The new service launches on the airline's Boeing 747-8I fleet in the December of this year. Departing from Frankfurt, the service is planned to fly to Bangalore, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Delhi, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington DC.

Towards the end of January 2015, the first Airbus 340-600s Premium Economy services are expected to fly from Munich to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo, with Seoul being added in February 2015.

The A380 fleet are expected to depart at the end of April 2015 from Frankfurt to Houston, Johannesburg, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore.

Finally, on May 12, 2015, the airline's A340-600 fleet are to begin departing with the service from Munich to Los Angeles, Mexico City, Newark, Beijing, San Francisco and Sao Paulo. The German carrier aims to install the seats on its entire fleet of 106 long-haul aircraft within 12 months.

The number of premium economy seats on flights will vary from 21 on Lufthansa’s A330s to 52 on its Airbus A380s, and seats will be priced at about one-third of the difference between Lufthansa economy and business class fares.

The new Premium Economy service was announced by Lufthansa in March, and offers more pitch, a wider seat and enhanced services. Amongst these services is a larger baggage allowance, with passengers being offered 2x23kg hold luggage free-of-charge.

Passengers will also be greeted on board with a welcome drink, and up to 50% more space in comparison to Lufthansa’s Economy service. With 17cm more legroom, the seats also offer an individual armrest, fold-out table, and an adjustable backrest and footrest.

The Premium Economy Service also boasts more entertainment, with an 11 or 12 inch remote-controlled monitor built into the seat in front. Each passenger also has access to a power outlet with both a socket and USB port, with a selection of magazines is also available.

Passengers will be allowed to choose their meal from a selection on a menu card, and their food will be served on china tableware specifically designed for Lufthansa Premium Economy passengers.

Finally, every passenger will receive a travel bag on their seat containing a sleep mask, ear plugs, a moist towelette and toothbrush.

Lufthansa UK General Manager, Christian Schindler said: “The new class will be ideal for both leisure travellers on a higher budget, and business travellers who may be restricted from flying Business Class.”

Jens Bischof, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer said that the new seats are based on extensive passenger surveys and workshops with sales partners: “Following the upgrade of our First and Business Class, the installation of 3,600 seats on all 106 of our long-haul aircraft in just one year will mean another step towards becoming a five-star airline,” he said.

The move also means that the airline will be introducing a completely new travel class for the first time in 35 years.

The Premium Economy service will make up around ten per cent of seat capacity on its long-haul flights.

“We expect to see more than 1.5 million passengers per year in our new Premium Economy Class,” said Bischof.

The table above demonstrates the physcial differences between the Economy, Premium Economy and Business Classes. It is clear to see that the German Airline have allowed Premium Economy passengers significantly more room, although there is still a noticable difference between Premium Economy and Business class users, with Business Class receiving almost double the seat pitch.

Data provided by

The chart above demonstrates Lufthansa's available seat capacity for each aicraft type between 2004-2014. It highlights the retirement of older equipment such as the 332 and the AB3 and the increasing use of more modern airliners on its long-haul network.

The modernisation of Lufthansa's fleet to include a new Premium Economy, alongside the airline's change in equipment over time demonstrates their strive to become Europe's first five-star airline.