Trip Report: Lufthansa First to the US with some twists and turns (and attitude)

"Within seconds of settling down we were offered drinks, amenity kits, magazines, and a collared shirt."

so, wait, they offered you something to wear? were you wearing t-shirts or something?

Brian,

Sorry, should have been more clear. On overnight flight Lufthansa offers pyjamas as an amenity and on daytime flights they offer nice collared shirts as an amenity. It's not necessarily to change into, but also to take home. I was wearing a button down collared shirt.

Are you sure those wieners weren't Frankfurters?

Great trip report, and a lot of fun to experience LH F vicariously. Since my award travel is always booked x4, we'll be happy with C for now, and go for the F flights when we're back to 2 traveling at a time!

I do want to comment on one thing in your post, though:

"Very refreshing compared to the usual “how can you afford to travel at your age?” question, which is utter BS."

I agree that it is nice to see someone who is happy for a young(er) person who gets to travel a lot, and that it is rude to ask how anyone can "afford to travel" no matter what age. I also know that you explained how you do travel relatively cheaply in an earlier blog post.

That said, even your "cheap" travel is beyond the means of many, many people out there, particularly when they are on their own for the first time (like in college). As an example, I worked throughout high school to save enough for college, and was lucky enough to get a good financial aid package to make up the difference. I never considered myself or my family to be particularly "poor" - we thought of ourselves as middle-class. Even so, I worked 2 jobs during my first 3 years of university, and budgeted my money so tightly that my *monthly* treat was to order myself a pizza. I remember my freshman-year Thanksgiving - I couldn't afford to go home, I was lonely with practically no one around, and I "volunteered" to work as a costumed character in a Thanksgiving Day parade because all of the volunteers were given a free lunch, and my only other food options (both because of no money and no car) were the little boxes of cereal I had saved up for 2 weeks from my meal plan allotment.

I know, I know, boo hoo hoo for me. Really, though, the general gist of this story is not that uncommon. Even a $200 ticket is a *luxury* item for many people, and I think that is reflected in the questions that many people ask you (not all of course - I sure there are also plenty of questioning folks who could afford to travel more, but don't budget that way). You are a courteous person, so I doubt you ever show your irritation, but please try to remember that perspective.

(I'm doing well now - I have a great education, a great family, and a great life (luxury FF tix included) - but I will never forget what it feels like to be close to the edge, and I hope that I will always keep my sympathy for people who are still in that situation.)

mechteach, you're spot on with every point you make. At the end of the day I'm far from rich, have a job, and essentially go to school for "free." My hobby is relatively inexpensive compared to what I get out of it, and my family benefits from it as well. I don't for a second take for granted what I have though, I'm very fortunate and thankful.

My point by saying that was by no means to say "everyone can afford to travel like crazy," but rather that the answer is potentially so obvious. I know all too many kids my age that are totally loaded and could travel paid first whenever they want. So should they have to tell the immigration officer "well, my parents are totally loaded?" I just think the question has no good answer, since if I'm 100% honest the immigration officer will be confused out of his/her mind, and I'm often tempted just to lie and say "I was born rich," even though that's not the case.

Lucky, thanks very much for your quite thoughtful response to my long comment! You're absolutely right that 1) it is a rude question, and 2) many, many people *can* afford to travel more than they do, but just don't make it a priority.

i am going to travel on LH F please let me know if i should go with row 81 or 83

thanks

Hey Mark,

Someone asked me the same question on FlyerTalk, and here's what I answered:
"As for which row I prefer, it's a toughie. Despite row 81 being a bulkhead there's ample legroom, so that really isn't an issue. On one hand you're facing a wall which you might not like, but at the same time it's sooo private. Since you don't see anyone else getting service, it really feels like a private jet in every way possible. If you like a quiet, attentive feeling flight, I recommend row 81.

Row 83, on the other hand, has TONS of legroom. That being said, there's no way to use more legroom than row 81 offers, so it's really not necessary. If you're on the left side of the plane in row 83 the flight attendant will be sitting across from you during takeoff and landing, so in general I don't really like that. I do enjoy observing service though, so I get a bit more of a view from row 83.

So overall I would go with row 81, I think, but if you're flying LH roundtrip I would try row 81 in one direction and row 83 in another direction."

thanks
you'r stuff here is very nice
i am looking fwd for the same !!!

should i go with 83 R side ?i geuss 81 is the same R or L

thanks agein

Yes, in general I would say the right side of 81 is slightly better, although keep in mind that the drink cart is placed in front of those seats, so it's not any more private. You are correct, for row 81 it really doesn't matter.

Enjoy! 🙂

thank you very much it was a big help
by
mark

I agree that it is nice to see someone who is happy for a young(er) person who gets to travel a lot, and that it is rude to ask how anyone can “afford to travel” no matter what age. I also know that you explained how you do travel relatively cheaply in an earlier blog post.

Lufthansa is the best. WOW what a business class, I am very impressed. Cool pics

OMG so much memories,glad you made it this far and looking forward to see u growing more 🙂

Lucky, as a daily reader from Australia, great to look back at your early reports now OMAAT is 10 years old. Also funny to read how you didn’t like caviar in these early days...... how so much has changed. Keep up the great work.

It definitely is.