Dhe supposedly limitless freedom above the clouds is out of sync. This is mainly due to the corona virus and the war in Ukraine fueled by Russia. Managing the consequences is a Herculean task. In Lufthansa, which actually meticulously pays attention to its brand image, unusual decisions are made, to be seen on flights from Munich to Montreal and from Frankfurt to Toronto or Newark.
There is something new to experience on these routes. In an effort to add more efficient aircraft to its fleet as quickly as possible, Lufthansa has added four Airbus 350-900 long-haul jets previously used by Philippine Airlines to its Munich base. The aircraft built from 2018 were only in use for six months – and have been standing around ever since.
The first Boeing 787-9 landed in Frankfurt at the beginning of September. The model, also known as the Dreamliner, is one of five built for Hainan Airlines but never delivered to the Asian company. At Lufthansa, cheaply acquired day permits are talked about with a wink.
Lufthansa
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Boeing 787-9
In Frankfurt, the aircraft will first be converted, Lufthansa does not want to show the original design. The men and women at Lufthansa Technik are converting them to the image of the German airline as best they can and it is financially justifiable. For six weeks, the fitters take apart seats, toilets and floors.
The seats, which originally look more like the S-Bahn, are given fresh covers, the floor is lined with an elegant dark blue carpet, the partitions are reupholstered (to avoid bubbles forming under vacuum), and Lufthansa logos are attached. In the washrooms, the lilac-colored walls are replaced by gray, which is more stylish by European standards, and sturdy grab rails are installed.
The first aircraft has the registration D-ABPA
It’s about technology, but also about local law. Upholstery and carpets must meet the correct fire class. The water supply follows German water law. Entertainment offerings and headphones must comply with EU standards. The oil is drained from the engines and replaced with oil from the manufacturer Mobil used in the group. Every component in the engine is recorded and given an in-house part number.
The first Airbuses trimmed for Lufthansa are already in use, for the Boeing and their pilots only a training run begins within Germany after the conversion. The first aircraft has the registration D-ABPA and the name Berlin, the second flies with the registration D-ABPD and the name Frankfurt. From autumn onwards, the destinations of the Frankfurt-based Dreamliner will then be the Canadian metropolis of Toronto or Newark in the American state of New Jersey.
The hectic pace frowned upon in aviation is overridden in the ordering process because modern long-haul jets are hard to come by. At least not quickly. Lufthansa advertises an average consumption of 2.5 liters of kerosene per passenger and 100 kilometers of flight route. According to the company, this is 30 percent less than the previous models. And the Asian liaison is far from over. After the Dreamliner is before the Dreamliner – all in all, the Lufthansa Group with its various brands wants to take 32 of them. The following 27 should be furnished from the outset according to Lufthansa’s taste.
On top of that. A fresh cabin layout is planned for all Lufthansa aircraft, Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class are given a new look. That too has something of Hercules: 31,000 seats are built and replaced from the spring.