Allegris First Class: What's New in Service

Just close the door behind you, switch off and relax. What is a cherished ritual for many at home is now also possible high above the clouds with Lufthansa. The new Lufthansa Allegris First Class has comfortable, closable suites that offer maximum privacy – or undisturbed togetherness, as one of the suites is designed for two travelers. 

The new design of the suites also has an impact on the service as the flight attendants in First Class are trained to read their guests' every wish from their eyes. Communication by eye contact is a challenge when the suite is closed. "Our aim in First Class anyway is for the flight attendants to welcome guests on board and prepare them for their travel experience in a personal conversation," says Julia Opolka, who is also responsible for First Class crew processes as an in-flight service consultant at Lufthansa. "During this conversation, we discuss the desired level of privacy even more intensively. Door slightly open, door closed – it goes without saying that the guest decides how the flight should proceed."

Responding to individual needs is a maxim that not only applies to Lufthansa Allegris, but also to Lufthansa First Class in general. "We apply the 'Master of Time' principle," says Opolka. "This means that guests have their own individual time – when they want to eat, when they want to sleep, when they want to work or simply enjoy themselves." Birgit Frey, Senior Manager Onboard Concept Design and Hospitality First Class at Lufthansa, adds that there is no process here that you want to prescribe in a general sequence. "It goes without saying that we respond to our guests individually and ask for their wishes. Our flight attendants in First Class also have a good feel for the needs of their guests."

For both Opolka and Frey, it is important to emphasize that all Lufthansa First Class guests are offered the same service; the entire First Class has received an update. In any case, Lufthansa is constantly working on improvements. "We hold personal discussions, our guests answer questionnaires and there are mailings. The feedback flows continuously into our concepts," says Frey. Of course, you can't automatically impose individual opinions on all guests, adds Opolka. "Nevertheless, these are enormous sources of knowledge that we naturally use directly."

One wish that all guests agreed on: the famous caviar service from the trolley should be retained. "Our guests love it, and we are the only airline that celebrates the serving of caviar so exclusively," says Frey. Amuse bouche, caviar, starter variation of three different entrées with additional salad, soup or sorbet, four to five different main courses to choose from, cheese variation from the trolley, desserts and praline service – this classic menu sequence is also something that endures at Lufthansa. Of course, food trends are not ignored either: açai bowls for breakfast or poke bowls as a hearty selection are served on request. "Our guests also have the opportunity to enjoy excellent olive oils on board," says Frey. "We only use award-winning oils from top producers." Other culinary highlights in First Class include an extensive selection of wines and high-quality champagne, such as Dom Pérignon in November. 

Lufthansa has given the fine bone china a facelift to showcase the dishes even better. Although the long-standing cooperation with the German porcelain manufacturer Dibbern remains in place, the new plates are even more in keeping with the spirit of the times. "In keeping with Lufthansa, the new tableware is exclusive, elegant, stylish and understated," says Frey. The same attributes also describe the new table linen, which rounds off the extra-large tables in Allegris First Class. 

Beyond culinary delights, Lufthansa also has the physical well-being of First Class guests in mind. Instead of perfumed care products, the decision was made to use skin creams and facial cleansers developed by the world-renowned biomedical scientist and stem cell researcher Professor Dr. Augustinus Bader. Stars such as Victoria Beckham, Melanie Griffith and actor Hugh Jackman swear by the award-winning skincare products, which are exclusively available to Lufthansa First Class guests in their amenity kits and washrooms. The high-quality wireless earphones, which are being offered for the first time in Lufthansa Allegris First Class, are a technical highlight. 

"All these innovations in service, the new products on board and, of course, the comfortable suites mean that the crew members can convey a new 'feel-like-home' feeling," says Opolka. "That is perhaps the best innovation."