The first Lufthansa Airbus A380 equipped with the airline’s new Premium Economy Class took off from Frankfurt Airport earlier en route to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The aircraft with the registration number D-AIMF is the first A380 in the Lufthansa fleet to offer the new class of travel on board.

Houston is the first destination served by this particular aircraft before it takes off to the various A380 destinations within Lufthansa’s worldwide long-haul network.

“Lufthansa is delighted to be able to offer its passengers the new Premium Economy Class on yet another aircraft type within its fleet,” said Juergen Siebenrock, Lufthansa vice president of the Americas.

“The A380 and our new Premium Economy Class have proven to be hugely popular among Lufthansa’s passengers.

“And by adding the quality and service of Premium Economy now also to our flagship aircraft, we are getting another step closer to becoming the first five-star airline in the Western hemisphere,” Siebenrock continued.

“Lufthansa passengers will soon be able to enjoy the comfort and benefits of the Premium Economy Class on all A380 routes when the new travel class becomes available throughout the entire flagship fleet on April 22, 2015.

Passengers travelling to and from North America can enjoy Premium Economy on the A380 earlier.

The service will become available on the Los Angeles–Frankfurt route at the end of March before it takes off between Washington Dulles and Frankfurt on April 9th, 2015.

Lufthansa’s entire long-haul fleet is gradually equipped with the new Premium Economy seats.

To date, the new class of travel is available on all 16 747-8 aircraft as well as on 13 Airbus A340-300.