Why Lufthansa’s Allegris 787 business cabins were delayed in certification, and why three seats are still blocked

As 21 more Lufthansa 787-9 Allegris business class seats are certified to finally carry passengers, The Up Front can reveal the just-cleared hurdle — and the final stumbling-block to approve the final three seats in the cabin.

By John Walton 7 min read
Lufthansa Allegris seat 2D mockup: a single centre throne style seat.

Lufthansa is rapidly approaching the March 29 date for 21 of its Allegris business class seats on its 787-9 to join the 4 Business Suite studio class in revenue service. That leaves just 3 seats — the full second row — blocked by regulators, for reasons that The Up Front is exclusively able to reveal.

For this feature, we spoke extensively with people with knowledge of the seats and the programme, who understandably asked not to be named. We also asked both Allegris 787 business class seat manufacturer Collins Aerospace and Lufthansa itself for comment. They declined.

The Up Front AnalysisLufthansaFICE/Allegris/Swiss Senses787-9Collins AerospaceCertificationFAAHead injury criterion (HIC)Lufthansa Group
John Walton

Editor in chief of The Up Front, with two decades of experience reporting across the global aviation industry, specialising in business and first class, seats, cabins and the passenger experience.