JFK on “super-shortlist” as Lufthansa mulls first A380 service

By Mary Kirby

Star Alliance member Lufthansa plans to launch Airbus A380 flights next spring, and says New York JFK is on "the super-shortlist" to be one of the carrier's first destinations served by the ultra-large widebody.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of Lufthansa's flagship premium lounge in JFK, company VP, the Americas Jens Bischof said JFK's Terminal 1 - of which Lufthansa is part-owner - has done "a tremendous job to upgrade its facilities to make the airport A380 ready".

He says "it is only fitting that our new aircraft is paired with our new lounge here" and Lufthansa "will definitely come up with some news in the near future".

Due to programme delays, Lufthansa is taking delivery of its first A380 later than hoped at the end of 2009 in preparation for revenue service in the spring of 2010.

Bischof says the airline understands that airframers "are pushing the bar" in terms of technological advancements and delays are a natural part of that process. "I'm not saying we wouldn't love to have the A380 now, however" he says.

The Lufthansa executive stresses that the carrier is "A380 ready" and that it is taking advantage of its Lufthansa Technik unit to "put in some stuff that the competition doesn't see".

The aircraft is expected to be configured with first and business class on the upper deck and an all-economy section on the lower deck.

© Reed Business Information 2009