Greetings Flight Report community and thanks for stopping by. I have been catching up on reports of trips made last year and this series will be exactly that. This series of flights was special for several reasons. First, the timing. My family was expecting a new member in July of 2016 so this window of time was my last chance to enjoy some flying for a while. Second, as a "last hurrah", it was an all points on deck sort of affair where I simply pooled every point currency I had available and sought to exhaust them into a grand adventure. Through the luck of my timing I beat the devaluation cutoff of both AA and the Alaska and Emirates. Finally the trip was loosely based around A380. The first class cabins on these machines are nothing short of spectacular so let's have a comparison.
Carrier, route, equipment, class, lounge, and procurement method:
Welcome back readers. After an otherworldly drive in 911 4s I followed the signage to the First Class Terminal. There was a brief but rather unfortunate incident where a team of staff from the rental car company had to pry me out of their vehicle crying hysterically. It's not that the car is fast. There are a lot of fast cars. It's that it goes so scary fast so effortlessly and with exceptional amounts of control, composure, and luxury.
Lufthansa First Class Terminal
I regained my composure and entered the facility. As I enter the building I am immediately greeted by an assistant that would "follow" me for my visit. Incidentally this is the first time I have entered from the street level. All other visits have been a walk from the terminal and a ride up the elevator. This is far more dignified.
The facility is immaculate as always.
I situate myself in the dining room for a quick bite. I'm overwhelmed with choice. The water menu is exhausting. A side note, these are the most comfortable dining chairs in the world. The soft leather, the perfect cushion, the slight rock to the back rest, and they're on wheels.
Menu Special promotion
FCT buffet is probably identical to FCL. Except now it's lunch/dinner time.
I'm powerless to resist the pretzels.
The veal saddle form the special menu. The meat was very tough but the asparagus was divine.
I stop at the bar next because 150+ whiskeys. The barman was a super sweet Balinese man and we had a very delightful chat. He kept pulling things off the shelf and pouring. He and I have a similar taste in scotch. That King Alexander is something superb. I think i might have "tasted" that one more than the others.
The Glen Deveron 16 The Dalmore King Alexander III Bruichladdich 22 Lagavulin Distillers Edition
A little tipsy from the whiskey party I retired to my favorite spot in the lounge with a snack and a lighter beverage. The Ruinart suits me well at this lounge but there are several choices for Champagne. Sir, your duck ate my Iberico.
I'm startled back to reality when i am informed that the flight to LHR is ready for boarding. That's a shame isn't it. I am escorted downstairs to complete the immigration formalities and bid farewell by a large group of lounge staff. Of all the ridiculously special experiences I've had this day the ride to airplane is among the top.
The friendly drive takes me up the elevator and bids farewell at the aircraft door. That's quite an entrance for this…
Boarding is nearly complete by the time I arrive and we're soon off.
I'm always impressed byt eh service on these short flights. The flight attendant was full of zest and cheer. She had everyone served with time to spare. I took one for the photo op.
Some traffic.
Some nice scenery over the Netherlands and then LCY and the Themes.
See more
Verdict
Lufthansa
7.3/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering8.0
Lufthansa - First Class
9.4/10
Comfort9.5
Meal/catering9.5
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Services9.5
Frankfurt - FRA
8.9/10
Efficiency8.5
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0
London - LHR
8.0/10
Efficiency7.0
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness7.0
Conclusion
The Ground Service: It's really quite good with the "personal assistant" and the lift to the aircraft side.
The Lounge: Some of the nicest lounges I've had the pleasure of spending time in. The food and beverage (Do&Co) is very generous. Of course cured meat and cheese with some hooch to wash it down can keep me satisfied for quite some time.
The Cabin: Euro-business.
The Crew: Very attentive and cheerful service on this short flight.
The Food and Beverage: I can't say i really ate much of it but the fact that there's anything at all... Goats cheese, fresh mozzarella, and hearts of palm are all nice ingredients...
Overall: Have I mentioned that I really love the Lufthansa First "experience?" Still do.
7 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
I am on an F ticket IAH-FRA-LHR and that is how I am able to use the beautiful LH F lounges. yes the FRA-LHR segment is in J as there is no F service offered by LH on this route. Alas it's not due to HON Circle status.
I am on an F ticket IAH-FRA-LHR and that is how I am able to use the beautiful LH F lounges. yes the FRA-LHR segment is in J as there is no F service offered by LH on this route. Alas it's not due to HON Circle status.
Thanks for sharing the next leg of this great trip Socal.
Ohhhhhh myyyyyyyy.... the FCT experience complete with marvelous whisky after marvelous whisky. This whole day from arrival into FRA until departure just looks like a Best Day Ever experience.
"I'm startled back to reality when i am informed that the flight to LHR is ready for boarding. That's a shame isn't it." - I once spent from about 10:00 am until almost midnight in the FCT. It was still too short.
What a letdown to go from A380 in F to go to A321 in Euro-J. Slimline seats, to boot. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that gracefully after the day of living the life you had leading up to it.
At least the catering appears to be a notch or six above what RF got on his short Lufty hop in Europe.
Looking forward to this series continuing. Hope the great flights continue!
"This whole day from arrival into FRA until departure just looks like a Best Day Ever experience." -For avgeeks like us it's not hyperbole, it is the best day!
"I once spent from about 10:00 am until almost midnight in the FCT. It was still too short." -I'm glad it's not just me.
"What a letdown to go from A380 in F to go to A321 in Euro-J." -It sure is a contrast in travel experiences.
Flight-Report is a free website hosting more than 500 000 pictures and 17 000 reviews, without ads, this website can't exist. We understand that ads can be annoying, this is why we only display a maximum of 2 non-invasive ads per page.
To continue using Flight-Report, we invite you to add Flight-Report to your blocker's "white list".
#66 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings.
1597 reviews
12 Comments
"This time mine isn't nearly as interesting."
-I wouldn't say that. You've got every type of IROP covered and some fast decision making to boot.
I hope the rest of your LH time goes more smooth.
Happy flying.
I am on an F ticket IAH-FRA-LHR and that is how I am able to use the beautiful LH F lounges. yes the FRA-LHR segment is in J as there is no F service offered by LH on this route. Alas it's not due to HON Circle status.
Happy flying.
I am on an F ticket IAH-FRA-LHR and that is how I am able to use the beautiful LH F lounges. yes the FRA-LHR segment is in J as there is no F service offered by LH on this route. Alas it's not due to HON Circle status.
Happy flying.
Ohhhhhh myyyyyyyy.... the FCT experience complete with marvelous whisky after marvelous whisky. This whole day from arrival into FRA until departure just looks like a Best Day Ever experience.
"I'm startled back to reality when i am informed that the flight to LHR is ready for boarding. That's a shame isn't it."
- I once spent from about 10:00 am until almost midnight in the FCT. It was still too short.
What a letdown to go from A380 in F to go to A321 in Euro-J. Slimline seats, to boot. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that gracefully after the day of living the life you had leading up to it.
At least the catering appears to be a notch or six above what RF got on his short Lufty hop in Europe.
Looking forward to this series continuing. Hope the great flights continue!
"This whole day from arrival into FRA until departure just looks like a Best Day Ever experience."
-For avgeeks like us it's not hyperbole, it is the best day!
"I once spent from about 10:00 am until almost midnight in the FCT. It was still too short."
-I'm glad it's not just me.
"What a letdown to go from A380 in F to go to A321 in Euro-J."
-It sure is a contrast in travel experiences.
Thanks again and happy flying.
Login to post a comment.