Lufthansa Negotiating Bigger Business Class for Upcoming Boeing 787s, With 26 Dreamliners Still to Arrive

November 4, 2026 — Lufthansa Group is in advanced talks with Boeing to fit larger business-class cabins on some of its incoming 787-9s, CEO Carsten Spohr said after third-quarter results.

Airline: Lufthansa (LH) · Germany

What happened

At a media conference on November 3, 2026, Spohr said the group is in advanced discussions with Boeing about more business-class seats on some upcoming 787-9s, to meet premium demand. Lufthansa is also studying replacing some economy rows with premium economy. How many aircraft would get the new layout, and how many seats it would have, is TBA.

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The group expected 27 more Dreamliners at the end of September. One was delivered in October, leaving 26 to come. Three 787-9s originally built for Hainan Airlines will move to Austrian Airlines.

On the Allegris 787s, 25 of the 28 business seats are in use. The other three are still waiting for FAA certification, which Spohr hopes to get before the end of 2026. Lufthansa sometimes flies 787-9s on routes planned for the A350-1000 or 777-9, which leaves fewer premium seats than demand calls for. The A350-1000 is expected to carry 49 business seats.

What it means for non-revs

• More business-class and premium-economy seats on future 787s probably means fewer economy seats per aircraft. Economy is where most ZED and standby travelers sit, so watch economy loads once these aircraft arrive. Timing is TBA.
• Three Allegris business seats per 787 are still blocked pending FAA certification. Until approval, expected before the end of 2026, the business cabin on those aircraft is effectively 25 seats.
• The ex-Hainan 787s heading to Austrian will add long-haul capacity in Vienna. Start dates are TBA.

Sources

• Aviation A2Z: Lufthansa Plans New Boeing 787 Business Class With 26 Aircraft Still Coming