Lufthansa unveils Europe's first true business-class seats on short-haul flights
Lufthansa is set to revolutionise short-haul business travel in Europe by introducing true business-class seating on its A320 family jets. Currently, no European airline offers fully flat lie-flat seats with individual access on short-haul routes, making this move a first for the continent. The new seats, designed for comfort and privacy, will challenge the status quo of premium travel within Europe.
Meanwhile, in the US, airlines like Delta and United have already embraced premium seating on single-aisle aircraft, proving its financial success on domestic routes.
Lufthansa's new Comoda seat will feature nearly a metre of legroom, a footrest, and a fold-out cocktail table. Arranged in a two-by-two layout, the design ensures no shared middle seat, offering more privacy than traditional configurations. Passengers can expect to pay around €400 extra each way on top of the standard business fare for this upgraded experience.
The airline's Italian subsidiary, ITA Airways, already operates a premium cabin on its Airbus A321LR. This includes twelve fully flat lie-flat seats in a one-by-one layout, alongside premium economy and economy. However, this configuration is primarily used for longer European routes, such as those to the Middle East.
In the US, Delta and United have long offered true premium seating on single-aisle jets for domestic flights. These cabins often generate higher revenues than economy, proving the demand for upgraded comfort on shorter routes. American Airlines has also followed suit, expanding premium options on narrow-body aircraft.
Lufthansa's German subsidiary, Eurowings, previously tested genuine business-class seating on its Berlin-Dubai route using an Airbus A320neo. This trial demonstrated the feasibility of premium cabins on medium-haul flights, though it did not extend to short-haul European services.
Lufthansa's decision to introduce true business-class seating on short-haul flights marks a shift in European aviation. If successful, the move could push other carriers to upgrade their premium offerings. The Comoda seat, with its enhanced privacy and comfort, will set a new standard for business travellers within Europe.
For now, the airline remains the first to attempt this on short-haul routes, while competitors continue to focus premium cabins on long-haul and intercontinental flights.
