Lufthansa's corporate business, especially in the Americas, "is picking up and getting stronger and stronger week by week," VP of sales for the Americas Dirk Janzen said during a press briefing Thursday. He added that the Americas region is the strongest market outside of the company's home market of Germany.
The region's corporate business recovery is at about 80 percent versus 2019, and Janzen, who started his position in September, said it is expected to remain at about that level in 2023. Capacity for next year is expected to be 85 percent recovered.
From the United States, strong corporate destinations include Germany, Italy, India and Tel Aviv "in the top 10," Janzen said.
In addition, Lufthansa plans to launch new cabins beginning in fall 2023, with first class, business class, premium economy and economy each getting new seats. The program, dubbed Allegris, is slated for long-haul routes. More than 100 new Lufthansa Group aircraft, such as Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-9 and Airbus A350 aircraft, will feature the new cabins, according to the company.
"It's about 31,000 new seats groupwide," Janzen said, noting that full details won't be released until February at the earliest, but that the business-class cabin would have seven different seat options.
What is known so far is that the new first class will offer suites with ceiling-high walls that can be closed for privacy and the seat, at nearly "one meter wide" can be converted into a bed. Each suite also will include a wardrobe.
All business-class cabin seats will convert to beds and have aisle access. One of the seven types of seats will be a front row of suites with sliding doors that completely close, a 27-inch monitor and a personal wardrobe. There also will be an option for extra legroom and a "king seat" with more width, Janzen said.
"It's all about catering to the trend of personalization," he said. "Everybody likes something different. It's a tremendous step, a huge investment."
Economy class for all new long-haul aircraft will offer a "sleeper's row" with a "surface that is 40 percent larger" than Lufthansa's original sleeper's row offering. Further, economy passengers will have the option of booking a vacant neighbor seat.