Lufthansa introduces paid window seat selection on retrofitted A380 business class

Lufthansa will begin charging passengers to reserve window seats in the business class cabin of its retrofitted Airbus A380s on flights departing from 15 September 2026, expanding its range of ancillary revenue options in premium cabins.

The airline’s upgraded A380 business class, featuring Thompson Aero Seating Vantage XL seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, offers three seating categories: Classic Seats, Privacy Seats (window seats) and Extra Long Bed seats. Under the new policy, passengers booking Business Comfort, Comfort Plus or Green fares will pay €170 per sector to reserve a window seat, while Business Flex passengers can continue to select them free of charge.

Business Light passengers will still pay €120 to reserve a standard seat but must pay €170 if they specifically want a window seat. Without advance seat selection, a seat will be assigned free of charge at check-in.

The new charges do not apply to all travellers. Miles & More Senator and HON Circle members travelling on eligible fares will continue to receive complimentary window seat selection, while HON Circle members can also choose Extra Long Bed seats free of charge on most fares above Business Light.

Lufthansa has so far retrofitted three of its eight A380s, with the remaining aircraft expected to be upgraded by the end of 2027. The new cabins are currently deployed on flights from Munich to Boston, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Mumbai.

The move aligns Lufthansa with a growing number of airlines, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, Finnair, Etihad Airways and Emirates, which charge premium passengers for preferred seat selection in certain cabins.