Hello FlightReporters Apart from flying I also like music and I'm a big of Ariana Grande Unfortunately her Sweetener World Tour didn't have any date in Italy Last January I start to search for tickets in other parts of Europe According to my university exams' plan, I found the best option: 3rd October in Oslo, Norway
Around June I started to search for an accomodation and for the flight Apparently the best price was a direct flight with Norwegian, but the return was too early in the morning the day after the concert Since I didn't want to rush for the flight and I wished to visit the city I chose a solution with Lufthansa, stopping over in Frankfurt LH costed around 200€ (Norwegian was 180€)
I've already flew with LH in 2013, on FCO-DUS-LHR-MUC-FCO route Moreover in the same year I made a stopover in Frankfurt Airport Terminal 2 going to NYC This time will be my first inside Lufthansa's reign, Terminal 1
We arrived at gate A21 Fortunately gate A16, where my flight would depart from, was quite close
The airport looked a bit different from the last time Being night it was starting to "fall asleep" Most of the shops were closing, despite there were many flights still departing
My gate was empty Even if boarding time was close, nobody was queuing
Time to go home…
Having a few minutes I got a pretzel and a hot dog as dinner There was a nice kiosk in front of the gate Both were very tasty
Despite boarding was scheduled at 21:20, it started with a half a hour delay No explain was given Most of the passengers (as me) spent the whole time queueing without knowing about the retarted boarding
THE FLIGHT
Lufthansa line up: A380 and A320s at Pier A-Plus
Surprisingly the plane was the same that carries me on FCO-FRA route two days before: Lufthansa Airbus A321neo, D-AIEB, delivered in June '19 (0.4 years old) The plane is equipped with 215 seats (the first rows can be used as business class)
Differently from the first A321, the -neo version has a different doors' layout Door 2 is replaced by two overwings exits I read that this is done in order to improve density
Mandatory door shot
Since I was very tired I forgot to give the flight report form to the Purser Fortunately on the other three flights I managed to do it
The view from my seat, 8A Lufthansa A320neo next to us and the huge building of Pier A-Plus
Around 22:15 we left our gate Departure was originaly scheduled for 21:50
Lufthansa A340-600
Terminal 1A apron Austrian Airlines A319 (?)
South African Airways A340-600
Condor Boeing 767 and AeroLogic Boeing 777F
We would depart from RWY18 This runway is used for southbound departures only at FRA
At 22:28 we took off Departure was quite silent and smooth
Frankfurt suburbs scrolling below us
20 minutes into the flight the "dinner" was served The choice was between chicken or cheese sandwich I chose the latter
The taste was quite good, however the bread was a bit dry
I spent the rest of the flight sleeping I woke up while the cabin was prepared for landing
After the arrival's announcement something funny happened between a passenger and the hostess
***Captain told the remaining flight time***
Passenger: "how much time before landing?" Hostess: "the Captain just told, you were supposed to listen, as I didn't do! So this time you're forgiven, we have 20 minutes left"
No need to say that both start laughing, along with other passengers nearby
Approaching Roman countryside We would land from north
Rome visible in the distance
ARRIVAL AT FCO
"Cabin crew prepare for landing"
We were almost on land when the two Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines went full thrust The plane start to rose again and landing gear was retracted
"Ladies and gentleman, as you may have noticed we had to make a go-around. Captain will explain you the situation in a moment"
For the first time in my life I experienced a go-around It was very smooth fortunately, also because there was no crosswind or bad weather
While many passengers were buzzing, the Captain made an announcement He explained that the go-around was ordered by the ATC due to trafic We would have land again in less than 10 minutes
We banked over western Roman countryside before landing again on RWY16R At 23:52, almost 15 minutes after scheduled, we touched down at Rome-Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" International Airport
Taxi was quite short. In less than minutes we reached our gate at Pier D We blocked at midnight Vueling A320 parked next to us
Docking at gate D8
R(H)ome Sweet Home
Even if I had just cabin luggage, I proceeded to Terminal 1 exit, where my parents were waiting for me
The new connecting corridor between gates C and D areas It opened one week before
The airport was empty, there were just 3/4 flights departing
Going straight to the exit
The baggage reclaim hall
In less than 10 minutes from blocking I went outside My parents were already waiting for me at the pick up lane I got home in around half a hour Thank you for your attention and see you at the next report!
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Verdict
Lufthansa
7.8/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering7.0
Frankfurt - FRA
7.0/10
Efficiency7.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0
Rome - FCO
8.2/10
Efficiency8.0
Access9.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0
Conclusion
Despite the late operations (boarding especially) the whole flight was OK
5 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Hi Carlo, yes that was an Austrian plane. And also congrats to your first go-around - I've never experienced one ;) Nice to see that FCO is fast and efficient, too.
Thanx :) I don't if I should wish you a go-around, but maybe is something to experience once ahah Yeah, FCO has become a really good airport Almost everything is new, clean, efficent and well keeped Moreover it's improving with a very quick rhytm Nothing compared to 5/6 years ago!
That sandwich was probably dry to your taste as it's rye bread, which is usually thicker and dryer than bread you are used to in Italy or any other place in Southern Europe, but I still do not enjoy the fact that LH caters certain routes better than others. I remember the time I flew with them to Madrid a few years ago in which I received a full hot meal, but a few days later I was only served a candy bar from Valencia..... I only tend to use LH for long haul if I can have a stopover and continue my journey on TG, SQ or BR :).
Actually rye bread is becoming common in Italy, but in general I prefer white one Talking about meals I found it quite strange and different to explain On FCO-FRA-OSL flights I thought the difference was due to the time (FCO-FRA was at lunch time, FRA-OSL in the afternoon), but the return flights were both at dinner time I've never tried LH on long haul flights, wish to have this experience once
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4 Comments
yes that was an Austrian plane. And also congrats to your first go-around - I've never experienced one ;) Nice to see that FCO is fast and efficient, too.
I don't if I should wish you a go-around, but maybe is something to experience once ahah
Yeah, FCO has become a really good airport
Almost everything is new, clean, efficent and well keeped
Moreover it's improving with a very quick rhytm
Nothing compared to 5/6 years ago!
Talking about meals I found it quite strange and different to explain
On FCO-FRA-OSL flights I thought the difference was due to the time (FCO-FRA was at lunch time, FRA-OSL in the afternoon), but the return flights were both at dinner time
I've never tried LH on long haul flights, wish to have this experience once
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