Lufthansa First Class – Luxury
above the clouds
A conversation with renowned aviation expert
Andreas Spaeth
In 2026, Lufthansa will celebrate its 100th anniversary and look back on a century of aviation history, innovation, and connecting people around the world. That is reason enough for Mavi to join Andreas Spaeth in testing Lufthansa First Class from Munich to New York. In the 1950s, the flight from Munich to New York took 20 hours, whereas today it only takes 8–9 hours. Back then, First Class passengers could sip champagne at a bar during the long flight, enjoy caviar,
and even smoking was still allowed.
mavi: What has Lufthansa changed since then in terms of luxury above the clouds?
Andreas Spaeth: The market for the luxury segment on scheduled flights is fiercely contested. You can still find the old Lufthansa First Class cabin on all routes operated by a Boeing 747-8, an Airbus A380-800, or an Airbus A340-600. The new Allegris First Class can currently only be found on the Airbus A350-900. To your question: the first thing that stands out is the price. The ticket costs around 13,000 euros, while an Economy Class ticket costs 1,200 euros. At that price, as a passenger I definitely expect something special in terms of service and fittings. I find the privacy you get in Allegris First Class outstanding.
mavi: What does the design of these private suites at Lufthansa look like?
Andreas Spaeth: I would describe it as elegant and understated. The suites have sliding walls 1.80 metres high so that as a guest you can retreat completely into your own cabin. There are two single suites by the window and one double suite in the middle. The colours are muted: grey carpet, black leather seats, white surfaces, and the walls are covered with sound-absorbing Alcantara. The wide seat can easily be converted into a bed over two metres long. Each suite also has an ottoman whose backrest can be reclined, making it a perfect place to relax. There is a wardrobe and a hand-luggage compartment on the floor where you can stow everything.
mavi: Is there anything Lufthansa could still improve?
Andreas Spaeth: As a passenger on a long-haul flight, you naturally have plenty of time to spot the weaknesses. One minor disappointment is the meagre selection of in-flight entertainment. Yes, there are wireless Sennheiser Bluetooth headphones – but what you can listen to and watch on board is very limited everywhere. Lufthansa is saving massively on content. I also see this as a competitive disadvantage compared with other airlines that offer live TV. Imagine your flight is during an important football game or you do not want to miss political developments. For people who want to be informed live, this is an area where Lufthansa could still improve.
mavi: What does the culinary offering in Allegris First Class look like?
Andrea Spaeth: In Munich you are welcomed in the First Class Lounge in the satellite terminal, where you can enjoy an extensive breakfast – either from the buffet or à la carte. On board it is “dine on demand”, so you can order anything at any time. At the start of the journey you are served two 100-gram tins of Chinese farmed Kaluga caviar (purchasing price 230 euros). This is followed by three small starters, including “Roasted carrot with Cajun spice, nectarine and cashew”. The “duet of pike-perch fillet and langoustine with potato-leek purée and baby fennel” is one of the best fish dishes I have ever had above the clouds. The braised veal cheeks with truffle ravioli are at a solid brasserie level. The wines served with the meal vary greatly in quality, ranging from the South African Muratie Chardonnay (12 euros retail) to the 2016 Bordeaux La Tour Figeac (100 euros).
mavi: How many miles would a frequent flyer have to redeem to experience Allegris First Class?
Andreas Spaeth: Andreas Spaeth: In theory, this is now possible and depends on many factors, as there is no fixed rule. However, given that there are currently only about a dozen aircraft worldwide with just three suites each, in practice it will be very rare to manage an upgrade to First Class with miles or by paying a surcharge on a Business Class ticket.
mavi: How should we picture the typical First Class customer at Lufthansa?
Andreas Spaeth: The customer – whether male or female – is definitely someone who values quality and privacy. They might be entrepreneurs, tech nerds, or showbusiness personalities. Lufthansa First Class is essentially an alternative to a private jet, and for that the ticket price is almost cheap again.
mavi: Thank you for the interview.
The test flight described took place in January 2025 at the invitation of Lufthansa.
Journalist Andreas Spaeth is an aviation expert and has been writing regularly for major newspapers and online portals since the 1990s, mainly on topics related to civil aviation. He is globally connected with airlines, airports, and aircraft manufacturers. For over 25 years, his expert knowledge of civil passenger aviation has been in demand from German, English, and American media.
mavi presents the engineers of Lufthansa First Class at work.
