- Introduction: Birthday Hotel Hopping In Paris
- Review: Lufthansa First Class Boeing 747-8
- Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt Review & Guide
- This Is Lufthansa’s New Business Class Catering?!?
- Review: Ritz Paris Hotel
- Review: Four Seasons Paris George V
- Review: Cheval Blanc Paris
- Impressions From Our Trip To Paris
- Review: Air France Business Class Boeing 777-200
After an amazing Lufthansa first class flight from Miami to Frankfurt, and a fun day at the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, it was time to connect from Frankfurt to Paris in Lufthansa business class. I’m not going to fully review the flight, since I’ve written about Lufthansa’s intra-Europe business class many times before. However, there was something different about this experience, which I wanted to highlight.
In this post:
My strange Lufthansa business class meal
On the short 45 minute afternoon flight from Frankfurt to Paris, I was served a totally different meal than what I’m used to on Lufthansa. After takeoff, the crew presented all business class passengers with a wrapped sandwich on a plate. Hmmm, this looked very different than what I’ve been offered in the past.
I unwrapped it, and basically found (not particularly fresh-tasting) bread, cheese, and some sort of a spread. There were no accompaniments. That’s… it?
Nope, worry not, that’s not it. Just before landing, after trays were cleared, a basket with apples was brought around. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t particularly enjoy biting into apples when I haven’t washed my hands in a while, don’t have a knife, am not sure if the apple is clean, etc.
The whole meal kind of felt like that kid in elementary school who would try to trade his food with others, because it just didn’t look very appealing (and I’m being polite — I think the other comparison might be to Fyre Festival).
For those not familiar with Lufthansa’s typical intra-Europe catering, usually it’s just a bunch of small dishes that are of varying quality. Some are decent, some aren’t. But that’s generally more in line with what airlines serve within Europe in business class.
Wait, this catering was intentional?!
At first I wondered if this was some sort of a fluke. I thought that maybe the flight was catered incorrectly, and they were just serving business class passengers something from the economy buy on board menu.
But then I saw the “Tasting HEIMAT” branding on both the tray liner and the apple sleeve, and I remembered reading a press release about that from Lufthansa a while back. As it turns out, this is Lufthansa’s new business class catering concept on intra-Europe flights. This is something we’re supposed to be excited about?!?
For those who don’t speak German, “heimat” means “home” or “homeland,” so essentially the new business class catering is supposed to offer a taste of home. Let me highlight a few of the ways that Lufthansa describes its new business class catering:
- “Experience culinary and sustainable diversity”
- “Creative menus inspired by German metropolises”
- “New concept builds on diversity and sustainability”
- “What does home actually taste like? Lufthansa Business Class guests will be able to experience this on short and medium-haul flights”
- “Lufthansa is responding to customers’ wishes for more variety”
- “Lufthansa and its catering partner gategroup invite passengers on a culinary journey through Germany”
- “Traditional German cuisine meets modern culinary influences from all over the world”
- “‘Tasting HEIMAT’ serves German classics with unusual components”
Am I the only one who thinks this description is a bit much for what I was served?
I have to give Lufthansa credit for one thing, though. The airline has an amazing ability to spin a cost-cutting initiative as a positive:
- Lufthansa claimed the introduction of buy on board in economy (including eliminating free soft drinks) “was developed on the basis of feedback from our customers”
- Lufthansa claimed that eliminating free liquor this winter on long haul flights is being done “to achieve greater customer satisfaction”
Bottom line
Lufthansa introduced a new regional business class catering concept in September. I experienced this for the first time last week, and it wasn’t good at all. This seems like a blatant cost cutting measure, but of course Lufthansa is spinning this as a positive. Or maybe it’s possible I just got a really bad version of this catering?
Perhaps the description of the new meal concept isn’t that far off, though. The new catering does indeed taste like home… if I’m the one tasked with preparing meals. There you have it, Europe’s only five-star airline, according to Sk*trax.
Has anyone else experienced Lufthansa’s new regional business class catering concept? If so, what was your experience like?
Lufthansa, as many major European airlines have downgraded their short-haul Business Class product. Brussels Airlines or KLM´s are a joke. Iberia might be the only exception - they now use Austrian Do& Co catering service and they serve amazing lunches and dinners, great wines and an all-around awesome product.
Munich to Tel Aviv nearly 4 hours flight time: CURRYWURST (PORK sausage with curry sauce) not just cost cutting, but culturally insensitive and insulting. Cost cutting all across the Lufthansa group, but as you said spinning it like the do something for the customer or the environment. The "food" in economy is half a wrap willed with some mush...produced straight for the garbage! (Talking about food waste!) BUT hey, when you have a monopoly in...
Munich to Tel Aviv nearly 4 hours flight time: CURRYWURST (PORK sausage with curry sauce) not just cost cutting, but culturally insensitive and insulting. Cost cutting all across the Lufthansa group, but as you said spinning it like the do something for the customer or the environment. The "food" in economy is half a wrap willed with some mush...produced straight for the garbage! (Talking about food waste!) BUT hey, when you have a monopoly in Europe. LUFTHANSA is Swiss, Austrian Brussels Air Eurowings and Air Dolomiti. Perhaps soon also ITA you can do what you want your customers have little other options. Including selling as Business the same seat with same leg space as the one in the row just behind you...
Currywurst is most of the times made of Rindfleisch ( veal/beef, bot pork), However, If I were Israeli or Jewish I would fly EL AL and not Lufthansa. Ie, I would not even consider flying with the grandchildren of my grandparents butchers
Appreciate the heads up, will definitely fly another carrier for Business Class. That's just unacceptable at the pricepoint. Glad you posted this and hopefully the Teutonic sensabilities will kick in to the mricing execs on the wrong places to get cheap and chintzy.
I was about to buy an upgrade for my flight MUC ATH ; needless to say, after having assessed the situation and carefully checked the webpage https://www.lufthansa.com/ao/en/tasting-heimat.html , I have decided to stick to my economy class ticket and spend my money more wisely. Even the "buy-on-board" option seems to be more interesting than apples and aneth. Pity that an airline with such a great tradition is clearly disconnecting from it...
I was flying from Oslo to Frankfurt ( 2 hours flight) in business last week. The food which was served was really bad. 2 leaves of chinese cabbage and 2 cold potatoes with some salad dressing. At the end we were served APPLES! That was all! When I flew back one week later, I was hoping to get served something different and maybe better, but they served exactly the same! I didn´t eat it, and...
I was flying from Oslo to Frankfurt ( 2 hours flight) in business last week. The food which was served was really bad. 2 leaves of chinese cabbage and 2 cold potatoes with some salad dressing. At the end we were served APPLES! That was all! When I flew back one week later, I was hoping to get served something different and maybe better, but they served exactly the same! I didn´t eat it, and compained to the stewardess just because my exceptations were not met at all! ( I know its not her fault, but who can one compain to?) Next time is better to fly economy and be able to pay for something better. Worst flight ever and this "Heimat" thing is a big flop. Hope Lufthansa recover from this one day! Until then I rather fly Scandinavian airlines and pay for mye food.
Beyond pathetic. A long flight in Business Class from Italy to Frankfurt and on to Toronto Canada.The worst food ( if you can call it that) I think I have ever bit into. I left it.
Then there's the case of the impolite, pushy, no idea of Client service staff both on the ground and in the air but don't get me started on those many issues.
Never again!
Shocking - compared to a short-haul business-class flight within Asia or even within Canada. I always appreciate the candour of your reviews.
This catering is: Penny-wise and Dollar foolish
On a 45 minute4 flight why should there be any catering? It is completely unnecessary!
Another @$$ reviewing a flight. What were you expecting on a 45 min flight? Minus the time from take off up to 10,000 feet and descent is like only 20 minutes left to serve something...
This is really bad, almost everything is going from good to bad. This was the last thing I thought of from a well known company like Luthansa. Well, nothing last forever.
You were presumably fed and watered/wined and dined in the Lufthansa lounge you mentioned before boarding for your 45 minute flight but you still wanted yet more food. How much food do you think you should have on such a short flight?
Absolutely not acceptable !
Lufthansa and the Lufthansa Group as a team has seriously seen some major deterioration in inflight catering over the years . It’s sad to see how they are affecting and dictating to the one airline ( Swiss) which was know industry wide as a boutique style airline with top notch catering and an inflight service which was second to none globally .
Having a diverse brand of airlines in...
Absolutely not acceptable !
Lufthansa and the Lufthansa Group as a team has seriously seen some major deterioration in inflight catering over the years . It’s sad to see how they are affecting and dictating to the one airline ( Swiss) which was know industry wide as a boutique style airline with top notch catering and an inflight service which was second to none globally .
Having a diverse brand of airlines in your portfolio does not mean you clone the rest to look like you .
Let’s get that “ unique touch “ back to the airline which we have all loved and supported over the years .
It is just an impertinence to offer something like that as the sole business class menu...shame on LUFTHANSA and the idiot who is responsible for that kind of catering...
Thank you for the information. I will avoid Lufthansa in the future.
Save your outrage. That is in fact a reasonable German sandwich and am surprised you received anything on a flight that short.
I think what you got was a smart cost-cutting measure. You are lucky on a 45 minute flight that you didn't get a bag of crisps and a cup of water.
Since a flight takes 45 min more or less thats the minimum, time available for cabin crew do and prepare everything for the safety of everyone,
It is lack of humble from you to judge a company like Lufthansa
Because you had a sandwich, cutlery wrapped in a napkin and a drink for sure
why you didn't show the drink?
Based in a 45 min flight, this was an excellent service.
Since a flight takes 45 min more or less thats the minimum, time available for cabin crew do and prepare everything for the safety of everyone,
It is lack of humble from you to judge a company like Lufthansa
Because you had a sandwich, cutlery wrapped in a napkin and a drink for sure
why you didn't show the drink?
Based in a 45 min flight, this was an excellent service.
I was on that flight
I saw you taking pictures to the open sandwich
And you ate it sooo...
Soo grow up give some credit to his huge company for so many years providing amazing service and safety
Its an honor to work for Lufthansa
And that review was bad sir
Man up and do something you proud of.
Not this shaddy content.
Enjoy working for LH! But the food they serve nowadays is terrible poor. I flew from Frankfurt to Malaga. 2h 30m! And I got some super poor salad stuff with 20g of raw salmon. This is shame! I have been flying on LH for 25 years by now. The cost cuts on the on board service couldn’t be obvious! I flew to Malaga several times before. I got hot meals every time before. Now a poor small snack! It’s giving less for more money! So grow up and take customer feedback. Sir!
Have you been on American internatonal Business? Makes this look like a gourmet meal. On my last trip the FA couldn't tell us what the choices were because they were both unrecognizable and the catering slip apparently didn't make it on the plane to explain them.
Stop whining about airplane food. Serving any food or drink to the masses on a 45 minute flight is an ambitious undertaking when one considers what goes into the onboard service. First , the plain has to level off so that the crew can safely get up to serve which can take around 10 minutes after take off. The crew then prepares the galley to start the service 5 minutes. Food delivery , passenger dining...
Stop whining about airplane food. Serving any food or drink to the masses on a 45 minute flight is an ambitious undertaking when one considers what goes into the onboard service. First , the plain has to level off so that the crew can safely get up to serve which can take around 10 minutes after take off. The crew then prepares the galley to start the service 5 minutes. Food delivery , passenger dining experience , clean up ? Twenty minutes ? Leaving 10 minutes before landing to make sure galley and passengers are secure. Ones lucky to get a bottle of water on a US flight that short. Airplanes are not flying gourmet restaurants, they are transportation. The staff is primarily there for your safety and the safe operation of the flight.
The longer the flight the more elaborate the service can be because of the reasons mentioned above.
And …really….does one need to consistently be stuffing their faces?
If Singapore Airlines can do it from SIN to BKK and do it well , then I don’t see why others ( airlines ) cannot follow suit.
Deal with it. Just eat it mate.
That would be fine if it were edible.
I once had to go a little over an hour without eating a meal, and I thought I was going to die! All people complain at everything these days! This is what happens when the entire Christian world goes without spiritual renewal by attending services. Maybe a hard fought world war will get this Christian faith happening again. Really? An article to eat up out time? When I want a nice meal, I go to a nice restaurant! I do not take an airplane ride!
Stop complaining!!! It's a airplane with the primary purpose of transportation. It's not a restaurant. Did you get there on time? Did you get there safely? Those issues are worth a complaint. Complaining about food service on an airplane just indicates you like to whine.
I get that it's business class and that one should expect a bit more, but Frankfurt to Paris? Not exactly a long-haul flight.
Will not fly Lufthansa anymore. there are lot better Airlines around flying to the Same Locations.
I am shocked.
No meal on economy? So, why should I fly Lufthansa and pay extra instead of just using Ryanair and paying 4 times less?
This is not the normal Business Meal Concept. It seems to be a “fake”version. The Pudding Cup (black, inside with blue points) is missing here as well as the covering plastic thing over the plate. Was it a special edition due to a strike which was not announced? No reason to write these are of comments - the new business meal concept is different from this. Try it on another flight. BR K.A.
I just flew in business with KLM from Vancouver to Amsterdam and then to Nairobi and the meals on both flights were the worst I have ever had, including economy flights. It must be a trend!
Lufthansa bewert selbst eigene Catering..das ist doch normal, für die ist alles ok, obwohl SCHEIßEN dreck ist.Seit der Spohr der Chef ist, läuft alles schief.
Difference not only in Business Class but Economy as well...offering only one meal...pasta, on an oversea 8 hr. flight Frankfurt to Toronto and nothing at all for an internal EU 1.5 hr. flight.
I flew FRA-LIS ten days ago and I got a full meal service. I quite enjoyed the new tasting Heimat meal concept - even though I couldn't figure out the connection between what was served and the city of Hamburg. I fly back today and hope to be able to try a different tasting Heimat menu. As for the sandwich the author got - to me it looks like Heimat and absolutely sufficient for a...
I flew FRA-LIS ten days ago and I got a full meal service. I quite enjoyed the new tasting Heimat meal concept - even though I couldn't figure out the connection between what was served and the city of Hamburg. I fly back today and hope to be able to try a different tasting Heimat menu. As for the sandwich the author got - to me it looks like Heimat and absolutely sufficient for a 45 minute flight ;-) Especially taking into account that the author had just spent all day in the first class terminal at Frankfurt airport ...
I get this last thursday. Stockholm-Frankfurt.
Potato sallad (heimat) and dessert. Short flight så good for me. And bier on bottle and realy good cognac x2
They just don’t care, the client has to pay for their losses.
Only solution: change airline, so they learn the lesson. It’s ridiculous that they safe money on food, how much is the difference to give you a decent service which you paid for.
What? They dare to serve only a sandwich on a 45 minute flight? Where has the 6 course meal gone? Don't they know that passengers are always hungry and deserve a to get rushed to shove down a pretty overfilled meal platter in that time? I mean come on...
Of course it is not pretty. But I find it ridiculous what some people expect in such short flights.
I can totally relate to this. Tool s flight from Barcelona to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Berlin two days ago. Did not eat anything I was served as the good was awful.
I think thyre competing with BA on who can sink lower
Looks like the disgusting sandwich that they no more serve in economy...
Well - it was a 45mins flight. Not much to expect on such a short trip - even in Business. I am pretty sure they serve more and better on longer flights, e.g. FRA-LHR. Or is your sample pic from the past also taken from a FRA-CDG trip?
I was served a single cookie in Air France business class on a 1 hour flight from Paris to Düsseldorf. What you got looks like a feast in comparison.
The meal I got on a 9 hour flight from India to Paris was worse than what you used to get in coach. Business class catering on AF has really gone down the drain.
The pictures you’re showing how it was before with all the nice food can’t be for a 45 minute flight. Nobody can eat all this, besides if you’re in business class you could load up on food before your flight in the lounge !?!?
The only thing worse than Lufthansa business class ‘catering’ is the lies they tell about it - done based on customer feedback’, etc. If there was any airline long distance competition, customers would be staying further away than currently. Lufthansa has begun (for the last year and a half) a cost-cutting spiral that will hopefully result in a dissolution or the government to stop subsidizing a dead horse. I flew business class back from the...
The only thing worse than Lufthansa business class ‘catering’ is the lies they tell about it - done based on customer feedback’, etc. If there was any airline long distance competition, customers would be staying further away than currently. Lufthansa has begun (for the last year and a half) a cost-cutting spiral that will hopefully result in a dissolution or the government to stop subsidizing a dead horse. I flew business class back from the US in March 2020, and blamed the atrocious service on Covid problems. These days it’s hard to see what could be done to improve the airline except to blow it up and start over.
This is such a strange strategy by LH, especially just as BA even starts to reverse its cuts of the past few years, under its new leadership. Their regional business catering is excellent, and they have even brought back free soft drinks and snacks in regional economy class, but Lufthansa now appears set on taking the regional ULCC-style path.
I was just on a flight from FRA to LIN and the business catering was surprising, both getting something and what it was. It was some kind of terrine (aka fancy meatloaf) with an eyedropper of raspberry mousse. Also included chocolate covered mascarpone that looks like a river rock over a bead of lingonberry compote. It was pretty good, but very fancy. Fancier than the business flight from Sea-FRA!
It's a 45-minute flight. I really don't think some people have common sense. Also, tastes are different. Some people, like myself, don't like bunch of random sauces and stuff covered with other stuff I have no idea what they are.
Fly in economy and don't whine, or just don't fly. It's that simple.
Yeah, don't give feedback to airlines, they might use it to improve their service. Just don't fly. It's that simple.
Its a 45 minute flight. Toughen up princess!!
- Traveler: "I paid 5 times the price of economy class, but the service is barely better."
- Lufthansa: "It's a 45 minute flight."
- Traveler: "Oh, my bad. It's fine then. Continue charging 5 times the price for this. I will just toughen up."
#facepalm
What to expect after COVID? They still have some basic standards and survived COVID, which some airlines didn't...
I can only say youcare right. I long feel LH is a cost cutting non premium carrier now. Business vlass hard producht inacceptable even on longhaul. The new Heimat concet doesnt convince me either ..i know why Ivam avoidiong LH as much as I can.
Exploitation and profiteering in the name of safety, ecology etc
Doesn't surprise me. I stopped flying Lufthansa two years ago when searching for toys to Egypt I was told that I could not select a seat for my family and me in advance. 12 hours from LAX to FRA with no guaranteed seat?? And the other was not cheaper. Have made at least four fights per year with them since 1995, haven't flown them since.
Soon there will be no catering in business class on intra-Europe flights. The only difference from economy will be blocking the middle seat and possibly free refreshments. May as well fly economy and bring my own refreshment, and possibly on the lowest priced airline.
Well new plane !??747 intercontinental trip from Houston normal seats as usual, old use up
. Nowin that i AM upgrading TO PREMIUM! ONLY $ 425.00!??!
Food ?????
We have chicken or pasta !
By they time come to my seat-no more chicken!.
Ok pasta/ ravioli ?it was strange tasty meal.
So thank you Lufthansa!
After 40+ ears no mmore!
United OK,OK OK!
.
And given that LH has cut access for their Senators/HON and bizz class pax to their ' parner lounges' in a number of EU countries due to " Covid concerns" and to " protect their passengers", grabbing a snack in the lounge is no longer an option. Makes you wonder why pay a premium over eco ticket.
Fly by Aeroflot.It is much better than Lufhgansa .The service in Lufthgana flights is getting bad, they do not serve food on flights that is more than two hours at all.I am opting out the Lufthgansa as their prices for the tickets do not align with their service.Their statements are self- explanatory.Only greed and disrespect to their loyal customers.
I was on a longer route (LIS-MUC) this September and the catering was good. Our flight was serving the „Frankfurt“-version of Tasting Heimat and it looked good and tasted good as well.
On my outbound flight (MUC-FAO) in August, there was the well-known selection of small dishes.
So, maybe it was a badly catered flight you‘ve been on.
Wer von Frankfurt meint ernsthaft die kurze Strecke nach Paris mit dem Flugzeug zu fliegen dem sollte sein Sandwich im Hals stecken bleiben
Macht Sinn wenn man von Miami via Frankfurt fliegt oder? Schneller, null Ärger mit Gepäck und billiger
Its a short hop, so you get a small and quick meal. I got the normal catering the other day on a flight about 40 mins longer than this one was.
That's absolute nonsense. They should be ashamed for claiming this cheapness is representative of their culture, not to mention collecting business class fares while refusing to provide something of value in exchange.
Always felt you overrate this airline, I know it is sentimental because of your life experiences, but even in business this airline is not really up there you make out. This is relatively poor airline, that is overpriced and is only in business because the state they're based in basically protect it as a monopoly.
LH service and catering deteriorated dramatically since 2020 and that includes intercontinental flights in J. Their hard product does not match United on this route as there is little privacy in LH J. My last LH flight in June 2021 EWR-FRA we had such a poor service that my wife (a former JAL FA) was shocked by neglect and rudeness of one of the crew. Thankfully there are travel alternatives offered by fifth freedom flights over the pond.
I agree. It seems that Lufthansa is downgrading its services. We've been on a flight from LA to Munich and we've been served only vegetables :) That used to be a special order before but it seems that this is the default now.
What is wrong with these airlines? This is what happens when the Accountant gets to override the public relations team. The truth is that a really smart person can cut costs without cutting the quality...you just need to think outside the square.
By the way, apart from that sandwich looking like shite and the bread being a little dry, what did it taste like?
What is wrong with these airlines? This is what happens when the Accountant gets to override the public relations team. The truth is that a really smart person can cut costs without cutting the quality...you just need to think outside the square.
By the way, apart from that sandwich looking like shite and the bread being a little dry, what did it taste like?
Whole grain bread and super fresh apple which is in season now is a much better option than your typical baguette with salmon and other b.s. Even wealthy Germans like to have their cold cuts and fresh foods served that way. However, I understand that foreigners find it strange. I also find Chinese or Arabic food strange, but if the quality is fine and it's typical, I'm having it.
Yes, this is regular business class catering now. I had it several tomes
This is sad, it pales in comparison of your pictures of the previous biz class catering..
Which gave me memories of the almost 'staple' ahi-tuna served in intra-europe biz very frequently in the years I flew the most (can't remember exactly but my best guess is aound 2012-14), it was simply sublime, the best ahi-tuna i've ever had, and yes, not only on an airplane but I genuinely mean overall!.
Grow up folks. Get prepared for the post COVID world...... Else cough up more money.
Sorry to say, but this is nothing compared to the vomitous Waldorf salad in KLM premium short haul *lol*
Times are tough everywhere.
Why do you still use airplanes within Europe? The vast majority of Europeans prefer high speed trains, as their service is superior, they don't make you wait like the airlines, you get to see the scenery and the first class service far exceeds that of the airlines.
As an European, I definitely prefer flying. Usually, it is a lot faster, and a lot cheaper. Between Frankfurt and Paris, the total time needed for the trip is about the same (4 hours) with plane and train. But 4 hours in a seat in a train sounds way worse to me than 1 hour to go to the airport + 1 hour for security check and boarding + 45 minutes of flight + 1...
As an European, I definitely prefer flying. Usually, it is a lot faster, and a lot cheaper. Between Frankfurt and Paris, the total time needed for the trip is about the same (4 hours) with plane and train. But 4 hours in a seat in a train sounds way worse to me than 1 hour to go to the airport + 1 hour for security check and boarding + 45 minutes of flight + 1 hour to go from the airport to my final destination.
And Frankfurt and Paris are relatively close to each other! Try going from Warsaw to Paris: 15 hours by train... versus 2 hours by plane.
Sounds like somebody is swallowing bs fed by the media regarding "sustainable traveling" - noticed as well hard push of "flight shamers" on the internet, who apparently are ready to give up a huge chunk of time to "have a good scenery" with virtue signaling sprinkled over regarding "green" and "ecological"
It’s a 45 minute flight. Why should you be getting ANY food??! You eat every 45 minutes at home?? Some people are ridiculous.
Totally. If you're going to be seated for 45 minutes, why on earth would you want to use this time to do something useful that you will need to do later anyway? Just do nothing in order to waste as much time as possible. You eat every 45 minutes at home??
Just wait until you are at your final destination. Then sit again for 45 minutes and eat. If it's not done in a plane,...
Totally. If you're going to be seated for 45 minutes, why on earth would you want to use this time to do something useful that you will need to do later anyway? Just do nothing in order to waste as much time as possible. You eat every 45 minutes at home??
Just wait until you are at your final destination. Then sit again for 45 minutes and eat. If it's not done in a plane, then it's fine.
The business class is meant for business travelers, and it's well known that business travelers have plenty of time, no appointments, no deadlines.
Some people are indeed ridiculous...
I haven’t flown LH for a long time but I recall enjoying their catering. This looks atrocious.
I fly Lufthansa Business Class almost every week and even with the New Heimat, you don't get just a sandwich like this. Maybe your flight was overbooked or some people upgraded, and they didn't had enough meals. And when boarding the aircraft the crew usually hands out disinfection towels so you can clean your hands and eat with clean hands or ask for cutlery.
Lufthansa is the new American Air, unbundling and short changing us all one mile at a time!
At least you didn't get a pretzels and a candy bar...
Why do you need food to carry you on a forty five minute flight?
The new bizz catering is ridiculous and extreme cost-cutting.
Shame on LH....
Try traveling with them in economy. Just done Rio to Frankfurt. A 747 and there were 4 free seats. The food with Lufthansa in economy is bad at the best of times but this took the biscuit. Some shredded lettuce. Then what said pasta on the label turned out to be mashed potatoes with some weird tomato sauce underneath. And a brownie about 2cm X 2cm. Breakfast was a sandwich similar to above. When I had a whine at the purser she just said Covid.
Unfortunately whatever people said which is very true, all services on board w Lufthansa was horrible and much downgraded . I traveled w Lufthansa business class 2weeks ago and I will not doing that anymore. Everyone complaining for the service and food …still couldn’t believe …most passengers from business class were very unhappy and complained…I had caviar and ask them to put that in the fridge or ice machine or pack same as always and...
Unfortunately whatever people said which is very true, all services on board w Lufthansa was horrible and much downgraded . I traveled w Lufthansa business class 2weeks ago and I will not doing that anymore. Everyone complaining for the service and food …still couldn’t believe …most passengers from business class were very unhappy and complained…I had caviar and ask them to put that in the fridge or ice machine or pack same as always and before so they didn’t and refused..I was shocked and they said they don’t have fridge or cold box !!!!!! Forget about it .. just one word : nothings was business class service ! Nothing
People do not chose an airline due to the food they receive. Business class within Europe has the same seats as economy but with the middle seat blocked. It's not very special and not worth the price due to the short distance and same seating. You could sit near the front of economy for a similar experience.
This is from their *new* Fyrefest Tasting Menu!
Thinking this may be a fluke. I flew KRK-FRA a week weeks back and had a very different "Heimat Hamburg". There was a main, side, and dessert as a morning offering - but the apple was there at the end. Maybe GateGourmet ran short and did this in a pinch?
Complaining about food you get on a 45 MINUTE flight? Really? I hate this term but it is SO correct in this case - that is a first world problem!! Not sure why airlines even offer to serve food on a 45 minute flight - no way to do it correctly and I seriously doubt anyone would starve if they didn't get something!
If the Airlines lips are moving they are lying
My only question, is "Sk*trax" a typo or intentional.
AA will soon follow “industry leading international carriers” by offering their own “taste of home”: an olive loaf sandwich on wonder bread. Instead of the apple there will be a ketchup packet, which was under consideration as a school lunch vegetable during the Reagan administration.
Agree it’s a downgrade but candidly I wouldn’t expect more than a glass of water or beer on a 45 minute flight. I fly business as I like the space but for a flight that short I wouldn’t eat no matter how good (or bad) the food.
Why paybusiess class if you are being ripped off
I’m pretty sure I got that same sandwich in economy back in 2008 on a FRA-LHR flight (on an A300 no less). That’s crazy…I once blew 15,000 miles to upgrade VIE-FRA and got more than this lol
Lufthansa has been going downhill fast for some time now. I used to pay a premium to fly them over any of the American carriers. Not anymore! They want to race into the mountainside with the American carriers? Be my guest but not with me on board.
Hey Lucky,
That really looks awful.
I flew FRA - MAD on LH in early September in J and the meal was very good, similar to what you show in your 'previous' meal photos. The catering was actually the strong point of the flight.
I wonder if they serve this sandwich on the longer intra-europe flights also?
You have most likely just gotten into the unlucky hours. During typical breakfast, lunch and dinner times, still trays with a cold meal and desert are served. Even before that change in the afternoon there has only been a piece of cake on the tray, nothing more. So not a big change in general. Hot main courses are still served on the same routes within Europe as it has been before, Paris always had the smaller tray (<2hrs flight time).
Thats not true - u NEVER got just a dry sandwich without anything else before the bizz meal changes this year.
Even on ultra short flights (40min HAJ-FRA) a complete tray with a cold platter, salad and dessert was served.
This new "taste like home" -concept is pure cost-cutting -nothing else.
And as a flight crew member I know what I'm talking about...
As someone who grew up in Germany, I loved the cheese sandwiches on black bread that my mother would make me. I'd take that over a pile of prosciutto any day!
Last February, on a flight from Florida to Denver on United Airlines, the first class breakfast was "shelf stable cheese product." And they left our luggage in Florida to fly in the next day via Houston, because, "they didn't have enough capacity (b/c fuel they said) to carry luggage when they fly to Colorado when it's snowing."
I couldn't afford to fly first until fairly recently. (Check in process with United wasn't all that either.)
Flew BLR-FRA-BCN. FRA-BCN was crap. Seats were crap, food was crap.
Needed to cut the catering budget to pay all those marketing gurus I guess.
I have to say, you are complaining about what you served on a FORTY-FIVE-MINUTE flight? Really? I get that they served something different in the past so, in that sense, I can see your point, but I still thinking even expecting food on a flight shorter than some commuter rail runs is a little over-the-top.
As for the description...sounds like the food is about what one should expect given all the woke buzzwords those phrases...
I have to say, you are complaining about what you served on a FORTY-FIVE-MINUTE flight? Really? I get that they served something different in the past so, in that sense, I can see your point, but I still thinking even expecting food on a flight shorter than some commuter rail runs is a little over-the-top.
As for the description...sounds like the food is about what one should expect given all the woke buzzwords those phrases contain. Woke anything is usually not good.
In Europe it is (or at least) was common that good food is served even on short flights. In some older posts Ben is even pointing out how different it is to have a real meal on a domestic (german) flight the differentiation between economy and business during the flight is the food and free booze.
And if KLM and Air France and ITA and CSA etc. serve something more substantial on a 50-minute flight...
In Europe it is (or at least) was common that good food is served even on short flights. In some older posts Ben is even pointing out how different it is to have a real meal on a domestic (german) flight the differentiation between economy and business during the flight is the food and free booze.
And if KLM and Air France and ITA and CSA etc. serve something more substantial on a 50-minute flight then it is okay to complain.
Anyway - I still believe and hope that they loaded the wrong trolley because this bread looks underwhelming.
Well, you pretty gave away everything we need to know about you once you used "woke" in a derogatory manner.
Yes, being woke is a bad thing now
Deal with it buddy
As opposed to being a sexist racist xenophobic homophobe like you?
Stop projecting
Sadly, It is still 'Better' than American airline companies service in business class these days.
I had their regional business class meal a couple of times last week and they were more elegant than a sandwich and an apple! FRA-FCO and FCO-FRA. Seafood salad with radicchio and sliced fennel, with rolls and a panna cotta for dessert. And the other one was bizarre, especially for breakfast. Some sort of cold bulgar wheat type salad served on slices of Canadian bacon and overnight oatmeal yogurt concoction with pears. And a baby...
I had their regional business class meal a couple of times last week and they were more elegant than a sandwich and an apple! FRA-FCO and FCO-FRA. Seafood salad with radicchio and sliced fennel, with rolls and a panna cotta for dessert. And the other one was bizarre, especially for breakfast. Some sort of cold bulgar wheat type salad served on slices of Canadian bacon and overnight oatmeal yogurt concoction with pears. And a baby croissant. I had something in the lounge and was able to skip this less than desirable meal! But at least it wasn’t a sandwich and an apple! I did find all the Business Class meals I had with them to be very salty and I’m from the South and love salt!
Actually it was Israeli Couscous, not bulgar wheat. Still odd for a 7am flight!
That's just a great example of German quality, hospitality and customer care. LH biz is definitely overpriced. Not to mention recent LH problems in BER airport.
BER is a problem itself.
Kanye West wanted to fly from BER to VCE last saturday but he missed his flight...so he went back to Berlin to go shopping and then took a private jet...
...in all fairness: he was at the airport 30 minutes prior to departure
YES, the business class massively downgraded. I actually flew intercontinental, and the amenity kit bag isn't even a bag anymore... It's one of those supermarket reusable plastic shopping bags. I kid you not. I was shocked. Inside it was a sock, cheap toothbrush/toothpaste, one loccitane lip balm and one small moisturizer.
BUT THE SUPERMARKET REUSABLE BAG THOUGH!!!!
Seriously?
P.s. the flight ticket was 4-5k EUR.
Lesson learnt: don't fly Lufthansa business class.
Seriously? Because you did not like the amenity kit you will choose another airline?
If you received a blue bag: This actually is from Premium Economy. You should have gotten another amenity kit.
Actually I find these shopping bags much more useful than the regular small bags, because the bags can be used for: shopping
I flew LHR-MUC and also had Heimat Hamburg, which was different from the sandwich you were served, but also underwhelming. It was fried cabage and a cream sauce - so still better than a bBtterbrot. I miss the old menu, plating, and service.
This, coupled with buy-on board in Y and now coming to interconti...LH is less and less my go to!
The only world cuisine I enjoy less than German is the cuisine of the former Soviet states and Eastern Bloc. So I'm not sure that food reminiscent of the "homeland" is something I would ever find appealing. I am of German heritage and pre-pandemic had to travel to Germany for business on a bimonthly basis. While there, I would eat some very good meals, but only at non-German restaurants. Restaurants run by immigrants to Germany...
The only world cuisine I enjoy less than German is the cuisine of the former Soviet states and Eastern Bloc. So I'm not sure that food reminiscent of the "homeland" is something I would ever find appealing. I am of German heritage and pre-pandemic had to travel to Germany for business on a bimonthly basis. While there, I would eat some very good meals, but only at non-German restaurants. Restaurants run by immigrants to Germany from Iran, India, Turkey, and Thailand have some fabulous restaurants. Local German fare, not so much. Often looked a lot like what's in the photo.
Wow, you are truly missing out! Schnitzel, Spätzle, Schweinebraten, Maultaschen, Pretzels, to name a few. Can't forget some of the best meat and cheese dishes ever too.
Oh, I've had plenty of these kinds of items: not a fan (except pretzels). The convergence of fried/breaded meats, red meat, heavy cheese items, gravies, and the like, all lacking much spice is not something I would seek out. How my ancestors survived on this diet it beyond me. Notably, you listed almost entirely Southern Germany foods, which are more scarce outside Bavaria, but outside Southern Germany, the native food scene is even worse. So...
Oh, I've had plenty of these kinds of items: not a fan (except pretzels). The convergence of fried/breaded meats, red meat, heavy cheese items, gravies, and the like, all lacking much spice is not something I would seek out. How my ancestors survived on this diet it beyond me. Notably, you listed almost entirely Southern Germany foods, which are more scarce outside Bavaria, but outside Southern Germany, the native food scene is even worse. So if these are the best the country has to offer, I'd prefer almost anything else; Iberian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, North African, Italian, any kind of Asian, etc. have much more varied and appealing flavor palates.
There's a reason that despite the relatively large German ancestry in the United States there are very few German restaurants here: because the food is just not that good, especially compared to others. There's an old joke (which has many different variations, though all similar) that in heaven the Italians do the cooking and the Germans keep the trains on time, but in hell the Germans do the cooking and the Italians keep the trains on time. There's a lot of truth in that.
I just had two intra Europe business-class flights on Lufthansa and their Heimat menu was served. Both times I was really satisfied with both main dish and the dessert. I think you were out of luck + maybe they have a short version for super short flights. Reach out to me and I’ll share photos.
As it’s been quite some time since I flew Lufthansa’s intra-Europe flights in Biz class, from what I’ve read here in OMAAT & elsewhere Lufthansa must’ve improved its catering at some point in the pointy end, because the meals (allegedly Lunch) served LHR-MUC & MUC-ATH back in the day were every bit as disappointing & horrible, as in bordering on inedible, as this meal was.
So, to me, this is more like the Euro short-haul...
As it’s been quite some time since I flew Lufthansa’s intra-Europe flights in Biz class, from what I’ve read here in OMAAT & elsewhere Lufthansa must’ve improved its catering at some point in the pointy end, because the meals (allegedly Lunch) served LHR-MUC & MUC-ATH back in the day were every bit as disappointing & horrible, as in bordering on inedible, as this meal was.
So, to me, this is more like the Euro short-haul “meal” I recall on Lufthansa than the fancier & (presumably) better meals others described in recent years!
LH also sold its European catering business to GateGroup, so its no longer offering the product of a subsidiary. Lufthansa retained a minority stake in a new joint venture providing catering in Frankfurt and Munich.
Looking at recent photos of AA’s first class catering (now that meals are back on trays/plates again), their domestic meal service far out does LF’s current itra-Europe business class offering. This doesn’t look appetizing and really cheapens the product sadly. Makes me appreciate AA a lot more lol.
What, no chickens in cages and other live animals? I'm mostly concerned about the mystery "spread"!!! At least it was on a plate!
I will be honest, outside Turkish Airlines the European Business class hard product is already well below North American offerings. And this is not actually that bad compared to many competitors, I was served something similar on BA although this was August so maybe restrictions were still affecting product services then. British Airways had a very good Club Europe on the old 767s retired just before the pandemic, but apparently the A320 replacements don’t even...
I will be honest, outside Turkish Airlines the European Business class hard product is already well below North American offerings. And this is not actually that bad compared to many competitors, I was served something similar on BA although this was August so maybe restrictions were still affecting product services then. British Airways had a very good Club Europe on the old 767s retired just before the pandemic, but apparently the A320 replacements don’t even have ovens for business class passengers, just microwave and storage.
Lufthansa is a dishonorable airline. I once flew with them in paid J for work, and they stuck another passenger's baby in a bassinet directly in front of me. No compensation.
But the other passenger was sitting next to you?
Mmmh…if you’re deciding to sit in the row for baby bassinets, there is a risk ending up with a baby.
Gate agent should’ve informed you about this and should’ve given you the opportunity to change your seat.
There is absolutely no way I would have flown in this case and instead taken the train. In most cases I would take a train instead of flying in Europe, unless we are looking at several hours more. Here, you would have been on the way to Paris in comfort, enjoying a beer and decent food. With at least one departure per hour from Frankfurt you would have been in Paris around 1 PM instead of what, 7 PM including the transportation from the airport?
Ben was connecting in Frankfurt coming from Miami. Not sure if you are aware of this.
That would’ve meant going from Frankfurt airport to Central Station and taking the train from there to Paris.
Ben specifically choose a later flight to have a longer connecting time to enjoy frankfurt airport (e.g. first class lounge).
For what it's worth, you can get an ICE at Frankfurt airport which will take you to Paris. No need to go into the city. It's about a 5 hour trip.
Yes, I was aware. Also, you can actually catch a train to Paris at the airport bahnhof and change in Mannheim without much issue. I understand the lounge is great but so is Paris. Ben delayed his arrival in Paris by six hours to go to the lounge and fly instead of taking the train. He mentioned there was no earlier award inventory for earlier flights.
okay...thanks for the info. I wasnt aware that the train is that convenient.
For regular travellers taking a train probably makes sense - and I find both the TGV and ICE comfortable.
But well, the train would have had an additional charge while the First Class Terminal is for free and offers apron views.
And as a paying customer, often it is cheaper to include a stop-over in the itinerary.
Some cases where flying might make sense, like I'm booked for London Heathrow to JFK on Virgin upper class next month but am coming from Paris the same day not on same ticket itenary.
Sure I can take the chunnel train into London then the local trains into Heathrow before the 3pm flight, or a direct CDG to Heathrow flight that British Airways is charging $49 for standard economy including checked in bag. What would...
Some cases where flying might make sense, like I'm booked for London Heathrow to JFK on Virgin upper class next month but am coming from Paris the same day not on same ticket itenary.
Sure I can take the chunnel train into London then the local trains into Heathrow before the 3pm flight, or a direct CDG to Heathrow flight that British Airways is charging $49 for standard economy including checked in bag. What would you pick in this scenario as its almost a wash cost wise and seems taking the trains and connections will take even more time than ubering to CDG and flying. And no need to eat the dogcrap if thats served on such a short flight.
I guess to each their own. Paris Nord to Heathrow is about 3.5 hours on train. Getting an Uber, getting through traffic, security, and now customs you are looking at 2-3 hours before your flight even leaves. Not to mention being stuck in the back of someone's Renault without AC just to get to the airport and stand in line for an hour. I'd rather be enjoying a couple of beers while watching the French countryside pass at decent speed.
You must be new, Ben isnt going to take a train if there are any flights availble there are plenty of train bloggers, Ben is not one of them. But yes any experienced euro traveler knows to take the trains. Ben's job is to review flights and air lounges not trains.
Intra-European business class is just awful! Even before the pandemic and now, with the new catering (or lack thereof) it was a terrible value given the extreme fare increase over economy. If there’s absolutely no alternative than to fly (rather than drive or take the train), I buy an economy ticket, check my bag and save the money.
I recently flew Munich to Berlin and back in LH business and the catering was much better. Main plus desert plus chocolate plus apple. All tasted very good and was well presented. Maybe even an upgrade to former times. And the flight is not much longer, than FRA to Paris (50min one way and 1hr back). So maybe it was just bad luck?
Ben,
do you have any idea what percentage of traffic on a route like FRA-CDG is local passengers without connections on either end?
Given that the flight is relatively short and there are good ground transportation options, you have to wonder if meals like this reflect that the majority of passengers did have a better meal on a longer flight into FRA.
Covid has further shifted the distance on which people will...
Ben,
do you have any idea what percentage of traffic on a route like FRA-CDG is local passengers without connections on either end?
Given that the flight is relatively short and there are good ground transportation options, you have to wonder if meals like this reflect that the majority of passengers did have a better meal on a longer flight into FRA.
Covid has further shifted the distance on which people will fly further out, just as 9/11 did. Most short haul flights are simply for connections even in the US and perhaps even more so now in Europe.
Add in that CDG is a major competitor hub and the majority of passengers on most routes connecting at FRA likely also have the option of a nonstop on Air France.
I get the downgrade in meal but I'm also not sure that LH or any carrier is really competing in the local market any more
Looks a bit like Delta's current domestic (non-transcon) first class catering. Except you don't even get a try with Delta, it's in a box.
The apple thing. Hilarious, we just got off a FRA to SFO flight and thought the apple offering was wierd too for the same reasons. Our meal was a tuna salad, with the tuna having a lovely grayish greenish tint. I ate the edamame only. lol
A very German meal after all. My friends kids loved it haha.
The new concept of Lufthansa intra-Europe business class catering (tasting HEIMAT) is really a bad joke.
And it is not only on the shortest flights. We have been served a similar quality and quantity dinner on a flight of more than 3 hours (HER – FRA): some cuts of cold potatoes with 2 very tired leaves of something green and 2 thin radish slices (!). Absolutely disgusting. A small cake has been on the...
The new concept of Lufthansa intra-Europe business class catering (tasting HEIMAT) is really a bad joke.
And it is not only on the shortest flights. We have been served a similar quality and quantity dinner on a flight of more than 3 hours (HER – FRA): some cuts of cold potatoes with 2 very tired leaves of something green and 2 thin radish slices (!). Absolutely disgusting. A small cake has been on the tray as well. Before landing same snack – a (hoping washed) apple :-)
No drink service during flight, no proactive approach of the crew.
Similar meal has been served on next leg to Prague , so the new standard. Pretty significant downgrade.
Haha…that’s a joke? Mmmh…your return flight is with Air France. Unwashed hoping that you could verify if this was some kind of mistake.
I do not want to bash Lufthansa here - normally I am the one here on OMAAT defending Lufthansa against all the haters because I find it to be a constantly good airline. But if this is really is the catering offered between FRA and CDG, it’s hard to defend Lufthansa. I...
Haha…that’s a joke? Mmmh…your return flight is with Air France. Unwashed hoping that you could verify if this was some kind of mistake.
I do not want to bash Lufthansa here - normally I am the one here on OMAAT defending Lufthansa against all the haters because I find it to be a constantly good airline. But if this is really is the catering offered between FRA and CDG, it’s hard to defend Lufthansa. I just hope they made a mistake and loaded the wrong trolley - or the catering company was on strike or something.
This bread used to be served in economy class on short intra Europe flights. So now seeing it in business class is surprising - especially because the new catering concept was introduced to upgrade intra-Europe business class.
Same thing happened with Finnair. The meal who used to be free in intra Europe economy is now served in business class (same meal !), and no more free meals in Economy !
I think I've had that sandwich (in Economy, of course). I actually happen to like it :)
Yes, it was not presented on a tray but the bread looks similiar to what was served in Eco.
Meanwhile, KLM managed to serve a full (albeit cold) meal on a 1-hour flight from Amsterdam to Stuttgart in business-class that included three rounds of drinks. Among the drinks were perfectly drinkable Spanish cava mini-bottles. The food and drinks were better and more substantive than what Delta is serving on flights of 3 hours in the United States. A week later, I flew Air France in business from Stuttgart to Paris. About 1-hour. No meal...
Meanwhile, KLM managed to serve a full (albeit cold) meal on a 1-hour flight from Amsterdam to Stuttgart in business-class that included three rounds of drinks. Among the drinks were perfectly drinkable Spanish cava mini-bottles. The food and drinks were better and more substantive than what Delta is serving on flights of 3 hours in the United States. A week later, I flew Air France in business from Stuttgart to Paris. About 1-hour. No meal of any kind. But at least they had champagne. I managed to get two glasses downed before landing in Paris.
If it weren't for the tray liner and napkin ring I'd swear you received a normal AA first class "refreshment".
To serve a first class refreshment on an intra-Europe business class flight is going above and beyond what one should expect on LH. Kudos to LH for excelling everyone's expectations!
(Sarcasm.....my favorite friend.)
This seems to be an anomaly.
I had a lovely shrimp salad on Frankfurt - Split, Croatia last week. Nothing that looks as bad as this wrapped sandwich.
Yes, I had a good meal in C from FRA to ARN and back. And that’s a route where Lufthansa is „competing“ with SAS (an airline that does not have a proper business class) - so even if LH wouldn’t be serving food, the flying experience would still be better than SAS.
I guess and hope that this was some kind of mistake. Time will tell.
This looks clearly very similar to what was offered in Economy a few years ago. The cost savings for Lufthansa must be massive;)