Sunday, June 1, 2025
Eurowings, the low-cost airline under the Lufthansa Group umbrella, has announced a transformative upgrade in European business-class travel. The airline will debut its new “Premium BIZ” seating in November 2025 on flights between Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Dubai, significantly enhancing passenger comfort on one of its longest narrow-body routes.
This development marks a pivotal move in bridging the gap between the minimalist European short-haul business class models and the more spacious domestic first-class seats available in the United States. By deploying wide recliner seats on narrow-body aircraft, Eurowings is challenging long-held industry norms in Europe and setting a new comfort benchmark for mid-haul travel.
The Problem with Europe’s Existing Business Class
Across the European aviation market, short- and mid-haul business class seats often lack ergonomic sophistication. Most carriers, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, follow a uniform format: block the middle seat in economy-class rows to create a pseudo-business class configuration. This setup provides minimal additional space, limited recline, and virtually no privacy — barely acceptable for two-hour hops but uncomfortable for flights over five hours.
Government reports and standards from bodies such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) highlight growing customer concerns regarding the comfort and accessibility of extended flights on narrow-body aircraft. Passenger satisfaction surveys referenced by the European Commission’s “Passenger Rights in Air Travel” framework note seat comfort as a major driver of travel choice and repeat business, particularly among business travellers and long-haul tourists.
Enter: Premium BIZ – Eurowings’ Mid-Haul Answer
To directly address these issues, Eurowings is launching its Premium BIZ class on its Airbus A320neo aircraft. These are the same fuel-efficient, next-generation jets currently operating the Berlin-Dubai route, a journey exceeding six hours. According to aviation data firm Cirium, the airline plans daily operations to Dubai International Airport (DXB), along with 15 round trips to Dubai World Central (DWC), making this route one of the airline’s longest on single-aisle aircraft.
The Premium BIZ cabin will feature eight dedicated seats in a two-by-two configuration across two rows. The seats, manufactured by Italian firm Geven, offer 39 inches of pitch—substantially more than the typical 30–32 inches found in European business class—and weigh 30 kilograms (66 lbs) each.
According to Eurowings, these seats will deliver “adjustable backrests, ergonomic design, generous upholstery, and significantly more comfort and privacy.”
This setup brings the onboard experience closer to that of major U.S. carriers like Delta or American Airlines, which have long adopted recliner-style seating for domestic first class.
Three-Tier Premium Service Model
From November 2025, Eurowings will offer three premium seating classes on its Berlin-Dubai flights:
| Class | Seating Configuration | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Premium BIZ | Four-abreast Geven recliners | Enhanced privacy, ergonomic design, wide recline, priority |
| BIZ Class | Six-abreast rows with blocked middle seat | Extra legroom, added space, middle seat blocked |
| SMART | Standard economy with added legroom | Additional pitch, standard seating layout |
These three options allow passengers to choose comfort based on preference and budget, expanding Eurowings’ appeal to both leisure travellers and business passengers seeking value without sacrificing comfort.
A Statement from the Airline’s Leadership
In a public statement, Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof framed the move as a strategic effort to lead the European mid-haul market:
“With our new Premium BIZ seat, we offer business travellers and holidaymakers a completely new level of comfort on medium-haul flights. More privacy and a significantly enhanced feel-good atmosphere make longer flights noticeably more pleasant. We are thus setting a new standard in our market segment and clearly positioning Eurowings as Europe’s leading value airline.”
Regulatory Considerations and Passenger Rights
With greater focus across the EU on transparency and fair value in air travel—outlined in EU Regulation No. 261/2004 and the EU Aviation Strategy 2.0—airlines are under increasing scrutiny to align product upgrades with clear passenger benefits.
Introducing dedicated business-class recliners, bookable through a transparent tiered fare model, supports ongoing calls from the European Commission for fare clarity and enhanced service delivery. Additionally, the use of A320neo aircraft helps meet environmental objectives established by the European Green Deal, which includes reducing carbon emissions through fleet modernization and increased fuel efficiency.
Passenger Experience: More Than Just Seating
The Premium BIZ seats aren’t just about physical comfort. Eurowings is also upgrading the overall in-flight experience for Premium BIZ passengers. According to preliminary promotional materials:
- Passengers will receive priority boarding and disembarkation.
- Enhanced meal and beverage options tailored to the longer flight duration.
- Power outlets, adjustable lighting, and personal storage space.
While many of these perks are standard in long-haul premium cabins, offering them on a narrow-body aircraft over six-hour sectors is rare in the European low-cost market.
A Strategic Move for Lufthansa Group
Eurowings’ pivot reflects a larger Lufthansa Group strategy to compete with Gulf carriers and value-oriented long-haul airlines that offer superior cabin products even in their budget divisions. With airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines offering wide-body jets and generous seating on similar routes, Eurowings’ decision helps the Lufthansa Group retain market share without fully deploying long-haul aircraft on point-to-point routes.
Additionally, the Berlin-Dubai corridor is strategically significant. According to data from the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), UAE-Germany air traffic has increased steadily, with Dubai emerging as both a leisure hotspot and a business hub for German firms.
Rollout and Booking
Premium BIZ seating will be available for booking starting in August 2025 for all November departures and beyond. Eurowings has indicated that early adopters may receive promotional pricing, especially frequent flyers and members of the Miles & More program.
The product will initially be exclusive to the Berlin-Dubai route but may expand depending on market feedback and aircraft availability. Fleet modifications are expected to be gradual, with additional A320neo aircraft being retrofitted throughout 2026.
Final Thoughts
With the introduction of Premium BIZ, Eurowings is making a bold statement: comfort should not be reserved solely for wide-body aircraft or legacy carriers. By offering a truly differentiated business class experience on narrow-body jets, the airline is challenging existing European aviation standards and prioritizing passenger experience on longer routes.
For business travelers and premium leisure flyers seeking comfort, value, and connectivity between Europe and the Middle East, this new offering represents a welcome evolution—and potentially, a new norm.
Official Sources Referenced:
- Eurowings Official Website
- European Commission: Passenger Rights
- EASA Safety Standards
- German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)
