Walking up the small staircase to Lufthansa’s 747-8 upper deck was a moment I had wanted for a long time. We flew from Frankfurt (FRA) to Chicago (ORD) in the 32-seat Business Class cabin, where the 2-2 layout, quiet atmosphere and large side bins set it apart from the main deck. The cabin we flew was Lufthansa’s classic product, before the airline’s planned 747-8 retrofit.
For another older Lufthansa aircraft, see our Lufthansa A340-600 First Class review.
Flight at a glance
- Route: Frankfurt (FRA) to Chicago (ORD)
- Aircraft: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8
- Cabin: Business Class, upper deck
- Layout: 32 seats in a 2-2 configuration
- Booking: Miles
Which Lufthansa 747-8 Business Class product did we fly?
Lufthansa currently has several Business Class products, so the aircraft and exact seat map matter. On our flight, the 747-8 upper deck still had the classic V-shaped seat pairs. It is a lie-flat product, but it does not give every passenger direct aisle access.
Some of Lufthansa’s newer aircraft have more modern all-aisle-access seats, while Allegris is appearing on selected aircraft. This review covers the classic upper-deck cabin we actually flew.
Lufthansa plans to retrofit the 747-8 in stages. Its current Allegris information says the work starts on the main deck, while the 32 classic Business Class seats on the upper deck will remain during the first stage. The upper deck and First Class are planned for a later phase, but Lufthansa has not published a firm date for that work. A future 747-8 could therefore have Allegris downstairs while retaining the cabin reviewed here upstairs. Check the current seat map before choosing where to sit.
Before departure: Lufthansa Senator Lounge in Frankfurt
Before the flight, we used the Lufthansa Senator Lounge in Frankfurt’s Terminal 1 through American Express Platinum. The lounge had a good buffet, several coffee stations and plenty of seating. It was a comfortable place to wait before boarding.
Lufthansa 747-8 upper deck cabin
Sitting on the upper deck of a 747 had always been a dream of mine. After boarding, the small staircase takes you away from the main deck and into a noticeably quieter cabin.
There are only 32 seats in a 2-2 configuration. The upper deck is completely separated from the larger cabin below, and that quieter atmosphere was one of the parts I liked most about the flight.
Lufthansa 747-8 Business Class seat: storage, bed and privacy
The seats on our 747-8 used a V-shaped arrangement. As a couple, we did not mind the 2-2 layout, but the main drawback remains: the person in the window seat has to climb over their neighbor to reach the aisle.
The window seat has one major advantage. The side storage bins are large enough for a carry-on, keeping your belongings close without using the overhead compartment. For me, that is the best reason to choose a window seat on the upper deck.
The seat turns into a comfortable lie-flat bed and its firmness can be adjusted. It lacks the privacy of newer Business Class suites, however, and the entertainment screen looked dated. The selection of movies and series was still decent.
Before choosing a seat, check Lufthansa’s current 747-8 seat map and the configuration shown for your flight.
Food and service from Frankfurt to Chicago
After we settled in, the crew offered champagne or Lufthansa’s Avionic cocktail with nuts. A three-course lunch followed after takeoff. The food was very good for an airline meal, and the crew were friendly, professional and helpful with wine pairing suggestions.
Before landing in Chicago, we had a second, lighter one-course meal.
Is Lufthansa 747-8 Business Class worth it?
We would book it again. The seat and entertainment screen look old next to newer Business Class products, and the window passenger still has to climb over their neighbor. For us, the quiet upper deck, large storage bins and service outweighed those drawbacks.
It was also a good start to our Chicago trip.
How we booked with miles—and how to compare cash fares
We booked this trip with miles. Award availability on the 747 upper deck can be limited, so we searched well in advance.
A cash-fare search is a separate comparison and does not show mileage availability. If you are considering a paid ticket, you can compare cash fares for Frankfurt–Chicago on Trip.com.
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Have you flown Lufthansa’s 747-8 upper deck? Leave your questions below, or follow @urbanescapestories on Instagram for clips from this flight.
