For the last segment of the trip to Germany with my parents, we crossed the Atlantic in Lufthansa’s Airbus A380 first class. My goodness, this flight was such a treat.
Continue reading: Review: Lufthansa First Class Airbus A380 (MUC-BOS)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
You might want to double check the flight itinerary - 100k Aeroplan points for FRA-MUC and MUC-ZRH seems a bit steep, I guess they rather took the flight to Boston as well... 😉
I was on the Bos to MUC flight a few weeks back - Only 4 of the First Class seats were taken (2 by myself and my wife) - We both had window seats and the aisle seats across from us were empty - They asked if it would be alright if they made up the Aisle seats as our beds - So we each had 2 First class seats - Basically we had a quarter of the First class section each to ourselves - Was a terrific flight! Flight attendants couldn't have been better! First time on an A380 - Such a smooth takeoff!
Those pre arrival snack options seem a little underwhelming. For a nearly 8 hour daytime flight in First Class I would have expected a second full meal service.
They could certainly work on the presentation of the food. That fish dish especially looks vile.
Ben... I've been fortunate enough to get to do F on the A330 and the 747. What a couple of flights those were!
I'm curious about the last minute booking... I do realize that F seats don't open until the last week or so but what you have done if there wouldn't have been any availability? What was your backup plan?
Thanks!
The menu for lunch sounded ample and delicious. I just wonder how Ben keeps from putting on weight while doing all of his travels! Are there “fast” days worked in?
I've been a loyal reader to this site for a long time, and it seems Ben always writes about him using the gym equipment in his hotel reviews, so I assume he works out frequently.
It would be nice to get a response from Ben though to answer this question? What's your secret Ben?
Not Ben, but I've booked refundable awards on other carriers as a backup. Last time, that was DE J booked via AS for 55k miles, but the routing and itinerary will depend on what I'm trying to do and how flexible I am on a given trip (e.g. sometimes I have an apartment in Europe and can extend the trip by up to a week if need be).
@ Weymar Osborne -- Keep in mind that the first meal service is typically served at a very leisurely pace, since most people aren't looking to go to sleep right away. As a result, it can be roughly three hours after takeoff before your first meal is done, and then the second meal has to be served around 90 minutes before landing. So that only leaves three hours between meals.
To be honest, I struggled to eat most of the burger, as I was still pretty full from lunch. You can also order multiple things, so if you wanted to, you could have the salad, the burger, and more.
@ Patrick -- Great question! I saw that there were several business class award options available as backups, so I knew I'd be able to get us back across the Atlantic somehow.
@ Joel @ JB -- Hah, good question. So while I indulge when I travel, I eat much healthier/less at home, and I also work out regularly. So I try to balance things -- I'm very healthy when at home, and mostly not very healthy when traveling.
I love how they insisted on using a Beyond Meat "burger" to presumably appeal to vegans and then threw an unlisted on the menu slab of cheese on top. Makes zero sense
This does not sound like an experi that one should pay $5000 or whatever Lufthansa charges.
On miles, sure. But if I paid cash I'd feel like a chump.
"...threw an unlisted on the menu slab of cheese on top."
Yes but remember that since the meal is plated onboard, the cheese is optional, so if one is a vegan, just order a cheese-less burger.
Hello, Ben. First of all, I’m pleased to see your mom continues to be in good health after 2020. I don’t recall if there have been further updates on her health on your blog since then. But she and her partner, plus your dad, look quite happy on the A380 in that picture.
Second, I was wondering if they’d been allowed to go to the FCT in Frankfurt before heading off to Munich from there. Not sure what the rule for FCT-access is when you fly domestic J within Germany before flying international F with Lufty.
Cheers.
I think I'd still prefer my Qatar business class flight ATL-DOH-SIN, especially for the catering.
> This setup is quite frustrating, since it’s common for items to just fall out of the AC power outlet, given the angle.
My lifehack is to use universal converter with british plug. it seems to be less prone to falling out
The first courses seemed a bit rushed. I had the same menu (virtually) out of Frankfurt, but they served the appetiser before they set the table, then they did the caviar service and then they offered the starters.
My service was Oktoberfest inspired which was fun. A sausage and pretzel was part of the starter selection.
I preferred the service out of Frankfurt to my Munich flights, but it’s a very small sample.
Ben at his best. Second to none in the avgeek community when it comes to trip reviews.
I’m not a fan of Cuveé. I might have had a go at that artisanal gin. I didn’t like the wine list either. That 2014 red wine from France sounds like it is heavily spiced.
I can’t wait to take my dad to Berlin. Not LH F but hopefully Iceland Air flight attendants make up for it. :p
Q Suites can give any first class product a run for their money. It’s a great experience.
Every Pax who flies domestic or within Europe with a onward First Flight get access to the FCT in FRA or any similar F Lounge when they have a confirmed onward F Ticket departing same day in FRA or MUC with LH..even when they fly Swiss First from ZRH same day.
Ben, thanks for answering. Your approach is consistent with my philosophy, which is “moderation in all things, including moderation”!
the wine offerings including the "Laurent-Perrier 2007 Grande Cuve Rose Alexandra" look like fun
interesting Lufthansa serves Canadian Niagara (Reif Estate) 'icewine' rather than a German Aisles as a dessert wine
Clarification please.
BEN, you were able to book ROUND TRIP for only 100,000 points + $124, the equivalent of only 50,000 each way?
If so, how did you manage to get such a great deal?
The article states:
"...I booked myself the following itinerary in first class for 100,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points plus $124.90 in taxes and fees:
8/19 LH2367 Zurich to Munich departing 9:20AM arriving 10:10AM
8/19 LH424 Munich to Boston departing 3:35PM arriving 5:50PM..."
Your companion article that is linked from this current article states :
"The Air Canada Aeroplan program charges 90,000-100,000 points one-way in first class for itineraries between the United States and Europe (90,000 points for up to 4,000 miles of travel, 100,000 points for 4,001-6,000 miles of travel):..."
can you elaborate please?
@Uwe, So, conceivably, you could check out two first class lounges (in both Frankfurt and Munich or, if flying LX J and then LH F, in both Zurich and Munich) on one award booking (single PNR with two legs). Danke!
I have been following your website since years. One thing really puzzles me: how do you accumulate that many points? There is just that much money one can spend on buying clothes, furniture etc. Even buying points at reduced rates still requires $$$.
Great write-up. But, FFS, please don’t refer to champagne as “white champagne”. Champagne and Rose Champagne is perfectly fine. If you are looking for a descriptor, the style is best. Brut, Extra Brut, etc….
See you in the sky….
Frowning upon Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle, the epitome of civilized drinking, OMG !!!
Utterly flabbergasting !
Probably someone with genetically modified taste buds (possibly American ?)
An insightful and indeed beautiful report - Laurent-Perrier 2007 Grande Cuve Rose Alexandra looks fabulous and those silver food and 'Vinothek' drink menus stunning; do you save these airline menus?
You loved a380, but it seems like it's very close to A340 which you were conflicted about. Could you elaborate on the difference of your experience?