Lufthansa is no longer a 5-star airline. At least there’s some justice in the world…
In this post:
Lufthansa now a Skytrax 4-star airline
In December 2017, it was announced that Lufthansa was awarded a 5-star rating by Skytrax, making it one of just 10 airlines (at the time) to have that rating. Lufthansa was the only European airline to have a 5-star rating, and this was awarded less than two weeks after the airline revealed it would introduce a new business class product.
This was a rating that Lufthansa was very proud of, and it seemed like Lufthansa’s focus was on constantly promoting how it was a 5-star airline, rather than, you know, actually working on being a 5-star airline.
Well, there’s an update on that front — as of June 2022, Lufthansa is a Skytrax 4-star airline. There are now 10 Skytrax 5-star airlines, all based in Asia. These airlines range from All Nippon Airways, to Cathay Pacific, to Garuda Indonesia, to Hainan Airlines, to Qatar Airways.
The absurdity of Lufthansa’s Skytrax 5-star rating
For many of us, Skytrax lost any credibility it had when it awarded Lufthansa five stars. It’s important to understand Skytrax’s business model. Skytrax not only issues star ratings for both airlines and airports (with little transparency as to the rating process), but also offers consulting services for airlines and airports, in the form of “audits.”
As I pointed out back in 2017, Skytrax couldn’t even keep its story straight when it came to awarding Lufthansa’s ranking. At the time, Skytrax’s CEO explained the following was a key reason that Lufthansa received a 5-star rating:
“A key factor behind Lufthansa gaining 5-Star Airline Certification is the recently announced new business class cabin and seat that will be delivered when the airline receives their first Boeing 777X aircraft.”
Yet at the time, Skytrax also stated that the following was how star ratings were determined:
“The consistency of an airline’s Product and service is a critical issue within their final Rating, and detailed focus is applied to the delivered realities. Particular attention is applied to the quality and consistency of cabin seating, IFE systems and associated cabin products. An airline offering less than 80% fleet-wide product consistency may find these conditions will have a negative impact on their final quality rating determination.”
So consistency is important, and any airline with less than 80% consistency could find that that those conditions lead to a negative impact on the final rating? Yet a key factor in Lufthansa getting a Skytrax 5-star rating in 2017 was a product that was theoretically supposed to start to be rolled out in 2020? Never mind the fact that this product will now only be launched in 2023, and it’ll probably be 2027 or so before 80% of the long haul fleet features these seats.
I mean, I’m not sure I need to say a whole lot more?
Bottom line
Lufthansa has lost its Skytrax 5-star rating, which it was first awarded in 2017. One of the key factors for Lufthansa being awarded this was its new business class, which was still years from entering service. Even five years later, Lufthansa still hasn’t introduced its new product.
What do you make of Lufthansa losing its Skytrax 5-star rating?
Lufthansa Sucks business and premium economy. Horrible company. Worst than Egyptair! Egyptair is 3 stars (too much for it too) Lufthansa is no better. Try calling their customer service. Their strikes and way they cancel flight. If you have the life span and finally get to speak to an agent, good luck getting anything resolved. 4 stars is still absurd! And both companies on "star alliance" yes good luck getting your miles counted in both. Horrible horrible!!!!
On the North Atlantic LH is pathetic, except B789 and it's new business class, every seat has an aisle.......too late, everybody has had it, and Air Canada has been the KING/QUEEN of business class for years, to say nothing about LH's shitty meals, it'll take them years to come up to AC's standards...BTW, their LX (Swiss) relative has become as shitty as them, have not tried OS and don't want to try this any time soon.....wake up to the competition "KRANICH"
At least Air Koryo knew they aren't the best airline out there and don't try to pretend they are the best.
4 stars are way too high for Lufthansa! Customer reviews at Trustpilot shows the reality of this company, where they are the lowest rated airline with a score of 1.2 where 1 is the lowest...
All I can say is a stream of two emojis:
LUFTHANSA DESERVED THE DOWNGRADE XD (no I’m serious tho this is the funniest thing I’ve seen today)
They don't even deserve 1 star, shitty company
I could not believe the absurdity of Lufthansa business class on Airbus A350-900
Bangkok to Munich.
The config is 2-2-2.
Now you tell me you fools at Lufthansa how is the person sitting on the window seat to get to the bathroom during the sleeping period??? The answer is with considerable difficulty and inconvenience to the person sitting in the isle seat.
Who in goodness name thought this was a sensible...
I could not believe the absurdity of Lufthansa business class on Airbus A350-900
Bangkok to Munich.
The config is 2-2-2.
Now you tell me you fools at Lufthansa how is the person sitting on the window seat to get to the bathroom during the sleeping period??? The answer is with considerable difficulty and inconvenience to the person sitting in the isle seat.
Who in goodness name thought this was a sensible config for long haul business class?
I will never ever fly with them again.
BTW I had the isle seat.
On June 24 my wife and I had been on a trip from Canada to Germany. From there we were to fly from Munich to Budapest where we were to join Emerald Cruise lines for river cruise to Bucharest.
Our flite in Munich was delayed approximately 1 hour. No big deal.
When we got into Budapest we waited for our luggage about an hour. Then we noticed people getting forms to fill out...
On June 24 my wife and I had been on a trip from Canada to Germany. From there we were to fly from Munich to Budapest where we were to join Emerald Cruise lines for river cruise to Bucharest.
Our flite in Munich was delayed approximately 1 hour. No big deal.
When we got into Budapest we waited for our luggage about an hour. Then we noticed people getting forms to fill out regarding lost luggage. Again waiting and filling out forms. No announcements to anyone from the full flight.
Finally off we go to to Oktagon hotel. Boy what a difference in service and concern that we had no luggage and that very day were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. We spent our anniversary night shopping for toiletries and clothes for next day. Folks at hotel went above and beyond with complimentary sparkling wine and snacks. We did not know where and how to get to departing port. We would have figured it out but Oktagon hotel staff took charge getting us a taxi and ensuring driver knew exactly where to go.
When we boarded Emerald Cruise Lines ship they asked where our luggage was. We explained so they took charge of our frustrating situation and provided us with 4 hour turnaround cleaning of our laundry. COMPLIMENTARY. WOw!!!
We thought our luggage would arrive to ship and it hadn't. So again as this is day by day we went shopping again for minimum necessities.
At departure, still no luggage.
Nothing from Lufthansa. No updates, nothing.
AT each port we were hopeful. NOTHING. Then there was vague message that they had found 1 piece but weren't sure where it was.
So we have 2 more nites onboard ship and possibly luggage will be at our hotel in Bucharest. Too bad we don't know because you won't tell us anything.
To Lufthansa I say where is the customer service and caring of people who planned this special celebration for 2 years. Where is the deductive reasoning logic in how many flights you can actually handle. I personally believe the ground crew in Munich probably let you down. But you knew when our plane departed that no one in Budapest would receive their luggage and you failed to communicate with us. You see, not 1 person received anything.
You should be absolutely ashamed. If there are staffing shortages, which there are then cut back on flight.
Doesnt take a genius. Decide whether or not you are committed to providing exceptional service and not just the best you do.
Based on this experience I don't expect to hear from you.
Based on customer comments online again,I don't expect to hear from you.
HAPPY 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO US.
Don & Janice Slaunwhite
Well deserved. My family had terrible experiences with Lufthansa across 6 flights between Mar/22 and Jun/22. The way things are heading feels more like a 3 star rating
Lufthansa premium economy on A380 from Singapore to Frankfurt is rather poor. The seat was not up to expectations.
If you are taking Lufthansa on a route where you could take Singapore Airlines instead, it’s your own fault.
Well I had a very best experience with Lufthansa in Malta. I was refused boarding on the pretext that I did not have all the necessary documentation on the 7 th Dec 2021 to Singapore. The only following flight I could take was a week later when I presented myself with exactly the same documents except for the new dates . This meant that I had to re apply for approval for entry from Singapore...
Well I had a very best experience with Lufthansa in Malta. I was refused boarding on the pretext that I did not have all the necessary documentation on the 7 th Dec 2021 to Singapore. The only following flight I could take was a week later when I presented myself with exactly the same documents except for the new dates . This meant that I had to re apply for approval for entry from Singapore immigration and pay a non refundable pre booked PCR on arrival test 80 EUR. And ki and behold that second time I just was allowed boarding. Insane. All because the ground hostess decided that Approval for Entry did not mean the same as Letter of Approval to enter Singapore.
Lufthansa is a mediocre airline, cutting corners wherever possible. I didn’t feel valued as a client. It’s just not worth your money. Disappointed.
Now skytrax 5 star airlines are asian only!!!
Europeans don't know how to do hospitality thats why...
They do know, but they care more about making money. Lufthansa is one if the financially most healthy airline group.
Surprised… really? Never understood that 5 stars. Skytrax is more marketing.
Just arrived from two conmected flights operated by Lufthansa. Current rating would somewhere around 2. And ratings given to asian airlines are completely desirved. Their level of service is century ahead comparing to most european.
I have been on All Nippon Airline(ANA), and their business class is superb in seat, meal quality, and hospitality which you cannot compare with any other America and European airlines. Lufthansa, I felt nothing special and 3 stars if lucky.
They should have lost two stars not only one. Despite being a Senator member of Lufthansa for the last 9/10 years it’s beyond me how they’ve even been 4 a star airline…
They are a joke compared to middle east airlines
Would rate them 4 for interior and 5 for the great service.
Been flying Delta so often unfortunately. Max Rating 2-3stars for Delta
It's extremely rubbish overpriced airline that would never survive if the German Federal Government didn't practice protectionism so religiously to stop it having to commercially compete. No one chooses to fly them and I doubt it is anyone's favourite airline. Poor product, poor service, poor value.
After being there on June 23rd to experience Lufthansa's collapse, my whole experience with the company and brand completely changed. Now, only of it's the cheapest ticket out there.
So the oriental airlines pay the bribes, the Krauss didn't. Who cares? Ivan is about to invade Germany after eastern Europe. Get some perspective!
Jooooorge! Angry Jooooorge!! Bad Joooorge!!!
Show us your green card, Joooorge.
That’s a really shitty thing to say, John. Really shitty. You’re just an angry man with immigrant forbears.
To the point of this thread.. Lufthansa lost my sis-in-laws luggage for her entire 2 week trip (safari where shopping was not available). Biz class space was cramped and I had to do yoga moves to step over my sleeping neighbor to use the loo….
Meh… not great.
Lufthansa is Zero Star
I believe they pay travel brokers
bigger commissions just to get suckers
into seats in the Lufthansa planes.
Don’t go on that airline.
I’d say it’s a three star airline - basically the likes of the other behemoths flying the skies. Stoked that all five star airlines are Asian!
Austrian Airlines' business class is better than Lufthansa's, and Austrian is owned by Lufthansa but with separate management. Perhaps there should be a leadership swap? Basic service necessities such as hot or disinfecting towels before meals are no longer distributed. No masks or ear plugs. Minimal attention to bathrooms during the flight. And if you are seated in the two middle seats (2-2-2 seating) it gets pretty cozy with your neighbor.
Lufthansa at least flies newer aircraft,but yes catering is usually horrible.Austrian flies aircraft that went into service when Oma was in school.I also find the Austrian biz class meatloaf(leberkase) and dollop of ice cream in coffee,tacky way to imply culture when just being cheap.Kool-Aid would fit right in.
My favorite thing is going to skytraxratings and checking out the LH detailed report. 4.5 stars for "Enthusiasm and friendliness?" Has anybody had an experience above 2 stars for that category in business or economy?
LH is still not à bad airline. The recent move towards paying for snacks and drinks even on long haul is concerning. Paying extra for seat selection also..
I agree, and unfortunately LH isn't alone on this. BA and AY wanted nearly $600 for seat selections on a paid business fare for LAX->LHR->CPH->HEL->LAX last year.
I feel like this industry devalues everything from points to fare value to lounge access in the name of 'unbundling' - but it's at the point where I'm seriously considering cash back to be king. :(
Got to fly LX in business after our Turkish Airlines flight was cancelled. My buddy who had never travelled internationally, let alone in business class was the best judge (we flew over in Turkish's new 787 product which he just *loved* - as did I), and he said: "Is this a budget airline?" at about the 4 hour mark of our LX flight back home.
I just LOL'd.
Turkish? Lost my bags, items stolen from luggage. They have some nightmare flights. New IST hub is nice, but they destroyed a forest to build it..
Turkish Airlines is the best Airline in Europe as Turkey is in Europe ;)
Turkey is not in Europe.
FFS, Turkey must end the occupation of Constantinople and Northern Cyprus and fck off back to Asia where they belong.
Istanbul belongs to Turkey and Turks have been living in Cyprus for centuries.
I recently flew Lufthansa business class. No way was it either 5 star service or comfort: staff were brusque and offhand. Flight delayed by 25 hours, and no recompense for missed hotel or travel arrangements. Won’t fly Lufthansa again.
Lufthansa is on a race to the bottom and quickly becoming a budget airline. No preselected seats, no free coffee or drinks, and the new seats in the newer planes are miserable.
I used to seek out flying Lufthansa, now I seek any other star alliance alternative.
I used to fly Lufthansa inthe past. They have done nothing but slide downward over the years. I'd say that rating was paid for.
I felt that Lufthansa had more or less given up on being a five star airline, when it culled the catering on its short-haul economy class flights. Being five star means you are better than other airlines, not the same, and that made them the same as everyone else. For the passenger, there has to be a discernible difference between an airline such as LH and a low-cost carrier. Otherwise, why not just fly on a low-cost carrier? Sadly, LH is no Qatar!
Just flew Lufthansa from Dallas to Frankfurt. Total chaos. Given wrong gate info. Flight delayed with no explanation. 90 minutes to get thru boarder control. Forever for baggage claim. Cabin service abysmal and " business class" not much more than upgrade on other airlines. Sure seating laid out for 9 hour flight but it was cramped 2-2-2 seating. Never fly it again...don't even consider it
You are an real airline expert. Lufthansa should really improve border control lol. Afterwards they should change the weather
Having traveled on Lufthansa several times this year I had the impression they've turned into a budget airline.
Budget Airline at Premium Prices. Worst of both worlds.
That awkward moment when someone forgets to send the cheque to SkyTrax and you lose your 5* rating
NOT that such things happen of course as they've been fairly litigious over such statements.
Imho they became a totally untrustworthy and laughable organisation the second they awarded that rating to LH for a product that still doesn't exist ( I still don't believe it'll be available even Q4 '22 personally) and will likely be...
That awkward moment when someone forgets to send the cheque to SkyTrax and you lose your 5* rating
NOT that such things happen of course as they've been fairly litigious over such statements.
Imho they became a totally untrustworthy and laughable organisation the second they awarded that rating to LH for a product that still doesn't exist ( I still don't believe it'll be available even Q4 '22 personally) and will likely be outdated when it arrives anyway.
I will however find it highly amusing if their new F product arrives before the J does but on current track record I don't hold high hopes for that either
I have booked with them to go awY next march and with all the negative comments and there is plenty I don't wish to niw but can't get refunded .rather fly ryanair but its long haul in premium economy
It should be 3-star even. I recently flew business with them and was left entirely unimpressed.
I don't what LH desserves, but who can still believe in this Skytrax ranking?
Why so much surpise & outrage? LH not a good product or service/ I fly them monthly in transatlantic J. I live is USA, United fortress hub Houston, so fly UA often. Both LH & UA rely on ONE thing to stay in business...a 'large diverse network'. Other than that...both UA & LH cut corners whenever possible. But most of us captive to their large hubs MUC, FRA, EWR, IAH...so we dont have much choice....
Why so much surpise & outrage? LH not a good product or service/ I fly them monthly in transatlantic J. I live is USA, United fortress hub Houston, so fly UA often. Both LH & UA rely on ONE thing to stay in business...a 'large diverse network'. Other than that...both UA & LH cut corners whenever possible. But most of us captive to their large hubs MUC, FRA, EWR, IAH...so we dont have much choice. And trust me, they KNOW it. Why try to offer an excellent product if you dont have to?
Lufthansa is a typical German style utilitarian airline that is far from even a 3 star rating. The concept of luxury or even more than just the minimum comfort does not exist in Lufthansa. The only European airline that deserves a 5 star rating right now is Finnair.
I flew Lufthansa business class a few weeks ago and thought “is this it?” It was disappointing compare to outer carriers. Definitely not the worst, but far from a 5-star rating.
LH have some wonderful employees but their management is destroying the airline.
LoL . Lufthansa should be given a 2 star rating. The last time I flew Lufthansa I had to. Bring my own sandwich because the food was crap.
More shocking to me is that Southwest is a four-star airline whereas JetBlue is a three-star airline!
LH decided to stop paying protection monies?
Hainan should be a 2 or 3 star airline. I tried to comment on my experience with them, but Sky#### kept declining to accept the review.
Nowadays, many big review sites collect fees, and scrub the bad reviews and if you don’t pay, they scrub the GOOD ones!
Lufthansa is awful ! Good they are downgraded ! Hopefully it makes them improve !
They won't improve. It's to do with their new genes. Customer service is nonexistent and the contact center is appalling. These remarks won't even tickle them even if you give them 1 star.
They don't have any incentive to improve when the German Federal Government wraps them in cotton wool
Skytrax is about as credible as the US Supreme Court.
Now I made ten slides about an airline's new business product. Can I get a 50-star?
My Rex flight has better service better comfort nicer flight attendant than luftansa .
I'd rather not travel than use luftansa .they should be ashamed of how they treat their customers and embarrassed about the state of their airlines..
And re train the flight attendants to actually look like they care..
Never again will I fly with luftansa.
Malindo. Singapore .Vietnam. Qantas virgin jetstar. Emirates. Are far superior in everything
...
My Rex flight has better service better comfort nicer flight attendant than luftansa .
I'd rather not travel than use luftansa .they should be ashamed of how they treat their customers and embarrassed about the state of their airlines..
And re train the flight attendants to actually look like they care..
Never again will I fly with luftansa.
Malindo. Singapore .Vietnam. Qantas virgin jetstar. Emirates. Are far superior in everything
Avoid. Using this company..
We were left abandoned. Ignored .hungry thirsty . No contact . Even after 3weeks still no reply .
The financial burden of extra costs .
They should not even be flying..
As I said the small country regional airplane and staff was better..
Should be a 1 star.
I flew return the food inedible.
Staff indifferent to my concern of missing my connecting flight as luftansa was late then delayed take-off. .
The plane is old and worn
Arrived at an empty dimmly light Frankfurt airport . All the service desks were closed .
No contact from luftansa. Unable to call luftansa . Not a single text email re explanation or reassurance instructions.
Should be a 1 star.
I flew return the food inedible.
Staff indifferent to my concern of missing my connecting flight as luftansa was late then delayed take-off. .
The plane is old and worn
Arrived at an empty dimmly light Frankfurt airport . All the service desks were closed .
No contact from luftansa. Unable to call luftansa . Not a single text email re explanation or reassurance instructions.
Walked around for 4 hours abandoned hungry thirsty scared anxious stressed. To be yelled at by security. No one would help as not my job.
The financial burden of paying for the last leg of my trip which was a rural country trip .
Absolutely disgraceful.
I have sent many emails with no reply .
Never again will I use uftansa.
They should be ashamed of neglect and ignoring their customers..
Consistent they are - consistently average, and certainly not 5 star. I’ve flown them a lot over the years in every class of service and on most continents, and almost always because their schedule and frequency was important. For me, they lost their service edge about 15 years ago and whoever dreamt up the current prevalent business seating should be condemned to travel in them - classic German engineering: looks good but not the least bit comfortable.
I hope that will make the LH flight attendants a bit less arrogant.
If you knew how these awards things work, you'd understand that there are 2 components. One is by surveying actual passengers, and the other is by selling the award. There were some 5 star airlines that initially bought the award but have proved themselves, and there is one airline that obviously bought the award. I have never understood how Lufthansa got 5 star and AIRFRANCE never.
Skytrax awarded 5 stars to both LH and HU after those two airlines engaged Skytrax for expensive consulting services. Skytrax downgraded TK to 3 stars after it refused to participated in their surveys. Skytrax's ratings have zero credibility.
Lufthansa was very Good but bégan very bad on long Haul flight in business class . Old planes old seat food not Good at all . Air France is thé best .
Lufthansa. As much as I love the airline for its punctuality and consistent service (not to say its great) I think it certainly does NOT deserve a 5 Star rating with its horrible business class product as well as its first class product. And, I don't buy that their customers don't want closing doors and more privacy in first class!!! I do like the first class product.
Their transfer on short notice in FRA/MUC...
Lufthansa. As much as I love the airline for its punctuality and consistent service (not to say its great) I think it certainly does NOT deserve a 5 Star rating with its horrible business class product as well as its first class product. And, I don't buy that their customers don't want closing doors and more privacy in first class!!! I do like the first class product.
Their transfer on short notice in FRA/MUC is second to none in my opinion which has kept me loyal, but 6 abreast seating is just like Emirates, which I do not fly.
They should lose more than 1 star.
This airline has stolen over 4500 dollars from our family over a disputed booking.. we couldn't make our flight which was 2 months away.. had to cancel online as we couldn't get through to service center.. we got back $91 per ticket.. called and they told me flight was non refundable.. original confirmation never told us this or was it shown on our itinerary.. we are disputing this through American Express.. fingers crossed.. this airline has zero integrity!!!!
On June 21/2022 I flew business class from Frankfurt to Mexico City via Lufthansa. The flight attendant whom served me worked hard ( I can feel her dedication). However the seat was quite uncomfortable: no privacy, no separation from your strange neighbor.
Definitely agree with this article’s take on Lufthansa’s business class being a 4-star ~ deservingly justified.
Poor Airline, with very racist staff. Good for them.
Their ( an others) ridiculous idea of short haul business class seating. Economy seats/spacing and just leaving the middle seat empty. I know you don't need lie flat seats of those shorter trips but an old style business/first class seat would be more appropriate. I avoid those planes/flights when possible.
While agreeing with you must should mention that this practice is in keeping with all the other European airlines (BA, KLM, Air France, Iberia and TAP and LOT. In fact the only airline that offers real Business seats in a 2-2 config is Turkish. But then again Turkey is not Europe
Also El Al. Not Europe
Bad consumer service!!!
Looks like someone at Lufthansa forgot to post that fat cheque to Skytrax.
That was my first thought, too.
A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to fly Lufthansa for the first time. F JFK-FRA and J MUC-SFO. Their F product is solid and competes well as far as I am concerned. Their J product on the other hand sucks relative to pretty much any J product that flies over an ocean. It compares to Emirates F/J on their 777's IMO. Skytrax is a joke.
Best news I've read all day. Personally, I think they are a 3-star airline at the moment with all the cuts they've making across all cabins.
Onestamente le 5 stelle non se l'é mai meritate, si, possono avere una configurazione della cabina e dei sedili molto cool e comodi ma l'arroganza e la sufficienza del personale di bordo con quell'atteggiamento di superiorità generale nei confronti dei passeggeri. Tutto é concentrato nel leccare il c..o ai passeggerin in First, quelli in business si ok ma gia sono tanti e non si dilungano troppo neanche con loro, se per disgrazia, finisci in economy......
Onestamente le 5 stelle non se l'é mai meritate, si, possono avere una configurazione della cabina e dei sedili molto cool e comodi ma l'arroganza e la sufficienza del personale di bordo con quell'atteggiamento di superiorità generale nei confronti dei passeggeri. Tutto é concentrato nel leccare il c..o ai passeggerin in First, quelli in business si ok ma gia sono tanti e non si dilungano troppo neanche con loro, se per disgrazia, finisci in economy... quasi ti lanciano la roba sul sedile.
Lucky haven't you flown pretty much all airlines by now. You should start doing your own airline star rating scheme. What airlines would you personally consider 5 star?
Hmm, I'm not opposed to this idea. It's one of many many things Ben could be doing with this site, and that is just the beginning...
Long overdue.
All those painful seats in Eco, the unpleasant Biz hard product, the meals that seem like dining in genteel poverty, with small portions, little choice, and things mysteriously curtailed?
Tsk, tsk: we could have told Skytrax about this sooner!
All European airlines have an unpleasant business hard product
4 star? Too generous.
I couldnt agree more!
As always, word of mouth from a fellow frequent flyer friend is worth far more than any rating system.
A 4.... who know how much they paid even for 4.
There definitely seems to be way too much emphasis on business class and not enough on the product most people use most often, which is economy. I’ve seen service in the back of the bus deteriorate for years. You do have to wonder if that’s where LH’s star went.
Even 4 stars is a stretch. Turkish is much better than Lufthansa and even then it’s only 3 stars. I would say Lufthansa is 2 or 2.5 stars.
Last month I flew on TK A319 Istanbul to Algiers 3-3 config middle seat free, old fashioned foam seats and a sandwich. Wasn't better at all than the LH flight from FRA to IST 2 days before.
Do factors other than aircraft come into play? Customer service? In-flight service? Lounge experience? Ability of management and public relations to cover up anti-Semitic employee behavior? The rating system seems compromised. After years of being away from the LH group, I considered returning to it for short-haul European flights. But, after reading many articles and comments that echo Tim Dunn's sentiments, nope.
There is no rating-system. There is just a price list to buy different consulting packages from Skytrax. Only if an airline buys the most expensive 5 star package, it is actually deemed worthy of 5 stars.
Oh, they're dollar signs! I get it now!
I just flew multiple segments on LH and other European carriers within Europe and LH was the lowest quality.
The notion that whatever goes on in the premium longhaul cabins should allow an airline to offer sub-standard service on short and medium haul flights, regardless of the airline or award.
Trust me, international Business Class on LH doesn’t even hit the radar screen of high quality.
If only you had attempted to reach Nelson Muntz for comment...
I'm HON level of LH
unfortunately I do agree with you, but come on, please do the same analysis on Garuda Indonesia, a Hainan Airlines, ...
I loved my last flight with Garuda, but I totally agree with you. In fact, I’m not sure they’re still categorised as Skytrax 5 stars? They’ve been a mess since they fired the CEO who tried to downsize the airline into profitability, in favour of a guy who turned out rerouted the London flights so his sidepieces could work them.
I’m not even sure what to make of Hainan Airlines anymore since Beijing’s crackdown on HNA Group, which I don’t even know why it began.
Carsten’s vanity project..
While my first choice of European airlines is Lufthansa their "Five Star" rating always seemed absurd.
I predict that after many SkyTrax “audits”, LH somehow regains its 5 star rating
They could literally just open their own rating agency via some dubious anonymous company setup and grant themselves 6 stars.
Cheaper than buying the skytrax rating ehm, I mean paying the consulting fee. And would still achieve at least the same low credibility that skytrax already has .
Lufthansa sucks. Absolutely nothing special about the airline at all. And the business class is one of the worst out there. 4 stars is still too high…. I’d say 3
is more appropriate. Delta is 3-star for example and I find Delta superior to Lufthansa in every way.
Damn you, Lucky! Double-damn you!! Now you've just condemned me to a continuous hysterical laughing fit which will last the rest of this year......
The marketing contract must have expired or been chopped by Lufthansa bean counters. Which medocre airline product will buy Skytrax 5 star rating next?
Even 4 stars are a big stretch.
Honestly, I’d love to see you review airports with as much quality and granularity as you review hotels, flights, and lounges. I’d personally love to read a deep-dive into what you think each airport does well. This would especially be useful for a lot of Asian airports that look super pretty but often have somewhat obvious design flaws that you’d only discover if you actually used the airport.
Let's be honest...
With the introduction of (poorly stocked) BOB on the intra-EU flights, introduction of BOB on longhaul (LH) in Y, no more free seat selection at check-in for the cheaper fares, no more complimentary liquors in LH Y, getting rid of the second hot meal on the longest long LH Y flights (eg; FRA-SIN), the poor 2_2_2 or even 2_3_2 in LH C, no possibilities to pre-order special meals for intra-EU flights...
Let's be honest...
With the introduction of (poorly stocked) BOB on the intra-EU flights, introduction of BOB on longhaul (LH) in Y, no more free seat selection at check-in for the cheaper fares, no more complimentary liquors in LH Y, getting rid of the second hot meal on the longest long LH Y flights (eg; FRA-SIN), the poor 2_2_2 or even 2_3_2 in LH C, no possibilities to pre-order special meals for intra-EU flights in C (??!! this is even possible with BA..),etc etc
... even 4 stars is way too generous. LH is 3 stars tops right now. Its a shame how they managed to completely deteriorate this airline in a matter of years.
I'm honestly done with them and I moved my business elsewhere.
Adios
Couldn't agree more with you. They went downhill faster than even BA did 10-15 years ago. Carsten is trying to make it a low-cost-carrier-premium-longhaul airline and we all know that will never work. I hope they get rid of him soon and turn things around, but knowing Lufthansa they will just double down on their strategy.
Meh, must've missed a payment....
Ben, this is criminal and especially after Lufthansa went through the trouble of leasing other airlines' planes with better business class seats.
May I suggest that you start a crowdfunding campaign to pay (off) Skytrax to get Lufthansa's 5 star rating restored?
‘Go Fund my Skytrax 5-star rating'. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more ridiculous crowdfunding, thanks for making me laugh!
Skytrax should newly introduce ratings for aviation bloggers such as Ben. Curious how he’d compare to Sam and others according to skytrax.
Times are tough. Advertising budgets have been trimmed and Skytrax felt the pinch
Yup, someone didnt pay their bill!
Remarkably Air Canada remains 4* with on time performance never above 50% in any given month and a s hitty J product that deflates half the time.