There are few planes as iconic as the Boeing 747. Affectionately known as the “Queen of the Skies,” her distinctive hump makes her instantly recognizable. Lufthansa is one of the last major airlines to fly a large fleet of these magnificent aircraft, making any flight on one a bucket-list experience. This is our full Lufthansa 747 Business Class review, based on our flight from our home base in Frankfurt (FRA) to Chicago (ORD).
Lufthansa’s Business Class: A Product in Transition
It’s important to understand that Lufthansa is in a major transition period with its business class seats. The product you experience can vary greatly depending on the aircraft.
- The Classic Seat (This Flight): The long-serving business class, found on the 747s and some A340s, which features a 2-2-2 or 2-2 layout.
- The “Upgraded” Seat: A number of newer aircraft that Lufthansa acquired (like their 787 Dreamliners) came with a more modern, all-aisle-access business class product already installed.
- The Future – “Allegris”: This is Lufthansa’s brand-new, highly anticipated business class. It offers multiple seating options, including private suites, and Lufthansa is progressively rolling it out on their new Airbus A350s and newly delivered 787s.
This review focuses on the classic product, which you will still find on many long-haul routes.
The Ground Experience: Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Frankfurt
Our journey began in Frankfurt’s Terminal 1. As holders of an American Express Platinum card, we have access to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge. The lounge was a comfortable place to relax before the flight, offering a quality buffet selection, multiple coffee stations, and ample seating. It set a premium tone for the journey ahead.
The Main Event: The 747 Upper Deck
Sitting on the upper deck of a 747 was always a dream of mine. After boarding, you walk up a small staircase to a surprisingly intimate and quiet cabin.
With only 32 seats in a 2-2 configuration, the cabin feels like a private jet. It’s completely separated from the main deck below, which creates a serene and exclusive atmosphere.
The Seat
The seats on our 747-8 use a V-shape arrangement, which offers a bit more room than older parallel versions. As a couple, we didn’t mind the 2-2 layout, but the main drawback is that the person in the window seat must climb over their neighbor to reach the aisle.
However, the window seat on the upper deck has a massive advantage: enormous side storage bins. These lockers are large enough to store a carry-on, leaving the overhead space free and your belongings easily accessible. This is, in our opinion, the single best reason to choose a window seat here.
The seat itself is a comfortable lie-flat bed with adjustable firmness, but it lacks the privacy of modern business class suites. The In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) screen is also visibly dated, though it offered a decent variety of movies and series.
We recommend using tools like seatguru to check the best spots in your aircraft and seat configuration upon reservation.
The In-Flight Experience & Dining
The five-star service began the moment we settled in. We were offered a welcome drink—with a choice between champagne and Lufthansa’s signature cocktail, the “Avionic”—and some nuts. Shortly after takeoff, a proper three-course lunch was served. The food was truly excellent for an airline meal, and the flight attendants were incredibly friendly, professional, and helpful with wine pairing suggestions. Before landing in Chicago, a second, lighter one-course meal was served.
The Verdict
Flying Lufthansa’s 747 Business Class is a phenomenal experience. The impeccable 5-star service and the unique, quiet ambiance of the upper deck makes it feel incredibly special.
One must be honest: the “hard product” (the seat and IFE) is outdated by today’s standards. However, for the romance of the aircraft and the quality of the service, we would do it again in a heartbeat. It was the perfect start to our Chicago adventure.
Stay tuned, as we’ll be sure to review the new Allegris business class as soon as we get a chance to fly it!
For Those Interested: How We Booked
We booked our flights for this trip using miles, which is one of the best ways to experience premium cabins without the high cash price. Award availability for the 747 upper deck can be competitive, so we recommend searching well in advance.
Leave a Reply