Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. While the airline boasts about unprecedented passenger choice, its latest product rollout has been widely criticized as a disaster. Beyond the general issues, the seating arrangement creates a uniquely frustrating experience for families, with needlessly complex rules and a severe lack of suitable seating options.
The Illusion of Choice
Lufthansa aggressively markets Allegris as a revolutionary business class experience, highlighting five distinct seat types designed for diverse traveler preferences. The airline claims this “choice” sets it apart. However, this supposed freedom crumbles when it comes to couples or families; despite a staggered layout, the cabin offers shockingly few seats that accommodate those traveling together. Window seats are exclusively single, and the center section alternates between one and two seats—with the pairs spaced so far apart they’re not ideal for companions.
The only potentially viable option for families is the premium business class suites, but these come at a significant extra cost. Lufthansa emphasizes choice, yet delivers a product that excels for solo travelers willing to pay more, while leaving families with limited options.
Absurd Family Seating Restrictions
Recent documentation revealed Lufthansa has implemented specific rules for family seating in Allegris business class. The airline explicitly limits adults to traveling with a maximum of two children aged 2-11. This is a peculiar restriction, as most airlines do not cap the number of children an adult can accompany, especially when each child requires their own seat.
The situation escalates further with a detailed chart dictating which seats must be assigned when an adult flies with one or two children. While Lufthansa waives seat reservation fees for children (except in the Business Class Suites), the assigned seats are still unlikely to be together, merely “less far apart” than other combinations.
The Bottom Line
Lufthansa’s Allegris business class exemplifies over-engineering at its worst. The family seating situation is a prime example of this: the only genuinely suitable seats for couples and families are the most expensive suites. The airline’s restrictive rules and seating limitations demonstrate a bizarre disregard for travelers seeking a comfortable experience with their loved ones.
The new product may deliver choice, but it is a choice that heavily favors solo travelers willing to pay a premium while leaving families with a needlessly complex and frustrating experience.
