Review of Lufthansa flight Frankfurt → Chicago in Economy

Hi and welcome to this long overdue report of my first trip back to the US after the COVID travel restrictions were finally lifted.

Strangely LH was the airline I'd fly for this special occasion, I was more or less actively avoiding it after several mediocre flights with them, but they offered great fares to Chicago and a flight on the A340, a plane I love.
This afternoon flight on the A340 was quickly cancelled after I booked, and I was rebooked on the morning CDG-FRA-ORD on the 747-8 with only 55 connection, the minimum allowed.
My flight to ORD literaly boarded 50 minutes before departure.

Although we landed early and I was seated at the front of our A320, I got in the terminal exactly on our scheduled arrival time and after a quick walk to the transfer gates Z, found a giant queue to the passport control.
I tried to ask an agent if I could move to the front of the line as my flight was already boarding, he agressively replied "everyone has a connecting flight !"
So I went to the back of the queue which move quickly, when I got to the front a lady who was checking boarding passes, told me to use the Business Class lane as I was late.
After an automated control, I went up the stairs to find another queue, this time for document verification, this was already done for me at CDG so  I asked an agent and he told me to bypass the line and hurry.
There was no sign of a line for passengers who already had their documentation checked.

All in all a REALLY BAD connecting experience at Frankfurt.

People complain about CDG, but at least there are lines for short connections.

The Z gates were deserted in spite of many US bound flights departing at the same hour, the last passengers being stuck at the various controls.

I paused briefly to admire the 747-8 that would finally take me back to the USA, D-ABYU, the last one delivered to LH.

There was no wait at the gate and I still got a "Enjoy your flight" by the LH agent.
Down the escalator and in the empty jetway, I got a closer look at that beautiful plane.

I was welcomed rather neutrally onboard, the flight was full and I was among the last passengers to board.
When I reached my row, the middle and aisle seats were occupied.
A blanket, pillow and disinfecting wipes were placed, and earphones were quickly distributed by the crew.

Our neighbour was heading to LAX

The very last few passengers boarded and we pushed back passing other LH widebodies

After a rather short taxi, we lined up and stared a long take off roll, the plane was clearly heavy.

Passing above the clouds

An announcement was made prior the service that we should keep our mask on at all time except when eating and drinking, and especially when talking to the cabin crew.

No snack or aperitif was served, it was lunch directly.
LH protocol has the trays being served then the drinks from a different cart, meaning there's usually a 10 minute wait until you get your drink.
I asked for a gin&tonic but they only offer wine and beer in economy now. At least they're aligned with UA I guess.
Lunch was ok, the lasagna was good, and the salad had a tasty dressing.

We were flying over the UK during lunch.

After lunch they served coffee and tea and offered everyone a bottle of water, then the crew disappeared.

I watched a movie I don't remember, but the selection was decent.

The airshow was clearly not the latest generation though.

I took a nap and when I woke as my neighbours were up I took advantage and went to the back to stretch my legs, a crew member was there watching a trolley with water only, no other drinks or snacks.
I asked her if they had any snacks as the lunch was not very generous in terms of quantity, and she went the the front galley and got me some chocolate bars, a nice gesture.
I was expecting the usual LH reply "No I'm sorry we don't have that", which had me avoid this airline.


Over the Atlantic, looks like a plane was going even faster than us, didn't see it though

The sky got cloudy and the window started to get icy

Unfortunately it remained cloudy until the end of flight.

About 1,5 hours before landing, a tasty wrap was served, the crew insisted on offering 2 drinks to everyone, which was nice.

I was hoping nice views of lake Michigan and Chicago but I was on the wrong side and there were clouds until we reached the western shore, when we were in final approach.

Finally, AMERICA, I had missed you !

We touched down and had a 10 minutes taxi to our parking stand.

This ANA 77W was heading back to Japan as the line for take off was growing

We stopped next to this Frontier A320neo, probably arriving from Mexico.

Disembarking was pretty fast, and when I got to the terminal and turned on my phone, I got a text stating my bag didn't make it onto the flight, and would arrive later that day and be delivered the following day.

After clearing immigration very quickly, I went to the lost and found, where although aware of my missing bag, I had to ask for an overnight change kit, and in spite of promises my flight would arrive the next day where I was staying, I got it 2 days later, as it appears LH only sends stranded bags on its own flights and not UA's which have 2 daily FRA-ORD flights.

All in all the flight itself was better than expected with crew much friendlier than what I was used to on LH, but the transfer at FRA and the delayed bag, were disappointing.
I will no longer avoid LH, but fly through Munich or make sure I have more time to connect in FRA.