- To the Vaterland with my Vater: Introduction
- Review: Executive Club Houston Airport
- Review: Lufthansa First Class Houston to Frankfurt
- Getting paid $150/hour to sit in the First Class Lounge
- Hotel Review: Sheraton Salzburg
- Review: InterContinental Berchtesgaden
- Review: The Hotel Brussels
- Review: Hilton Frankfurt Airport
- Review: Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Miami
- To the Vaterland with my Vater: Dad’s Thoughts
Our flight from Frankfurt to Miami was scheduled to depart at 9:55AM, so we left the Hilton Frankfurt Airport at around 7:30AM. It’s quite a haul from the hotel to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, and we made it there a few minutes before 8AM.
Upon entering the lounge, our Lufthansa Personal Assistant introduced herself, collected our passports, and escorted us through security. The great thing about the Lufthansa First Class Terminal is that 60 seconds after entering the “terminal” you can be seated in the lounge ready to go.
I’ve reviewed the Lufthansa First Class Terminal many times before, so I figure there’s not much else to add there. If you’d like to read my other reviews of the Lufthansa First Class Terminal , they are as follows:
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Singapore for the Weekend: A day in the Lufthansa First Class Lounges/Terminal Frankfurt
- Chasing the A380: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Chicago
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Around the World in a Week, Part Fifteen: Lufthansa First Class Terminal and FRA-SEA on Lufthansa in First Class
The lounge was awesome as usual, though we skipped breakfast in anticipation of lunch aboard our flight to Miami.
Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
Around 9:25AM the PA brought us to the lower level, where the cars to the planes depart. Three other passengers were booked in first class, so the five of us were driven to the plane in a Mercedes minivan.
One of the passengers, a middle-aged German guy, was a Miles & More Senator member. The other two passengers were an elderly couple from some exotic Eastern European country I couldn’t quite identify.
Roughly 10 minutes later we pulled up to our gorgeous 747-8, where we were taken up the elevator to the jet bridge and handed off to the crew.
Lufthansa Boeing 747-8
Lufthansa Boeing 747-8
Lufthansa 462
Frankfurt (FRA) – Miami (MIA)
Monday, September 23
Depart: 9:55AM
Arrive: 1:50PM
Duration: 9hr55min
Aircraft: Boeing 747-8
Seat: 2A (First Class)
We were welcomed at the door by the two middle aged female flight attendants that would be working the first class cabin. They were friendly as they guided us to our seats.
Lufthansa’s first class configuration on the Boeing 747-8 is pretty unique. The Lufthansa Airbus A330, Airbus A340, and Airbus A380 have the first class cabins in a 1-2-1 configuration. Meanwhile on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-400, first class is located on the upper deck, with eight seat/bed combinations in a 1-1 configuration. The Boeing 747-8 is the only plane with first class truly in the “nose.” The eight seats are spread across three rows, with three seats along each side of the plane, and then two seats in the middle.
I was in 2A, which I quite like for the privacy.
Lufthansa first class, seat 2A
Lufthansa first class, seat 2A
Lufthansa first class, seat 2A
Lufthansa first class seat controls
Lufthansa first class entertainment controls
Lufthansa first class, view from seat 2A
Lufthansa first class, view from seat 2A
Once we were settled the friendly crew offered us pre-departure beverages. I ordered a glass of champagne, which was served promptly with super-salty almonds.
Lufthansa first class pre-departure champagne
Shortly thereafter I was offered an amenity kit, pajamas, and slippers.
Lufthansa first class amenity kit, pajamas, and slippers
Sadly the amenity kits were not Rimowa, and the pajamas were my least favorite “variety”, with a button-down top (which I don’t find to be especially comfortable).
Lufthansa first class amenity kit, pajamas, and slippers
Lufthansa first class Bogner amenity kit
Shortly before takeoff the captain came on the PA to make his welcome announcement, and informed us of our 9hr20min flight time, which he expected would put us into Miami with “great punctuality.”
We pushed back from our gate on time, and began a fairly long taxi to runway 18. During this time the safety video began to play. It’s interesting to note that the safety video was played in German and Spanish, with English only available in subtitles.
Taxiing to our departure runway
Once at runway 18 we were number one for takeoff.
Holding short of runway 18
Taking off runway 18
Our climb out was smooth, and once we passed through 15,000 feet the seatbelt sign was turned off.
View on climb out
View on climb out
Lufthansa first class cabin after takeoff
As we climbed out I browsed the entertainment selection, and decided to watch “The Internship,” which was entertaining enough.
Lufthansa first class entertainment selection
Once we reached our cruising altitude the purser passed through the cabin to welcome each first class passenger aboard and distribute menus. Maybe I’m just crazy, but when traveling with my dad sometimes I feel I get treated like a second class citizen, since by comparison to my dad I might as well be five years old. So the purser had a lengthy conversation with my dad, and then addressed me as “junior” and handed me the menu without saying much else. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in desperate need of socialization, though I do always find it a bit puzzling.
The purser also proudly announced to each person in the cabin that this 747-8 was the second newest in the fleet, and invited us to enjoy the “new plane smell.”
Lufthansa first class menu
Anyway, the lunch menu read as follows:
And the wine list read as follows:
Shortly after the menus were distributed one of the first class flight attendants distributed hot towels, while the other served the amuse bouche.
Lufthansa first class hot towel
Lufthansa first class amuse bouche
Then tables were set and the caviar cart was rolled through the cabin — they sure were generous with the portions!
Lufthansa first class caviar
I can never help but smile at the butter Lufthansa caters out of Germany, which has “First Class” stamped on it.
Lufthansa first class butter
The appetizers were served once the caviar course was complete. I selected the medallion of lobster on artichoke salad, celery and cream cheese with truffle vinaigrette and apple fennel salad, and salad with herb dressing. All were very good.
Lufthansa first class appetizer and salad
Next they served a tomato consomme with ravioli and crabmeat, which was excellent.
Lufthansa first class soup
For the main course I ordered the rice cakes with lemon green curry sauce, broccoli, and almonds, which was actually surprisingly good as well.
Lufthansa first class main course
Lufthansa’s desserts are always uniquely named desserts, and I chose the “symphony of chocolates.” Mmmm…
Lufthansa first class dessert
To finish off the meal I ordered a cappuccino, which was served with some pralines.
Lufthansa first class cappuccino
Service throughout the meal was good. The entire service took about two hours, and the crew was exactly what I’d expect in Lufthansa first class. They weren’t over the top phenomenal like the crew on our Houston to Frankfurt flight, though they were professional, personable, and extremely efficient. The food was top notch as well, much better than what I’ve had catered out of Frankfurt in the past. For that matter, the meal service in both directions was much better on this trip than usual in my opinion.
After lunch I requested turndown service. While that was being taken care of I took a quick stroll around the plane, and was sure to grab a view of the wing from door 2L. Is there a more beautiful wing than that of the 747-8?
747-8 wing
While the lavatory on the 747-8 is nowhere near as large as on the A380, it’s still nicely appointed with plenty of toiletries.
Lufthansa first class lavatory
Lufthansa first class lavatory
Lufthansa first class lavatory toiletries
Lufthansa first class lavatory toiletries
Lufthansa first class lavatory toiletries
At this point there were about five hours left in the flight. This aircraft was equipped with Lufthansa’s FlyNet so rather than sleeping I decided to get some work done via the Wi-Fi, which was actually pretty fast. The cost for a 24 hour unlimited data pass is 20 Euros, which I don’t think is half bad compared to what other airlines charge for transoceanic travel.
Lufthansa first class turndown service
Lufthansa first class turndown service
I worked for a few hours, then fell asleep for about 90 minutes, waking up about an hour an a half prior to our arrival in Miami. It’s worth noting that the cabin was kept at a very cool temperature throughout the flight, which I really appreciated.
The pre-arrival meal service began just as I woke up. The menu read as follows:
Service once again began with a hot towel.
Lufthansa first class hot towel
After that the buffet cart was rolled through the cabin.
Lufthansa first class pre-arrival meal buffet cart
I selected a bit of everything, and when the flight attendant suggested I have a beer I instinctively accepted (as I do just about everything on a plane). I unfortunately didn’t put much thought into the fact that I’d actually have to drink it. I realize I have serious issues because to me the two most vile substances on earth are beer and bacon, so was feeling especially ballsy after that whole experience.
Lufthansa first class pre-arrival meal
For the main course I ordered the quiche lorraine, which was… fine.
Lufthansa first class quiche lorraine
Dessert was a small slice of cake, and I had another cappuccino to go with it (Lufthansa whips up a mean cappuccino).
Lufthansa first class riesling cake
Lufthansa first class cappuccino
As we descended the crew brought me a ladies amenity kit which they suggested I give my mom, which I thought was a nice touch.
Through about 12,000 feet the first officer came on the PA to inform us we were being put in a holding pattern due to some thunderstorms in the area. That lasted for about 20 minutes, at which point we were cleared for our approach, which was extremely bumpy.
As we began our final approach the ride smoothed out a bit and weather began to clear.
View on final approach to Miami
View on final approach to Miami
The taxi to our arrival gate was quick, and we parked next to an Air Jamaica 737.
Our parking position
This was another consistent, excellent Lufthansa first class flight. From a comfort perspective I slightly prefer the A380 to the 747-8, but both are amazing planes. The crew on this sector was good — certainly an “average” Lufthansa first class crew, which is still a compliment — though not quite as good as on the outbound.
Customs and immigration in Miami were surprisingly quick, even for my dad (who doesn’t have Global Entry).
Stay tuned for the next installment, as my dad shares his thoughts on the trip!
I wonder if LH will start serving rare vintage aged wines in First Class. Maybe like $200-$300 bottles. Your thoughts on this? Second question, why does Cathay and LH serve Krug over Dom?
Hi @Lucky,
I really enjoy your reports.
Do you know if Lufthansa offers any meet and great service for a quick entry in the US?
Like Thai do in BKK, fast track through security or the like?
I'm flying LH F MUC-ORD and as a non US citizen I dread the migration lines and wonder if flying LH F speeds things up during arrival.
@ Eric -- They do offer a meet and greet service. However, the agents can't escort you to the front of the line at immigration, so they simply wait in line with you. Not all that useful.
sorry had an error in my previous comment… I meant to say: Lufthansa's new first class and new business class of course. I wrote: business class twice…. sorry :)
Lufthansa's new business class and the new business class is awesome but they are tooooooo slow to upgrade their fleet. Especially to the US. I am based in Orlando and would like to fly only direct to Frankfurt but because of the old business class on the A340 or 747-400 …. I sometimes rather fly to Washington to get on the 747-800 or fly United via Chicago or Washington. I really hope Lufthansa would also...
Lufthansa's new business class and the new business class is awesome but they are tooooooo slow to upgrade their fleet. Especially to the US. I am based in Orlando and would like to fly only direct to Frankfurt but because of the old business class on the A340 or 747-400 …. I sometimes rather fly to Washington to get on the 747-800 or fly United via Chicago or Washington. I really hope Lufthansa would also take care of their smaller destination airports like Orlando :)
@ Lucky - interesting. I noticed that the ottoman doesn't have a seat belt like I saw on LX but it looked big enough.
@ Ivan Y -- There's no way to dine together in Lufthansa first class. The tray table is too small and the ottoman doesn't double as an extra seat.
@ Lucky - just curious, did you eat separately from your dad just to take photos for us or is the table too small for two people? I liked that LX allows for two passangers to eat together so if you don't get seats together in the middle, you can still have a meal together.
Great shot of my office!! (Norwegian Cruise Line). I'm fortunate enough to have a corner office with view of all of the runway traffic!!
I booked on the same flight in F in June and they changed from 747-8 to 747-400 the last minute... I was sooooooo mad!
But finally went on IAD-FRA-HKG both on 747-8 F. I prefer 2A over 1A (1A you can hear 1K when he wakes up while you were sleeping)
Any other impressions on the 748 itself? The seat actually looks a bit worn out for a brand new plane, were those taken off another aircraft type that got upgraded or something?
@ chris -- Yep, have been noticing the same thing. I think the conclusion is basically that it's tough to turn a profit on a four engine plane due to the extra fuel burn. Singapore is retiring their A340-500s because they can't make it work, and that says a lot in my opinion.
Ultimately it's tough to compete with the economics and schedule flexibility of planes like the 787, so sadly that seems to be...
@ chris -- Yep, have been noticing the same thing. I think the conclusion is basically that it's tough to turn a profit on a four engine plane due to the extra fuel burn. Singapore is retiring their A340-500s because they can't make it work, and that says a lot in my opinion.
Ultimately it's tough to compete with the economics and schedule flexibility of planes like the 787, so sadly that seems to be the way of the future.
Makes me sad, because the 747-8 is probably the most beautiful plane out there...
Hey Lucky:
I'm just curious on your thoughts about many global airlines shunning the 747-8 for long rang twin jets.
I have been reading articles that sales for the new model at Boeing have been very lack luster, kind of makes me sad that such an icon of travel is heading to the wayside. I know Lufthansa has said they are committed to the 747, but lots of other airlines have been retiring their -400s...
Hey Lucky:
I'm just curious on your thoughts about many global airlines shunning the 747-8 for long rang twin jets.
I have been reading articles that sales for the new model at Boeing have been very lack luster, kind of makes me sad that such an icon of travel is heading to the wayside. I know Lufthansa has said they are committed to the 747, but lots of other airlines have been retiring their -400s for the 777/787 or A350. Also that apart from Emirates sales for the A380 aren't hot either.
Do you see this trend continuing?
@ Peter -- Yep, they do indeed. The only airline I know of which waives the cost of wifi for first class passengers is Etihad.
@ Joey -- It seems that they market it as "First Class" and not "Erste Klasse" to be more international. Even the bulkheads of their planes say "Lufthansa First Class" or "Lufthansa Business Class."
Pretzels and a pretzel roll on the same service? Living large!
They charge first class passengers for wi fi?
Will your Dad's post be in German or use "zie" and "zey"? Any guesses to the number of "Benny" references? ;-)
@john @lucky
Actually, sparkling wine served in traditional wine glasses isn't particularly wrong, per se, everyone usually just uses flutes because the lines of bubbles are more pronounced. A sommelier friend of mine actually preferred sparkling from normal white wine glasses because she could nose it better than from a flute.
That was a LOT of caviar! Very generous indeed! I saw that First Class butter... I was wondering why that wasn't in German (or is First Class in German also called First Class?)
"two most vile substances on earth are beer and bacon"
Sacrilege! Heresy! Gott im Himmel, Lucky, are you trying to get your German passport revoked?
Great report as ever. Looks like a very spacious cabin. However I must say the choice of food iisn't that appealing to me and seems quite fish-heavy! The beer and bacon would be fine though!
"some exotic Eastern European country"
How would you rank these Eastern European countries, from most exotic to least exotic?
Russia
Czech Republic
Poland
Hungary
Romania and Moldova
Croatia
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
Slovenia
Slovakia
Bulgaria
Ukraine and Belarus
Serbia
Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia
"then addressed me as “junior” and handed me the menu without saying much else. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in desperate need of socialization, though I do always find it a bit puzzling."
An involuntary DYKWIA moment, if you ask me :)
Great report as always! I had to laugh at the part where the purser treats you like a kid-funny how people can have preconceived notions like that-probably thought your Dad paid for and got the tickets!
"the two most vile substances on earth are beer and bacon" - GASP!
I might have gotten the wrong impression but I always get the feeling that international flights to or from Miami never have the same level of quality as flights to or from NYC for example. Maybe there is less competition but I always found service, food, beverages less amazing then other international flights. You just mentioned that food was just OK, amenity kit wasn't Rimowa, PJ was ok. I also don't see Krug champagne and...
I might have gotten the wrong impression but I always get the feeling that international flights to or from Miami never have the same level of quality as flights to or from NYC for example. Maybe there is less competition but I always found service, food, beverages less amazing then other international flights. You just mentioned that food was just OK, amenity kit wasn't Rimowa, PJ was ok. I also don't see Krug champagne and looking at the wine list it is just OK in my opinion. Again, it might be me but Miami never wowed me in either business or first class.
@ john -- Yep, they do indeed serve champagne in wine glasses. I've always found that odd as well.
Lucky. Am i seeing right. They served Champagne in a wine glass? Really?? I have refused to buy champagne before in a pub or restaurant when they have run out of flutes. I know first world problem.
Datapoint: in August I took a taxi from the Hilton to the FCT. I highly advocate it.
No, the taxi driver didn't audibly grumble.
;)
@ ffi -- Whoops, fixed. Thanks!
Lastly, Lucky, it is BOGNER kits in LH F.
http://en.bogner.com/
not Boegner
http://www.wolfmountainvineyards.com/about/the-boegner-family/
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Boegner
Sorry, the typo police are watching for you, especially when you are going on about LH F.
FYI, and if I am not mistaken, it is against German law to take pictures of people and publish them without their consent. (the man sitting in that FC seat)
Technically you were still in Germany on a German carrier.
Just wanted to let you, and the readers know so that you don't get in trouble over there.
( if he is Herr Schläppig then ignore my sincere advice )
:-)
Ben, I have the same problem whenever I'm traveling with some "senior" to me (UA 1k @ 22 years old). The first few times it happened on United I couldn't believe it, but now it's comical.
@ Mairi -- Thanks so much for the kind words, I appreciate it! I think you're absolutely right, it has a lot to do with the age of the crew. I know with some US airlines where all flight attendants on longhaul flights seem to be 65+, anyone under 40 is considered to be a child.
Conversely on the outbound flight with the really young crew, they were really excited to be able to offer such a "premium" product, and it showed.
@ Ben -- Happy I'm not alone. Thanks for reading!
@ Orlando Corp -- I slightly prefer the A380 because the plane is much quieter than the 747, and also I love how big the lavatories are.
@ Goofy Foot -- Thanks! :)
@ UA-NYC -- In this case I redeemed Aeroplan miles. All the details can be found in the introduction post. :)
"It’s interesting to note that the safety video was played in German and Spanish, with English only available in subtitles."
Well, you were flying to Miami...;-)
Lucky, I started reading Boarding Area blogs a few months ago and find yours to be consistently the most informative, entertaining one available. You really have a flair for writing and you obviously make a great effort not to complain or offend - and I think you handle questions with empathy and tact. (I would still be steaming over the "Junior" remark that you passed on with just a bit of irony!) So, with all...
Lucky, I started reading Boarding Area blogs a few months ago and find yours to be consistently the most informative, entertaining one available. You really have a flair for writing and you obviously make a great effort not to complain or offend - and I think you handle questions with empathy and tact. (I would still be steaming over the "Junior" remark that you passed on with just a bit of irony!) So, with all due respect and no agenda, I wonder what difference the age of the flight attendants make. Is it better or worse to have a middle aged crew? Thanks!
I'm curious why you prefer A380 First class over 747-8i? If the sneakiest flight is IAH FRA I'm planning to grab one between Fra Iad or Fra IAH which one would you take?
Another great trip report Lucky and I looking forward to your Dad's Thoughts. What you were saying about being treated as a second class citizen rings true for me too - whenever I'm flying with my parents and one of the crew comes round to say hello (because of my EK Gold) they always assume it's my mum and dad that have the status, not me :)
Nicely framed shot of Miami on approach!
Question Lucky - when you book your LH F segments (and your *A trips as a whole), are you using UA MP miles and/or US DM miles (and thus you likely have an "alternate" option booked from the start before switching at T-15), or are you collecting in a LH M&M account (in which case you can book as early as you'd like)?
I can understand the beer hatred, after all, you're basically still a kid and you tend to only drink alcoholic beverages that have some sweetness to them (champagne, baileys, etc)... but BACON?! How the hell can you hate bacon!
"So the purser had a lengthy conversation with my dad, and then addressed me as “junior” and handed me the menu without saying much else."
Wow, that's pretty rude. Glad the rest of the service was much better than that.
Hatred of beer and bacon... Are you trying to get BOTH of your passports revoked?! ;-)