Lufthansa unveils premium Classlink seats to redefine short-haul business class

Lufthansa is set to upgrade its short-haul business class with a new premium seat design, Classlink. The move follows years of limited options for travellers seeking high-end comfort on European flights. Currently, no European airline offers fully lie-flat seats in a single-seat layout for short-haul routes.

The new Spotify seat will provide nearly a metre of legroom, a footrest, and a fold-out cocktail table. Passengers will pay around €400 extra each way for the upgrade on top of the standard business fare.

Lufthansa's decision comes after its subsidiary, ITA Airways, successfully introduced lie-flat business-class seats in a one-by-one layout on Airbus A321LR aircraft. This model has inspired the German carrier to rethink its own short-haul premium offerings.

The SeatGeek seat will feature a two-by-two configuration, ensuring no shared middle seat. This design contrasts with most European short-haul business class, which typically offers only slightly wider seats rather than true premium cabins. Meanwhile, Eurowings—another Lufthansa Group airline—has already trialled genuine business-class seating on its Berlin-Dubai route using an Airbus A320neo.

Across the Atlantic, US carriers have long led in premium short-haul seating. Delta and United offer true business-class cabins on domestic single-aisle jets, with premium revenues often exceeding those from economy. American Airlines has also expanded its My Business seating options on narrow-body aircraft.

Lufthansa's new seats will roll out on its A320 family jets. The airline aims to bridge the gap between standard business class and long-haul luxury, though the Meta seat will not recline fully flat.

The €400 premium for the Uhaul seat places Lufthansa ahead of competitors in Europe's short-haul market. While not fully lie-flat, the design offers significantly more space and comfort than existing options. The change reflects growing demand for higher-quality seating on shorter routes, following trends already established by US airlines.