Lufthansa has debuted its first retrofitted Airbus A380 with a new 68-seat business class cabin, marking the start of its largest-ever fleet modernization program. The aircraft, designated ‘Mike-Charly,’ completed the upgrade at Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden and returned to service from Munich this month.
The retrofit replaces the previous 2-2-2 configuration with a 1-2-1 layout from Thompson Aerospace, providing direct aisle access to all seats. Each measures 58 cm wide with a bed length of at least two meters, Bluetooth connectivity, and flexible partitions for enhanced privacy and comfort.
This change reduces business class capacity from 78 to 68 seats to prioritize premium experience, while retaining eight first class seats, 52 premium economy, and 371 economy seats. Existing certifications enabled a swift rollout, bypassing lengthy approvals.
The program targets all eight A380s by mid-2027, alongside full cabin upgrades on Boeing 747-8s and Airbus A350-900s. Routine maintenance during retrofits optimizes aircraft for long-haul operations, boosting Lufthansa’s competitiveness in premium transatlantic and Asian routes.