Lufthansa upgrading Boeing 747-8s with new seats

Lufthansa plans to upgrade its Boeing 747-8 jets with new Allegris seats starting this year. Passengers in premium cabins can look forward to a better experience in these modern seats. However, the retrofit will face challenges due to the unique shape of the 747-8, requiring two rounds of updates for each aircraft. Lufthansa is focusing on its newer 747-8 models for this upgrade, not the older 747-400s. The changes will apply to all cabin classes: first class, business class, premium economy, and economy. The process will have to be staggered, so some older business class seats will remain on the aircraft's upper deck for a period. The airline recently reported record revenue and a profit of $1.7 billion in 2024, showing its strong position in the market. As the German economy is expected to grow, there are hopes for continued success. Business travel, which often increases with economic growth, is vital for Lufthansa's profitability. Due to the Boeing 747's distinctive design, new Allegris seats will need to be customized for the upper deck, which is smaller. Initially, the main deck will be updated, and once the new upper deck seats are ready, the planes will be taken out of service again for the second retrofit. This means that, temporarily, some 747-8s will have two different types of business class seats. Passengers should be aware that the older upper deck seats may not offer the same privacy and convenience as the new ones below.