Our flight from Frankfurt to Miami was scheduled to depart at 9:55AM, so we left the Hilton Frankfurt Airport at around 7:30AM. It’s quite a haul from the hotel to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, and we made it there a few minutes before 8AM.
Upon entering the lounge, our Lufthansa Personal Assistant introduced herself, collected our passports, and escorted us through security. The great thing about the Lufthansa First Class Terminal is that 60 seconds after entering the “terminal” you can be seated in the lounge ready to go.
I’ve reviewed the Lufthansa First Class Terminal many times before, so I figure there’s not much else to add there. If you’d like to read my other reviews of the Lufthansa First Class Terminal , they are as follows:
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Singapore for the Weekend: A day in the Lufthansa First Class Lounges/Terminal Frankfurt
- Chasing the A380: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Chicago
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Around the World in a Week, Part Fifteen: Lufthansa First Class Terminal and FRA-SEA on Lufthansa in First Class
The lounge was awesome as usual, though we skipped breakfast in anticipation of lunch aboard our flight to Miami.
Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
Around 9:25AM the PA brought us to the lower level, where the cars to the planes depart. Three other passengers were booked in first class, so the five of us were driven to the plane in a Mercedes minivan.
One of the passengers, a middle-aged German guy, was a Miles & More Senator member. The other two passengers were an elderly couple from some exotic Eastern European country I couldn’t quite identify.
Roughly 10 minutes later we pulled up to our gorgeous 747-8, where we were taken up the elevator to the jet bridge and handed off to the crew.
Lufthansa Boeing 747-8
Lufthansa Boeing 747-8
Lufthansa 462
Frankfurt (FRA) – Miami (MIA)
Monday, September 23
Depart: 9:55AM
Arrive: 1:50PM
Duration: 9hr55min
Aircraft: Boeing 747-8
Seat: 2A (First Class)
We were welcomed at the door by the two middle aged female flight attendants that would be working the first class cabin. They were friendly as they guided us to our seats.
Lufthansa’s first class configuration on the Boeing 747-8 is pretty unique. The Lufthansa Airbus A330, Airbus A340, and Airbus A380 have the first class cabins in a 1-2-1 configuration. Meanwhile on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-400, first class is located on the upper deck, with eight seat/bed combinations in a 1-1 configuration. The Boeing 747-8 is the only plane with first class truly in the “nose.” The eight seats are spread across three rows, with three seats along each side of the plane, and then two seats in the middle.
I was in 2A, which I quite like for the privacy.
Lufthansa first class, seat 2A
Lufthansa first class, seat 2A
Lufthansa first class, seat 2A
Lufthansa first class seat controls
Lufthansa first class entertainment controls
Lufthansa first class, view from seat 2A
Lufthansa first class, view from seat 2A
Once we were settled the friendly crew offered us pre-departure beverages. I ordered a glass of champagne, which was served promptly with super-salty almonds.
Lufthansa first class pre-departure champagne
Shortly thereafter I was offered an amenity kit, pajamas, and slippers.
Lufthansa first class amenity kit, pajamas, and slippers
Sadly the amenity kits were not Rimowa, and the pajamas were my least favorite “variety”, with a button-down top (which I don’t find to be especially comfortable).
Lufthansa first class amenity kit, pajamas, and slippers
Lufthansa first class Bogner amenity kit
Shortly before takeoff the captain came on the PA to make his welcome announcement, and informed us of our 9hr20min flight time, which he expected would put us into Miami with “great punctuality.”
We pushed back from our gate on time, and began a fairly long taxi to runway 18. During this time the safety video began to play. It’s interesting to note that the safety video was played in German and Spanish, with English only available in subtitles.
Taxiing to our departure runway
Once at runway 18 we were number one for takeoff.
Holding short of runway 18
Taking off runway 18
Our climb out was smooth, and once we passed through 15,000 feet the seatbelt sign was turned off.
View on climb out
View on climb out
Lufthansa first class cabin after takeoff
As we climbed out I browsed the entertainment selection, and decided to watch “The Internship,” which was entertaining enough.
Lufthansa first class entertainment selection
Once we reached our cruising altitude the purser passed through the cabin to welcome each first class passenger aboard and distribute menus. Maybe I’m just crazy, but when traveling with my dad sometimes I feel I get treated like a second class citizen, since by comparison to my dad I might as well be five years old. So the purser had a lengthy conversation with my dad, and then addressed me as “junior” and handed me the menu without saying much else. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in desperate need of socialization, though I do always find it a bit puzzling.
The purser also proudly announced to each person in the cabin that this 747-8 was the second newest in the fleet, and invited us to enjoy the “new plane smell.”
Lufthansa first class menu
Anyway, the lunch menu read as follows:
And the wine list read as follows:
Shortly after the menus were distributed one of the first class flight attendants distributed hot towels, while the other served the amuse bouche.
Lufthansa first class hot towel
Lufthansa first class amuse bouche
Then tables were set and the caviar cart was rolled through the cabin — they sure were generous with the portions!
Lufthansa first class caviar
I can never help but smile at the butter Lufthansa caters out of Germany, which has “First Class” stamped on it.
Lufthansa first class butter
The appetizers were served once the caviar course was complete. I selected the medallion of lobster on artichoke salad, celery and cream cheese with truffle vinaigrette and apple fennel salad, and salad with herb dressing. All were very good.
Lufthansa first class appetizer and salad
Next they served a tomato consomme with ravioli and crabmeat, which was excellent.
Lufthansa first class soup
For the main course I ordered the rice cakes with lemon green curry sauce, broccoli, and almonds, which was actually surprisingly good as well.
Lufthansa first class main course
Lufthansa’s desserts are always uniquely named desserts, and I chose the “symphony of chocolates.” Mmmm…
Lufthansa first class dessert
To finish off the meal I ordered a cappuccino, which was served with some pralines.
Lufthansa first class cappuccino
Service throughout the meal was good. The entire service took about two hours, and the crew was exactly what I’d expect in Lufthansa first class. They weren’t over the top phenomenal like the crew on our Houston to Frankfurt flight, though they were professional, personable, and extremely efficient. The food was top notch as well, much better than what I’ve had catered out of Frankfurt in the past. For that matter, the meal service in both directions was much better on this trip than usual in my opinion.
After lunch I requested turndown service. While that was being taken care of I took a quick stroll around the plane, and was sure to grab a view of the wing from door 2L. Is there a more beautiful wing than that of the 747-8?
747-8 wing
While the lavatory on the 747-8 is nowhere near as large as on the A380, it’s still nicely appointed with plenty of toiletries.
Lufthansa first class lavatory
Lufthansa first class lavatory
Lufthansa first class lavatory toiletries
Lufthansa first class lavatory toiletries
Lufthansa first class lavatory toiletries
At this point there were about five hours left in the flight. This aircraft was equipped with Lufthansa’s FlyNet so rather than sleeping I decided to get some work done via the Wi-Fi, which was actually pretty fast. The cost for a 24 hour unlimited data pass is 20 Euros, which I don’t think is half bad compared to what other airlines charge for transoceanic travel.
Lufthansa first class turndown service
Lufthansa first class turndown service
I worked for a few hours, then fell asleep for about 90 minutes, waking up about an hour an a half prior to our arrival in Miami. It’s worth noting that the cabin was kept at a very cool temperature throughout the flight, which I really appreciated.
The pre-arrival meal service began just as I woke up. The menu read as follows:
Service once again began with a hot towel.
Lufthansa first class hot towel
After that the buffet cart was rolled through the cabin.
Lufthansa first class pre-arrival meal buffet cart
I selected a bit of everything, and when the flight attendant suggested I have a beer I instinctively accepted (as I do just about everything on a plane). I unfortunately didn’t put much thought into the fact that I’d actually have to drink it. I realize I have serious issues because to me the two most vile substances on earth are beer and bacon, so was feeling especially ballsy after that whole experience.
Lufthansa first class pre-arrival meal
For the main course I ordered the quiche lorraine, which was… fine.
Lufthansa first class quiche lorraine
Dessert was a small slice of cake, and I had another cappuccino to go with it (Lufthansa whips up a mean cappuccino).
Lufthansa first class riesling cake
Lufthansa first class cappuccino
As we descended the crew brought me a ladies amenity kit which they suggested I give my mom, which I thought was a nice touch.
Through about 12,000 feet the first officer came on the PA to inform us we were being put in a holding pattern due to some thunderstorms in the area. That lasted for about 20 minutes, at which point we were cleared for our approach, which was extremely bumpy.
As we began our final approach the ride smoothed out a bit and weather began to clear.
View on final approach to Miami
View on final approach to Miami
The taxi to our arrival gate was quick, and we parked next to an Air Jamaica 737.
Our parking position
This was another consistent, excellent Lufthansa first class flight. From a comfort perspective I slightly prefer the A380 to the 747-8, but both are amazing planes. The crew on this sector was good — certainly an “average” Lufthansa first class crew, which is still a compliment — though not quite as good as on the outbound.
Customs and immigration in Miami were surprisingly quick, even for my dad (who doesn’t have Global Entry).
Stay tuned for the next installment, as my dad shares his thoughts on the trip!
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