Come 2020, Lufthansa will base two A380s out of Munich, taking the total A380s at their Munich base to 7 from the current 5. That will make 7 A380s each at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt and Munich base. This shift is a part of an ongoing dispute with Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt airport. This will change in 2022/23 when Lufthansa sells 6 A380s back to Airbus. The decision about where to base the remaining 8 A380s post 2022/23 will be taken in 2021.
Lufthansa’s retro livery on the 747-8 Source: Lufthansa
Lufthansa started A380 operations to Delhi from 2014. A few months ago, in March 2019, we already knew Delhi will lose the A380 service due to this ongoing dispute. Lufthansa will roster a 747-400 from January 2, 2020, instead of the A380. Lufthansa’s 747-400 do not feature a first class cabin so this represents a downgrade.
Lufthansa First Class
From March 29, 2020, Lufthansa will operate a 747-8 on Delhi – Frankfurt instead of the 747-400. The overall capacity will further reduce but it would represent an upgrade in premium capacity.
| Aircraft | First class | Business class | Premium Economy | Economy | Total seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A380 | 8 | 78 | 52 | 371 | 509 |
| 747-400 | - | 67 | 32 | 272 | 371 |
| 747-8 | 8 | 80 | 32 | 244 | 364 |
Lufthansa will operate twice daily 747-8 service to India, one each to Bengaluru and Delhi. Mumbai will continue to be operated by a 747-400 without a first class cabin. With this move, Singapore Airlines will be the only carrier to operate an A380 to Delhi.
I have chosen to fly LH to US many a times only because it was only one to operate the A380. The flight was full almost always. Sad to see it ending
I think you have the capacities of the 747-8 and the 400 interchanged :))
Singapore Airlines probably have also withdrawn their A380 to Delhi since 1st July & Mumbai from 18th June. This could also be because of added capacity through Vistara’s international operations to Singapore. All in all we are now seeing A380 services to end in India except Emirates service to Mumbai.