Lufthansa’s rollout of its new Allegris cabin has hit yet another roadblock. According to a Der Spiegel report, Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa’s Chief Executive Officer, revealed during an internal event on December 17 that Boeing has 13 Dreamliners ready for delivery, with two more approaching completion. Six of these aircraft already feature the Allegris seats. Yet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has declined to certify these seats, halting Lufthansa’s plans to bring the upgraded jets into service.
Background And Passenger Concerns
These Boeing 787 Dreamliners were supposed to help modernize Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet and elevate the passenger experience—especially for business travelers who count on more privacy and comfort. Prospective flyers booked on routes expecting the new 787s face heightened uncertainty, not knowing whether they will experience the Allegris cabin or a last-minute seat swap.
Lufthansa’s Efforts And Ongoing Hurdles
With 16-G crash test and various safety checks still pending, Lufthansa finds itself in a tough bind. The airline must decide whether to accept the Dreamliners and leave non-approved premium seats empty, or keep waiting for full FAA certification. Flying partially vacant cabins could maintain flight schedules but would temporarily undermine revenue goals and inconvenience high-paying business passengers.
Notably, Lufthansa has already introduced Allegris seats on its Airbus A350 jets, but those seats—crafted by a different manufacturer—did not encounter the same regulatory delays. This underscores the complexities of working with multiple suppliers. The FAA approval process is often lengthy, particularly when new or heavily customized seat products are involved.
Wider Industry Impacts
This delay signals a larger trend in commercial aviation. Airlines eager to innovate face an increasingly rigorous regulatory environment. Incremental seat enhancements generally face fewer hurdles, while brand-new cabin concepts—like Lufthansa’s Allegris—can stall if they fail to meet every requirement out of the gate.
Travel analysts suggest that delayed Dreamliner entries disrupt long-haul network planning and affect day-to-day operations. In some cases, crew training schedules and route assignments get reshuffled, creating logistical headaches. If the certification deadlock lingers, Lufthansa could face reputational risks, especially among premium fliers who have anticipated the new seats.
What Lies Ahead
Despite these frustrations, Lufthansa remains resolute about Allegris. The airline anticipates that once approval is secured, the seats will help differentiate its long-haul services, offering greater personal space and upgraded amenities. Compensation from Boeing for delivery delays offsets some financial strain, but time and passenger goodwill remain at stake.
For travelers, the immediate future holds uncertainty. Some may still fly on reconfigured Boeing 787s without fully certified seating. Others may see itineraries suddenly changed or cabin products switched. Either way, the airline must strike a balance between innovation and the realities of meeting stringent safety standards—an issue that persists across the aviation industry.
