Lufthansa rolls out premium economy next week on Boeing 747-8

Germany’s Lufthansa will offer premium economy for the first time next week on all Boeing 747-8 flights from Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and Bangalore to its Frankfurt hub.

It all starts on Sunday November 22, with premium economy also launching onto the airline’s jumbo services to Buenos Aires, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Sao Paolo and Washington D.C. on the same date.

Passengers travelling in the new class of service can sprawl out with 38 inches from headrest to headrest – roughly the same amount of legroom as found in the exit rows on Qantas’ and Virgin Australia’s domestic Boeing 737 flights.

The seats are also a touch wider than economy with an extra 3cm of wiggle room, configured in a 2-3-2 layout on the new-age jumbo's main deck:

Those sitting in the front row  get a padded legrest...

... while all other premium economy passengers have to make do with a simple metal footrest that swings down from the seat in front of them:

To stay amused during the flight, there's an 11 inch touchscreen monitor with a handset...

... and a magazine rack to store your iPad, Kindle or reading material:

Premium economy travellers receive a boosted baggage allowance – double that of economy on all Lufthansa routes – and for €25 (A$35), premium economy travellers without Star Alliance Gold status can relax in Lufthansa’s business class lounges before the flight.

After take-off, in-seat power will keep gadgets running until it’s time to land, while meals are served on china tableware:

And as one final touch, Lufthansa also provides an amenity kit with the basics to freshen up before reach your destination:

Although premium economy is only available on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 flights at the get-go, they'll soon appear across the airline’s entire long-range aircraft throughout 2015 – including on the Airbus A380 superjumbo.

Through December 9 2014, premium economy fares can be nabbed at a 15% discount, while Miles & More members can also use their miles or eVouchers to upgrade from regular economy.

More photos: Up close with Lufthansa's new premium economy seats

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.