Lufthansa Business Class: Is It Worth the Hype? (A320 & A321 Deep Dive)

Lufthansa Business Class: An Updated Review (October 2023)

It's time for a fresh look at Lufthansa's intra-European Business Class, building on my initial impressions from early 2020. I've logged several flights on their A320 and A321 aircraft, including a wet lease with Air Baltic on an A220. While the core experience remains consistent, some nuances are worth exploring.

Like many European carriers, Lufthansa's Business Class utilizes the same seating as Economy. The key difference? The middle seat is blocked, offering a bit more personal space. Don't expect dedicated Business Class seats or in-flight entertainment screens. In today's world, this feels like a missed opportunity for an airline of Lufthansa's stature.

Wi-Fi, branded as FlyNet, is available on some aircraft. I'm hoping Lufthansa will eventually integrate entertainment options with their Wi-Fi service. Bulkhead rows offer slightly more legroom, and the armrests function normally, unlike some configurations that restrict seat width.

On Moscow routes, Wi-Fi pricing ranged from 3 Euros (or 1000 Miles & More miles) for messaging to 12 Euros (or 4000 miles) for streaming. At Domodedovo Airport, Lufthansa utilizes the Austrian Airlines Business Lounge, a definite upgrade over the SWISS lounge.

Lufthansa's flight attendants are generally pleasant and helpful. The only visual distinction between Economy and Business is the dividing curtain. A pre-departure drink is unfortunately not offered. On longer Moscow flights, passengers receive pillows, menus, and hot towels. Announcements are primarily in German and English, with automated announcements in the local language.

I enjoyed the crepe selection on my flights, finding the breakfasts filling and satisfying. Meals typically include a cold starter, a dessert or muesli, a small fruit plate, and bread. On the Air Baltic wet lease flight, the aircraft and crew were Air Baltic, but the meal was Lufthansa catering.

Full-fare Business Class tickets offer greater flexibility for changes or cancellations. My discounted Business fares were non-refundable. While Lufthansa is generally reliable, recent labor issues have caused some disruptions. For intra-European flights, I slightly prefer SWISS and Austrian. Given the choice, I'd also consider Aeroflot or Turkish Airlines.

Lufthansa has introduced a new catering concept called Tasting HEIMAT (Taste of Home). While my experience was limited to a single flight without a hot entree, the meal was impressive for a one-hour flight. Overall, the service and experience remain largely unchanged from pre-COVID times.