Ditch premium economy for a ‘sleeper’s row’ in economy instead
This European airline has a great last minute hack where you can score a whole row in economy for a fee and they throw in a mattress as well.
Lufthansa premium economy has a great last minute travel hack where you can score a whole row in economy for a fee and they throw in a mattress as well.
Take a seat
The cabin is small, with 21 seats in three rows in a 2-3-2 configuration. The seat is 48cm wide with a row pitch of 96cm and 20cm when reclined.
When the seat in front reclines, it invades your space. With only nine passengers booked in premium economy, everyone moves seats to have a whole row each. But the double-width armrest is unmoveable so you can’t lie flat across the row. Bulkhead seats have a fold-down leg rest and a footrest; other rows have only a footrest.
When I wander down to the economy section to use the rest room, I am annoyed to find many passengers have a whole row with movable armrests so they can lie flat. Passengers in the bulkhead seats of economy have more legroom than me.
Keep it fresh
Passengers receive a small pillow, plush blanket, earphones, bottled water and an amenity kit containing socks, eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste and a disinfectant wipe, packaged in a reusable shopping bag.
Tech talk
Universal AC and USB-A sockets are located under the seat. Wi-Fi is priced from €15 ($24) for two hours.
On the menu
Orange juice or water is served before takeoff; beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks are offered before dinner. The three-course meal is presented on china plates on a tray. The entree is a chickpea and carrot salad, plus a bread roll. The two choices of main course are a spinach and cashew curry or a chicken drumstick in soy broth with rice and vegetables. Dessert is a strawberry cake. Two hours before landing, a breakfast pancake is served, with a bowl of mixed fruit and granola. Oozing with cheese, the hot pancake is the tastiest breakfast I have ever had in the air.
That’s entertainment
It is clunky, the earbuds are not noise-cancelling and the screen is barely the size of a loaf of bread. The range of movies and television shows is reasonable, but with no trailers and tiny thumbnail images as the only preview, it’s not easy to select something to watch.
At your service
There is minimal interaction with crew on this overnight flight. Drinks and meals are served with a smile and no conversation.
In the bag
Premium economy passengers are allowed two bags weighing up to 23kg each (a total of 46kg) plus two carry-on items.
Make your points
Lufthansa’s loyalty program is Miles & More, with points earned on Star Alliance.
In the know
The new Lufthansa Allegris rollout will overhaul all classes over the next two years (new seats pictured); flights have already started from Munich to Shanghai.
Changes in Premium Economy include more spacious seats with a hard-shell design and fold-out leg rest.
This seat slides forward when you recline, having no impact on the passengers in the row behind.
Among other improvements are noise-cancelling headphones, a better entertainment system, USB ports and wireless charging for smartphones.
The bottom line
From €2849 one way based on an airline website search departing two months from publication.
The verdict
Wait for the introduction of Lufthansa Allegris. Meanwhile, book an economy seat in the bulkhead row or try and snag a Lufthansa Sleeper’s Row, which gives you three or four seats (plus a thin mattress) to lie across. This perk can only be purchased for between €159 and €229 ($263-$380) when you check in online if there are enough spare seats on the flight.
Louise Goldsbury was a guest of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
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