, passengers enjoy a 39-inch seat pitch, a discreet privacy screen and glare-free reading lamp, as well as a cocktail table on the armrest and fine leather details.
Tradition meets technology as the latest “Frankfurt am Main” takes to the skies
“Frankfurt am Main” has regularly been operating flights between Lufthansa’s main hub and Toronto since 9 October with the registration D-ABPF.
The christening ceremony in Frankfurt also marked a milestone in Lufthansa’s 65-year partnership with the city of Frankfurt, where the name “Frankfurt am Main” has adorned seven Lufthansa aircraft, including the carrier’s first Airbus A380.
Minister-President Boris Rhein highlighted Lufthansa’s close ties with Hesse. He called the airline a “significant economic driver”.
Wishing the new aircraft “many happy landings,” Rhein also noted: “The relationship between Hesse and Lufthansa is particularly strong and based on trust and partnership. I am therefore more than honoured to have the privilege of christening an aircraft for the second time with the name “Frankfurt am Main”. It is a wonderful tradition that Lufthansa aircraft carry the names of cities and regions as flying ambassadors around the world.”
US Government shutdown has delayed certification of the Allegris business-class seats
Despite the celebratory mood in Frankfurt earlier this week, Lufthansa’s Dreamliner is not yet operating at full capacity. Due to pending FAA approvals, some 85% of the business-class seats remain blocked from passenger use.
The issue stems from a delay in certifying the new Allegris business-class seats, a process overseen by US regulators as the aircraft is manufactured there. The ongoing US government shutdown has further exacerbated matters, as the FAA faces a lapse in funding and staff shortages, which have meant some workers are unavailable for non-essential tasks.
The setback affects other international carriers awaiting FAA approvals for newly designed cabin products.
Featured image: Lufthansa
