Tuesday, September 23, 2014

NEW Lufthansa Premium Economy

We gathered some detailed information about the differences between Economy, Economy Plus and Premium Economy, so you can make an informed decision when buying your next airline tickets.

The Nonstop Travel Team was invited to an exclusive pre-launch event here in Los Angeles to experience the new class of service personally and hands on.

We believe that for the extra money you spend to fly Premium Economy, you are getting a lot in return. Especially when traveling with an extra suitcase, the upgrade almost pays for itself.

Here are the main advantages:

  • More personal space: New Seat with up to 50% more space
  • More baggage: Two bags, each weighing up to 23kg
  • More delight: Meals served on china tableware
  • More to look forward to: On board welcome drink
  • More entertainment: Larger 11 - 12 inch screen
  • More relaxation: Amenity bag with useful travel accessories
  • More refreshment: Individual water bottle at your seat
  • More exclusivity: Access to selected Lufthansa lounges for a fee

Please visit our website: www.nonstoptravel.net or call our office at (800) 949-6362 for discounted consolidator airfare on Lufthansa's Premium Economy.

Here are our FAQ - Frequently asked questions answered for you:

General

What is the difference between ‘Economy Plus’ and ‘Premium Economy’?
‘Economy Plus' offers passengers more legroom, but has the same seat as in Economy Class. It is often not considered to be a separate travel class and distinct product but rather as a special zone within Economy Class.

Premium Economy Class, in contrast, offers passengers an improved, larger seat – both in terms of a greater seat pitch and a wider seat. In addition, passengers are offered extra service elements, such as a higher free baggage allowance and an enhanced in-flight service. Premium Economy Class is regarded as a separate travel class on Lufthansa flights.

Check-in and baggage

What is the position with excess baggage charges in Premium Economy Class? 
The free baggage allowance in Premium Economy Class is two bags each up to 23 kg. The charges for excess baggage correspond to those for Economy Class.
 
Are Premium Economy Class passengers allowed to check in at the Business Class counters or are there special Premium Economy Class check-in counters?

No, there are no special check-in counters. Premium Economy Class passengers can use the check-in options for Economy Class passengers or those corresponding to their Miles & More status.

Lounge access

Are Premium Economy Class passengers allowed to use the Lufthansa Lounges?
Yes, Premium Economy Class customers can use almost all Lufthansa Business Lounges for a fee of 25 euros or 35 US dollars. Access to the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt is also possible for a fee of 50 euros or 70 US dollars. For HON Circle Members, Senators and Frequent Travelers lounge access is free of charge.

Can lounge access be purchased in advance?
No. Access to the lounge must be purchased directly at the airport – depending on the location either at the Lufthansa ticket counter or in the lounge itself.

Do passengers have to pay for every individual lounge access or is the lounge voucher they purchase valid for their entire journey?

Customers must pay separately to use the Lufthansa Business Lounges and the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge at each airport.

Product and service details

Are there leg-rests at the seats?
The first row of seats in Premium Economy Class will be equipped with leg-rests. All seats will have footrests.

Will a USB port and a power outlet be available at each seat in Premium Economy Class?
Yes, each seat in Premium Economy Class will be equipped with both a USB port and a power outlet.

How great is the angle of the backrest recline?
The angle of backrest recline for the Premium Economy Class seat is 130° in full recline and 112° in the upright position (in comparison with Economy Class: 121° in full recline, 106° upright).

Can the central console be folded up?
No, the central console in Premium Economy Class cannot be folded up, it is a fixed part of the seat.

The Premium Economy Class seat in detail

Do the meals in Premium Economy Class differ from the ones in Economy Class?
Yes, compared to Economy Class, the meals will be upgraded and served on china tableware.

Is the in-flight entertainment program in Premium Economy Class the same as in Economy Class?
The content of the entertainment program on board is identical in all travel classes. The Premium Economy Class monitor, however, is significantly larger than an Economy Class monitor although slightly smaller than that in Business Class.



(1) Seating area up to 3 cm wider
(2) Adjustable backrest which reclines far back (130°)
(3) Generous seat pitch (97 cm / + 17 cm)
(4) Footrests from the second row or leg-rests with integrated footrests in the front row
(5) Always a separate armrest
(6) Adjustable headrest and wings for comfortable support during sleep
(7) Ergonomic seat and back cushions for optimal comfort
(8) Foldout table in the armrest
(9) Plenty of storage space for personal items
(10) Each passenger sits no more than one seat away from the aisle
(11) Separate power outlet at the seat


Availability

Is there a summary with the Premium Economy Class start dates for individual destinations?
The Boeing 747-8s will be the first part of the fleet to be equipped with the new seats and will be available from this December. From the end of January 2015 we expect the first retrofitted A340-600s to take off from Munich; from the end of April the A380s will already be flying from Frankfurt with Premium Economy Class. The retrofitting of Lufthansa’s more than 100 long- haul aircraft should be completed by late summer 2015.

The destination summary in detail:
From 10 December 2014 on the Boeing 747-8 from Frankfurt to:
  • Chicago
  • Los Angeles
  • Washington, D.C.

From 22 April 2015 on the Airbus A380 from Frankfurt to:
  • Houston
  • Miami
  • New York
  • San Francisco


From 12 May 2015 on the Airbus A340 from Munich to:
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco