Report No: 2020-303E
Ladies and Gentleman,
Welcome to this very interesting and thrilling Flight-Report series as the COVID-19 situation in the world affected my travel plans, however, not this time as I was able to return back to Europe as planned with some minor changes. This series would contain 2 parts, with 5 flights all on Economy Class, covering 3 different airlines, 6 different airports, 5 different lounges and 5 different aircraft types.
My original plan was to return back to Istanbul, the day after the event I attended in Graz with Turkish Airlines onboard their direct flight from Graz to Istanbul. Unfortunately, 5-6 days before my trip, due to low demand, the Graz route was dropped until the end of March ( now until mid-April ) so I needed a rebooking. Also due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, many flights were canceled and things have been complicated.
My first intention was to transfer via MUC and then go to my intended final destination from there; so the first flight would be onboard Lufthansa Cityline's Canadian Regional Jet 900 from Graz to Munich with a review of the VIP Lounge at Graz Airport.
The routing details would reveal part by part…
Stay tuned with Flight-Report for the upcoming reports in this series
Flight routing
- 1
- 2
- 3LH 2345 Graz to Munich ( Economy Class ), Bombardier CRJ900, Graz VIP Lounge
- 4
- 5
Pax for this flight
Business Class: No idea
Economy Class: %30-40
ONLINE CHECK-IN
As I don't want to reveal the upcoming flight right now, I would only tell that I was able to check-in for the first leg the second part of the trip which is GRZ-MUC via the Lufthansa app. As I didn't know CRJ900's have two overwing exits and the seat map on the app was should below, so I chose the first row of the emergency exit for myself.
GRAZ THALERHOF AIRPORT - GRZ
Before I left the airport for the event that I would attend, I was able to recheck my bags for a same day later flight. As I was helped by a friendly agent, my baggage was tagged to its final destination.
All 3 of my boarding passes were handed.
And this a tag was attached to my carry-on baggage as the aircraft is a CRJ which means that the overhead bins were limited
The Turkish Airlines counters which were deserted, however, at the sales desk, there was two TK agents that was willing to help affected passengers. However, my issues were solved in advance.
Then I left the airport. About 1h30min before the flight, when I was at the S-Bahn to the airport, I have received this e-mail from Lufthansa that my flight would board from gate 3.
D-ACNM would be the one taking me to MUC
After an empty S-Bahn ride to the airport,
I needed to walk 350m to the terminal from the railway station.
For me, it would be straight ahead
The terminal
After consuming the water bottles in my carry-on, I headed to the empty security check. Our flight was the only flight left for the day as many flights were cancelled that day.
VIP LOUNGE - GRAZ THALERHOF AIRPORT
After the security check, I have headed to the VIP Lounge which is one level above the gate level. The check-in agent informed me that I could use the lounge without an invitation with only scanning my boarding pass and the turnstiles worked after after scanning my boarding pass and I was in the lounge. However, a metro style turnstile was a bit strange for a lounge entrance as I needed to lift my carry-on above the turnstiles; probably to avoid unexpected visitors they have decided to invent something like this.
The lounge was pretty empty that day
The buffet had both alcoholic and soft beverages
As well as some food
Yoghurt & fruits
Finger sandwiches
Fruits, cereals and a coffee machine
The lounge is also good for spotting, however, the best place to spot aircrafts is the free terrace before security.
D-ACNM is getting closer to its parking position
Also, some flights for the next day was cancelled.
GATE AREA & BOARDING
30 minutes before our scheduled departure time, I have left the lounge and headed downstairs to the gate area. Our aircraft was visible from the gate.
20-25 minutes before our scheduled departure time, boarding was announced by group numbers. I was one of the first ones to board. When scanning my boarding pass, the gate agent notified me not to give my hand baggage on hold and take it with me inside the cabin.
A closer view of D-ACNM while walking to the aircraft
Two Austrian Dash-8 was parked next door.
LH 2345 - GRAZ THALERHOF AIRPORT TO MUNICH AIRPORT
After being welcomed by the crew, I have headed to my seat, 18F.
As usual, the cabin was equipped with the standard Lufthansa Regional Recaro seats.
And the decent legroom at the exit row
While boarding, pretzels were distributed by the cabin crew. This was the only meal service onboard the 30-40min hop flight.
Before takeoff, I have visited the lavatory which was quite small but clean
While waiting for boarding to be completed, I looked at the seat pocket. By the way, seat 18D, the seat next to me was empty throughout the flight
Some literature
Our aircraft in the fleet section of the Lufthansa Magazin
Route map for the region
MUC Terminal map
Hmmmm, yummy
And without a push-back, the captain started the engine followed by a circle turn to the taxiway
And it was time to head towards the runway
And we have took off on time
Some photos after takeoff. I have forgotten to take the photo of the Mercedes G Series experience center which was straightforwardly visible during our takeoff.
Shortly after the seatbelt signs have been turned off, the beverage service had begun. I've opted for a tomato juice.
After a few minutes, MUC was visible.
And we're descending to MUC
And we've landed at MUC safely ahead of schedule
MUC Terminal 2S
Another Lufthansa CityLine CRJ
And we were going to park at a remote stand
Lufthansa A380 parked at Terminal 2S
Some other regional jets
MUNICH AIRPORT - MUC
After saying goodbye to the crew I have left the aircraft and board the paxbus waiting us to head to the terminal. As the loads were quite low, only one articulated bus was available for all passengers.
And after 4 years, I am back in Munich Terminal 2.
Unfortunately, this report has came to an end.
The series would continue with the next report.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned with Flight-Report.
Nice trip report
Thank you for your kind words ?
Thanks for this report ISTFlyer! GRZ seems quite nice for such a small airport. Looks like just a normal short intra-Europe flight. It's funny that in the US CRJ are considered awful, but LH's CRJs seem to be a bit of an improvement of its American counterparts ? Thanks for sharing - looking forward to the rest!
Hi NewYorker and welcome to this FR,
- Yes, it was super nice and super-efficient.
- That is also what I realized, the LH CRJ is much more different than US CRJ's. Especially, the hard seats on US CRJ's are not that comfortable.
- Hope to see you there, thanks for your comments.
The new LH livery is growing on me. So much white with only the tail area darker makes the CR9 look really long...I can't even imagine what the new LH livery would look like on a CRK!
Aside from a very empty plane and TK's flight cancellation, it seems that you had a relatively standard flight experience despite the covid crisis, including a decent lounge visit. So many lounges are closed now, so that's becoming more and more rare. Good to see that you were able to make it back to Turkey before the lockdown.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kévin and thank you for stopping by,
- Indeed, same for the interior, it looks super long when you look from the rear galley towards the cabin.
- Yes, I was super lucky as I did get the full service; as a hint, I could tell you that the next two reports would also be standard flights with their regular service and lounges being open at that time.
- Thank you, I hope you're also doing well.
Once again, thanks for your comments.