THIS REPORT IS A PART OF THE FLASHBACK SERIES
Hi & Welcome to this report on my FLASHBACK SERIES. In this series of flights, I would share reports from flights that I've flown before registering this website. Just a quick reminder that I am the same human being with "turkishflyer1" on flyertalk so the reports posted can be the same as posted there.
This is the report of my second flight from my Los Angeles trip in Northern Winter 2013. This report would contain a transatlantic Lufthansa Economy Class experience from 2013. This flight was also my first 747-8i flight.
Regular up to date reports would be continued to be shared shortly after the flight date.
Flights that I plan to share:
TK 9 Istanbul to Los Angeles ( Business ), Boeing 777-300ER / May 2012 ( click ), Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul
TK 10 Los Angeles to Istanbul ( Business ), Boeing 777-300ER / May 2012 ( arriving Dec 2019 ), Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles ( old TBIT )
TK 2312 Istanbul to Izmir ( Economy) , Airbus A340-300 / December 2012 ( click ), Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul Domestic
TK 2333 Izmir to Istanbul ( Economy ), Boeing 737-800 / December 2012 ( click ), Comfort Lounge International
LH 1305 Istanbul to Frankfurt ( Economy ), Airbus A319-100 / February 2013 ( click ), Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul
LH 456 Frankfurt to Los Angeles ( Economy ), Boeing 747-8I / February 2013 ( you are here ), Lufthansa Senator Lounge Z Frankfurt
LH 457 Los Angeles to Frankfurt ( Business ), Boeing 747-8I / February 2013 ( arriving Dec 2018 ), Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles ( old TBIT )
LH 1300 Frankfurt to Istanbul ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / February 2013 ( arriving Dec 2018 ), Lufthansa Senator Lounge B Frankfurt
XQ 9065 Istanbul-SAW to Izmir ( Economy ), Boeing 737-800 / August 2015 ( click )
XQ 9264 Izmir to Istanbul-SAW ( Economy ), Boeing 737-800 / August 2015 ( click ), Comfort Lounge Domestic
LH 403 Newark-EWR to Frankfurt ( Economy ), Boeing 747-8I / August 2016 ( arriving Jan 2019 ), Lufthansa Business Lounge Newark
LH 1298 Frankfurt to Istanbul ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / August 2016 ( arriving Jan 2019 ), Lufthansa Business Lounge B20-28
ME 266 Istanbul to Beirut ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / September 2016 ( click )
ME 267 Beirut to Istanbul ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / September 2016 ( click )
List subject to change due to photo availability, dates are estimated and changes can occur.
As these flights are reported you would be able to click on the sector to see the FR. Not reported flights would be written in italic.
As this is a flashback report no route&trip overview wouldn't be provided as some exceptions can occur.
FRANKFURT AIRPORT - FRA
After arriving from my previous flight to Terminal 1B Non Schengen, I need to take the AirTrain to Terminal 1Z and clear security there.
This flight was also my first flight from the new A/Z concourse
The security checkpoint wasn't that crowded early in the morning
There was a document check before the security checkpoint. As I was a Senator (LH*G) at that time I used the Business Class lane.
After the security checkpoint, as like in most airports, passengers are obliged to pass from the Duty Free area.
LUFTHANSA SENATOR LOUNGE Z NON SCHENGEN - FRANKFURT AIRPORT
I had access to the Senator Lounge due to my status at that time. The lounge near gate Z15 was closed before the expansion and the only Senator Lounge in the concourse was this one near gate Z50. In addition, the M&M statement machine wasn't working at that time.
The buffet
Boarding Pass:
GATE AREA & BOARDING
Our aircraft at the gate. Today's aircraft would be D-ABYA
The flight was fully booked so the gate area was crowded
Our neighbor was D-ABYD which would be taxied to the B gates because that bird was heading to India and India flights depart from that concourse
Boarding started with being priorities respected, auto-gates were used for boarding and the document check was made at the jetway.
Economy passengers trying to use the automated gates at the priority lane didn't success as the gate didn't open for them.
I have used door 2L as I was seated in Economy Class. LH didn't offer Premium Economy at that time.
LH 456 FRANKFURT AIRPORT to LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Seat:
I was seated at 18A today, unfortunately the flight was fully booked as I mentioned before so LH couldn't block the middle seat for us. ( My companion was also *G at that time )
Nice to see brand new overhead panels in a jumbo jet
This aircraft had the Panasonic ex2 IFE system installed in each seat
Multiple languages were offered at that time
Main menu of the IFE system
IFE:
The IFE worked perfectly but the remote control froze mid-flight and didn't work after a point but everything could be done by the touch screen so that wasn't a major issue. I had also experienced this situation in most of my previous LH flights on the Airbus A340-300 aircraft.
Headsets were provided by the crew
The seat pocket contained the safety card, inflight magazine and the inflight shopping catalogue.
Fleet and US route map inside the LH Magazin
The remote was working before we left FRA
Also USB and ethernet ports were offered but the aircraft wasn't equipped with Wi-Fi at that time
Before taking off, the safety video was shown
At that time, this A319 was taxiing to the runway for a short flight to BRU.
LH had ads on the old Terminal 1A building
LH aircraft getting ready for their flights to Atlanta and Chicago
And our route before taking off
And shots from the route map, after taking off
30 minutes after takeoff, a snack was provided with a drink of choice.
Music menu on the IFE system.
After the trash from the snack service was collected, the meal had service begun. There were two options; chicken and pasta. The main options were served with a salad and a chocolate cake. Drink refills were offered during the meal.
The pasta was delicious and it was one of the best Economy Class meals that I have. Despite the bad quality of LSG SkyChefs in Istanbul, the headquarters in Frankfurt knows how to cook delicious food.
After the meal service, immigration forms were distributed. The form on the left could be a nostalgia for some people.
The lavatory was clean when I visited during mid flight.
Some flight information while we were over Greenland.
At that time, the cabin crew distributed snacks
Later on I went to the galley to grab a cup of water and I took another package of the biscuits as well.
One hour later the biscuit service, a fruit service has begun
Then I slept for a while and the route map was like this while I woke up.
At that while, I watched the arrival guide for LAX airport.
Prior to landing, a real second meal was served. The options were chicken & pasta again. I have chosen the pasta option. This time it was a vegetable pasta. The box also contained a chocolate mousse.
The food was delicious.
Photos from the route map before landing
While the seatbelt signs had turned on, the crew was serving unconsumed food to passengers. I have taken another mousse from the basket.
The airport from the inflight camera before we landed.
After landing, I had taken a shot of the new TBIT concourse when it was under construction
And we had been pushbacked to gate 101 due the procedure at LAX.
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - LAX
As there were many flights arriving from the Far East and an Air France A380 arriving from Paris, it took a while to clear Customs.
But our luggages were there, waiting at the priority area so after grabbing them I have left the terminal.
Some photos from the old TBIT baggage claim area.
So this report has came to an end, thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.
Beautiful photos and great write up as always ! Thanks for a great read !
Hard to believe the 747-8i has already been in service for 6 years! When I saw 2013 on this report, at first I though...that can't be right, but it is! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the appreciation, hope to see more reports from you as your flight reports are also excellent.
Take care.
Hi KévinDC,
As you mentioned, it is unbelievable that is has been 6 years since the 747-8i's has been in service but most of them are still in new condition so there is no sign from the ancient 747-400's. I would also remind that all the 747-8i orders has been delivered so they are not producing the passenger model anymore.
Thanks for your comment and take care.