Report No: 2019-304E
Ladies and Gentleman,
Welcome to another series that would include 2 transatlantic flights on Lufthansa Premium Economy on the newest version of the Queen of the Skies and 2 Frankfurt-Istanbul flights again on Lufthansa and one American Airlines regional flight. All 5 reports would include lounge reviews of their respective airports.
This report is the report of the flight that I would fly Lufthansa's Premium Economy product for the first time. It would be a flight onboard the newest version of the Queen of the Skies from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt Airport. Also, before this flight I had the chance to visit the Lufthansa Senator Lounge in Washington DC.
The routing for this series would look like this
Flight routing
- 1LH 419 Washington Dulles to Frankfurt ( Premium Economy ), Boeing 747-8i, Lufthansa Senator Lounge IAD
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Pax for this flight:
First Class: No idea
Business Class: %95-100
Premium Economy Class: %95-100
Economy Class: %95-100
ONLINE CHECK-IN
I don't know how but OLCI worked 24 hours departure and I was able to complete it. For those who don't know, LH OLCI opens 23 hours before scheduled departure time.
I have sticked to my pre-reserved seat for the IAD-FRA leg but changed my FRA-IST seat that I was auto-assigned. At least LH noticed that I like exit row seats.
Seat map for this flight.
And seat map for the next flight. However, my seat would change later on by Lufthansa.
Boarding Pass for this flight
D-ABYM would be the one taking me from Washington to Frankfurt. It would be my first time on that specific aircraft.
WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT - IAD
I have arrived to Dulles Airport, 1 hour 10 minutes before my flight as I had some important stuff to do in downtown DC. As I've finished them I have called an Uber and I've arrived to the airport on time as I was going to drop bags.
I was helped by a friendly agent at the dedicated Star Gold and Senator lane. I was informed that boarding would start 40 minutes before scheduled departure time at gates B45 and B47.
Later on, I've proceeded to the West Security Checkpoint as it's usually less crowded than the East one. Our aircraft was visible from the main building.
After clearing security within 5 minutes I have taken this photo of the FIDS
And I've decided to take the walkway to the AB concourse.
This would be the Queen of the Skies that would take me to… No just kidding. Probably I'll make this joke all the time when I pass gate B42-B44 at Dulles.
No jokes this time, this Queen of the Skies would be the one taking me to Frankfurt.
LUFTHANSA SENATOR LOUNGE - Washington Dulles AIRPORT
As I was flying Lufthansa that day, I preferred to use the Senator Lounge which is just next to the boarding gate. The lounge was crowded when I have entered but when the Austrian flight started to board passengers, the lounge got quieter.
Salad bar for the day
Main courses; the options were a vegetarian dish, rice and pasta.
Newspapers and magazines available at the lounge
Drink section
And probably due to VA state rules, all alcoholic beverages was served at a manned counter.
Austrian 767-300 parked at gate B49-B51
And Alaska A320 from the lounge
GATE AREA & BOARDING
After having a late lunch at the lounge, I have proceeded to the boarding gate for our flight. Lounge boarding was not offered that day.
There were two lines, one for Priority boarding and the other one for regular boarding which was made by seat numbers.
I have used the priority lane.
And, I've boarded the aircraft from gate B47.
LH 419 WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT TO FRANKFURT AIRPORT
After being welcomed by the cabin crew, I've took my seat and saw this Qatar 777-300ER from the window.
The seat was the regular Lufthansa Premium Economy seat which had a decent width and a legroom which made the journey more comfortable than Economy Class. Pillows and blankets were provided at each seat in this cabin.
Also, the seat has a wide IFE screen.
This aircraft was equipped with the Panasonic ex2 IFE system.
All Premium Economy passengers had received this Cerruti personal amenity kit.
As well as a bottle of still water.
The blanket
And earphones, the same ones with Economy Class
IFE - LH 419 Washington Dulles AIRPORT TO Frankfurt Airport
The IFE screen welcomed me with the photo of the US Capitol in Washington DC.
The IFE menu
And another welcome when I have opened the route map
Today's route
The seat pocked contained a donation envelope for the Help Alliance charity project
The safety card
The Inflight Shopping Catalogue. Inflight shopping was available throughout this flight.
And the Lufthansa Magazin
The Lufthansa fleet
Lufthansa Transatlantic destinations
Frankfurt Airport map
And some information about the FlyNet service which was available on this flight
Shortly after boarding had finished, the cabin crew served welcome drinks which was a glass of mango juice.
And then the safety video was monitored from the personal screens.
Shortly after we had pushed back, these Alaska aircrafts were visible. They were being catered with LSG Sky Chefs food while we, Lufthansa flight 419, was been catered by the Flying Food Group.
American 737 which would head to LAX
Some United aircraft at concourse D
And then we took off for a short transatlantic flight to Frankfurt.
Shortly after takeoff, snacks were distributed by the cabin crew alongside with a drink of choice.
Route map after takeoff
As I needed to do something on my laptop, I have purchased FlyNet for today's flight
This is the menu saluting passengers
And today's options, I've purchased the FlyNet Mail and Surf package which was a bit slow but alright.
Sport24 was the only live TV channel available on this aircraft and a tennis match was being streamed.
Before dinner hot paper towels were being served both to Economy and Premium Economy passengers.
Before the service had begun, I have visited one of the lavatories which was clean at that time.
DINNER - LH 419 Washington Dulles AIRPORT TO Frankfurt Airport
As there were no menus distributed, meal choices were asked orally by the crew. Chicken or pasta. Alongside with the main course, the tray contained a salad, a brownie, bread, cheese, olive oil and vinegar dressing, crackers and butter.
I've opted for the pasta option which was served with tomato sauce, red peppers and mushrooms. The meal tasted really good, however the presentation was like an Economy meal.
Shortly after, the cabin crew came once again and served tea, coffee, water and Baileys for those who wish.
As I've continued to do some stuff on my computer, I have stayed awake until we were over the Atlantic and then I took a short nap until breakfast.
BREAKFAST - LH 419 Washington Dulles AIRPORT TO Frankfurt Airport
The breakfast tray contained a fruit plate alongside with a small charcuterie served with cheese. Bread, butter and a strawberry jam was also present.
A view as the air got lighter.
Route map for the last time
Connecting flight information was available, however, information for my connecting flight was not shown as it was far too early.
A view of the Commerzbank Arena from the airplane camera.
And as we're approaching
And as we've landed
Welcome to Frankfurt Airport, after 3 years.
Condor 757's and Lufthansa 747's
A Lufthansa A319 at a remote stand
D-ABYF parked near the hangar
This Lufthansa A321 was being taxied somewhere.
As well as this 747-8 parked at gate Z69
D-AIML at Terminal 1
D-ABYH was being connected to the jet bridge while we were passing
Another Lufthansa A380
And we were parking to gate Z58.
And parked next to our sister D-ABYH.
The route map welcomed me to Frankfurt.
After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft from door 2L.
Frankfurt Airport - FRA
Our aircraft from the jetbridge
And the last photo from the terminal
As I had 5 hours in Frankfurt and having transferred at Frankfurt for many times and not visiting the city until that day, I have decided to clear immigration and visit the city. The passport check was fast as most pax were from the USA at the non-EU line. When my turn came I was questioned by the officer ( as I've expected ) and when I've showed my onward boarding pass and after the officer checked my visa I was all set. It was time to visit Frankfurt.
The journey would continue after I arrive back to Frankfurt Airport so I hope you all to see there in the next report. Thanks for reading.
Only five hours in Frankfurt including immigration and train rides? Well you must have set foot for only 30 min or so in Frankfurt.
But a much better product on a transatlantic flight compared to BA in my opinion.
Hi ThomasDutch and thanks for your comment,
- 2h to 2h30 mins in foot. It was early in the morning and raining lightly so I didn't have much to do.
- Definitely agreed. I usually prefer BA for its cheaper price.
Once again thanks for stopping by and hope to see you in another report.
Hi ISTFlyer, thanks for this report on LH W! Always good to see as there aren't many reports in W in general, or LH W.
Wow, surprised you had time to hit the lounge despite arriving only 1h10m before departure!
One word...United. Because the UA ticket counters and most *A partners are by the East checkpoint, it's always a mess. Luckily I have TSA Pre-check so I avoid both East and West checkpoints ?
Haha, I think in all the years I've been in DC I've only done that maybe once. I should do it more often if I have time.
Ugh...that new livery. Boooring ?
Though I've never tried LH W, from what I've seen the seats look really nice and comfortable and it's nice that they offer a welcome drink--which feels premium. The meal services, however, so not look premium and are too close to Economy to feel that they are an upgrade. I also don't like the fact that LH don't have a wall separating W from Y even though they are two distinct cabins of service. So there's some good and some bad, but the seats definitely look comfortable.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi KévinDC and thanks for your comment,
- Boarding was starting 40 mins before departure. So I had around 15 minutes. I don't understand why Lufthansa flights board too late anywhere in the world.
- That's true, UA and its partners dominate IAD.
- It's a great exercise before the flight. I usually use the walkway as it's much more convenient that the train. I prefer to walk 5 minutes instead of a 2 minute train ride, but not at arrivals.
- I would expect something more creative than LH, the old livery is much more better than the new one.
- For Premium Economy Saver fares, it's definitely worth having a €949 r/t ticket from/to Europe. Yes, the seat is much more better than Economy Class and comfortable, in addition there is a welcome drink; but it's true that there is no walls which isn't that bothering but doesn't feel that you're in a separate class. For the meals, outstation meals are usually cheaper than meals prepared at hubs, or probably there was an issue as they didn't hand a menu which they usually do. So I totally agree that there are pros and cons about the LH PE service.
Once again thanks for stopping by and hope to see you in another report.