Which Routes Feature Lufthansa First Class?

One of the best first class products between the United States and Europe is offered by Lufthansa, and it's bookable with miles.

In this post, I want to recap which planes feature first class, which routes they fly, what to expect from the experience, and how to redeem miles for the product. The summer schedule has just kicked in, which is leading to quite a few adjustments, including the return of first class out of Munich.

Lufthansa planes with a first class cabin

The footprint of aircraft with first class cabins has shrunk over the past several years. The situation was made worse by the retirement of the A380 fleet, which was the carrier's flagship aircraft.

The Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus A340-600 are the two types of aircraft that Lufthansa has.

• Lufthansa has 19 Boeing 747-8s, which fly from Frankfurt to key, high yield, and high capacity markets; these will stay in Lufthansa’s fleet for years to come
• Lufthansa has five Airbus A340-600s, which fly out of Munich to key destinations where there’s demand for first class; Lufthansa has just reactivated these planes, and they’re only being brought back temporarily

The A340-600s are only being brought back for a limited time. In the summer of 2023, Lufthansa will start taking delivery of at least 10 A350-900s with first class, which will be based in Munich.

Lufthansa routes operated by Boeing 747-8s

First class is only available on Boeing 747-8s. Which routes are used by these planes? First class is offered on flights from Frankfurt to a number of destinations.

• Bangalore (BLR) — as of October 31, 2022
• Buenos Aires (EZE) — on an ongoing basis
• Chicago (ORD) — on an ongoing basis
• Delhi (DEL) — on an ongoing basis
• Hong Kong (HKG) — as of October 30, 2022
• Houston (IAH) — on an ongoing basis
• Johannesburg (JNB) — on an ongoing basis
• Los Angeles (LAX) — on an ongoing basis
• Mexico City (MEX) — on an ongoing basis
• Miami (MIA) — on an ongoing basis
• New York (JFK) — on an ongoing basis
• Newark (EWR) — on an ongoing basis
• San Francisco (SFO) — on an ongoing basis
• Sao Paulo (GRU) — on an ongoing basis
• Shanghai (PVG) — on an ongoing basis
• Washington (IAD) — through October 29, 2022

The routes are highly subject to change, especially the ones that are scheduled to have first class in the future. Airline route planning has become more complicated because of travel restrictions.

Lufthansa routes operated by Airbus A340-600s

First class is only available on certain types of planes. Which routes are used by these planes? First class is offered on flights from Munich to a number of destinations.

• Boston (BOS) — through October 29, 2022
• Los Angeles (LAX) — May 31 through October 29, 2022
• New York (JFK) — May 16 through October 29, 2022
• Newark (EWR) — July 11 through October 29, 2022

The planes will probably stay around for the winter, but they haven't been loaded into the schedule yet.

What to expect from Lufthansa first class

A first class experience on the Boeing 747-8 is offered by Lufthansa. You can use the amazing First Class Terminal when you leave Frankfurt.

Pick up your duck is always a fun feature of first class.

You will be taken across the apron to your plane, which is a treat.

The 747-8 first class cabin has eight seats spread across three rows. There are three rows of single seats on each side, with a pair of seats in the middle. It's a treat to be able to sit in the nose of the queen of the skies with so many airlines retiring the jumbo jet.

A variety of Appetizers, main courses, and desserts are included in the inflight Catering in first class.

First class passengers receive a voucher for complimentary access to inflight wi-fi, even though the inflight entertainment selection is just okay.

I have found the service in first class to be excellent and to strike the right balance between being personable and professional.

The seats in the A340-600 first class are spread across two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The First Class Lounge is awesome.

How to redeem miles for Lufthansa first class

You can redeem miles for travel in first class on Star Alliance airlines. Usually, first class award seats are available to members of partner airline frequent flyer programs at most 15 days before departure. If there are empty seats in the days leading up to the departure, the good news is that the seats will be open.

What are the best programs for booking first class? One-way travel between the United States and Europe is available with some of the popular options.

• The Avianca LifeMiles program charges 87,000 miles
• The Air Canada Aeroplan program charges 100,000 points (for up to 6,000 miles of travel)
• The United MileagePlus program charges 121,000 miles

I'm highlighting them because none of those programs have imposed surcharges on these awards.

Over the past several years, the first class footprint of the airline has shrunk. The only planes that feature first class are the Boeing 747-8s and the Airbus A340-600s. The airline will be adding A350s to its first class fleet soon.

Hopefully the above is a useful summary of which routes you will find these planes on, what to expect, and how to redeem miles for the experience.

Questions about first class that I missed?