Flying Lufthansa’s much-anticipated Allegris business class — full disclosure, as a guest of the airline — in its business-plus front-row Business Suite was a fascinating experience for this journalist, coming nearly a decade after the product was first revealed.
Yes, Allegris is late, and yes, the first-class cabin on the A350s is empty apart from a few economy seats. Crew now use the front galley as an on-duty rest area. But what’s it like to fly?
I should be clear that I can’t comment on a key part of the Allegris experience: making the choice about which of the seven types of seat on board to select and for what price. Lufthansa placed me in the front-row Business Suite for this outbound journey, so this piece contains thoughts purely about that product.
The Business Suite is very private: high walls cut off both sight and sound of the rest of the cabin, giving an exclusive hideaway sort of feel. It’s remarkably spacious, matching products like JAL’s Safran Unity, ANA’s Safran Fusio, or Qatar’s Collins Qsuite that are all strong doored mini-suites in the market. I should note, though, that those products are not front-row business-plus seats but rather every seat in their respective cabins.
This A350 version, Lufthansa tells me, is manufactured by Stelia but to Lufthansa specifications.
In terms of functionality, the Business Suite has four preset positions and infinite adjustability for backrest, seat pan, and legrest. There’s a cushion firmness adjuster that didn’t seem to do much and a lumbar adjuster that didn’t either.
In bed mode, the seat was somewhat lumpy; even with a mattress pad provided by Lufthansa it only helped so much. Controls for everything from seat adjustments to in-flight entertainment (IFE) are via a large tablet sat into the wall. This is largely unwieldy unless removed from its dock; overall I’d have preferred separate controls for seating adjustments.
The Safran RAVE IFE screen is 27 inches. It’s similar in size to Virgin Atlantic’s Retreat Suite screen but feels smaller despite being closer due to its placement within a large blue bulkhead. Lufthansa’s noise-cancelling headphones were adequate enough that I did not bother pairing my own headphones during this flight.
One feature I particularly appreciated was individual temperature controls via in-seat heating and cooling adjustable from the tablet interface. On a hot summer day in Munich having cool air wafting through my backrest was delightful while also appreciating an air gasper at door-side given there were no overhead air vents available.
Device pairing options were present but unnecessary given how accessible everything was via tablet control.
Regarding aesthetics and materials used (CMF), they are slightly improved from early 2010s standards with darker blues dominating alongside light greys complemented by some dark grey leather elements around side tables/armrests respectively; however storage solutions left something desired – too many small compartments rather than larger ones capable enough accommodating items such as handbags/messenger bags without needing them turned sideways awkwardly inside spaces meant holding them upright ideally instead otherwise boots fit fine into bigger cupboards available onboard too!
There were two storage boxes at ankle level followed by another acting almost like hanging wardrobe near IFE screens then additional ones within side consoles including preloaded water bottles plus sliding cupboards housing headphones among other essentials needed throughout journeys taken here too!
However one aspect stood out negatively – sliding cupboard doors felt reminiscent shared office spaces early 2000s lacking aesthetic appeal seen newer designs offered competitors today leading disappointment rather than satisfaction expected premium experiences sought after passengers flying higher-end classes these days unfortunately still though ample power outlets provided alongside BYO headphone hooks/stowage areas wallets/passports etc., redeeming factors somewhat overall impression remains mixed feelings about certain aspects considered together ultimately resulting less luxurious atmosphere compared peers operating same space segment currently available market today…
Soft product offerings remain standard fare featuring main meal services consisting three starters/mains choices shortly post-departure followed snack options pre-landing again nothing exceptional distinguishing itself beyond typical expectations held travelers accustomed similar setups elsewhere already familiar routines experienced before now anyway meanwhile exclusive “Business Suite” extras included non-alcoholic “secco” drinks/snack boxes containing almonds/olives found self-service galleys long-haul flights usually encountered frequently nowadays yet failing impress significantly nonetheless still efforts made differentiate themselves slightly albeit marginally noticeable differences perceived end-users alike evidently visible quality issues observed included drooping fabric panels poorly finished edges misaligned decompression elements detracting overall presentation values hoped achieving better results instead missed opportunities bringing luxurious touches forefront instead regrettably…
John Walton was hosted by Lufthansa; opinions expressed remain solely his own observations reported herein accurately reflecting personal experiences encountered firsthand throughout journey undertaken accordingly…
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Featured image credited John Walton
