COLOGNE — Lufthansa is set to introduce its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner equipped with the airline’s new Allegris cabin concept in October 2025. But despite the fanfare around the premium upgrade, passengers may be surprised to find that only four business class suites will be available for booking during the aircraft’s early operations.
Industry observers are calling it “the most exclusive business class cabin on any global airline,” according to aviation site One Mile at a Time. The move underscores Lufthansa’s decision to move ahead with the Dreamliner debut even as most of its new business class seats await certification.
A Premium Cabin With Limited Access
The Allegris cabin concept, already flying on select Airbus A350s, represents a sweeping redesign of Lufthansa’s long-haul product. Business class suites include sliding doors, higher privacy partitions, and improved amenities intended to compete with top-tier international rivals.
On the 787-9, the full configuration calls for 28 business class seats, 28 premium economy, and 231 economy. But due to ongoing seat certification delays with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), only the four business class suites in the front row will be offered when the aircraft enters service. The other 24 seats will be blocked off until Lufthansa secures regulatory approval.
The airline acknowledged the restriction is strategic. By moving forward with limited seating, Lufthansa can begin introducing crews and pilots to the Dreamliner and its systems while gradually rolling out the Allegris product. The company expects full business class certification to be in place by the end of 2025.
Early Deployment and Expansion Plans
Lufthansa’s first Allegris-equipped Dreamliner will begin service on the Frankfurt–Toronto route between October 8 and October 24, 2025. The German carrier plans to add as many as nine more 787s with Allegris cabins to its Frankfurt hub fleet before year’s end.
Additional routes under the Allegris branding will be phased in as the new aircraft arrive. By 2026, Lufthansa intends to have more than 20 Dreamliners in operation featuring the premium product.
In the short term, however, the limited availability of business class could weigh on yields, particularly on routes with higher demand from corporate travelers. Lufthansa is attempting to minimize the impact by deploying the 787 initially on sectors where business class bookings are not as strong.
Certification Bottleneck
At the heart of the delay is a supplier issue. Lufthansa’s A350 fleet, which already features Allegris cabins, uses business class seats manufactured by Thompson Aerospace. But the Dreamliner’s business class suites come from Collins Aerospace, requiring a separate FAA certification process.
The mismatch has slowed approval, and further delays remain a risk. If certification slips, Lufthansa may have to operate additional 787 flights with only a fraction of their business class product available.
Managing customer expectations will be critical. Business class travelers purchasing tickets on these flights will find only four bookable suites available, a sharp contrast to what Lufthansa intends the cabin to represent in its fully certified form.
Balancing Risk and Reward
Despite the challenges, Lufthansa is betting that an early rollout will help smooth the long-term integration of the 787 into its network. The move allows the airline to accelerate pilot training, crew familiarization, and operational experience with the aircraft, even if short-term revenue opportunities are sacrificed.
The company faces the dual challenge of introducing a cutting-edge premium product while navigating regulatory hurdles that temporarily constrain its offering. The limited seating could frustrate frequent flyers eager to experience Allegris, but it also sets up one of the rarest premium cabins in the skies.
Bottom Line
Lufthansa’s Dreamliner debut reflects both ambition and constraint. The Allegris cabins promise a more competitive long-haul product, but until full FAA certification is achieved, passengers will only have access to four suites per flight.
The airline’s ability to manage pricing, balance route assignments, and secure timely certification will determine how smoothly the Dreamliner fleet enters service. For now, Lufthansa has the distinction of operating what may be the most exclusive business class in the world—though not by design.
