As I shared a couple of weeks ago, one of the things I was most excited about with moving to Seattle is the new international nonstop flights I have access to. Previously when traveling internationally I’d usually take a crack-of-dawn flight out of Tampa, make a couple of connections, and then make it to my international gateway exhausted and ready to sleep.
Today was different. 1hr45min before departure I was at home showering. The prospect of boarding an international premium cabin flight about an hour after leaving home is completely foreign to me, so I almost made a game of it. I wanted to see how close to departure I could leave home without missing my flight. Because at the end of the day I think we can all agree that being home is better than any airline lounge.
And I did cut it tight. I made it to Lufthansa check-in 65 minutes before departure, cleared security, and went to “Club International,” the lounge used in Seattle by ANA, Condor, Emirates, and Lufthansa. The only problem is that as I made it to the lounge, the escort was already bringing first class passengers to the plane, so I literally turned right around and followed him aboard.
My flight was operated by an Airbus 330 with Lufthansa’s old first class, but I couldn’t care less. It’s a product I have such positive nostalgic feelings towards that I’d fly on it for decades to come. I flew the product for the first time nearly 15 years ago, and I love it just as much today. Though I do love their new first class as well, which I’ve sampled on the Airbus 380, Boeing 747-400, and Boeing 747-8.
While I’ll have all the details in the trip report, the flight was phenomenal – the food was great and the service was flawless. I’m not sure if this is possible, but I’m convinced the service was so good that it was unmemorable.
There were three passengers in first class and one relatively young flight attendant working the aisle, and she did everything right – now, she didn’t pull a Janesis or anything, but she did everything perfectly. She addressed me by name and smiled at me at every interaction, and had great attention to detail. I realize most people think I’m crazy for noticing things like this, but an example is that whenever she poured wine she would have a towel right under the top of the bottle and would wipe it off to ensure there wasn’t a single drop.
Oh, and there’s one huge improvement with the Lufthansa first class cabins on planes not featuring the new product – they now have the mattress pads on them as well! Previously they only had the improved mattress pads for flights operated with the new first class, though they now have it fleet wide. That makes a huge difference, in my opinion.
I’ll have a more detailed trip report that I’ll start posting next Wednesday. Stay tuned!
@ dmodemd -- The food and service are quite good, though the seat is typical angled flat, so not great. Still love Lufthansa, though, and if you can get the upgrade, well worth it.
How is the old C on that flight? Will be trying to get in it in May with certs. It seems loads are low mid-week so have a good chance. Not so sure on the way back since I connect in FRA from ZRH and may not have enough time to be cleared :(
@ Choi -- Because the LAX 747-8 service hasn't started yet.
@ John -- Two weeks out.
@ wwk5d -- LOL, actually cucumber and salmon. Not half bad.
@ EthanSF -- Originally they only had mattress pads on planes with the new configuration, though in the meantime they have it on all their longhaul flights, even those with the old product. So even daytime flights have it.
-Ben-
I noticed that they put down some mattress pads on the seats in the A330 for your overnight flight to FRA. When I flew F on LH this past summer, they did not offer them. Granted my flights left at 5am and 10am respectively, but did you have to ask for the pads or is this a service they only provide on "overnight" flights?
I guess we'll have to wait for the TR to see what the amuse bouche was this time. Will it be a fig and sardine concoction? Strawberry and tuna? Cheese and pickled eggs? Can't wait to see.
Ben- How far in advance were you able to book Lufthansa first class?
why didnt you try to make it down to LAX and catch the 747-8i, the blog would be more interesting with new plane minus the young flight attendant.
SEA is a pretty decent airport to leave out of. I've been able to walk off the light rail at 11:24 and be boarding a plane at 11:43 (and wasn't able to use TSA Precheck for that, either).
Looks like the diet went on hold for a while! Though, I wouldn't be able to resist LH F catering either!
"I flew the product for the first time nearly 15 years ago" Wow you started flying first class when you were 9 years old! I was just as happy to get on the plane in an economy seat when I was 9 years old. Back in the day, the flight attendant would give me a bag of toy!
My wife and I did that flight in F in both directions a few months ago. We agreed they were our favorite international flights ever. My only criticism is that the FRA-SEA flight is a morning departure, limiting enjoyment of the FCT. I decided that, it being 5 PM somewhere, I'd have a whisky, but 9 AM was just too early for the cigar lounge for me.
"Because at the end of the day I think we can all agree that being home is better than any airline lounge."
Oh! The heresy!
I just passed through FRA - could have said hi.
Willkommen zurück nach Deutschland!
Reading about LH F makes me jealous as I'm waiting at Berlin Schönefeld about to slum it out on Aer Lingus to Dublin for the weekend
Safe travels!
Glad the cold didnt stop you! Enjoy S'pore! Go for a swim in the pool at Changi!