Metal chopsticks

Another spicy Korean dish down, a very simple mousse cake finished off proceedings, which I decided to have with a green tea.


Yoghurt mousse cake with fruits


Green tea served traditionally in a bowl rather than a tea cup

Nearing our touchdown into FRA, the FAs started making the final preparations for landing. I changed back into my day clothes as I prepared for my last flight of this little series (as well as mentally preparing myself for my short 75 minute transit at FRA).

OZ have a feature where they offer their F pax, along with a thanks for flying with them, a farewell gift. These gifts have varied from time to time, and in some cases a choice has been offered and in others not. Last I heard of the gifts there were iPhone cases and scented candles being offered. This time it was a CD of classical music, an iPhone case or a duffle bag. I took the most practical option for me, which was the duffle bag. Seeing as only three choices were offered and there were that many of us in the cabin, there would not be much choice after this! So good that the FAs had decided to offer me first picks at the gifts.

The duffle bag proved to be very useful in replacing my shopping bag in its duties of keeping all the trinkets and excess stuff I had collected whilst travelling, though I will warn now: be careful with this bag, since it isn't the most robust or sturdy one around.


The other farewell gifts on offer




The duffle bag by OZ. The main (bigger) bag is folded and contained in the smaller bag. So it's actually two bags in one.

I repacked all my belongings and checked off the transit at FRA in my mind as we started to descend in earnest. Whilst I've really enjoyed my time on board OZ (can't say I didn't enjoy the food!), it was time to move onto my final destination. We touched down in a wet FRA and taxiied to the gate. We had to wait a little while at the gate before disembarkation could commence, because they had to start the unloading of the freight in the rear of the aircraft otherwise something funny would happen to the weight and balance. Once that was taken care of, however, the FAs made sure that the J pax (and all the rest of the plebs) were kept behind whilst we exited first (after all, we are First class...) I thanked the crew for their service and quickly moved into the terminal.

The good thing about transferring within the Star Alliance is that all the flights leave from the same terminal (though changing terminals isn't too bad, either). Meticulously following the signage at FRA is crucial. If a sign says to turn left, as soon as you get under that sign, make that 90 degree due left turn and march on! I found a departure FIDS and it showed my next flight (after checking the multiple scrolling screens) was to depart from the B set of gates. So I followed the signs to B transit, and then there was security.

Uh oh. I have amenity kits, that's many liquids (and not in a LAG bag). And this isn't Asia any more - they can get pretty strict here in FRA. Heck, sometimes I think they set the WTMD setting to 'plastic', which isn't great for getting through quickly.

Take out the essentials - laptop, of course - then remove belt etc. Everything goes through the x-ray, I walk through the WTMD.... and that's it! Wow... that went much better than expected. I quickly pack up my stuff and move along before the security staff get other ideas.

Normally if I still had my Star Alliance Gold status, then I'd be entitled to use either the LH Senator or LH Business lounges, but in my case I was a Star Alliance Silver (useless for lounge access) and only had my J ticket, so the only lounge I could access was the LH Business lounge. Walking through the complex, at least LH made good sense to have signage to their lounges, because it'd be too easy to get lost in FRA trying to find what you're looking for. The Business lounge is located up a set of stairs (or via a lift), but in order to get past the stairs you need to have your BP scanned.


Walk ahead for the LH Business Lounge at FRA area B


Wilkommen!

Once I got into the lounge, I was expecting something pretty small. Instead, the lounge is quite decently sized (well, at least for the present time that I was in the lounge; guess I'm quite naive as to how busy it could really be), and even has shower facilities, along with a decent enough bar and food selection. Unfortunately, my transit time was too short to be able to have a shower now.

The lounge curves around like around the edge of a circle. Full length windows let light stream in, so it doesn't feel like a bunker in the case of some other lounges in the middle of the airport with just four plain walls and, often, pretty tacky or poor lighting.


Inside the FRA B section LH Business Lounge


Back of the lounge where there are desks with power points, phone rooms and through to showers and bathrooms