Greetings Flight Report community and thanks for stopping by. I am sharing an around the world (mostly) First Class series of trips in this series. I have a strong affection for Lufthansa First class so that was my motivation for the beginning of this trip. The product is well documented and, as a whole, one of the best First Class experiences obtainable on points. Also, I get an inordinate amount of enjoyment trying to secure the space. The windows for partner redemption in LH premium cabins opens approximately 2 weeks prior to departure so you have to operate in that window to secure seats. Additional flights/seats may open as departure nears. This is good fun! For the return I already has the second leg of a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club redemption on ANA so I would ideally use LH to get to Tokyo to complete the circle. It didn't end up that smooth but a lot of fun was had along the way.
Booking the LH legs is a little tricky because you may find a North America - FRA segment but then no FRA - Asia segment to pair with it. That was the case with me. While I initially saw BOS-FRA open there was nothing to pair with it. Then, a few days later FRA-SIN opened however I wasn't thrilled about a BOS departure so I waited, hoping for something further west as a departure point. About 3 days out JFK-FRA opened and I caved, booking JFK-FRA-SIN. At lease JFK would give me the opportunity to try the only LH F lounge in North America, so that was something. I departed not knowing how I would get from Singapore to Tokyo but I did wait list for SQ F SIN-HND. Those normally clear, right?
Courtesy of gcmap.com
Carrier, route, equipment, class, lounge, and procurement method:
United Airlines - LAX-ORD - 757-300 - First - No Lounge - Cash (No Report)
United Airlines - ORD-LGA - A319 - First - No Lounge - Cash (No Report)
Lufthansa - JFK-FRA - 748-8i - First - Lufthansa Wining and Dining - United Mileageplus
Lufthansa - FRA-SIN - A380-800 - First - Lufthansa First Class Terminal - United Mileageplus (This Report)
Thai Airways - SIN-BKK - 787-9 - Business - Silverkris Lounge T3 - Krisflyer Miles
Thai Airways - BKK-NHD - 747-400 - First - Thai Royal Orchid Lounge - Krisflyer Miles
ANA - NRT-LAX - 777-300ER - First - ANA Suites Lounge / United Global First Lounge - Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT), Frankfurt
I know how to make an entrance.
Upon entering the FCT I am greeted by several Lufthansa representatives, all standing, and on approaches to introduce herself. She will by my "personal assistant" for the duration of the stay and later fetch me when it's flight time. She guides me through the security screening, a fully private affair with no other customers in sight. She then takes my boarding pass and passport and assures me she will find me when it's time to go.
A look at the duck collection by the entry doors.
The magnificent bar is to the right.
Do people eat these?
A further look about.
I have not eaten since my snack at around 6am local time and it's approaching 5pm so I am ready to enjoy the dining room. It took all day to feel hunger again after an LH F flight!
The menu has changed since my last visit in presentation only . rather than a heavy stock 8-1/2" x 11" paper it is now a proper bound menu.
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I request the Ruinart (again). JFK was pouring the Blanc de Blancs where Frankfurt stocks the Brut. I prefer the Brut version over the pure Chardonnay.
I pick a few items from the buffet because i am powerless to resist cured meats.
I ordered the steak salad, minus the steak, thinking it would be a Caesar salad but it was flat.
Next I request the Wiener Schnitzel and it's excellent as always.
With nearly 5 hours until departure I decide to have a nap. I want to be able to stay awake and enjoy teh flight later so a nap is the only chance i have to accomplish that. A nap room is readily available and I am left to rest. The room is very similar to the A Pier First Class Lounge but the bed appears smaller and there is no Bang and Olufsen sound system. I set a timer for 2.5 hours and am awoken by the chimes.
I take approximately 1.5 baths a year and they are all in precisely the same bathtub.
The black and gold duck is a new one for my collection. I continue the champagne int eh bath/shower tradition that I have started for airline lounges. I think it's catching on worldwide. Check out #Champagneinthebath. ;)
The bathtub room is huge and complete with a separate shower and toilet as well as those lovely Etro products.
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The nap and bath use up almost all of my remaining time in the FCT. I plan, and do, arrive early, but it never seems like enough time.
I take one last taste of Germany.
I am informed that boarding has begun and I gather my personal belongings to depart. It's so odd how the personal assistant leads you to the elevator but doesn't ride down with you. Rather she races down the stairs and greets you at the bottom.
Passport/immigration formalities are taken care of and I am asked to wait a moment for another couple on the same flight.
Finally we board an SUV for the second most exciting Porsche ride of the day.
LH778, FRA-SIN
Viewing this amazing machine from ground level is absolutely awe inspiring.
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We are led to the elevator and down the jet bridge.
To this beautiful space.
The, much to my surprise, junior crew provided introductions and Veuve promptly.
The cabin would be full again tonight as it was last night.
The Rimowa kit, slippers, and sleep suits are distributed.
Also prior to takeoff the menus are passed as well as a cold towel.
I remembered to document the menu on this leg. It's rare that I do. I seem to have only captured the beverages that I partook in.
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We push back on time and the lighting is changed.
Destination specific welcome.
Wanna race? We have more engines…
Love the tail cam!
The top of the staircase is accentuated with the Lufthansa roses.
Once we are airborne and the seat belt sign is off I visit the palatial lav to change into the eating, I mean sleep, suit.
I saw these in the duty free area of the FCT and almost fell over when I saw the prices.
Shortly after returning to my seat the service begins with the offer of a beverage and the amuse. I resume the exquisite La Grande Dame 2006.
Our group was rather exuberant in our consumption of La Grande Dame as when the time came to top up my glass we had consumed it in total. The young male flight attendant serving my aisle was very apologetic and offered me a bottle of wine to take with me as an apology. A very nice but unnecessary gesture.
We will make due.
The table is laid with German precision.
The egg delivery service arrives promptly and with exceptional bounty.
I go a second round, complete with fresh garnish.
The appetizer cart is next and i accept all three. I sample all three and find each to offer an intriguing flavor and texture. The pesto and terrine stand out for me but the almond yogurt and the tuna were also quite nice.
Skipping the salad as I did on the last flight it's Christmas goose time. Lufthansa has had this on the winter menu for 30+ years and I fall for it every time. I do not regret the selection.
To be paired with 2008 Chateau Laroze, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, a perfectly pleasant Bordeaux.
Service throughout the meal was attentive but perhaps perfunctory. I'm being hyper-critical here. The gentleman sitting to my right, traveling with his completely non-OEM wife, was rather demanding. I think he occupied more than his share of the service time available. I'll never understand the notion that bullying the staff would impress anyone but to each their own.
I will enjoy some cheese, please. A more than ample serving of the 5 cheeses. Served at the optimal temperature too.
The warm gingerbread pudding was my sweet of choice but at this point I could only manage a taste. I wasn't impressed with either the flavor or the texture. I also didn't get very far with the port from the cheese course.
On this flight the Glen Elgin was served with a vintage looking box of chocolate. It made for a nice gift to take home.
At this point the lights are brought down and many are retiring for the night.
I check our location and see that we have just crossed the Black Sea and are making landfall on the Turkish Georgian border.
I visit to the lav for dental care is in order as my bed is assembled.
It's a perfectly plush proposition, this bed.
I do manage to take a good nap and wake over Bangladesh.
I decide to take a stroll around the upper deck and capture some sights along the way.
The J class service center.
Back to the pointy (bulbous) end.
It's time to enjoy the arrival service, if you're o inclined. I am. I start with a Bloody Mary cocktail. It's abysmal. I don't think they are provisioned for such requests but rather than say no they came up with a tomato juice and vodka with a side of black pepper solution.
As far as the meal goes I request a selection of the meats and cheeses, fruit, as well as the eggs. it's all very nice. Mr. Big-shot next to me sent his eggs back 3 times for bacon that was not to his liking.
I enjoy a cappuccino as well. Soon after the plates are cleared we begin to prepare the cabin for arrival.
A peak at you know who.
My home for the last 12 hours.
Some views of the Malaysian coastline.
As we are approaching Changi the airport ops are turned around for wind direction so we get a nice tour of Malaysia and enjoy a hold while we line up again.
This time for real.
Sure enough as we are gathering our belongings to deplane the flight attendant presents me with a wrapped bottle that I revealed later in my hotel room. Such a nice gesture.
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Some Culinary Delights from Singapore
A night time visit to the Hong Lim Complex.
I can't pass up the satay.
A trip inside Lau Pau Sat for a fried carrot cake.
An early morning walk and breakfast of prawn mee is perfect.
Thank you Christian for taking us along this exciting ride. Looks like you made the most out of the experience.
"It didn't end up that smooth but a lot of fun was had along the way?"
- Sounds like the planning is just as exciting as the flight. ;)
"A look at the duck collection by the entry doors."
- Quite a sampling. Unfortunately I don't share the enthusiasm that some others display upon getting one. Does that make me "weird"? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"I saw these in the duty free area of the FCT and almost fell over when I saw the prices."
- You get what you pay, right? :P
"Our group was rather exuberant in our consumption of La Grande Dame as when the time came to top up my glass we had consumed it in total."
- Did Mr. Big Shot throw a tantrum?
"Skipping the salad as I did on the last flight it's Christmas goose time."
- I personally love this dish. it's comforting and festive.
"Mr. Big-shot next to me sent his eggs back 3 times for bacon that was not to his liking."
- Sounds like "high maintenance". :P
Lovely bonus of the food scene in SIN. Glad that you had a great time and thanks again for sharing this Lucullian feast.
Greetings Jetsetpanda and thank you for leaving a note.
"Sounds like the planning is just as exciting as the flight. ;)"
-It's true. I plan itineraries have no intention of ever flying for the "sport" of it.
" Unfortunately I don't share the enthusiasm that some others display upon getting one. Does that make me "weird"?"
-No, just less beholden to material possessions.
"You get what you pay, right? :P"
-I would have to become significantly more handsome after applying cream at that price...
"Did Mr. Big Shot throw a tantrum?"
-It was me who pitched a fit. No, and the Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2007 was by no means unpleasant.
"Glad that you had a great time and thanks again for sharing this Lucullian feast."
-Thank you for introducing me to a new word.
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2018 and happy flying, of course.
"I know how to make an entrance."=> you sure do.
I left mine far away. Maybe I should have done like you ^^
"I pick a few items from the buffet because i am powerless to resist cured meats. "=> what about the truffle tasted ones?
I really like the First Class Terminal in FRA. I felt like I was waiting in a private business airport away from noise.
I much much prefer First Class cabin on B747-8i. One feels more private.
But toilets look much roomier on A380. LH should get a mix of these.
What? Not enough champagne? Are you kidding?
Red wine from Bordeaux definitely nicer than the ones I had on my flight last august.
Rimowa amenity kit, nice red wine. I'm so pissed off!!!
Not a perfect flight but a delightful and enjoyable one.
Thank you for sharing Christian
Hello Indianocean and thank you for the comments.
"=> what about the truffle tasted ones?"
-I don't know if I've had this. I've enjoyed pate with black truffle so perhaps in a salami too?
"What? Not enough champagne? Are you kidding?"
-In my experience many airlines only board a couple of bottles of the highest end champagne and then then have a second "prestige" (to borrow the term from JAL) label that they also have on board. On this flight Le Grande Dame was a hit and we went through the two bottles quickly but the Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2007 was perfectly enjoyable, just not quite as much to my liking.
"Red wine from Bordeaux definitely nicer than the ones I had on my flight last august.
Rimowa amenity kit, nice red wine. I'm so pissed off!!!"
-You must have another go and correct these shortcomings.
Thanks again Indianocean may you have a wonderful LH F flight in 2018. Happy flying.
Greetings, Socalnow, and thank you for this FR.
"A look at the duck collection by the entry doors."
-Hmm. If only they had placed a bobblehead duck or two on the dash of the Porsche, eh? That would've widened the smile on my face if anything :D
"Rather she races down the stairs and greets you at the bottom."
-Heh. If only that were the only way we are to interpret the phrase "race to the bottom".. but LH & AF/KL seem to be doing just that with their respective FFP changes.
"Once we are airborne and the seat belt sign is off I visit the palatial lav to change into the eating, I mean sleep, suit."
-Picture #7 following this caption. What's with the white marks on the wall? How, in your assumption, did the scratch marks get there?
I'd say about everything they put on your table looks good! Sure, the bacon that came with the hard-cooked scrambled could've been better, but it's not like it'd be easy to fulfil that task where moisture in the air (among other things) is in scarcity. And you weren't kidding when you said that cabin was full. I could see Big Shot's ego throughout the entire front section!
Fantastic bonus there you've included. Could do with a serious case of genuine, Southeast Asian street food right now.. but alas, not even my job will take me there soon.
Thanks again for this FR. Cheers!
Hello Razza_Pr and thank you for the note.
"-Picture #7 following this caption. What's with the white marks on the wall? How, in your assumption, did the scratch marks get there?"
-What, those? I put a small gouge mark in the wall for every hand towel I use. I like to keep track. Maybe I'm alone in this...
"I'd say about everything they put on your table looks good! Sure, the bacon that came with the hard-cooked scrambled could've been better, but it's not like it'd be easy to fulfil that task where moisture in the air (among other things) is in scarcity."
-Indeed, cook the eggs less and the bacon more, please!
" I could see Big Shot's ego throughout the entire front section!"
-LOL!
"Could do with a serious case of genuine, Southeast Asian street food right now.. but alas, not even my job will take me there soon."
-I'll be in SIN and KUL next weekend. I usually eat for two anyway...
Thanks again Razza and happy flying.
Hi Christian. I knew Singapore was up next, just assumed the plane, not this city.
-About the size of your collection???
-LOL
Which do you prefer, 747-8i or A380?
So your reports are getting me to want to try LH again. I think the key is NOT from Chicago. Have you heard the rumors that LH is not going to release F space on award tickets starting I think very soon. I've noticed that business class isn't available like it used to be.
Great report as always.
Greetings Mark and thank you, as always, for the note.
"About the size of your collection???"
-Don't I wish. I do have 6 or 7 different ducks however. I like to keep them in a row.
"Which do you prefer, 747-8i or A380?"
Emotionally the 747-8i but intellectually the A380. How's that for a non-answer? ;)
"So your reports are getting me to want to try LH again. I think the key is NOT from Chicago."
-I hear you based on your experience. Perhaps the earlier ORD departure? The Polaris Lounge is so nice...
"Have you heard the rumors that LH is not going to release F space on award tickets starting I think very soon."
-Crikey, say it isn't so!! I have not heard until now and I'm quite sad to learn of this. I hope I didn't spoil it for everyone...
Take care Mark and happy flying.
HaHa, that reminds me, I need to rearrange mine....
-I hear you based on your experience. Perhaps the earlier ORD departure? The Polaris Lounge is so nice...
-True it is (although I can't believe you complimenting UA), usually the only make the late night available except in the winter schedule with 1 departure but not much availability. Same thing happened on JL out of ORD versus LAX last week. NO red tag for my carry on. And no map to the lounge. The gall...
- Hope not too, but many have traveled vicariously from your reports, including me!
Looking forward to TG787-9 plus the Royal First Lounge and 747 FC. Wow...
"Same thing happened on JL out of ORD versus LAX last week. NO red tag for my carry on. And no map to the lounge. The gall..."
-And you somehow managed to board the flight anyway? You're a survivor Mark. :P