Immenstaad, January 17, 2022 – Lufthansa Group has selected the ZP610 from ZIM Aircraft Seating GmbH for its Premium Economy. The order covers 19 Lufthansa Boeing 747-8s and nine SWISS Airbus A330s, making it one of the largest single orders in the company's history. The deployment on board the Boeing 747-8 is of particular significance: the legendary “Queen of the Skies” is one of the most impressive and iconic aircraft in aviation history. For decades it has stood for technological stature, global reach and the highest standards – and to this day it shapes the fleets of leading heads of state and government, for example as Air Force One. At this point in time, Lufthansa is the only airline in the world still operating the Boeing 747-8 in scheduled passenger service. The fact that the ZP610 will fly on board this exceptional aircraft gives the order a special luster and underlines the outstanding importance of the partnership.
Successor to a proven product line
The ZP610 is the successor to the first product line, the PC-01, which has been in service on around 150 Lufthansa Group aircraft since 2014. The new generation relies on a fixed back shell: passengers recline their seat without affecting the row behind. This gain in comfort comes without any additional cabin space.
Installation begins at SWISS from the first quarter of 2022 on the Airbus A340 and Boeing 777. At Lufthansa, the seat will subsequently follow on the Boeing 777-9 as well as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
Security beyond the existing order backlog
For ZIM, the order has a significance that goes beyond its volume: it secures the company beyond its existing order backlog and creates planning certainty for capacity and staffing decisions in the years ahead. After two years in which the industry has mainly been managing deferred programs, this is a robust foundation.
A signal for the recovery of commercial aviation
The decision is also a market signal. Airlines are investing in cabin products again, and they are investing first where revenue per square meter of cabin is highest: in Premium Economy. That Lufthansa Group is taking this step in early 2022 marks the beginning of the recovery in the long-haul business.
