Lufthansa Now Charging Extra For Business Class Window Seats On A380 Flights

After grappling with Allegris seat certification issues on its Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, Lufthansa chose to avoid the same headache with its Airbus A380s, opting for cookie-cutter Thompson Aero Seating Vantage XL seats in business class.

The seats are laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration, and were easier to install as they are already acclimatized for a range of widebody aircraft, making certification very simple. They’re also becoming quite popular, with some of its customers including names like Virgin Atlantic, EVA Air, LATAM, Philippine Airlines, Shanghai Airlines.

Even though they’ve simplified their seating configuration, Lufthansa has decided to start charging extra for window seats as first noted by Travel-Dealz. Regardless of which business class fare you pick, window seats (labeled Privacy Seats) are being sold for an additional fee, alongside their Extra Long Bed options which have more legroom and a larger ottoman.

It seems regardless of destination, the window seats are now available for an additional charge of €170 per sector. You would think given that you’re already paying such a high premium for business class, that seat selection would be equal opportunity with the exception of the Long Bed options.

Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members, as well as those booking Flex fares won’t be required to pay the additional fee though.

Unfortunately, that’s just the growing trend in the industry, as other airlines such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, Finnair, Etihad and Emirates all have their variations of fees attached to seat assignments in their most premium cabins.

Admittedly, window seats are highly desirable, and Lufthansa realizes this is yet another area that can be monetized. Thankfully this isn’t the case across the entire cabin, and let’s hope they don’t get any ideas while they’re at it. So far, three of their eight A380s have undergone retrofitting works, with the remaining five expected to be completed before the end of 2027.

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