Lufthansa Begins A380 Business Class Retrofit Program

Lufthansa launched a major cabin modernisation programme across its long-haul fleet.

The airline focused first on upgrading its Airbus A380 Business Class cabins. All eight Airbus A380 aircraft will receive new premium Business Class seats.

Lufthansa started the retrofit programme in early February. The first aircraft undergoing conversion was the A380 named “Mike-Charly.”

New Business Class Seats Elevate Passenger Comfort

Lufthansa installed new Business Class seats manufactured by Thompson Aero. Each seat offers direct aisle access for every passenger.

The seats provide a width of 58 centimetres and beds exceeding two metres. Passengers also gain Bluetooth connectivity and adjustable privacy partitions.

Lufthansa relied on existing certifications for the new cabin layout. This allowed the airline to avoid lengthy regulatory approval processes. Passengers could experience the upgraded Business Class within weeks.

Retrofit Takes Place in Dresden

Lufthansa carried out the retrofit work at Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden. The aircraft also underwent routine maintenance during their stay. The first fully retrofitted A380 was scheduled to return to Munich in April.

The upgraded aircraft re-entered regular long-haul service shortly after. Lufthansa planned to complete all eight A380 retrofits by mid-2027.

The refurbished A380 will feature 68 Business Class seats. The aircraft will also include First Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. Lufthansa described the project as its most extensive fleet renewal programme to date.