Lufthansa is in advanced discussions with Boeing about configuring some of its 787s with a larger Business Class cabin, Group chief executive Carsten Spohr said on 3 November. No aircraft number, seat count, delivery schedule or final configuration has been agreed. The talks follow operational use of the 787 on routes planned for larger aircraft, where Lufthansa’s current premium-cabin capacity can fall short of demand.
Lufthansa is also considering converting some Economy rows to Premium Economy, a cabin the group regards as successful. Changes to Business Class would be more complex, Spohr told journalists during the presentation of Lufthansa Group’s quarterly results.
The airline’s Allegris-equipped 787-9s have 28 Business Class seats, although three are not yet available for sale pending FAA certification. Lufthansa expects further 787-9 deliveries from Boeing; 26 remained outstanding after one aircraft arrived in October.
The capacity discussions reflect a mismatch between the 787’s deployment and the larger aircraft intended for some routes, including the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350-1000. A revised cabin could increase premium seating on those services, but Lufthansa has not disclosed how many aircraft might be affected or when any change could enter service.