Normally Lufthansa, in common with other airlines, would only roster B747s for long-haul routes.
But now those readers, who are fans of the B747, can sample this iconic aircraft close to home and at an economical price during the month of November.
That is when Lufthansa will operate no fewer than 60 B747-400 services on the busy Frankfurt to Berlin (Tegel) route.
Lufthansa would usually operate this route with A320 series narrow-body aircraft so use of B747s is a big jump in capacity.
However I must stress that B747s will appear on most but not on every day of the week. And they will generally be rostered only at peak times.
Readers keen to sample a B747 flight must carefully check the aircraft type when booking with Lufthansa.com.
Why has Lufthansa taken this surprising decision ?
Lufthansa’s media statement does not tell the whole story. It talks about “extraordinary high demand on the route” and [the B747 is being used for] “operational reasons.”
Really it’s all down to the demise of Air Berlin which operated almost all long distance flights out of Germany’s capital city. *
As Air Berlin will cease its long-haul flying by October 15, Lufthansa wants to cater for the thousands of Berliners who are expected to route via its Frankfurt hub before travel patterns become established.
But why the B747 ?
It’s an easy way for Lufthansa to boost capacity without having to operate additional flights. In any case the latter would be difficult to organise given that both Frankfurt and Berlin Tegel are slot-constrained.
Lufthansa’s B747-400 flights are being sold with business and economy class configuration. There will be 67 business and 304 premium/regular economy seats.
Economy class is priced from Euros 69 one-way, Euros 108 return. Business class is priced at Euros 309 and Euros 549 respectively.
These are guide prices. Prices will fluctuate depending on supply and demand, checked or hand baggage, degree of flexibility needed and so on.
Although the B747-400 will have premium economy seating this may be held back for status members of Lufthansa and Star Alliance frequent flyer schemes.
If you book economy and wish to travel in premium (economy) it’s suggested you ask at the check-in counter for availability. But a small upgrade fee may then be payable.
- As previously reported Lufthansa mainline policy is to fly long-haul only from its twin hubs of Frankfurt and Munich. But, with the demise of Air Berlin, Lufthansa mainline is making an exception for one route. It will fly Berlin-New York starting on November 8 until the end of March 2018.
