Review of Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to New York in Premium Eco

Report No: 2019-309E

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.   

As it was time to return to the USA, after founding a cheaper fare to JFK than IAD, I had decided to use the JFK route instead of the IAD one. This flight would cover the morning departure flight to JFK from FRA onboard the LH 747-8i and a review of the Premium Economy cabin. Also, I would include a short review of the Senator Lounge in Frankfurt Terminal 1Z.

The routing for this series would look like this

Pax for this flight:

First Class: No idea 
Business Class: %95-100
Premium Economy Class: %95-100
Economy Class: %95-100 

FRANKFURT AIRPORT - FRA

After a bad misfortune, forgetting my cabin bag onboard my previous flight. I have learnt that the first party of unforgotten bags would arrive at 11:00; but my flight was going to depart at 10:45. So, I went to the Lufthansa ticket counters and checked availability to all Northeastern destinations for the same day, but guess what, the specific flight that I was going to fly was the only flight that was not fully booked. All other flights within the peninsula was fully booked. That meant that I was going to take my originally scheduled flight.

Early in the morning, the path from the check-in area to the Z concourse was open. First, there was a document check and questioning for USA flights. Then the passport control. Both of these were a breeze. But as it was Sunday, security… If I didn't have access to the priority lane, I would have probably missed my flight as there was 250-300 people waiting and only one lane was open for pax joining in FRA. Luckily, the priority lane gave me the opportunity to skip %95 percent of these pax and in 10 minutes I was in the airside and I had time to visit the lounge.

Boarding pass

LUFTHANSA SENATOR LOUNGE TERMINAL 1Z - FRANKFURT AIRPORT

After arriving to the Senator Lounge, I first went to the shower desk but I have learnt that the wait was more than 30mins so I didn't asked for a pager. However, I had some breakfast over there before the flight.

The offerings were same as the Terminal 1B Lounge that I have visited the previous week.

The lounge was crowded, however, I have managed to found an empty table having a view of the apron.

As the lounge was crowded, the tea&coffee section facing the food bar was extremely crowded and 10-15 people was waiting every time since I past there. However, no one had realized that there was another machine at the rear section of the lounge which had no wait.

While enjoying my coffee, I had read my newspaper. It's a nice touch that they have started to have Turkish newspapers in the Terminal 1Z lounge as well. In the previous years, Turkish newspapers were only available at the 1B lounge.

GATE AREA & BOARDING

At 09:58, I have left the lounge and the FIDS on the way to the gate. My gate (Z25) was the gate which has longest walk from the lounge.

At 10:05, the boarding wasn't started yet.

Once again, I had asked if the flight was overbooked but the answer was no. I was going to fly to the USA leaving my hand baggage in Germany. After pre-boarding has ended, the boarding had begun with priority passengers. I was one of the first ones to board.

The aircraft from the gate. At the jetbridge, there was a passport check which the agent checked if the name on the passport matches the boarding pass instead of a visa/ESTA check.

LH 400 FRANKFURT AIRPORT TO NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT

After being welcomed by the crew, I have taken my seat 24K. A pillow, a blanket and headsets were present at each seat.

The legroom at Premium Economy is pretty decent.

As usual, every Premium Economy passenger received a bottle of water.

And a personal amenity kit

Headsets

Our neighbor was this United 777-300ER

IFE - LH 400 FRANKFURT AIRPORT TO NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT

All seats were equipped with the Panasonic ex2 IFE system. Like my previous PE flight on Lufthansa, the USB port didn't work this time, but the power source was working.

The IFE system welcoming me onboard this flight

And today's route

Wi-Fi was offered throughout the flight. I haven't purchased Wi-Fi for the flight as I was going to sleep.

Sport24 and Euronews could be streamed live for free onboard that aircraft. The IFE system didn't contain any live TV this time.

The seat pocket had the safety card, the Lufthansa Magazin and the Inflight Shopping Catalogue. Inflight shopping was offered on this flight.

LH Fleet

LH Transatlantic and African destinations

Some information about FlyNet

Shortly after doors closed, the crew came with pre departure drinks, today's pre departure drink was orange juice with mint. Also, I was greeted by some Turkish speaking cabin crew members. There were 2-3 of them who spoke Turkish and I have noticed 25-30 pax from the previous IST-FRA flight who had preferred to make a connection at FRA instead of flying direct.

Menus were distributed after glasses were collected.

Today's selections

Beverage selection

And in Spanish - You could find the flights which this menu was offered at the bottom of the photo.

As we were taxiing to the runway, the safety video and an info video about FlyNet was screened.

As we were taxiing, this AA aircraft was visible.

And we had took off

And reached our cruising altitude

Shortly after reaching our cruising altitude, snacks were distributed alongside with a choice of drink.

I have opted for a glass of red wine and sparkling water.

Later on hot towels were distributed.

While I was enjoying the snack and drinks, I have decided to watch this old movie that I haven't watched before.

Before the meal service had begun, I have visited the lavatory, which was clean at that time.

LUNCH - LH 400 FRANKFURT AIRPORT TO NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT

Even though the flight was a 10:45 departure, lunch was served with the option of chicken or pasta. I have opted for the pasta option which was delicious as always. The SkyChefs facility in Frankfurt is one of the best catering facilities that prepares delicious aircraft meals.

Mixed Salad with Radish Julienne accompanied by French Dressing
Rigatoni in Creamy Tomato Sauce
Chocolate Mousse with Shaved White Chocolate 

The tray also had a 5€ voucher for the inflight shopping service.

Shortly after the meal service, coffee and tea service had begun. In addition, while enjoying the meal, the cabin crew made water runs.

Route map as the trays were collected.

I have visited the galley to check if snacks were available, and yes there were some pretzels and cheese snacks alongside with soft drinks.

Later on, I had slept for a while and woke up after the second meal service. Hot towels were being distributed just after I woke up.

SNACK - LH 400 FRANKFURT AIRPORT TO NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT

Chocolates were distributed after the hot towels were collected. I have notified the crew that if possible, I want to have the meal as I was hungry. The Premium Economy seat are really comfortable so I didn't give up from my sleep and I couldn't wake up for the meal service

5 minutes later, I have received the vegetarian Economy snack instead of the Premium Economy one. As there was less than 45 minutes to land, probably the crew didn't want to deal with trays so I have received the sandwich. However, the sandwich was delicious but I would have preferred having veal slices and a yoghurt.

The route map for the last time

A photo before our arrival

And we had landed to JFK ahead of schedule.

Oops, we were going to be parking to the gate with the help of the pushback vehicle.

Terminal 2

Some more Delta aircraft alongside with the Norwegian 737-800

Brussels Airlines A330 and our friend

We were going to park at gate 8.

After we were approaching our parking position, the Norwegian 737-800 continued taxiing.

NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT - JFK

After arriving and saying goodbye to the crew, as I could not use the machines at the passport control due to my visa type, I have entered the queue for the manned immigration desks. It was surprising but after 10 minutes of wait, it was my turn. As there was no requirement to fill out immigration forms the officer had asked me the questions on the immigration form orally. After I was all set, I had headed to the baggage carousel where my bags were already there. Then, I have left the baggage claim area and requested an Uber to go to LGA for my next flight.

For those who wonder, during this flight, I have received a mail from Fraport Lost property that my hand baggage was found and I need to claim it in person or pay for shipping. As international shipping for a 8 kg bag is much more expensive than purchasing a discounted IST-FRA-IST ticket, I have decided to pick my bag from Frankfurt.

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