I’ve spent the past week in Europe, and flew Lufthansa first class to get here. I was originating in Seattle, though in this case was meeting up with a friend that was in Vancouver. So we decided to redeem miles for Lufthansa first class from Vancouver to Frankfurt, which is operated by a 747-400.
Continue reading: Review: Lufthansa First Class 747-400 Vancouver to Frankfurt
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
While some other airlines do present their food a bit nicer than Lufthansa, I do like that teapot they present with breakfast.
Another excellent account of LH F. Hope to get to experience for the first time in a couple of weeks! It'll be nice to finally try something other than Delta BE! Thanks for your help along the way!
Wow! Thanks for sharing and giving me something to aim for. If a person were going to save points for a super-amazing flight somewhere (assuming I can make the best of wherever I land), what flight would you recommend? I'm kind of stuck with Delta and it's partner/code-sharers, btw. (All input from readers appreciated.)
Nice review as usual. So how did you book the flight out of the 3 options? Lifemiles?
It's good to see you giving back for once and helping others. Oh wait, sorry, wrong blogger. This is yet another FC report to add onto your request for people to start funding your trips.
When will we see you give back in some fashion after having so much given to you?
BTW are you in MIA Oneworld premium lounge right now? Saw a guy who looks just like you.
Did they not pick you up in a Mercedes? Has that feature been "enhanced" as well?
@ mbh -- Redeeming just Delta miles? I would say the best option would be something like Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Australia. That's because you can't redeem Delta miles for international first class, but rather only for business class. That being said, with some credit card applications or buying some LifeMiles you should be able to redeem for a top Star Alliance first class product (like ANA, Lufthansa, etc.) or top oneworld product (like Cathay Pacific).
Good luck!
@ Dominik -- They've never done that when arriving at a gate. They only do that when arriving at a remote stand.
When arriving at a gate, how do you get to the FCT? (I have a 5hr layover before connecting to LHR).
@ Simon -- Full details here:
https://onemileatatime.com/lufthansa-first-class-terminal-access/
"Lufthansa doesn’t have arrival services for First Class passengers unless your flight uses a remote stand (and even if you’re at a remote stand you’ll only be driven to the main terminal and not the First Class Terminal), so when you get to the main terminal you’ll need to walk.
Clear immigration, and follow the signs to the street level. Turn left after exiting the terminal, and walk towards the taxi waiting area.
There’s a small kiosk/coffee hut where the taxi drivers congregate, which is the best place to cross the street. You should be able to see the First Class Terminal at this point, and the side entrance will eventually be on your left."
Thank you for the report. Do you know if this newer F product is on the YYZ-FRA route?
Thanks Ben - interesting that one would get stamped into Germany just to get to the FCT.
@ Mike S. -- That route is operated by a 747 right now so it should be. Only a couple of 747s don't have the new product.
Within eight weeks of departure you can use the first class tool to see if your flight is scheduled to feature the new product:
https://onemileatatime.com/lufthansa-will-now-tell-you-if-your-flight-features-the-new-first-or-business-class-product/
It sounds like Lufthansa has been changing up their 1st class amenity kits every few months after many years of Rimowa. I got Rimowa when I flew with them in January, and a Bogner kit when I flew them in early April.
Thanks Lucky, but I thought lh is cutting 30% from F capacity?? Which aircraft or routes, I thought FT lh mod said all 744 & 343 would lose F?
@ Dan -- As far as I know, most immediately they're cutting first class from some A330 and A340 aircraft. They may eventually cut it from some 747s, tough I don't believe concrete plans have been announced for that.
If you think rwy 18 is a long slog, try landing on 25R and taxiing all the way round to T2! Incidentally on that point, since the opening of the new runway 07L/25R on the other side of the terminal, the runway immediately to the right of 07R when landing on it, is actually 07C/25C (not 07L as you say above).
We're you supposed to drink maple syrup on this trip but decided not to and just stop at FRA?
Thanks, Ben. As usual a very detailed report. I bought 100 percent bonus LifeMiles just to do Lufthansa one way First. Good to see the new product on the Vancouver route!
It is planned that all LH B747-400 frames will become two class beginning next summer or withdrawn as the B748 order is completed. Hopefully this will take a few years. This particular F product will not be available after that time. LH is indeed cutting back F. The A343 have already begun to be modified to two class only.
Another great trip report from you, and one of the reasons I enjoy reading your blog. I always like seeing a LH F report, and the new LH F looks very attractive.
Hi Lucky,
A while back you had mentioned the possibility of video trip reports. Well here's the link to a guy who really knows how to do video trip reports well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH4B4OocKfg (this is just a link to one of his videos but check out the rest too). I'm interested in what you think of them.
Thanks!
I'm booked on YVR-MUC-CDG in F for august. I'm thinking of switching it to YVR-FRA as soon as space opens up. I'm afraid though that I'll end up with the old F. DO you think it's still worth risking it and changing my flight to YVR-FRA?
The LH tool that shows if the flight will have the new F product only appears to be reliable a couple days prior to departure since they'll know by then which 747 will be operating the flight. When you search dates a week or more out, it shows the new product. But the last few weeks, the old product has made an appearance in YVR at least a couple times a week.
Thanks for the tips, Lucky. It's fun to have a goal to work toward, and I need a focus for my points/rewards/miles. If I ever get enough to do something wonderful, I'll report back!
Ben, that iPhone wallpaper is amazing! Can you upload the pic so I can use it. 🙂
I was on the new first class on SEA-FRA earlier this year, here is LH's first class checker to figure out if it's the new or old product: http://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/First-Class-Product
Lucky, did you earn lifemiles by flying them or transferring from somewhere else. Are there any transfer options available, live Amex or something.
Thanks
Hi Ben, you don't mention actually using Miles and More points in your options. How do they stack up? Cheers. LF
@ AT -- Hmm, that's interesting. YVR-FRA is nearly always the new product, so I'd say your odds are good.
"I love the bottoms since they're nice and light, but the tops are always a bit too thick for me and I tend to sweat."
Oh, Benjamin.
@ Chris -- I generally purchase them, as they can typically be purchased for 1.5 cents each (or less). They do have a co-branded credit card, but other than that not really any great transfer partners.
@ Levy Flight -- Good point! Miles and More is great for booking further than two weeks out, or when you don't have flexibility in your plans. A one-way first class ticket between the US and Europe costs 85,000 Miles & More miles, plus taxes and fuel surcharges, so not a tremendous value otherwise.
If you're connecting to a sameday intra-Europe LH flight do you need to collect your bags or will they check them all the way through?
Great review Ben. No need for video which I find annoying (esp on 4g connxn). And I agree that LH (and many European & Asian airlines) tends to keep its cabins on the warm side. It's easy to put on more layers (or a blanket) if you're cold but there's only so much clothing you can remove if you're warm, and still remain within the bounds of propriety...
The worst thing about Internet is faceless random folks trying to act as Moral inspectors and judging people. Please take your issues elsewhere and let the rest of us enjoy. Thank you
I thought I'd paid enough attention during previous trip reports but just now learned that on this plane, TV doesn't swivel. Seems strange - TV in Etihad's new first (which also has a seat and a bed) does that.
Lucky, keep on posting this offer, and expect a lifemiles devaluation for making it so public
Ben - Would you say that any row in this configuration is better than the others? Or all created equal in your eyes?
@ Ben -- There are pros and cons, though I think for a redeye this is my preferred configuration.
Did you publish the picture you had as your wallpaper at any time? If yes, what TR? I'd LOVE to have it as my wallpaper.
Amazingly just scored 2 F seats on a LH744. Are any of the 8 seats better than another?
Ben - can you confirm US to Germany to Japan is 105k M&M miles, if no stopover in Germany? I'm looking to do IAD-FRA-NRT this year.
The reason why Champagne de Castelnau Reserve Brut tasted like "cat piss" is because it is a Blanc de Noirs, made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It is not really for everyone, as it is characterized as "heavy" in comparison to Blanc de Blancs which is described as "fresh." It is not really "first class champagne" compared to the Blanc de Blancs served by airlines. And it is actually cheaper than Blanc de Blancs, with the exception of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay which is single-vineyard pure Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs and one of the most expensive in the world, and Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises Blanc de Noirs also made solely from Pinot Noir.
How wide is the seat and how wide is the bed? Is the whole set up chair/bed combo as wide as a suit on Emirates a380 or Singapore a380?
Thanks
Flew this a few times between MEX-FRA-MEX. I will miss this configuration! Simply superb!