Lufthansa has launched its new Future Onboard Experience (FOX) long-haul service concept across all cabin classes, marking one of the carrier’s largest investments in onboard hospitality to date.
Rolling out across the airline’s long-haul network from May 6 2026, the programme has been created over a two-year period in close collaboration with gategroup, with a focus on personalisation, comfort and what Lufthansa describes as ‘Signature Moments’.
gategroup worked with Lufthansa across culinary development, operational planning and onboard equipment design. gategourmet collaborated on menus across all four cabin classes, while onboard products specialist deSter designed more than 150 service and equipment items for the rollout.
A new dining experience
In First Class, two Michelin-starred chef Christoph Kunz, working in close partnership with gategroup’s culinary team led by Executive Chef Christoph Brandstaetter and Lufthansa’s culinary team, developed menus that reflect Lufthansa’s premium positioning and the FOX philosophy.
In Business Class, new menu concepts were created in collaboration with renowned chef Johann Lafer, gategroup culinary team and Lufthansa’s culinary experts. The introduction of more flexible dining options, including the ‘Sky Selection’ concept, offers passengers greater choice and personalisation.
Max Herzog, gategroup’s Executive Chef at Lufthansa’s Studio 508, played a key role in adapting all menus to the specific requirements of inflight service, maintaining consistency at altitude across both First and Business Class.
Premium Economy passengers will see upgraded meal services and expanded beverage options, while Economy passengers gain increased meal choice on longer flights alongside new onboard amenities and printed menus.
Christoph Schmitz, CEO of gategroup, described FOX as “a pioneering model for the future of travel”.
“Together with Lufthansa we have worked tirelessly to bridge culinary creativity with the realities of large-scale airline operations,” said Schmitz.
“We are immensely proud to see this vision take flight, setting a new global standard for hospitality that treats every passenger to a premium, personalised journey.”
As a Lufthansa ‘Signature Moment’, the airline will later introduce a cake service, where passengers can treat themselves to coffee and cake onboard.
Serviceware overhaul
Alongside culinary advancements, Lufthansa has also overhauled onboard serviceware and presentation. According to the airline, around 187 million individual tableware and cutlery items are being replaced or introduced as part of the rollout.
deSter led the design and development of this onboard equipment for FOX, aligning the equipment with Lufthansa’s brand heritage, modern German design principles and the visual identity of the Allegris cabin.
All items were engineered to improve crew efficiency, reduce weight and support Lufthansa’s sustainability objectives.
The bigger picture
Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter said the launch forms part of the carrier’s wider transformation strategy as it marks its centenary year.
“We want to be the number one premium airline in Europe,” he said. “To achieve this, we are investing over 70 million euros this year alone in the new premium service across all classes for our guests.”
Ritter added that the investment demonstrates how “sustainably and resolutely” Lufthansa is renewing its onboard product offering.
