Part of overhaul of European economy service
Christoph Franz, Lufthansa's deputy ceo has revealed that Lufthansa will overhaul its European economy class product next year in a bid to cut costs.
The main development is that passengers will see their seat pitch reduced so the German national carrier can put more passengers on flights.
Further economies will be made by simplifying catering which will free up on-board kitchen space.
Currently Lufthansa has six differing catering bands inside Europe compared to British Airways' four bands.
Aviation experts say that Lufthansa is being forced to make economies because more passengers are trading down to cheaper tickets.
As a high cost, quality carrier it cannot profitably offer low-cost fares as can budget carriers such as Easyjet or Ryanair.
Mr Franz made the announcements in an interview with a German magazine but full details of the changes are not yet available.
it is not clear whether or not the changes will affect just Lufthansa's mainline European fleet which comprises a mixture of planes like Airbus A320s and B737s or whether it will also include its specialised commuter fleet like the BAe146s and the Canadair CRJs where seating is already quite tight.
For its part, Lufthansa has denied it is becoming a budget airline. In a statement issued by its London office, the airline said: "Lufthansa is and will remain a quality carrier.
"Without a doubt, the current competitive climate means we have to further control our cost structures so that we can operate in an economically viable way.
"The aim is that Lufthansa becomes more profitable and less complex but passengers will not experience any decrease in service quality.
"From next year onwards a new design of seat will be installed on short-haul aircraft which will allow a reduction in seat pitch without restricting passenger comfort and so-called living space.
"One measure being taken would be to relocate the seat back pocket to a higher level which would then free up more space in the knee area.
"Complimentary food and drink will continue as before and passengers will not be given less to eat.
"What will happen is that the various service levels will be harmonised so that a flight from Frankfurt to Berlin will have the same catering as one from Frankfurt to Brussels.
"Previously there would be a difference in catering as one flight is domestic and the other cross-border."
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