Lufthansa has extended its paid Business Class seat selection to the Airbus A380, meaning passengers who want a genuine window seat on the retrofitted double-decker will now have to pay for it. The change takes effect on 15 September 2026 and brings the A380 into line with the fee structure the airline has already rolled out across other long-haul aircraft.
Under the new system, Lufthansa divides the Business Class cabin into three categories: Classic Seat, Privacy Seat and Extra Long Bed. Classic Seats include the aisle-adjacent window seats and the paired centre seats, while the Privacy Seats occupy the true window positions, where a side console separates the traveller from the aisle. The Extra Long Bed seats sit at the bulkhead.
The airline is charging up to €170 to pre-assign either the “true” window Privacy Seats or the bulkhead Extra Long Bed seats. Passengers who do not pay can still be allocated a Classic Seat, but the most sought-after solo window positions now sit behind a paywall.
There are exceptions. Eligible Miles & More elite members retain complimentary access to some preferred seats: HON Circle and Senator members booking a Business Comfort, Comfort Plus or Green fare will still be able to select window seats free of charge, reflecting their status tier.
Notably, the retrofitted A380 cabin does not feature Lufthansa’s flagship Allegris Business Class. Instead, the airline selected the Thompson Aero Vantage XL, a widely used off-the-shelf seat already flying with several international carriers. That decision keeps the A380 refresh distinct from the Allegris programme being introduced on other Lufthansa long-haul types.
The move is part of a broader industry trend of unbundling premium-cabin perks that were once included in the fare. For Lufthansa, extending seat fees to the A380 — long a passenger favourite for its spacious upper deck — is likely to draw mixed reactions from frequent flyers who associate the aircraft with a more generous travel experience.
Sources: One Mile at a Time, Aviation24. Featured image: AI-generated by AviationShop. By Elena Vargas.
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