Lufthansa B747-8 premium economy
Frankfurt-Washington DC
BACKGROUND This was the inaugural flight for Lufthansa’s premium economy seat on board a new B747-8. The airline says the roll-out of the product will happen quickly – all B747-8s will be fitted with it by December. Its A330-300s and A380s will also be retrofitted. BOARDING I had connected from London so went through security and made my way to Gate Z52 to board LH418 at 1310. Boarding (and check-in) is the same as for economy passengers. THE SEAT The B747-8 has 32 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout – economy, immediately behind, is 3-4-3. The only divide between the classes are some shades hanging between the seats.
The premium economy seat is wider than in economy, at 18-19 inches instead of 17-18 inches. It also has “about 10cm [3.9in] more room at the side thanks to each seat having its own wide armrest and a centre console between the seats”, the airline says. The recline is eight inches (economy is six inches), and the pitch is 38 inches, compared with economy’s 31 inches. There is a headrest with wings, and an adjustable footrest that folds down from the seat in front, except in the first row, where it is integrated in the legrest. There is a water bottle holder, a seatback IFE screen, a laptop power outlet, a USB port and a space to store glasses or a phone.
The seat is comfortable and fine for sleeping. However, it is difficult to work when the person in front has theirs reclined – it’s really only possible if you put yours back too. The seat also has a fair amount of “give” in it, which means you can feel the passenger behind you using their touchscreen. When all are reclined, it is difficult to get in and out when by the window. WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? The first row (22) has by far the most legroom and, in the case of seats A-C and H-K, the exits are in front of you. That said, because there is no real divider, economy passengers come up to use the washrooms at the front of the cabin, so these four seats lack privacy and face the toilets. For that reason, I’d go for seats D-G, although in these you will also have people leaning on your seat and watching your screen as they wait to use the restroom. I’d avoid the back row, because enjoying your extra recline at the expense of the front row of economy is not great psychologically. A window seat in row 23 or 24 might therefore be best. THE FLIGHT After take-off, we were given a juice drink and headphones. The IFE screens are 11-12 inches – mine initially worked but then stopped, and despite two resets would not restart. Eventually all H seats had to be reset. Wifi costs Ð9 for one hour,
Ð14 for three hours and Ð17 for the flight, and was temperamental. Food is the same as in economy, although the main course is served on porcelain. The starter was a mixed leaf salad with black tiger shrimps, and the mains were beef strips in chilli sauce or garganelli pasta bolognese. Portions weren’t large. Drinks, including a choice of wine, were served with the meal, and spirits afterwards. A snack was offered later on. ARRIVAL We landed on time, and immigration took 20 minutes. VERDICT A welcome addition. Lufthansa has pitched this as an upgraded premium economy product and, in that, it succeeds. If you are planning on working on a long-haul day flight, it’s possible, but be prepared for some inconvenience if using a laptop. The seat is good for sleeping.