Hey there everyone...I was one of the lucky few on the flight. :D
Officially seated in Y but I spent a decent amount of time upstairs hanging out with the cool kids, too. She's a beautiful plane and an incredibly smooth ride. I was also quite impressed with the new Y seats, though I certainly wouldn't object to being in C or F instead.
I started writing up my experience on the 747-8i (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewanderingaramean/2012/06/celebrating-the-inaugural-747-8i-in-flight/) (albeit a bit out of order because I figured folks would want to read about the actual flight more than the pre-party) while on board and I'm putting more up as I can. Here's some of the text I have there.
The new seats offer a surprisingly large amount of room at the knees, thanks to the slimline seat design and relocation of the magazine stowage. There is also no metal bar across the rear of the seats at the bottom where it normally would dig into your shins. Oh, and a pillow and blanket at every seat.
The cushioning of the seats was my biggest concern. Turns out that the concern was mostly unfounded. My previous slimline seat experiences were on short-haul aircraft and those are not particularly generous in the padding department. The new Lufthansa 747-8i coach seats were markedly better. They aren’t luxe, by any stretch, but I didn’t find sitting in them for several hours to be particularly uncomfortable at all. Yeah, they are still coach seats, but they really aren’t that bad.
The seat pitch isn’t any greater than the other Lufthansa economy products so I was somewhat concerned about using my laptop (10" netbook) and otherwise take advantage of the space at my seat. With the seats upright I had no troubles at all. I could actually cross my legs and rest my computer on my lap reasonably comfortably.
...
The seats are most definitely a new and different experience and I got to sit and lay down in them.
They are fully flat and 1.97m long when in sleep mode. This is quite a welcome change to the product for most folks. That said, they are also a bit narrower and the pairs of seats (2-2-2 on the main level and 2-2 upstairs) point in towards each other. This means the foot well space is shared by the passengers. It also means that the seats feel a bit narrower throughout. One friend I was chatting with about the seats noted that the narrower layout was a negative for him and that he preferred the older version. I can see where he’s coming from but I like the new one much better, at least so far.
The seats are well-padded and the controls to manage the positioning are intuitive. The seats are quite comfortable throughout the range of the recline.
I'll post more as I get it written up and uploaded and will share here as well. Feel free to ask questions. I explored everything except F so I hopefully can answer.
NewbieRunner
Jun 1, 12, 2:16 pm
Thanks for the report and all the photos! Good to hear you experienced both Y and C. ^
langleyoaker
Jun 1, 12, 2:46 pm
I was lucky enough to witness the flight landing on runway 19C at IAD. I was standing on taxiway Y3.
lsroberts2
Jun 1, 12, 3:18 pm
Which business class area is better? main level or upper deck?
flaii
Jun 1, 12, 4:47 pm
Nice, thanks for posting! I like your pictures of the economy class food :)
entrada
Jun 1, 12, 10:39 pm
When will the service between FRA and LAX begin?
chornedsnorkack
Jun 2, 12, 12:59 am
Officially seated in Y but I spent a decent amount of time upstairs hanging out with the cool kids, too.
Do you mean flight crew or upper deck C passengers?
The seats are most definitely a new and different experience and I got to sit and lay down in them.
They are fully flat and 1.97m long when in sleep mode. This is quite a welcome change to the product for most folks. That said, they are also a bit narrower and the pairs of seats (2-2-2 on the main level and 2-2 upstairs) point in towards each other. This means the foot well space is shared by the passengers. It also means that the seats feel a bit narrower throughout. One friend I was chatting with about the seats noted that the narrower layout was a negative for him and that he preferred the older version. I can see where he’s coming from but I like the new one much better, at least so far.
Narrower compared to what?
Older 2-2-2 business seats on Airbii?
Older 2-3-2 business seats on B747-400?
Also, "fully flat"? How convenient is climbing over your neighbour´s feet to reach aisle? Like in upper deck (low ceiling and overhead bins underneath)?
more4less
Jun 2, 12, 1:17 am
Thanks for the trip report sbm12!
ngfan
Jun 2, 12, 4:25 am
Thanks for the great report, sbm12 ^
According to this inaugural flight report by SPIEGEL ONLINE Mr. Franz acknowledged already that the foot space of the new C seats in V-config is too cramped and that they plan to put the H-config into future 748's (but not as early as on the 6th aircraft), in German only:
They already agree the new C is crap? One day after launch? Wow, the PR machine is working well. I suggest better synergies are put in place.
CalFlyer
Jun 2, 12, 4:50 am
Thanks for the great report, sbm12 ^
According to this inaugural flight report by SPIEGEL ONLINE Mr. Franz acknowledged already that the foot space of the new C seats in V-config is too cramped and that they plan to put the H-config into future 748's (but not as early as on the 6th aircraft), in German only:
The seats are not angled towards each other. The seats are parallel and angled towards the windows.
You can see a picture here on page 7 (left picture): http://presse.lufthansa.com/fileadmin/downloads/de/newslink/newslink-56/lh-newslink-56-Maerz-2012.pdf
CalFlyer
Jun 2, 12, 7:30 am
The seats are not angled towards each other. The seats are parallel and angled towards the windows.
You can see a picture here on page 7 (left picture): http://presse.lufthansa.com/fileadmin/downloads/de/newslink/newslink-56/lh-newslink-56-Maerz-2012.pdf
Great, thank you.
Why on earth did LH not install H-layouts in ALL PLANES??? The feedback on the V-seats from the test in 2010 was a disaster (mine as well). They should have swallowed their pride and avoid the stupid V-mistake.
br0snic
Jun 2, 12, 7:43 am
Well first of all there's gonna be more feedback. They already surveyed everyone in First and Business class on the seat. I'm sure they are doing the same on the A333 with the H config and figure it out. (well in an ideal world they would do...)
I didn't mind the V config too much. I did not have any issues playing footsie with my neighbor and climbing over him wasn't that difficult either. It does get pretty narrow towards the feet and the footrest (especially for the window seat pairs) can get tight.
To Dr. Franz comments... I can just add that I overheard him (he was standing in the aisle next to me talking to a "guest of honor") saying that this is the "best business class product out there". And he was raving on and on about it, that no competitor is even close to the seat and service.... (don't shoot the messenger, just relaying what he said)
Matze20111984
Jun 2, 12, 8:12 am
Great, thank you.
Why on earth did LH not install H-layouts in ALL PLANES??? The feedback on the V-seats from the test in 2010 was a disaster (mine as well). They should have swallowed their pride and avoid the stupid V-mistake.
Good question :) I think the V-configuration on the center-rows looks great because it is much wider than the window-rows. May be they just wanted to test it in the "real world" :) Right now they have the H-configuration with their new A333 and the V-configuration on the B747-8I. So let them fly a couple of weeks and evaluate with more feedback.
Wombelero
Jun 2, 12, 8:48 am
To Dr. Franz comments... I can just add that I overheard him (he was standing in the aisle next to me talking to a "guest of honor") saying that this is the "best business class product out there". And he was raving on and on about it, that no competitor is even close to the seat and service.... (don't shoot the messenger, just relaying what he said)
He probably was talking about the whole business product, which is not only the seat. There might be better seats around (no doubt), but the complete package as C pax from LH is, frankly speaking, not too bad. This includes food, IFE, lounges etc. And what else should a CEO say about "his" new product?!?
Just my 0.02$
W
NewbieRunner
Jun 2, 12, 9:09 am
Good question :) I think the V-configuration on the center-rows looks great because it is much wider than the window-rows. May be they just wanted to test it in the "real world" :) Right now they have the H-configuration with their new A333 and the V-configuration on the B747-8I. So let them fly a couple of weeks and evaluate with more feedback.
In theory they can squeeze more rows with the V-configuration than the H-configuration. The new A333 with the H-configuration window pairs has the same number of rows in C as the old configuration. However, this was achieved by changing the layout of galley, lavatory and wardrobe and by removing one lavatory to increase space. If they change the window pairs on the 747-8i to the H-configuration while retaining the V-configuration in the centre, how may seats will they lose?
It would be a brave decision but I can't imagine they are actually going to change the layout on the 747-8i so soon after the inauguration.
Matze20111984
Jun 2, 12, 9:18 am
In theory they can squeeze more rows with the V-configuration than the H-configuration. The new A333 with the H-configuration window pairs has the same number of rows in C as the old configuration. However, this was achieved by changing the layout of galley, lavatory and wardrobe and by removing one lavatory to increase space. If they change the window pairs on the 747-8i to the H-configuration while retaining the V-configuration in the centre, how may seats will they lose?
It would be a brave decision but I can't imagine they are actually going to change the layout on the 747-8i so soon after the inauguration.
I think the decision is already made, they will change into H-configuration.
Die Fensterplätze im Oberdeck der neuen 747-8 gehören mit ihren breiten Staukästen daneben zu den beliebtesten Orten an Bord - obwohl auch hier der Fußbereich zu eng ausgefallen ist. "Wir werden das ändern", kündigt Lufthansa-Chef Franz an, künftig sollen die meisten neuen Business Class-Sitze in H-Form nebeneinander anstatt in V-Form zueinander installiert werden.
http://www.spiegel.de/reise/aktuell/boeing-747-8-auf-premierenflug-lufthansa-hebt-mit-neuem-jumbo-jet-ab-a-836417.html
sbm12
Jun 2, 12, 9:28 am
Which business class area is better? main level or upper deck?I think the middle pair downstairs is better. If you want a window, I'd go upstairs.
Do you mean flight crew or upper deck C passengers?Upper deck C passengers, though I did hang out with the cabin crew up there a bit, too.
Narrower compared to what?
Older 2-2-2 business seats on Airbii?
Older 2-3-2 business seats on B747-400?
The 744 seats are the ones I've experienced most recently and I seem to think that they are narrower than the 340s though I'm not sure about that.
Also, "fully flat"? How convenient is climbing over your neighbour´s feet to reach aisle? Like in upper deck (low ceiling and overhead bins underneath)?
They narrow the "bed" a bit towards the footwell which makes it easier to climb out (not as large a stride) but you still have to do it. I didn't see any issues with the overheads upstairs being a problem with that.
I was quite impressed with the overhead bins upstairs. They can hold a standard 22" bag sideways (not wheels-in) and a decent sized backpack as well in each bin.
Also, I've posted some shots from the pre-flight bits now: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewanderingaramean/2012/06/celebrating-the-inaugural-747-8i-pre-flight/.
It would be interesting to see if anybody other than the reporter from Spiegel Online picked up the story about changing the V-configuration to H.
NewbieRunner
Jun 2, 12, 9:39 am
Also, I've posted some shots from the pre-flight bits now: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewanderingaramean/2012/06/celebrating-the-inaugural-747-8i-pre-flight/.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewanderingaramean/files/2012/06/IMG-20120601-00722_thumb.jpg
So that must be the plague (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18681385-post157.html). ;)
sbm12
Jun 2, 12, 9:43 am
Yeah...they were both actually booked into biz for the flight. I'm only a little jealous. That said, I did spend much of the flight hanging out with them and talking and such.
NewbieRunner
Jun 2, 12, 12:33 pm
Links to Youtube videos taken before takeoff and during the flight.
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/218275/
NewbieRunner
Jun 2, 12, 1:50 pm
In theory they can squeeze more rows with the V-configuration than the H-configuration. The new A333 with the H-configuration window pairs has the same number of rows in C as the old configuration. However, this was achieved by changing the layout of galley, lavatory and wardrobe and by removing one lavatory to increase space. If they change the window pairs on the 747-8i to the H-configuration while retaining the V-configuration in the centre, how may seats will they lose?
OK, some correction. As the window pairs of seats on the A333 are arranged parallel and angled towards the windows, i.e. \\ /\ // (HVH) they don't need to reduce the number of rows as long as they are keeping the middle pairs unchanged.
sbm12
Jun 2, 12, 3:19 pm
If anyone wants to see the new pre-flight safety video I've uploaded it in both English (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJYWOFHo18g) and German (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4KzFByh4l8). They show the German first and then cut straight into the English but I split it into two videos. Nothing particularly special, but it is new and different.
Hey there everyone...I was one of the lucky few on the flight. :D
Officially seated in Y but I spent a decent amount of time upstairs hanging out with the cool kids, too.
wow!
Congratulations!!!
You have it all out already while I am just resurfacing from the trip! I was on the inaugural and also on the return flight... (aka Madame Concorde) for me it was a turnaround inaugural if you will... but you did not miss much by not being on the return fight... it was more like normal and nothing to write about as most passengers -- other than a few of us turnaround'ers -- were just travellers/holiday makers wanting to get from point A to point B cheapest they could find - families and all.
:p
Officially seated in Y but I spent a decent amount of time upstairs hanging out with the cool kids, too.
Same same!!!
:D
I enjoyed meeting you, you are a legend indeed!
Will do a trip report... I have all the Anetters waiting... and will repost here too!
There was some disappointment... LH is "undemocratic" they could have had the speeches and flight opening ceremony for everybody on the flight rather than having them for a chosen few upstairs in the Business lounge.
The same with the beautiful gigantic inaugural cake, that only went to the First and Business passengers. Those sitting in whY class did not even see it.
I was on all noticeable true inaugurals, Air France Concorde in 1976 the top best of all, Singapore Airlines with the very first revolutionary Airbus A380 commercial flight, and the ANA 787 Dreamliner inaugural - that is also truly a revolutionary aircraft so I was able to tell the difference.
The 747-8i is only an impoved 747-400 albeit with some technical/fuel consumption improvements and lighter weight.
The inaugural gifts for the passengers sitting in whY class were cheap and so little too. Not even a souvenir inaugural lanyard, no flight cerfificates or scale models. Shocking!
:eek:
NewbieRunner
Jun 3, 12, 5:28 am
There was some disappointment... LH is "undemocratic" they could have had the speeches and flight opening ceremony for everybody on the flight rather than having them for a chosen few upstairs in the Business lounge.
From the pictures of the pre-flight event I've seen I don't think you've missed much. It certainly was nothing like the pre-flight reception and buffet (http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=26284978@N02&q=Pre-flight%20%20LX196%20ZRH-PEK%20inaugural%20flight) LX laid on for all passengers flying on the inaugural flight to PEK earlier this year. :)
CDG1
Jun 3, 12, 6:13 am
From the pictures of the pre-flight event I've seen I don't think you've missed much. It certainly was nothing like the pre-flight reception and buffet (http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=26284978@N02&q=Pre-flight%20%20LX196%20ZRH-PEK%20inaugural%20flight) LX laid on for all passengers flying on the inaugural flight to PEK earlier this year. :)
Hello NewibieRunner,
I was upstairs for the pre-flight event but I just want to say it was nothing to write about and un-democratic.
The 747-8i is a people's aircraft. The the pre-flight reception is for all - this is not a Falcon 7X launch for a private company - rather than for a chosen few.
When I think of what Frankfurt Airport (FRAport) had organized at the gate at FRA with the first inaugural 787 Dreamliner flight with ANA... That monster gate party at gate B42 that day with amazing food and gifts for all 787 inaugural participants.
Little ANA (compared to Big Lufthansa) gave us a nice bag filled with some really nice quality keepsakes and flight memorabilia after the red-ribbon cutting ceremony at the boarding gate at Haneda when we boarded the flight. The stewardesses on board made us personalized little drawings with little airplane stickers and cute texts and spoiled us during the flight!
I don't mean that they had to be as generous as Singapore Airlines when they launched the A380 Singapore-Sydney-Singapore and Singapore to London Heathrow (that was truly Aviation History) with their incredible generosity toward all passengers on their launch flights... never to be forgotten.
LH did not even have inaugural flight certificates for the passengers on their 747-8i LH416 inaugural flight. :td:
Yet Lufthansa could have left us aviation enthusiasts with a better impression/impact especially that they are not a poor airline.
:confused:
sbm12
Jun 3, 12, 6:26 am
Agreed that there was nothing "special" for the Y folks, though the cake did eventually make it back there. That said, the vast majority of the Y passengers were on the flight because it was the 9:50am FRA-IAD, not because it was the inaugural 747-8i. I can sortof understand the rationale there, though I still was a bit surprised.
Great meeting you, too CDG1.
CDG1
Jun 3, 12, 6:41 am
Agreed that there was nothing "special" for the Y folks, though the cake did eventually make it back there. That said, the vast majority of the Y passengers were on the flight because it was the 9:50am FRA-IAD, not because it was the inaugural 747-8i. I can sortof understand the rationale there, though I still was a bit surprised.
Great meeting you, too CDG1.
Nice meeting you too Mr. Legend!
:)
I noticed the whY cabin passengers lack of interest for the new airplane. A great most of them even left their inaugural booklets and some even their little gift boxes with the fridge magnets :td: inside the seat pockets. They did not care taking them home with them.
It was even more so on the return LH flight 419 from IAD to FRA. More like people wanting to get from point A to point B the cheapest possible -- no matter what plane or airline -- I got to pick up a few more items that were left in the seat pockets before leaving the aircraft at FRA airport.
:eek:
NewbieRunner
Jun 3, 12, 2:52 pm
The 747-8i is a people's aircraft.
No, according to Lufthansa the A380 is the people's plane and the 747-8i will fly on more premium routes because it has a higher percentage of premium seats compared to the A380. ;)
When I think of what Frankfurt Airport (FRAport) had organized at the gate at FRA with the first inaugural 787 Dreamliner flight with ANA... That monster gate party at gate B42 that day with amazing food and gifts for all 787 inaugural participants.
I don't think FRAport organised the party or at least they didn't pay for it. ANA must have paid for the event in FRA.
Little ANA (compared to Big Lufthansa) gave us a nice bag filled with some really nice quality keepsakes and flight memorabilia after the red-ribbon cutting ceremony at the boarding gate at Haneda when we boarded the flight.
ANA is still No.2 airline in Japan despite operating more aircraft than JAL since its international network is not as extensive. I've seen a video of passengers in some US airports being asked if they knew which country's airline ANA was and most of them didn't know. ANA management was shocked by this and decided to promote ANA more internationally. I can understand why they wanted to publicise as much as possible that they were the first airline to fly the 787 and that FRA was its first longhaul destination.
The stewardesses on board made us personalized little drawings with little airplane stickers and cute texts and spoiled us during the flight!
I don't mind a card signed by the captain or my name on a menu card (neither of which I have received so far) but cute handwritten cards aren't my taste I'm afraid and I can't imagine LH FAs making them for passengers. :o