While not particularly significant, and while there’s nothing wrong with this, here’s something I find interesting. Lufthansa recently improved its business class catering, and as a result, the airline is now blocking a business class lavatory during the meal service on some planes.
It’s funny, because I just flew Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class on the 787 (more on that soon), and I noticed something was up with the lavatory. At the same time, aeroTELELGRAPH published a story explaining what’s going on.
In this post:
Lufthansa’s upgraded catering leads to downgraded bathroom options
In addition to Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabins, Lufthansa also recently overhauled its entire onboard soft product, with what’s being referred to as “FOX.” Among other things, this includes improvements in the business class meal service, including a lot more effort being put into presentation.
Rather than all dishes just being “nuked” in the oven and looking like they fell off a truck, the crew puts more effort into plating, garnishes, etc. As you’d expect, that takes a bit of effort, and galley space can be limited.
That brings us to what I find noteworthy. Lufthansa has confirmed that “on a few aircraft types – including the Boeing 787 – one of the two toilets in Business Class will be closed during preparations for the first service.”
The logic here is that the forward galley on the Dreamliner isn’t huge, and there is a lavatory up there. The crews have little carts they place in the galley so they can work on properly plating the dishes, and there’s really not room for people to be navigating around them, without getting in the way of their workflow, and slowing down the service.
I knew something was up with the Dreamliner lavatory!
I tend to notice the little details of the passenger experience, even the most minor things. After all, I’ve flown a massive number of airlines in premium cabins, and it’s the little details that set airlines apart.
I just flew the Lufthansa 787 with Allegris cabins, and there are two lavatories behind the business class cabin, and one in front. It seemed like one of the rear ones may have been intended for premium economy, or something, as it wasn’t clear (this is supported by Lufthansa claiming that one of two business class lavatories is blocked).
After takeoff I tried to go to the forward lavatory, and as I walked up, the crew asked me to use the lavatory in the back. I thought that was odd at first, since the lavatory sign indicated it was unoccupied. However, as soon as I walked back, the forward lavatory showed as occupied, and stayed that way throughout the service (in other words, they locked it).
As you can imagine, this made me wonder about the logic for this policy, and now I know! Personally, I don’t have an issue with this. Most people tend to not use the lavatory during the meal service, for obvious reasons. So having fewer lavatories available shouldn’t be an issue.
For what it’s worth, the airline claims it hasn’t received any complaints about this policy.
Bottom line
Lufthansa recently rolled out its new soft product on long haul flights, which includes improved catering in business class. This largely centers around the crew putting more effort into plating and presentation, and that takes time… and space.
In light of that, Lufthansa crews are now blocking one of the lavatories in business class on some aircraft, so that they have more space to work in the galley. Much of the effort that goes into presentation doesn’t happen on galley counters, but instead, happens on carts that are set up in the galley, so I understand why they need more space.
Anyway, in case you’re like me and wonder why the forward lavatory is blocked during the meal service (as I just noticed on a flight), now you know!
As long as the 2 toilets in the back are NOT open for the other passengers I do not see a problem.
I can understand that higher-paying customers do not like to wait longer.
Some of these comments are so amazingly pretentious. It’s a bathroom, folks. There’s more than one. Get a grip.
It was the same for Air France business A350. Seems many of the eu airlines doing this. Forward lav closed for meal service
they should have bought only a350-no issue there.
its what happening when u buy poor design boeing products
My God those wacky Germans and their bathroom habits. Listen as a proud Israeli, I do not want food that has been in the bathroom! On the other hand, if they are closing a bathroom, that must mean that fewer people are getting explosive diarrhea from the food. I just hope they’re not serving lettuce right now!
I find that on, roughly 50% (maybe even higher), that the staff “close” the lavatory that is closest to the cockpit. I recently flew the Alegris product from Munich to Seattle and it was closed. I actually, which I never do, kinda made a slight fuss about it and the main purser came over to kindly explain that they need the room to prepare meals. This was pre departure and I didn’t want to disturb...
I find that on, roughly 50% (maybe even higher), that the staff “close” the lavatory that is closest to the cockpit. I recently flew the Alegris product from Munich to Seattle and it was closed. I actually, which I never do, kinda made a slight fuss about it and the main purser came over to kindly explain that they need the room to prepare meals. This was pre departure and I didn’t want to disturb the boarding process as it was still commencing for economy class and the other laboratories were in the area of boarding.
Once, I experience literally tape across the forward, closest to cockpit, door saying it was “for staff I only”. Can you believe that? I noticed it was later removed but I can’t believe that this happens. We pay thousands of dollars extra and we can’t use the washroom that is closest to my seat. I am always curious and stay out of the way and often just go back to my seat if they are busy or it is crowded or if someone is already using this washroom. I mostly want to use this washroom when there is a big line for the other washrooms between business class and premium economy. I find economy passengers use these washrooms as well, furthering the line.
Anyway, I find it is really ridiculous that we can’t use a certain bathroom. We are the customer and have paid for a more premium experience. I would think having access to a “less crowded washroom is something business class passengers should be able to enjoy.
As part of new push to lose money faster.
Perfect example of how an airline's left hand (soft product) and right hand (hard product team) didn't communicate.
It's reading stuff like this that makes me grateful for my own Gulfstream 650.
This is a common and a highly annoying practice, on the BA A350s.
Can you imagine Singapore Airlines doing this? Lufthansa is 5 star only in their own imagination. This kind of decision shows their contempt for their crews and their customers.
Passengers have always been a nuisance to LH crews and management. Ideally, it would become a cargo only airline.
Too much chilli?
Turkish Airlines has a great and very personalized business class meal service, even rolling around a cart with a choice of appetizers (mezze). They offer this service on the 787 as well, yet they seem to be able to pull it off without closing off a lav.
Wheww I thought you meant they were blocking off bathrooms to book space because of the quality of food being served!
The lavatory locked is understandable when it’s so busy up front. What they claim to be gourmet food on the other hand… looks ordinary. Although who knows since black pepper and salt pass for spices in Germany.
So you're in biz class, but have to wait - little flexibility....
Are they plating the food in front of the toilet? "Oh dear, I'm out of space...lets just balance this food tray on this surface for a minute" (the toilet lid). How about the airlines give their FA's more room to work in?.
B.T.W. - What does the numerology of FOX spell?....it's right in your face ;-). They are done with not telling you who they are, and what this is!!
Hopefully the quality of food is good enough,one doesn't have to run to the bathroom!
The bathroom is awfully close to the kitchen
Did you ever fly on an A320 or a 737?
If an American carrier did this the outrage would be unbelievable.
As it's common in the world, choose food or scheiße.
Two old shrimps and an old piece of fish ? Not exactly fresh from the sea ? Not exactly "fancy" or "upgraded" , is it ?
It's ok as long as that's not where they're preparing the food service.
LOL
I'm so excited to hear about the LH 787 Allegris experience! I have become *pbsessed* with a few things over the past couple of years, one of which is Allegris, and one of which is the Boeing 787 testing and delivery pace, especially in regards to AA and LH. So this is the mashing of two of my biggest fixations. The way it has up to 12 (11 in the dreamliner) different seat variations, the...
I'm so excited to hear about the LH 787 Allegris experience! I have become *pbsessed* with a few things over the past couple of years, one of which is Allegris, and one of which is the Boeing 787 testing and delivery pace, especially in regards to AA and LH. So this is the mashing of two of my biggest fixations. The way it has up to 12 (11 in the dreamliner) different seat variations, the smaller size vs the A350 (seats are made by Collins, not Stelia. ThomsonAero will do the 777Xs), so many things.
I am particularly curious and would love an answer to two things
1) Were the three seats in row two still blocked? And the bulhead rows of some sections of PE/Y?
2) Were there any noticable differences between these Collins seats and the Stelia seats you flew in the A350s of LH and LX? (ex. width, build quality, material quality...)
Happens on pretty much all Air Canada long haul flights I take, which is 46 so far this year. Sometimes the light never comes off - because that would interrupt the crew eating or chatting. Or maybe they forget
I’ll take “Things That Never Happened” for $500, Alex.
Happened to me on AC5 YUL-NRT the other day. The forward lav in business was closed the entire time.
Luftkafka is always innovating, striving to make up for any added benefit to flyers with at least one to three new deficits.
I know this sounds infantile - but I had to laugh at your heading “Bottom line” in this article.
Recently flew British airways from phx to London and the forward business lavs were both locked during the meal service.
Shouldn't be a problem unless the parasite virus, um ,explodes
*LOUD FARTING AND MOANING*
What if the pax is diabetic and cannot hold. This is stupidity and against the ICAO rules to block the lav.
EASA should get into and resolve.
I don't think closing one of 8 lavs on the plane is not that much of a problem.
Sorry about the double negative
787 is really not a *dream*liner. It's an awful airline for many, many reasons.
**seriously ignorant, you are...** (Spoken in a Yoda voice)
Mmhmhmm… that Yoda voice, I like.
Name several apart from the dimming windows.
Maybe that other vlogger can do his loo review and rate the food at the same time.
Just a comment that the blog site has become unreadable on mobiles with the advertisements popping up and triggering inadvertent click thrus.
I understand the site needs to make money without putting up a pay wall and that is fine. There is a difference between having advertisements and encouraging inadvertent click thrus with sudden pop-ups that cover entire spaces.
Not for me. Will start reading again if it improves.
Switch to Brave browser. Add-free out of the box.
There are plenty of solutions available for every mobile browser. All you need do is some basic research.
"Just a comment that the blog site has become unreadable on mobiles with the advertisements popping up and triggering inadvertent click thrus."
So in other words, you have no idea that ad-blockers for mobile browsers have existed for the last decade and a half, often free?
I read it on my laptop with an add-blocker with no issues. I agree that using a phone it can be difficult but you CAN block adds on a phone.
I read it on my phone with no ad blockers in the EU and have no problems. Individual privacy is well regulated here. It’s only Americans with all their “freedom” that have problems.
Viscera mea ALLEGRIS.
PS - Please do not tell us that they're using the forward lavatory as a plating station. I don't care if they're telling me it's really curry sauce. Oh very ist mir.
To be fair, most people are locked down to their seats during the meal service anyways, so locking the lavatory is more of a minor inconvenience to a small minority. That explains a lot, I saw a video of a Lufthansa FA recently hand-placing toppings on a flat-bread and then baking it? I'm curious to witness this out myself in a future flight now.
REDICULOUS, I never eat on my trip from LAX TO ZRH so that I can use the bathroom without disturbing other people , after that I want to go to sleep , plus I take a seat in the front of the BUS.
Lyckely I fly Swiss not LH..
Oof, the goose is cooked!
@1990: Only for Christmas.
@Ben:
Not sure if you knew this, category. The last three FC flights we flew on LH 748 had the left side FC loo locked after late nite dinner service. I asked FA who was sitting on right side jump seat what that was about. He said in darkened cabin it's harder to see biz customers using FC loo. So, if someone from left side of FC walks back to use left loo, he will rise to unlock the door. Talk about service,