What Is It Like To Fly on Lufthansa’s New Allegris First Class?

After years of eager anticipation and numerous delays stemming from certification challenges, supply chain disruptions, and the intricacies of modern aircraft manufacturing, Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class has finally taken to the skies and landed in the U.S. for the first time.

First unveiled in 2017 with promises of transforming the premium cabin experience, the rollout of this innovative suite design faced several challenges. However, in November 2024, passengers on select routes to India were among the first to experience this pinnacle of German in-flight luxury.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

I was fortunate enough to be on the inaugural Allegris First Class flight to North America, traveling onboard one of the airline’s newest Airbus A350-900s.

Check-In

Lufthansa‘s First Class check-in area at Munich Airport’s Terminal 2 is designed for seamless efficiency.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

A red carpet—well, an imitation one—leads the way, and a dedicated security checkpoint ensured a swift and effortless passage.

With my boarding pass saved on my phone, I was through in minutes, encountering almost no one along the way.

Boarding

As this flight’s sole First Class passenger, I was granted priority boarding.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

Stepping onto the factory-fresh Airbus A350 was effortless—no crowds, no delays, just a smooth transition from the jet bridge to my suite.

The Seat

I was assigned 1A, one of three enormous suites in Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

The single suites, 1A and 1K, offer a generous 2.7 square meters (29 square feet) of personal space, while the double suite, 1D/E, expands to an impressive 3.7 square meters (39 square feet).

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

The upcoming retrofitted Boeing 747-8s will feature even more spacious configurations.

Privacy is paramount in this cabin. Each suite is enclosed by soft-material sliding doors, standing at 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) high, ensuring near-total seclusion.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

The seat itself is remarkably wide—89 cm (2.9 feet) in the single suite and a staggering 126 cm (4.1 feet) in the double. These seats convert into fully flat beds, stretching 2.05 meters (6.7 feet) long.

The centerpiece of the experience is the double suite, which transforms into what is arguably the largest bed in commercial aviation—completely seamless, with no gap between the mattresses.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

A guest seat opposite each suite features a belted ottoman with a reclining backrest, making in-flight companionship a comfortable option.

Storage is ample, with trunk-like compartments for carry-ons and an enclosed wardrobe in every suite.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

However, one drawback is the lack of a dedicated, secure space to store a laptop within easy reach.

Entertainment

Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class boasts impressive hardware, with 32-inch HD screens in the single suites and an expansive 43-inch screen in the double suite.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

Each seat comes with a tablet that controls all functions, including seat heating and cooling. The airline provides premium Sennheiser Bluetooth headphones, but activating them is cumbersome, and the content selection is underwhelming.

Lufthansa’s in-flight entertainment library is disappointingly sparse—just 187 albums and playlists, with no recent hits or major movie blockbusters. In stark contrast, Emirates offers over 3,500 audio choices, many of them top-tier selections.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

However, Lufthansa redeems itself with free, high-speed Wi-Fi in First Class. Business Class passengers, however, must still pay for access—a policy that will change in April 2025, when messaging will become free for all travelers.

One major caveat: this outstanding new product is rolling out at a frustratingly slow pace. By the end of 2025, only ten A350s will feature Allegris cabins, along with just two partially retrofitted Boeing 747-8s.

The full retrofit won’t be completed until late 2028, and even then, only a third of Lufthansa’s 120 long-haul aircraft will offer First Class.

The Flight

Departure was delayed by 40 minutes due to de-icing, but once airborne, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. With only one passenger—me—occupying the First Class cabin, the two dedicated flight attendants ensured a completely personalized service.

Lufthansa’s First Class offers dine-on-demand, a privilege not extended to Business Class passengers.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

I began with a generous helping—two, in fact—of farmed Chinese Kaluga caviar, served from a 100-gram tin. The trio of appetizers was equally satisfying, but the real standout was the main course: a duet of pike-perch filet and langoustine with beurre blanc and potato-leek purée.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

It may not have looked extraordinary, but it was undoubtedly one of the best seafood dishes I’ve ever had at 35,000 feet.

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

The wine selection was a mixed bag. While Lufthansa includes a top-tier Bordeaux retailing at $100, the white wine offerings were more modest, with a $15 Chardonnay from South Africa.

The amenity kit, elegantly designed with a sleek, hard-case silver bag, was filled with an array of travel essentials and luxurious Doctor Babor toiletries. The brilliant sheen of the hard case not only adds a touch of sophistication but also serves as a practical storage solution, making it one of the most valuable collectibles I have ever come across in my travels. I

Photo: Courtesy of Andreas Spaeth

After indulging in cheese and dessert, I stretched out in the lavish double suite, where I had one of the most restful naps I’ve ever experienced on a plane.

Arrival

We touched down at JFK 30 minutes behind schedule, but immigration at Terminal 1 was a breeze—no lines, no hassle, and no checked baggage to wait for.

Verdict

Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class is a meticulously designed product that sets new standards in privacy and comfort. The suite’s expansive dimensions, luxurious bedding, and thoughtful details make it one of the most impressive First Class experiences available today. However, its extremely limited availability—currently only on select Munich to JFK and Chicago flights—means that only a handful of travelers will get to experience it in the near future. Lufthansa does not allow upgrades into this cabin, so access is strictly for those willing to pay full fare—up to $14,000 for a round trip.

Best For:

Passengers seeking the pinnacle of German engineering in a First Class cabin that prioritizes privacy and space.

Flight Time: 8 hours, 30 minutes

Configuration: 1-1-1

Website: lufthansa.com

Disclaimer: While Lufthansa provided Business Traveler with a round-trip ticket for this journey, all opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the author and remain entirely unbiased.