neilyork
Oct 4, 07, 12:33 pm
Frankfurt to Dubai
Lufthansa First Class
Boeing 747-400
Earlier this year I decided to make a redemption booking, having collected BD Diamond Club (Star Alliance) points for ten years and never used a single one! Looking at the various options, I decided against a BD redemption for two reasons: 1) At the time of looking, they were upgrading their C class seats so in terms of timing, it wasn't a good idea and 2) BD have some excellent seasonal C class fare sales to the US which I'd be happy to pay cash for. So, I decided to have a trip in F and having never been to Dubai, they both converged to produce this itinerary.
The following report relates mostly to the outbound trip (FRA - DXB) with some comments on the return journey (DXB - FRA) - if you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer.
FRA - The First Class Terminal
Having stayed at a hotel in Frankfurt the night before, I arrived at the airport at 1030 in plenty of time to experience the First Class Terminal. The scheduled departure of LH634 was 1300.
I was met at the ground floor of the FCT by one of the lounge representatives and taken to security screening where my passport was taken, in exchange for my boarding card. Security screening is handled well here, a far cry from my usual haunts of Heathrow!
The representative showed me around the lounge given that this was my first visit. I must say I was very impressed! What really struck me was just how quiet and relaxing this place is.
I took my seat and some magazines and was brought a coffee - I opted not to take any alcohol since I didn't want my first ever First Class trip to be a distant blur afterwards!
About 1130 I went into the small restaurant and took a steak meal. It was very good - the steak and I guess most food here isn't cooked fresh so you take it as it comes.
All too soon, it was time to board and the same person who checked me in came to collect me. I was taken to the ground level where I collected my passport and was guided into one of the A-Team like vans. A cautionary tale here is that (as they explained to me), when there are a number of First Class passengers on the same flight, you do not get taken to the plane by Cayenne or S-Class, it is the van. Still, a very nice van it was!
FRA - DXB - The First Class Flight
A quick ride in the elevator and I was boarding the 747-400. A truly amazing aircraft and definitely my own favourite.
Economy and Business Class passengers had already boarded by the time First Class passengers arrived at the aircraft. So, a quick hike to the Upper Deck and I took my seat (82K). This isn't the first time I had been on the UD of the 744 as those of you familiar with UA's fleet will know, some C class seats are located upstairs also.
I was quickly approached and asked what I would like to drink and was brought this with some nuts. The cabin was about half full and the seat next to me was vacant so I placed my headphones there (Bose, although I noticed Sennheisers were LH's own offering). First impressions of the cabin were very positive. It had a real spacious feel to it.
We pushed back on time and were soon airborne looking down over the Frankfurt area on a beautifully clear day. Flight time was estimated at 5h30.
It seemed to take a long time before the seat belt sign was turned off but once this happened, the purser came to introduce herself calling me by name. She was the first of three very pleasant LH flight attendants who would look after me on this flight.
I took the AVOD out of the central console and started looking around the offering. Admittedly, I was impressed by the system, albeit the screen is a bit small compared to F in some other airlines. I liked the touch screen and soon found myself watching 'Mr. Bean's Holiday'.
Throughout the movie I seemed to be inundated with yet more courses of food! It seemed never ending and on todays flight, I chose the lamb as main course. It was ok, but not the best lamb I've ever had. The other courses were also 'ok' but nothing spectacular. I did like the service though, with plenty of choice and proper cutlery! As a finale, I asked for a port and it was the finest I have ever had.
Having finished dinner, I reclined the seat back to finish watching the movie. The seat did feel very comfortable and as you will know, it can lay totally flat although it being a day flight and my first ever First Class experience, I chose not to sleep. I found the seat very comfortable for the entire duration, even in the completely upright position whilst eating and landing.
Shortly before landing, a very brief service of light refreshments was dished up and I was given a pass to use fast track immigration and despite a long walk to the desk, the formalities were completed quickly, as is usual in Dubai.
Overall thoughts
The flight was excellent and I'll struggle to deal with future flights in Economy! The flight attendants were extremely friendly and nothing was too much trouble - the personal touch is very nice and is probably the best thing about this flight. The FCT is simply superb and the best way to start any flight. I loved the way one person looks after you until you board and the restaurant style food service. Access being limited to HON and F passengers, you also get that feeling of it being your own tranquil environment. Very relaxing.
DXB - FRA - Pre-flight
After a very enjoyable five days in Dubai, I arrived back at DXB around 2230 for my 0200 flight (LH631) back to FRA.
Further to my previous flight, I'm afraid to say what a difference! To start with, there is no priority access to check-in (pre-screening is done before being allowed to the check-in desk). So, I had to endure a lot of people who were pushing in, shoving and seemed to be taking their entire life possessions with them. Once at check-in, despite no queue at the Y desk, there was nobody manning the F/C desk which I thought was pretty poor. In fairness though, with no queue, I checked in at the Y desk quickly.
I then proceeded through the immigration departures desk and there was a lane open for F/C passengers of all airlines - I was processed quickly.
Once through into departures, I made my way to the Star Alliance lounge. Again, a big disappointment. The lounge is split into C and F but doesn't cater very well for either. The lounge was pretty much full and again, as an F passenger, I expected to be able to find an oasis of calm, but not tonight. With both the Swiss and Lufty flights waiting to go, I felt squeezed in.
DXB - FRA - The First Class Flight
Boarding was called at about 0115 and I made another long walk to the gate and put onto a bus which took a long time to get to the aircraft where I took my seat (again, 82K). The cabin was probably half full and nobody was in the seat next to me. Push back was on time and the purser introduced herself by name once airborne. Given the late hour, a very brief food service was given but it really was poor - it consisted of small salmon bites followed by a small dessert. It was barely worth setting the table. The cabin lights were then switched off.
I chose to sleep on this flight so reclined the seat flat and asked for a blanket. I must say that the F seat is great and very comfortable for sleeping on. I've never been able to sleep well on flights but I did manage about four hours tonight. The lights were turned on about 90 minutes before landing and pre-ordered breakfast was served - I chose the 'American' option which consisted of fruit, fruit juice and mushroom omelette. It was average.
We landed on time and unlike on the previous flight, we were bussed back to the terminal to join the long queue for immigration, with no priority pass this time! Once clear of customs, I took advantage of the day room at the Kempinski Gravenbruch - unlike some comments about this hotel on TripAdvisor, I thought the room was really nice and got some much desired sleep.
Overall thoughts
The F cabin was obviously the same as with the outbound flight and the Flight Attendants were just as pleasant. The F seat is great for sleeping on. But in other respects there are some improvements needed...
With little attention to detail, I'd suggest that there is actually no difference in ground service between C and F at DXB. Other than the lounge (which wasn't very good), we had no better experience that Y passengers. Also the food on-board wasn't very good. I'd have quite happily taken something more substantial if it had been offered, but it wasn't.
On the flip side though, Frankfurt is obviously a main base for LH and they do excel here because they can. Turning this around, I wonder what Emirates offer their F passengers at Frankfurt returning to Dubai? Maybe they too don't make much of a distinction for their premium passengers when not at their main base.
General thoughts regarding the whole LH First Class experience
Leaving Frankfurt, if LH had offered an on-board suite, they would be amongst the best in the First Class market. Apart from that though, I couldn't fault the service.
It's the journeys back into Germany that lets them down. No manned premium desks, unacceptably low standard of lounge and having to stand on the bus to go to the plane all made me feel like I do when I'm travelling C - but I wasn't - I was in F.
Would I travel in LH F again? Yes, most definitely. Would I pay the full fare? No, certainly not.
Best Regards,
Neilyork
Lufthansa First Class
Boeing 747-400
Earlier this year I decided to make a redemption booking, having collected BD Diamond Club (Star Alliance) points for ten years and never used a single one! Looking at the various options, I decided against a BD redemption for two reasons: 1) At the time of looking, they were upgrading their C class seats so in terms of timing, it wasn't a good idea and 2) BD have some excellent seasonal C class fare sales to the US which I'd be happy to pay cash for. So, I decided to have a trip in F and having never been to Dubai, they both converged to produce this itinerary.
The following report relates mostly to the outbound trip (FRA - DXB) with some comments on the return journey (DXB - FRA) - if you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer.
FRA - The First Class Terminal
Having stayed at a hotel in Frankfurt the night before, I arrived at the airport at 1030 in plenty of time to experience the First Class Terminal. The scheduled departure of LH634 was 1300.
I was met at the ground floor of the FCT by one of the lounge representatives and taken to security screening where my passport was taken, in exchange for my boarding card. Security screening is handled well here, a far cry from my usual haunts of Heathrow!
The representative showed me around the lounge given that this was my first visit. I must say I was very impressed! What really struck me was just how quiet and relaxing this place is.
I took my seat and some magazines and was brought a coffee - I opted not to take any alcohol since I didn't want my first ever First Class trip to be a distant blur afterwards!
About 1130 I went into the small restaurant and took a steak meal. It was very good - the steak and I guess most food here isn't cooked fresh so you take it as it comes.
All too soon, it was time to board and the same person who checked me in came to collect me. I was taken to the ground level where I collected my passport and was guided into one of the A-Team like vans. A cautionary tale here is that (as they explained to me), when there are a number of First Class passengers on the same flight, you do not get taken to the plane by Cayenne or S-Class, it is the van. Still, a very nice van it was!
FRA - DXB - The First Class Flight
A quick ride in the elevator and I was boarding the 747-400. A truly amazing aircraft and definitely my own favourite.
Economy and Business Class passengers had already boarded by the time First Class passengers arrived at the aircraft. So, a quick hike to the Upper Deck and I took my seat (82K). This isn't the first time I had been on the UD of the 744 as those of you familiar with UA's fleet will know, some C class seats are located upstairs also.
I was quickly approached and asked what I would like to drink and was brought this with some nuts. The cabin was about half full and the seat next to me was vacant so I placed my headphones there (Bose, although I noticed Sennheisers were LH's own offering). First impressions of the cabin were very positive. It had a real spacious feel to it.
We pushed back on time and were soon airborne looking down over the Frankfurt area on a beautifully clear day. Flight time was estimated at 5h30.
It seemed to take a long time before the seat belt sign was turned off but once this happened, the purser came to introduce herself calling me by name. She was the first of three very pleasant LH flight attendants who would look after me on this flight.
I took the AVOD out of the central console and started looking around the offering. Admittedly, I was impressed by the system, albeit the screen is a bit small compared to F in some other airlines. I liked the touch screen and soon found myself watching 'Mr. Bean's Holiday'.
Throughout the movie I seemed to be inundated with yet more courses of food! It seemed never ending and on todays flight, I chose the lamb as main course. It was ok, but not the best lamb I've ever had. The other courses were also 'ok' but nothing spectacular. I did like the service though, with plenty of choice and proper cutlery! As a finale, I asked for a port and it was the finest I have ever had.
Having finished dinner, I reclined the seat back to finish watching the movie. The seat did feel very comfortable and as you will know, it can lay totally flat although it being a day flight and my first ever First Class experience, I chose not to sleep. I found the seat very comfortable for the entire duration, even in the completely upright position whilst eating and landing.
Shortly before landing, a very brief service of light refreshments was dished up and I was given a pass to use fast track immigration and despite a long walk to the desk, the formalities were completed quickly, as is usual in Dubai.
Overall thoughts
The flight was excellent and I'll struggle to deal with future flights in Economy! The flight attendants were extremely friendly and nothing was too much trouble - the personal touch is very nice and is probably the best thing about this flight. The FCT is simply superb and the best way to start any flight. I loved the way one person looks after you until you board and the restaurant style food service. Access being limited to HON and F passengers, you also get that feeling of it being your own tranquil environment. Very relaxing.
DXB - FRA - Pre-flight
After a very enjoyable five days in Dubai, I arrived back at DXB around 2230 for my 0200 flight (LH631) back to FRA.
Further to my previous flight, I'm afraid to say what a difference! To start with, there is no priority access to check-in (pre-screening is done before being allowed to the check-in desk). So, I had to endure a lot of people who were pushing in, shoving and seemed to be taking their entire life possessions with them. Once at check-in, despite no queue at the Y desk, there was nobody manning the F/C desk which I thought was pretty poor. In fairness though, with no queue, I checked in at the Y desk quickly.
I then proceeded through the immigration departures desk and there was a lane open for F/C passengers of all airlines - I was processed quickly.
Once through into departures, I made my way to the Star Alliance lounge. Again, a big disappointment. The lounge is split into C and F but doesn't cater very well for either. The lounge was pretty much full and again, as an F passenger, I expected to be able to find an oasis of calm, but not tonight. With both the Swiss and Lufty flights waiting to go, I felt squeezed in.
DXB - FRA - The First Class Flight
Boarding was called at about 0115 and I made another long walk to the gate and put onto a bus which took a long time to get to the aircraft where I took my seat (again, 82K). The cabin was probably half full and nobody was in the seat next to me. Push back was on time and the purser introduced herself by name once airborne. Given the late hour, a very brief food service was given but it really was poor - it consisted of small salmon bites followed by a small dessert. It was barely worth setting the table. The cabin lights were then switched off.
I chose to sleep on this flight so reclined the seat flat and asked for a blanket. I must say that the F seat is great and very comfortable for sleeping on. I've never been able to sleep well on flights but I did manage about four hours tonight. The lights were turned on about 90 minutes before landing and pre-ordered breakfast was served - I chose the 'American' option which consisted of fruit, fruit juice and mushroom omelette. It was average.
We landed on time and unlike on the previous flight, we were bussed back to the terminal to join the long queue for immigration, with no priority pass this time! Once clear of customs, I took advantage of the day room at the Kempinski Gravenbruch - unlike some comments about this hotel on TripAdvisor, I thought the room was really nice and got some much desired sleep.
Overall thoughts
The F cabin was obviously the same as with the outbound flight and the Flight Attendants were just as pleasant. The F seat is great for sleeping on. But in other respects there are some improvements needed...
With little attention to detail, I'd suggest that there is actually no difference in ground service between C and F at DXB. Other than the lounge (which wasn't very good), we had no better experience that Y passengers. Also the food on-board wasn't very good. I'd have quite happily taken something more substantial if it had been offered, but it wasn't.
On the flip side though, Frankfurt is obviously a main base for LH and they do excel here because they can. Turning this around, I wonder what Emirates offer their F passengers at Frankfurt returning to Dubai? Maybe they too don't make much of a distinction for their premium passengers when not at their main base.
General thoughts regarding the whole LH First Class experience
Leaving Frankfurt, if LH had offered an on-board suite, they would be amongst the best in the First Class market. Apart from that though, I couldn't fault the service.
It's the journeys back into Germany that lets them down. No manned premium desks, unacceptably low standard of lounge and having to stand on the bus to go to the plane all made me feel like I do when I'm travelling C - but I wasn't - I was in F.
Would I travel in LH F again? Yes, most definitely. Would I pay the full fare? No, certainly not.
Best Regards,
Neilyork