Lufthansa prides themselves on their consistency, but I haven’t actually found the service to be so flawlessly executed as to be worthy of "Best Airline In The World."
Continue reading: I’m Just Here For The Caviar: A (Less-Biased) Review of Lufthansa First Class
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Great to see Ben through the eyes of a traveling companion. You captured his zany exuberance well. I agree that some of the LH "misses" detract from the first class experience. Nice job Tiffany! 😉
Tiffany - please start your own blog! I like the review and your point of view.
Best review in a while, not to discount Ben's, but this was just more objective and awesome.
This is a very similar experience to what I had when I flew LH first. I was flying out of Frankfurt and the first class terminal did make up for it a bit, but mostly I was disappointed with the inflight service.
We must know though how did you two meet and its nice reading what a normal persons view of LH first class is like.
You're hired! Who is Ben? I like your writing and your argument on why LH is not the worlds best airline!
In Business (paid, not redeemed) from SFO-MUC two years back, I asked for a Diet Coke when they did the beverage service.
After the meal was served, I asked for another Diet Coke.
The reply from the flight attendant was "We did drinks. Now we're doing food."
Best airline in the world?!?
Great review... I wasn't wowed by my LH F experiences... I found them excellent on the ground in Frankfurt though... I'm pretty sure that Asiana has proper caviar spoons...
FDW
In about a dozen LH F segments, I've never walked out of the bathroom after changing and not have them proactively offer to hang my clothes. That's perhaps the most consistent aspect of the service to me.
I do agree that otherwise the service can be a bit hit or miss. I also agree that you have to "know your way around" LH F a bit in order to maximize the experience--for instance, if you don't know you can have the entire flight of appetizers, you might just choose one based on the way they ask you what you'd like.
However, if you've done 6 such segments, then I think you were being a bit intentionally obtuse here in order to prove a point.
I think I'm on Ben's side here. Once you're a member of the "LH F club" and have done it enough times to know what you're doing in the air and on the ground in FRA/MUC, it just feels more comfortable than any other airline experience to me--even if individual aspects are clearly inferior to other airlines.
However, you're right about this: the cabin is WAY TOO EFFING HOT. I've found that the FAs will lower the temp for you if you ask, though...
Great review! I hope to someday be one of those travelers who just knows the "right way" to communicate and get service, but I'm currently still clumsy. I love warm and proactive service, because it prevents me from feeling foolish or demanding. Reserved and unsmiling flight attendants make me nervous. I suspect I'd have a hard time on Lufthansa, where despite my best efforts, I know I would not be polished enough to get my clothes hung with a glance. It would be more of a bumbling "If you wouldn't mind...maybe there's a hanger available...I can do it myself if you just show me...sorry to bother you...." kind of thing while the sophisticated flight attendants stared at the American hayseed who somehow landed herself in first class.
Thank you Tiffany for the terrific write-up. Unlike many readers, I have not flown international first class, although I have flown a ton of domestic. Based on Lucky's LH obsession, I chose LH first to introduce my husband to the joys of flying in September (he doesn't care to fly) in hopes that I can convince him that flying is fun. Now I'm wondering whether LH is the best choice for a novice. I guess we shall see.
Loved your post Tiffany! Please post one whenever you travel with Lucky! Anyway, in addition to ANA, I recall Lucky posting that Cathay Pacific recently started serving caviar with a mother-of-pearl spoon! 🙂
@ Peter, elteetrav, Kris, Juan, Eric, Jeremy McMillen, Vastgotta, S, FlyingDoctorWu, Sak, Joey & Al, -- Aww, thank you so much, these are such kind comments, and I really appreciate each of them!
@ Justin -- That's a more than fair criticism, and I absolutely agree with the need to "know your way around," and the appetizer conundrum is a perfect example. I swear on my life that I've never had a Lufthansa crew offer to take my clothes though, so was legitimately surprised, and truly not trying to be obnoxious.
@ Elizabeth -- Yes, exactly! My being shy may indeed have a great deal to do with it.
@ Jana -- He'll have a great time, especially since you probably read enough reviews to know what to expect, so can give him the rundown!
Excellent unbiased trip report, thank you.
Your trip report in First is very much similar with the impressions I had in a FRA-EZE Business flight.
From check-in to gate arrival you may experience perks if you know beforehand any turn key points.
In FRA I ended up boarding with all the Economy pax - Apparently Business Class pax are supposed to know that their boarding happens upstairs, from within a lounge without any signage or LH agents, whatsoever.
In FRA, economy Star Gold customers are welcome to their very best lounge with showers, while premium Business Class customers had to use a non-attended remote lounge and poor serviced.
On the longest LH flight crew also disappeared for hours - I wondered then, have they all been kidnapped ?!
And the automation of their work is not efficient but mainly boring for premium pax - If I want to be serviced with others, when convenient for the crew, then I fly coach.
Yes, for those who love LH it is mute discussing LH - for those unbiased the same points keep coming up and LH does nothing to remedy situations.
Is it me or does it look like Ben is screaming at the guy after he caught him changing outside the lavatory.
Wonderful observations, Tiffany. I, too, would like to hear from her more often (and wouldn't mind commentary by #13 Elizabeth, whose voice I really like and relate to!). Thank you.
Nice review, I totally agree that it helps a lot to speak German, otherwise this airline only focuses to provide good service to overweight elderly gentlemen... everyone else recives a very mediocre service. they strongly dislike young and lean people in their premium cabins.
and you say "Lufthansa in general is certainly the best transatlantic premium product available with miles or points." - not true... Singapore F and J is available from JFK-FRA and IAH-Moscow with Krysflier points. Much better than Lufthansa.
"and asked for some water before heading back to my seat"
This being LH, I'm guessing you should have pointed at a bottle of water in the galley, pointed to yourself, then pointed to your seat, then *maybe* they would have brought you a glass of water? 😉
"Once you’re a member of the “LH F club” and have done it enough times to know what you’re doing in the air and on the ground in FRA/MUC, it just feels more comfortable than any other airline experience to me–even if individual aspects are clearly inferior to other airlines."
Except this is first class. You shouldn't ever have to feel like a "member of the club" to get good proactive service, or any type of service, at all. I mean seriously, you have to give a subtle look at your coat after making eye contact with the FA for them to hang it? Wtf? I realize many times there can be a language barrier, but this is a flight to Canada. The FAs should be proficient enough in English to at least proactively ask "I hang your coat, ja?", regardless of whether its on the bed or the hook.
@David that is what I thought too at first glance. "There's something called a lavatory back there"
Re: jacket hanging, there may be another thing going on.
My experience is that it is next to impossible for women to get flight attendants to hang their jackets. The one exception is Alaska. But I have had issues with at least a dozen airlines where the FAs are fawning over men to grab their jackets, while I and 2 or 3 other women stand there practically begging for ours to be hung up.
Love it, Tiffany! I think you are onto something for sure with the German "language barrier" from being in the 'Lufthansa Country Club'. I have always had a great experience, but I think Ben's experiences are always just a bit better.
Great review though...only thing missing is when Ben randomly breaks into his "Lufthansa Captain Voice" in daily life.
"Once you’re a member of the “LH F club” and have done it enough times to know what you’re doing in the air and on the ground in FRA/MUC, it just feels more comfortable than any other airline experience to me–even if individual aspects are clearly inferior to other airlines."
Two options :
a) Pax who pay a hefty amount to fly First should accept to endure a few bad experiences, poor value for money, to hopefully afterwards get serviced as "First";
b) LH should send along with the charge to the customer, also a leaflet on how to get serviced as premium passengers, according to their German way;
c) LH should cater to all premium pax in a courteous, professional, proactive and amiable way, revenue oriented as any other premium carrier.
PS - Please disregard B), as Tiffany did her homework learning beforehand LH rules, then proactively asked to be escorted from checkinm per LH rules, and was informed there was no such service.
Tiffany - please provide a link to your tripadvisor profile if you have one. I think I'd like to read other reviews you've written.
🙂
@Lucky - great idea to let Tiffany share her experience. Her review is a nice counterpoint to your very thorough reviews, please encourage her to write more for your blog if possible.
Hopefully have my first international F trip coming up (in LH F at that!). Is it standard practice to leave your bag in the galley for them to store or is this a 744 specific thing?
Some have been covered here, but any other tips for someone's first LH F (and international F for that matter, best I've done thus far is several round trips in DL BE) experience?
Thanks in advance!
@ David & Charlie -- At that point I think it was more "So here's the plan: the only way we get to try the Veuve is if we finish all the Taittinger. So I'm going to need you to have some more champagne." But generally, yes 😉
@ PB, mbh, & EthaninSF -- Thanks!!
@ Miriam -- That's a great point, actually. I tend to find the ratio of male to female passengers in F is more equal on Alaska than other carriers, so wonder if that has any influence.
@ wwk5d -- Ha! Will try that next time!
@ mommypoints -- Ha, thanks! I felt I was pushing my luck by including actual photos, so the other stories will have to wait for another time 😉
@ RJP -- You're too sweet! I am the /worst/ kind of internet lurker nowadays, and don't think I've posted anything on tripadvisor/FT/MP in years, but I am on instagram @tebfunk, if that's any help.
@ Digital01 -- On Lufthansa at least it's just for the 744. The overhead bins are ancient and tiny, so don't really fit much. Other configurations don't have that issue, and on some products (like their A380), they have lockers. So it just sorta depends.
Nicely done, Tiffany.
Where do I donate to Tiffany's kickstarter? Her style and point of view are both detail-oriented and hilarious. Much better than "I had an amuse bouche whereby it was just okay."
@ Lantean -- Thanks, and fair point about Singapore! The challenge there is that there is hardly ever more than one (if that) F seat available JFK-FRA, and DME isn't exactly amazing for connections.
So given Lufthansa's network, capacity, and pattern of releasing multiple seats per flight - even to those with partner miles, I'd still give them the overall edge, personally.
Great report, Tiffany! I agree w/ everyone else that Ben should let you guest-review on a regular basis. It's great to get another point of view. If Ben doesn't take Gary Leff w/ him in the Residence suite, he should take you!
Thanks, Tiffany, for a fantastic review. It was great to see the same flight reviewed by two different people each with their own perspective.
If you really want your caviar served with a genuine mother of pearl spoon, you can also fly Asiana. Great caviar service on their flights in first and they give you a flower in a vase, too!
I can see what happened; while I'm not German, i do speak German and am familiar with German culture and my husband doesn't; so if we fly first together in first - guess what happens? I get all I need, even without asking indeed, and "at best" my husband gets the question if they shall do the same thing for him... So I think it's not a language thing, also a cultural thing; even one step further: I had exactly the same situation with a Swiss crew: if I speak German (regardless of the mother-tongue of the crew), I get a LH type of service and a different approach if we approach the crew in French (tested twice for both languages) !
I date back to the days when UNITED had caviar, and after more than one serving, would also be my meal. Those days might return, but not with current mgmt.
*Loved* this trip report. Really enjoyed getting two perspectives on the same experience. The photo caption about ignoring your jacket made me lol. MOAR TIFFANY TRIP REPORTS, PLZ!
@ Bill -- I'm flattered to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Gary, thanks!
@ Craig -- Good to know, and thank you!
@ andre -- That makes a great deal of sense, actually. The crew definitely seemed to "lean" on Ben's German, having him answer for both of us, etc.
@ Andrew B -- Hah! You set the bar really high!!
Gah!! The coat thing! A huge pet peeve of mine. I actually noticed the coat in the picture in Ben's post yesterday, and wondered if it was because the FA didn't offer to take it.
I've had that problem on a number of AA flights, so I've started sitting in the last row of first right in front of the hangers so I that I can make eye contact with the FA as he/she is hanging other people's coats. FWIW, I am female. Maybe @Miriam is on to something. :/
Really enjoyed the review and had some good chuckles.
Second, or actually forty-first to ask for more guest reports from Tiffany!
Tiffany--loved the report. You're a great writer and I appreciated your perspective.
Now, I happen to be one of those people that thinks LH F is *am besten* but you give a very rational and accurate look at a typical LH F flight, IME (10 flights or so).
@ Tiffany - loved your report! I guess Lantean beat me to the punch but SQ F is better especially if you require advance planning. SQ KF miles are much easier to get compared to LH M&M (KF - thru MR or SPG; M&M - only SPG). And out of Houston, the flight actually is long enough to get some sleep. I elected to fly IAH-DME-VIE instead of IAH-FRA-VIE (although, DME is a pretty sucky airport, especially if flying domestically).
@ Lucky - I propose we switch Kickstarter's goal from Residencies to hiring Tiffany 😛
P.S. On the topic of languages - in my one trip in LX F (back when you could book LX F without being a M&M elite), actually had very nice and - relatively - warm service from FAs and purser despite not speaking German. Guess, I got lucky 😀
Let me add my kudos. Great job Tiffany! I've never flown LH F, but your post gave me a lot to think about.
Tiffany I totally agree with you about the LF ground services. Denver was the worst for first class that I've ever encountered even for coach in 40 years of flying. My wife thought they hired some janitors at DIA.
Don't think I'll be wasting $ on LF again
Thanks Tiffany. What a great report; good to hear from someone who may not know the "secret handshake" to getting the most of the service.
I have to agree that in my experience LH First/Business service appears cold and reactive (albeit efficient) compared to asian airlines such as Singapore and Cathay Pacific.
Ivan Y – I'd say we raise the Kickstarter goal so that Tiffany flies with Ben in EY Residences.
@ ESD- Yes, I think it would be great for Tiffany to fly with Ben on his EY trip also. However according to what Ben said, the Residences are for 2 people, so no extra money needed.
@Tiffany: very entertaining with woman’s touch as well. I am so with you on not liking to ask for things when flying. A new blog about the blogger is in the air.
@Ben: do you recall "explaining to the passengers in Row 81 all the reasons why Lufthansa is the best airline..."?
After your report, and the dozens, that I have read on Flyertalk and Boarding Area...I can see no reason for me to waste 300,000 miles to fly Lufthansa First Class. I have only had one flight on Lufthansa, in economy, it was nice. Better than god awful United. But not nearly as good as Swiss, which is owned by Lufthansa. I have flown many flights on Swiss and Swissair in all classes. Now that it takes so many United miles to fly partners, Lufthansa just isn't worth my miles or precious vacation time.
That picture of Ben discussing the virtues of LH F with other pax is priceless.
Every medal has two sides and it's always wise to know both of them. I really enjoy reading the trip reports from Ben but yours just made my day! One point in particular was an eye-opener: speaking the same language as the crew makes much of the experience. I recently flew SWISS Business YVR-ZRH and to be able to talk in Swiss German made me feel at home.
I hope we'll be able to read another report from you Tiffany.
@ Jim, Sendaiben, LC, R B, & Daniel -- Thank you!!
@ Matthew -- Coming from you that means a great deal, thank you! Also, there is a tremendous difference between "LH F is *am besten*" and "Lufthansa Is The Greatest Airline Ever," which is typically my main point in the debate. 🙂
@ Ivan Y -- Thank you so much!! I like Singapore as well, but availability in F for multiple passengers is a real problem, unless you want to spend additional miles, at least in my experience. Interesting point about Swiss - my flights with them have been warmer as well, both in terms of the interactions and the temperature (if that's even possible!)
@ ESD & Coutureguy -- I of course /love/ that idea, but that's probably not the spirit in which that project was intended 😉
@ Tatyana & Papa Smurf -- Thanks! I have a collection of photos and stories I'm saving for blackmail/my tell-all biography 😉
@ JohnB -- To clarify, I really do like Lufthansa First; I need to fly back from Europe in the next few days and that's certainly my first choice. Agree it's a terrible value with United miles though.
Is it possible to ask for more than 1 serving of caviar at LH First? Do they normally have leftovers, from your experience?
@ Tiffany - being concerned about multiple award seats is how we know you aren't a "real" travel blogger! 😛 Living in Houston and with some family in Russia & Ukraine makes SQ super-convenient for us (especially, in combination with redeeming Avios on S7) but, yeah, I think saver availability out of JFK isn't nearly as good even for a single seat.
Really enjoyed reading this TR, Tiffany... great job, and you have a great dry sense of humor. Agreed with an earlier comment - the picture of Ben standing the FC cabin is classic. Also loved the description of Ben working non-stop, walking and taking pictures, etc.
Side-point, but evertime I read a LH F trip report, I always think the same thing: I have ZERO desire to eat caviar. It just looks nasty. Give me a solid business class meal any day of the week.
Mirrors my experience as well. Once they greeted me and realized I didn't speak German, I was pretty much ignored until I made a point of requesting something. As much as LH is a good airline, I will never go out of my way to fly them....
Brilliant review - I must say by comparison the crew on my BA Club World flight from JFK at the weekend were fantastic - pro-active, helpful, remembered requests. I really don't see how LH F is so amazing by comparison! (plus at least BA give you a flat bed in business :D)
GREAT REVIEW Tiffany, I really enjoyed getting a different more grounded perspective on LH, even though I am also a fan of the airline. Plus it was REALLY fun to read how a friend of Ben sees the experience of flying with him on LH F.
Finally Ben, this was a great idea having Tiffany share her thoughts here, you should consider inviting her again, definitely. And BTW, I so agree with comments #23 & #28!
More Tiffany!! And other guest bloggers. You should make your friends (and readers!) a regular feature.
Oh my gosh this is amazing! Please do more posts on the truth of traveling with Ben!
@ Joey -- Yep, shouldn't be a problem at all. If they have any left over they'll surely give you seconds if you ask.
let me add my rant to those of other women who would like to have her jacket hung up and eventually goes to the closet herself - i've tried draping it over the seat in front of me, over my seatback, keeping it on my lap, and hanging it on a hook if available - meanwhile all the male pax are having their jackets hung up without any shenanigans - really really frustrating!
loved the TR and i speak a little German so i love to try it out when i fly LH - but sometimes i'm lazy and don't bother - i don't think i've seen any difference in service, although i'm sure the FA's always heave a small sigh of relief when a pax can communicate auf Deutsch
just had a very short flight on LH in J and the service was impeccable - puts (i know this is a cliche) our domestic US carriers to shame
Have to agree with the Andre's sentiments noted in post #38 above - my wife doesn't speak German and that throws the crews off sometimes, though they do try once they've settled into a routine with me in Grman.
BTW YVR contracted ground services are abysmal - some of the worst of any outstations IME(SEA is better).
ROFL! Great job, Tiffany. I'm not sure how I missed this when it was posted in May, glad Ben linked to it recently.
Loved the post, brilliant! Although, gotta say I'm in Lucky's camp if it comes to LH First 😉
I agree with Ben, Lufthansa IS the best airline in the world. I have been traveling with them in Coach and Business since I was 6 months old. Their seats may not be the best, but the atmosphere, the brand, that is what makes Lufthansa, Lufthansa. I will defend LH under any circumstances and WILL take it personally if someone complains about their LH flight.
-Noah
I do admitt Ben- LH is the best airline in the world. but mybe to explain that the FAs and ground services were more reactive: I am german and can say that it in our culture it is not that polite that FAs etc ask for everything: "May I take your coat" "May I show you the way/ the lounges(to mention: they are excelent at Fra/Muc)" I personally think that this is quite penetrant as well... just ask for it, because then you get the service that you really require!
And I think you are right: it is something else to be part of the "big club" so you should bea at least Gold/Senator to be part of the game.
And it may be an advance to speak german.(please apologize my bad English, I am german);) but nevertheless: LH is the best airline!
Just had chance to read this. Great report Tiffany. Being a big fan of the middle east operators, LH First always looks like a let down to me in comparison. Travelling in J on Qatar seems better ( despite the lack of caviar.....)