zcat18
Jan 9, 09, 9:07 pm
I recently had the pleasure of visiting two of Central Europe's great cities--Prague and Budapest--and, in the process, logging several air travel firsts. It was my first time each on LH, Air Dolomiti, and Eurowings (the latter two being just a couple of LH's many affiliated short-haul entities). It was also my first time visiting both of the aforementioned cities, along with my first visits to the MUC and DUS airports.
I didn't really take notes for this, so I don't remember every detail. As a result, this will be a bit broad and will probably lack some of the detail of other trip reports (sorry--can't tell you the exact shade of brown of the chicken terragon in LH coach ;))
1/1/09
Flight: LH 435
Equipment: A330-300
Lv ORD: 20:55 scheduled, 20:45 actual
Arr MUC 12:20 on 1/2/09
Seat: 35K
After a relaxing New Years Day spent watching hockey and anticipating the journey ahead, my girlfriend and I arrived at ORD's Terminal 1 at 6:15 for an 8:55 scheduled departure. Mercifully, LH uses UA gates for its ORD departures, sparing us the O'Hare Terminal 5 experience, which can be unpredictable.
We were traveling light, each with just a small a roll-aboard and a piece of hand luggage, with the hope that we could both avoid checking baggage. UA has a Star Alliance desk set up at the North end of Terminal 1 at ORD, which serves LH and ANA (other *A partners BMI and SAS depart from international Terminal 5). There were only two other parties in line for this flight--a confused-looking elderly gentleman ahead of us, along with one party in the business class line. As there was only one check-in agent, she first took the business class customers, and then helped those of us who would be flying steerage.
When it was our turn to check in, it turned out that my girlfriend's bag was just over the carry-on weight limit, so she went ahead and handed it over to the friendly but extremely professional LH counter agent. She then printed our boarding passes and informed us that there had been a mistake. Instead of sitting in adjacent seats, we were each assigned window seats, one behind the other. I responded that I understood, and that this arrangement would be no problem, but asked--if possible--if she could place us on a waiting list to be seated together. She obliged, printed herself a reminder voucher, handed us our boarding passes, and off we went to the B gates.
Security was a breeze, and after a leisurely snack at one of the terminal's bars and a quick trip to pick up some edibles for the flight, we proceeded to our gate. Not 3 minutes after we arrived, I was summoned over the intercom to the gateside service desk, where the woman from the check-in counter handed me my girlfriend's new seat assignment--right next to me in 35H.
Soon after, C and F were invited to board, after which the cattle call for steerage began.
Our chariot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183544780/
Flight information display at ORD
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183545208/
As soon as we boarded the A330, I noticed that it had already been upgraded to LH's new interior, which meant AVOD with 12 film channels and 24 television programs (I watched the movie Swing Vote to start the flight, while my girlfriend watched a Bollywood film, Singh is King).
A330-300 Seatback AVOD menu display:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183549976/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183550288/
I found the seat pitch to be a bit tight, though in reality, it was probably no tighter than UA, SAS, or Swiss. Perhaps it was the fact that the plastic-backed seats were thin, so less cushioning made them less plush (if coach seats can ever be described as such) as those on other airlines.
Shortly after takeoff, we were informed of an 8-hour, 25-minute flying time and then offered a beverage service and pretzels, along with hot moist towels. I asked for coffee but was told that they did not have any (a second cart with coffee and tea came by soon after), so I settled for a Diet Coke. About 45 minutes after the pre-dinner beverage service, we were served a meal of chicken teriyaki (or something resembling it) with rice, carrots, and cheese, bread, potato salad, and pastry on the side. There was also the choice of a pasta dish, which I declined in favor of the chicken.
As a nice touch (considering that this was, after all, the back of the bus), flight attendants made the rounds with complimentary red and white wine, after which they came through again with cognac. I opted not to drink, but the option was much appreciated.
One note about the new LH tray tables--they are extremely difficult to close, and in fact, several passengers, including myself, needed to enlist the help of the FAs to successfully do so. Instead of the latch swinging down, there is something that resembles a handle in the middle of the table, which must be pushed up to lock it in place. It causes you to have to push hard on the back of the seat in front of you, and in my opinion, is a poor design.
Once dinner trays had been cleared, I attempted to catch a few hours' sleep, but I found it difficult to find a comfortable position on the hard seats. When the sun came up, I took the opportunity to snap some photos:
LH 435 over Scotland
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3182724113/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183560234/
About 2 hours prior to landing in MUC, we were offered a breakfast tray of a roll and fresh fruit. It was simple, but because I was in the mood for fruit (and not particularly hungry otherwise), I found it pleasant. Coffee and tea were then offered before the crew began collecting trash in preparation for an early arrival in cold, overcast Munich.
There was one woman sitting on the aisle seat directly across from my girlfriend who appeared not to speak any language known to the crew and who seemed to be extremely uncomfortable and disoriented. She clearly had extremely limited experience as an airline passenger. When the FAs announced that all carry-on baggage must be stowed for landing, she walked to the lavatory with her roll-aboard, and when she emerged, the bag was nowhere to be found. Several minutes later, the FA noticed that the lavatory was occupied, but we were just a few moments from landing. She knocked on the door, telling the occupant that s/he must be seated. When there was no answer, she pushed on the door, and when it opened, the only occupant was the woman's carry-on! She brought the bag back to the woman and sternly informed her that, "you cannot just leave your luggage in the lavatory!" The woman just shrugged and tried to gesture a response, but the FA had already taken her seat for landing. This whole scene struck me as odd and a bit unfortunate for the woman.
1/2/09
Flight: Air Dolomiti 3272
Equipment Alenia ATR 42
Lv. MUC 15:40
Arr PRG 16:50 scheduled, 16:30 actual
We had a three-hour layover in Munich, so I took the opportunity to do a little bit of spotting in this massive but modern and well-appointed airport.
Air Malta A320 and LH A320 and BAE on the tarmac
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183561562/
Endless hallway at MUC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3182725859
After some R&R in coin-op massage chairs and a sandwich at one of the MUC LH terminal's many snack bars, we ventured through EU passport control to our gate, from which a bus would chauffeur us to our propeller-driven Air Dolomiti Alenia ATR 42 aircraft:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3182726723
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183563558
This aircraft reminded me of the Q400, but it was shorter, and the luggage compartment was forward of the passenger cabin, creating a plane that almost looked like a freight/pax combi. I don't have any pictures of the interior, but the seats were green leather and surprisingly wide, with pitch that felt about the same as that of the A330.
Once airborne and through the overcast layer, the flight attendants sprang into action, offering hot moist towelettes and a beverage service. Then, they placed on each tray table a lovely little snack box with sliced salami, cheese, and crackers.
Air Dolomiti en route to Prague, over Bavaria with Alps in the distance
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183563790/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183564070
Cruising altitude was only about 15,000 feet due to the short duration of the flight, and as soon as we had reached that level, the captain briefed us on our progress and began the descent into snowy Prague.
Stay tuned for Part II: the return journey!
I didn't really take notes for this, so I don't remember every detail. As a result, this will be a bit broad and will probably lack some of the detail of other trip reports (sorry--can't tell you the exact shade of brown of the chicken terragon in LH coach ;))
1/1/09
Flight: LH 435
Equipment: A330-300
Lv ORD: 20:55 scheduled, 20:45 actual
Arr MUC 12:20 on 1/2/09
Seat: 35K
After a relaxing New Years Day spent watching hockey and anticipating the journey ahead, my girlfriend and I arrived at ORD's Terminal 1 at 6:15 for an 8:55 scheduled departure. Mercifully, LH uses UA gates for its ORD departures, sparing us the O'Hare Terminal 5 experience, which can be unpredictable.
We were traveling light, each with just a small a roll-aboard and a piece of hand luggage, with the hope that we could both avoid checking baggage. UA has a Star Alliance desk set up at the North end of Terminal 1 at ORD, which serves LH and ANA (other *A partners BMI and SAS depart from international Terminal 5). There were only two other parties in line for this flight--a confused-looking elderly gentleman ahead of us, along with one party in the business class line. As there was only one check-in agent, she first took the business class customers, and then helped those of us who would be flying steerage.
When it was our turn to check in, it turned out that my girlfriend's bag was just over the carry-on weight limit, so she went ahead and handed it over to the friendly but extremely professional LH counter agent. She then printed our boarding passes and informed us that there had been a mistake. Instead of sitting in adjacent seats, we were each assigned window seats, one behind the other. I responded that I understood, and that this arrangement would be no problem, but asked--if possible--if she could place us on a waiting list to be seated together. She obliged, printed herself a reminder voucher, handed us our boarding passes, and off we went to the B gates.
Security was a breeze, and after a leisurely snack at one of the terminal's bars and a quick trip to pick up some edibles for the flight, we proceeded to our gate. Not 3 minutes after we arrived, I was summoned over the intercom to the gateside service desk, where the woman from the check-in counter handed me my girlfriend's new seat assignment--right next to me in 35H.
Soon after, C and F were invited to board, after which the cattle call for steerage began.
Our chariot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183544780/
Flight information display at ORD
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183545208/
As soon as we boarded the A330, I noticed that it had already been upgraded to LH's new interior, which meant AVOD with 12 film channels and 24 television programs (I watched the movie Swing Vote to start the flight, while my girlfriend watched a Bollywood film, Singh is King).
A330-300 Seatback AVOD menu display:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183549976/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183550288/
I found the seat pitch to be a bit tight, though in reality, it was probably no tighter than UA, SAS, or Swiss. Perhaps it was the fact that the plastic-backed seats were thin, so less cushioning made them less plush (if coach seats can ever be described as such) as those on other airlines.
Shortly after takeoff, we were informed of an 8-hour, 25-minute flying time and then offered a beverage service and pretzels, along with hot moist towels. I asked for coffee but was told that they did not have any (a second cart with coffee and tea came by soon after), so I settled for a Diet Coke. About 45 minutes after the pre-dinner beverage service, we were served a meal of chicken teriyaki (or something resembling it) with rice, carrots, and cheese, bread, potato salad, and pastry on the side. There was also the choice of a pasta dish, which I declined in favor of the chicken.
As a nice touch (considering that this was, after all, the back of the bus), flight attendants made the rounds with complimentary red and white wine, after which they came through again with cognac. I opted not to drink, but the option was much appreciated.
One note about the new LH tray tables--they are extremely difficult to close, and in fact, several passengers, including myself, needed to enlist the help of the FAs to successfully do so. Instead of the latch swinging down, there is something that resembles a handle in the middle of the table, which must be pushed up to lock it in place. It causes you to have to push hard on the back of the seat in front of you, and in my opinion, is a poor design.
Once dinner trays had been cleared, I attempted to catch a few hours' sleep, but I found it difficult to find a comfortable position on the hard seats. When the sun came up, I took the opportunity to snap some photos:
LH 435 over Scotland
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3182724113/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183560234/
About 2 hours prior to landing in MUC, we were offered a breakfast tray of a roll and fresh fruit. It was simple, but because I was in the mood for fruit (and not particularly hungry otherwise), I found it pleasant. Coffee and tea were then offered before the crew began collecting trash in preparation for an early arrival in cold, overcast Munich.
There was one woman sitting on the aisle seat directly across from my girlfriend who appeared not to speak any language known to the crew and who seemed to be extremely uncomfortable and disoriented. She clearly had extremely limited experience as an airline passenger. When the FAs announced that all carry-on baggage must be stowed for landing, she walked to the lavatory with her roll-aboard, and when she emerged, the bag was nowhere to be found. Several minutes later, the FA noticed that the lavatory was occupied, but we were just a few moments from landing. She knocked on the door, telling the occupant that s/he must be seated. When there was no answer, she pushed on the door, and when it opened, the only occupant was the woman's carry-on! She brought the bag back to the woman and sternly informed her that, "you cannot just leave your luggage in the lavatory!" The woman just shrugged and tried to gesture a response, but the FA had already taken her seat for landing. This whole scene struck me as odd and a bit unfortunate for the woman.
1/2/09
Flight: Air Dolomiti 3272
Equipment Alenia ATR 42
Lv. MUC 15:40
Arr PRG 16:50 scheduled, 16:30 actual
We had a three-hour layover in Munich, so I took the opportunity to do a little bit of spotting in this massive but modern and well-appointed airport.
Air Malta A320 and LH A320 and BAE on the tarmac
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183561562/
Endless hallway at MUC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3182725859
After some R&R in coin-op massage chairs and a sandwich at one of the MUC LH terminal's many snack bars, we ventured through EU passport control to our gate, from which a bus would chauffeur us to our propeller-driven Air Dolomiti Alenia ATR 42 aircraft:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3182726723
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183563558
This aircraft reminded me of the Q400, but it was shorter, and the luggage compartment was forward of the passenger cabin, creating a plane that almost looked like a freight/pax combi. I don't have any pictures of the interior, but the seats were green leather and surprisingly wide, with pitch that felt about the same as that of the A330.
Once airborne and through the overcast layer, the flight attendants sprang into action, offering hot moist towelettes and a beverage service. Then, they placed on each tray table a lovely little snack box with sliced salami, cheese, and crackers.
Air Dolomiti en route to Prague, over Bavaria with Alps in the distance
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183563790/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zcat18/3183564070
Cruising altitude was only about 15,000 feet due to the short duration of the flight, and as soon as we had reached that level, the captain briefed us on our progress and began the descent into snowy Prague.
Stay tuned for Part II: the return journey!