Review of Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul in Business

Report No: 2019-305E

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 would be the first time, me, flying Business Class on Lufthansa after an operational upgrade at the gate so I had the chance to experience the European Business Class product on Lufthansa onboard the Airbus A321. This report would also include a detailed review of the LH Senator Lounge in Terminal 1B covering the breakfast and lunch offerings alongside with the shower facilities.

The routing for this series would look like this

Pax for this flight:

Business Class: %100 [ Business Class until row 5 ]
Economy Class: %100

The flight was fully booked. 

Frankfurt Airport - FRA

After arriving by rail to Frankfurt Airport, I was already in Terminal 1.

The famous FIDS of Frankfurt Airport.

Like %99 of Istanbul flights, our flight was going to depart from Terminal 1B. In some rare occasions, Terminal 1Z is used for this route.

After clearing security and passport control which was a breeze with the usage of the priority lane, it took 10 minutes to reach to the Senator Lounge near gate B41-B43 from the check-in area.

LUFTHANSA SenaTOR LOUNGE TERMINAL 1B - FRANKFURT AIRPORT

As I arrived during breakfast hours ( until 11:00 ), breakfast was present at the food area. The lounge was crowded when I've entered as there were lot of passengers traveling on ANA that day. However, after the ANA flight started to board passengers, the lounge got emptier.

Breakfast options

Cheese, eggs and charcuteries

Yoghurt and fruit bar

Cereals present that day

Jam and bread selection

Fresh orange juice and a hand made coconut smoothie was present that day.

The lounge has great views of Terminal 1B.

Later on, the lunch service was present. Starting with the salad bar

Sausages, potatoes and the dish that I don't remember + Pasta on the bottom

Soup selection

Dessert selections

As I was waiting for my turn for a shower room, I have received this e-mail from Lufthansa that my gate has changed.

After a 30 minute wait for a shower room, it was my turn and I was in one of the shower rooms by 12:00. The shower rooms are spacious and equipped with L'Occitane amenities.

After having my shower, I have left the lounge and saw a friend. When Terminal 1B is out of gates, Turkish Airlines flights are operated from Terminal 1C.

This Air Canada Dreamliner was parked at Terminal 1B.

Boarding pass

GATE AREA & BOARDING

Our aircraft, D-AIDJ, just when I have arrived to gate B24.

As the aircraft was being catered, I have noticed that there were 11 passengers at standby, a great chance of overbooking so I went to the gate desk and asked if they were looking for volunteers. After the gate agent checked, I had a negative answer. And, then the standby list was reduced to 2 people. €400 cash wouldn't be bad to wait at Frankfurt for another 6 hours.

Boarding started 25 minutes before scheduled departure time with priorities being respected. As the flight was fully booked, I have got upgraded to Business Class and my new seat was 1A instead of 11A. I have been upgraded from the best window seat in Economy Class to the best window seat in Business Class.

The paper that indicated I was upgraded

The door

LH 1300 Frankfurt Airport TO Istanbul Atatürk AIRPORT

After being welcomed by the cabin crew, I have took my seat 1A.

Which had a great legroom and a tray table at the wall mounted in front which didn't reduce the seat width.

This 747-400 was our neighbor that day.

Shortly after boarding had completed, the overhead bins were full before all passengers have placed their belongings, so it took 5-10 minutes for the ground staff to tag them and load them down in the aircraft hold. Shortly later, we had pushed back.

But, we have waited 10 minutes until this friend parked to the gate we had just left. He was arriving from Ankara. This specific aircraft TC-JHT has importance for me as this aircraft was the one taking me to Istanbul Airport for the first time. You could see the report of that flight by clicking on this line.

Lufthansa 747-8i

KC A321 and LH A320

Condor A321 parked at a remote stand

And we had left Frankfurt, 20-25 minutes later than our scheduled departure time

Last view of FRA after we took off

Southern Frankfurt

After the seatbelt signs had been switched off, the cabin crew appeared for the first time to distribute menus. No pre-departure beverage was offered on this flight.

Today's options were chicken or fish.

And the beverage selection

FlyNet was available during this flight. I haven't purchased an internet package for this flight but the prices seem reasonable.

Later on, the aperitif service has begun with some snacks and a choice of drink.

The usage of the Lufthansa app is free onboard and doesn't require any internet package. However, I have noticed that Lufthansa had removed their Personal Device Entertainment System onboard their shorthaul fleet after introducing FlyNet.

Shortly after aperitifs were served, the crew took meal orders and meals were served. A drink refill was offered when the crew handed our trays.

Spiced Salmon on Turnip Celery Salad served with 7 Herbs
Mustard Pesto Frankfurt Style and roasted pumpkin seeds
Allgau Wild Flower Cheese, soft Goat Cheese and medium-aged Gouda accompanied by Mango, Hot Pepper Chutney
White Chocolate and Nut Mousse on mashed Mango 

I have opted for the chicken option which was delicious. The LSG Sky Chefs team in Germany knows to prepare great meals. While I was enjoying my meal, the crew came to refill water and other beverages, several times.

Corn-fed pollard with grilled Vegetables and Polenta

Later on, trays were collected and the cabin crew asked for coffee/tea orders. I have opted for coffee and Bailey's. They were served with a small box of chocolate.

Later on, I had the chance to look at the seat pocket content which wasn't surprising. Inflight shopping, which the catalogue isn't visible at this photo, was offered on today's flight.

Lufthansa fleet

Lufthansa European Route map: Istanbul is the only Turkish destination which is served throughout the year. Izmir, Bodrum and Antalya is only served during the summer.

Information about the FlyNet service onboard

Few minutes before landing, I have visited the lavatory and it was clean at that time

Shortly after arrival, the world's meeting point, was visible.

As well as Atatürk Airport

And, we had landed to Atatürk Airport few minutes later than our scheduled arrival time.

Mostly TK aircrafts were visible that day

And more,

As well as our neighbor was a TK A321.

We had parked to gate 222, few minutes after are landing.

Before leaving the aircraft, I had said goodbye to the crew.

Istanbul Atatürk AIRPORT - IST

A last view of our aircraft. At the jetbridge, two people were waiting for several passengers. One for a HON Circle passenger and the other one for VIP passengers onboard this flight. Also, Lufthansa stopped catering from LSG Sky Chefs in Istanbul and now they are catering from Sancak.

First, I have opted to use the priority lane. A Lufthansa ground staff was waiting there to check eligible passengers as no invitation was distributed. However, the regular lane for Turkish citizens seemed much more emptier so I have used the regular lane and I was the first one to arrive to the carousel on my flight. Bags have shortly started to come 10 minutes after I have arrived to the carousel and mines were the first ones. The passengers who preferred to use the priority lane at Atatürk Airport hasn't yet arrived to the carousel while I was leaving the baggage claim area.

This report has came to an end.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.