Lufthansa continues to modernize its fleet, opportunistically buying planes when they are on sale. This has interesting implications for passenger experience.
Lufthansa acquires four additional Airbus A350-900s
Lufthansa has leased four more Airbus A350-900 aircraft to accelerate the modernization and modernization of its long haul fleet. These aircraft will be joining Lufthansa's fleet during the first half 2022. Lufthansas currently operates 17 A350s. With these four extra planes, the fleet of A350s will reach 21 by early next year.
Lufthansa ordered four additional A350-900s
Here's Dr. Detlef Kayser (a member of Lufthansa Board) describing this lease decision.
Airbus A350 is a modern, high-tech aircraft. It is extremely fuel-efficient, quiet and more economical than previous models. This aircraft is loved by our customers for its sustainability and the exceptional flight experience. Lease agreements enable us to be flexible in our fleet planning and take advantage of extraordinary market opportunities.
Lufthansa Group recently went on quite the Airbus A350/Boeing 787 shopping spree:
Lufthansa Group placed a March 2019 order for 20 Airbus A350-900s, 20 Boeing 787-9s, and 25 Airbus A350-900s. These planes will be delivered in 2022-2027.
Lufthansa Group placed an additional order for five Airbus A350-900s, five Boeing 787-9s, and five additional Airbus A350s in May 2021. The additional five A350s will be delivered in 2027/28 and the five additional Boeing 787-9s in 2028. The five additional A350s will be delivered in 2027/28. The five additional 787s will be delivered in the first quarter of 2022.
It is clear that the initial order was part pre-pandemic long term fleet planning. The order from earlier in the year, as well as the one announced this week, are simply market opportunities for the airline as a result.
Lufthansa Group also purchased 25 Boeing 787-9s
From where are these A350s?
Aero.de reports that the four Airbus A350-900 leases come from Philippine Airlines. The airline, based in Manila, is currently in bankruptcy. As a result, the company is drastically reducing its fleet, including getting rid most A350s.
All this makes sense and explains why Lufthansa was able to obtain these planes so quickly, as Philippine Airlines is trying to dispose of these planes immediately.
The new A350s of Lufthansa are now available from Philippine Airlines
Which business product class should we expect to see?
Lufthansa will not make major changes to these planes' cabins. We should expect minor cosmetic changes to these planes, but that's it. This means that Lufthansa will fly the A350s of former Philippine Airlines in the same configuration as they offer now. These planes have 295 seats including:
30 Business Class Seats (1-2-1 Configuration)
24 Premium Economy Seats (2-4-2 Configuration)
241 economy class seats (3-3-3 configuration)
Lufthansa's A350-900s currently have 293 seats.
48 seats in business class (2-2-2 configuration).
21 Premium Economy Seats (2-3-2 Configuration)
224 economy class seats (3-3-3 configuration)
The overall number of seats is similar, but the distribution of cabins can be quite different. These Philippine Airlines planes offer a significant upgrade in passenger experience for business class passengers. Lufthansa's A350 business class is a little lacking.
Lufthansa A350 business class
Philippine Airlines A350 Business Class features Vantage XL seat options, each with direct aisle access.
Philippine Airlines A350 business class
This will be Lufthansa's third new business product beyond its current business class products. Lufthansa's long-term, new business class product was revealed for the first time in 2017. This was to be on the Boeing 777-9. However, it is being delayed until the end of 2023.
Lufthansa's new business class product
Lufthansa plans to keep the business-class product that was on the five latest Boeing 787-9s it ordered. Although there is no official confirmation, I believe that at least some of these planes were meant for Vistara. In which case, we can expect another staggered business product. These planes will join Lufthansa's fleet during the first half 2022.
Vistara 787-9 business class
Overall, all these new products of business class represent an improvement over the previous one, but the inconsistency is certainly notable.
Bottom line
Lufthansa has acquired four more Airbus A350s. They will be joining the carrier's fleet in the first half 2022. These are all A350s that were operated by Philippine Airlines.
Lufthansa does not intend to make any significant changes to the cabins of these planes. Lufthansa will soon operate some A350s with Vantage XL staggered business seats.
What do you think of Lufthansa's latest A350 acquisition and, in particular, the new cabins?
