Lufthansa is bringing a breath of fresh air to the aviation industry with its new "Allegris First Class" and award-winning virtual reality technology. The luxury product, which will be used for the first time on scheduled flights to Bangalore and Mumbai from November 9, 2024, is set to redefine the benchmark on Lufthansa's long-haul routes.
Passengers can expect a combination of uncompromising comfort and technological innovations that ensure both the highest level of individuality and entertainment on board. The "Allegris First Class" is available on Lufthansa's Airbus A350-900 fleet and will gradually be added to other aircraft in the long-haul fleet. The introduction of the "Suite Plus" - a globally unique double suite designed for passengers travelling alone or as a couple - takes comfort in the premium travel segment to a new level.
Innovative suite with modern comfort
The Allegris First Class suite is designed for discerning guests who place particular value on comfort and privacy on long-haul flights. The individual suites are equipped with floor-to-ceiling walls, lockable doors and personal seats that are almost one meter wide and can be heated or cooled on request. For additional comfort and safety, each suite has individual lamps and air conditioning that meets the personal needs of the passengers. The seats can also be converted into a comfortable, full-surface bed - an advantage for long-haul travelers looking for a restful sleeping environment.
Another highlight of the suite is the large screen, which, in combination with wireless over-ear headphones and first-class audio material, offers a unique in-flight entertainment experience. The storage space has also been optimized: a separate wardrobe in each suite allows travelers to always have personal items to hand and to change comfortably. In addition to the individual travel experience, the "Suite Plus" offers guests traveling together the option of opening a collapsible partition wall and thus creating shared privacy for two - an innovation that is unique in international air travel to date. This further development is intended to strengthen Lufthansa's position in the global competition among first-class products.
APEX Innovation Award for virtual reality on board
Parallel to the luxury innovations in the "Allegris First Class", Lufthansa was able to set new standards in entertainment technology. The airline was awarded the "APEX Innovation Award" in 2024 for the development and introduction of VR glasses on board. The initiative was launched in cooperation with Meta and the German digital agency MSM.Digital. The aim is to offer passengers an immersive entertainment offering through "mixed reality" that can be used on current flights in the Business Class Suite and on all aircraft with "Allegris" equipment.
The glasses offer access to a wide range of content: from cinematic films that transport passengers into a "360-degree" world of experience, to specially produced travel podcasts and interactive games, to calming meditations aimed at relaxation during the flight. Lufthansa is the world's first airline to offer VR in-flight entertainment in this form and wants to further develop and optimize the service through regular feedback from its customers. The offer also represents an additional, exclusive experience for frequent flyers and business class passengers, offering an alternative form of entertainment alongside the regular film and series offerings on the screens.
The way to the future: comfort and entertainment combined
With the introduction of “Allegris First Class” and the award-winning VR in-flight entertainment, Lufthansa is breaking new ground and combining luxury and technology to meet the changes in aviation.
Experts see the new offers as a consistent further development to consolidate the leading position in the area of long-haul luxury travel and to meet customer demands for personalized, high-quality travel experiences. While global air traffic is characterized by increasing passenger numbers, demand for exclusive first-class offers remains stable. Lufthansa is responding to this trend not only with greater comfort, but also with digital and technological added value that is specifically aimed at frequent travelers and premium customers. This could be seen in the industry as a pioneering example for the future of travel.
The gradual introduction of "Allegris First Class" in other aircraft in the A350 fleet and potentially other long-haul jets will make the exclusive service available to a wider range of passengers in the future. In the long term, Lufthansa will thus remain a pioneer in European and international air traffic and demonstrate how innovatively and creatively the industry can respond to passengers' growing demands for comfort and technology.