Decidedly, Lufthansa's new "Allegris" seat in business and first class is a misnomer. It could be renamed "Difficultis", because it seems to be so unlucky! Delayed by several years - it was planned for 2017 - the Allegris seat was not presented to the public until late spring 2024.
And then some, it was not available in First Class due to technical problems with the new sleeper seat. Now that this problem has been resolved, it's the turn of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to play spoilsport for Allegris.
A different manufacturer for the Allegris seat on Boeing aircraft
The FAA is refusing to certify the seats on more than a dozen brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.. They are currently immobilised on a Boeing unit at Charleston airport in South Carolina.
The FAA deplores shortcomings in the safety of seats in the event of a collision. Even though the European authorities had no problem validating the conformity of the Allegris seats on the Airbus A350.
Except that in the case of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the manufacturer is not the same. In Europe, the Allegris seat on the Airbus A350 is produced by STELIA Aerospace, while Collins Aerospace is responsible for manufacturing in the United States. In Europe, STELIA reports that deliveries are on schedule.
Threat to the development of the Frankfurt hub in 2025
The dilemma for Lufthansa is that its order for 34 Boeing 787-9s has now been delayed. Not least with its 13 B787 immobilised because of Allegris.
And yet, they are due to enter service in March next year to strengthen the airline's Frankfurt hub. At the same time, they should enable Lufthansa to reduce its fuel consumption as its Airbus A340s are retired.
The airline still hopes to receive its first new Boeing 787-9s in the middle of the year. And it is working on several alternatives. For example, flying aircraft exclusively in Premium and Economy classes. Or temporarily equipping them with the old seats. Or temporarily transferring five or six Airbus A350-900s from Munich to Frankfurt.
Whatever solution is adopted, it will prove costly for the company. Even if it can expect compensation from Collins Aerospace.
