Name: Juergen Siebenrock
Title: Senior Vice President, The Americas
Company, city: Lufthansa German Airlines; East Meadow, N.Y.
Number of employees: 10,000 in the entire Lufthansa Group
Recent project: Expanded Lufthansa’s presence in South America and introduced the Airbus A380 to Houston along with the new Boeing 747-8 to the United States.
First job: Country Manager for Saudi Arabia and Yemen in the cargo division of Lufthansa German Airlines
Little-known fact about you: I am passionate about lawns — I enjoy seeing, smelling and experiencing different types of grass and turf.
YOUR BUSINESS
Essential business philosophy: I follow Colin Powell’s leadership principles. One that resonates with me is: “Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world.” This reminds me to balance expertise with practical judgment.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Constantly challenge yourself and the status quo. Question assumptions, examine every option, and never lose sight of customers and competitors. Continuous improvement and curiosity are essential.
Yardstick of success: Success is measured by the satisfaction of customers, the engagement and well-being of employees, and the confidence of shareholders.
AS A TRAVELER:
What is the most important item you take when traveling? Newspapers, magazines and books — I always bring reading material.
How do you spend your time on board? Reading
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? A small, tucked-away coffee bar in the harbor of Bermuda
What is your favorite destination in the world? Machu Picchu in Peru
ABOUT YOUR BRAND
What can premium travelers expect from Lufthansa’s new business-class cabin? The new business-class concept creates a more spacious, calm and welcoming environment. A V-shaped seating arrangement enhances privacy and a sense of roominess. Each seat converts into a fully flat bed with a horizontal sleeping surface of approximately 6.5 feet at the touch of a button. The design balances comfort as a bed, reclining or upright seat, and includes intuitive controls, increased storage and an improved in-flight entertainment system. Overall, the cabin aims to provide greater personal space and a restful experience.
What makes Lufthansa’s product unique? Lufthansa combines reliability and predictability with strong customer orientation, continuous innovation and high-quality service. The airline emphasizes sustainability, offers a dense global network and works seamlessly with partners to provide smooth connections.
What can travelers expect from the airline in the future? Travelers can expect ongoing innovations focused on delivering a comfortable, distinctive and memorable customer experience as Lufthansa continues to evolve its products and services.