Originally Posted by
Task Force DL
Hey Folks,
You all know that I am a long term DL flyer. But in the last 30 days, I have flown a lot of DL J, a lot of KE J/F and a bunch of LH and TG F. I chose today to compare LH F (AWESOME) to DL J (ALSO AWESOME).
Since I moved my main base from JFK to FRA/ZRH a couple yeas ago, I have also seen both products up close quite a bit. I mostly agree, but with a few exceptions:
Originally Posted by
Task Force DL
Seat - The LH 747-400 has a seat PLUS a lay flat bed but I must say that neither is optimal *AND* the cabin is way too hot (every time). My wife and I were the only passengers in F so we had the entire deck of a 747 to ourselves - Even still, The lie-flat DL seat was better in almost every position - We actually slept. Bravo DL!
I am going to disagree here and call the LH 744 fixed bed the best sleep in the sky (clearly just IMHO, and yes, I must admit what constitutes a comfortable bed is
highly subjective). The mattress is wonderful, and on day flights, it is great to be able to switch seamlessly from lying (for naps) to sitting (for reading, eating, or doing busy work). The bed also makes a very convenient and large flat, non-slip surface to put stuff while one is sitting in the seat. I am going to miss this configuration when it leaves the fleet next year...
Service - LH is very accommodating but the FAs tend to disappear for hours on end (even on a 12 hour flight). On DL, they are always available, coming through the aisle refilling water, etc. Bravo DL!
It took me a while to learn this, but if you need something, use the attendant call button. In LH F it works
very well. IME, in DL J the call button can be largely decorative, and when it works, the disruption is not always appreciated by the FA. LH J is in terms of response to individual needs, IME, similar to DL J.
Food - LH F food was top notch - Really a step above DL - Not as good as EK, but close. The caviar service was particularly good. LH J food (which I had last week) is a step below Delta. Way below actually. So, given the F-J price difference, I actually give DL the win on this one.
Drink - DL wins on liquor but loses badly on wine. The LH liquor on board was pretty lame. DL still has Woodford and some decent Cognac. LH had some great Bordeaux and Italian wines of 04-08 vintage, not the Costco crap that DL serves.
Bottom line - I know that comparing a $20k/ticket offering with a $8k/ticket offering is unfair, but DL is in the running. If they upgraded their lounge offerings a bit more, married up with Lamborghini for layovers (just kidding), and went for >$20/bottle wines, they would actually be in the running for some F class business.
TFD
General agree, but I find on-board food on any carrier is tough to differentiate.
Originally Posted by
scibuff
Well, you're comparing years old LH F cabin with the newest and best DL J. If you traveled in the new LH F this entire comparison idea would seem very silly indeed.
The F cabin in the LH744s with fixed bed described has been around several years but is not so old.
I would rather compare the latest LH J product with the latest DL J product. Both are quite nice, though a different in service style. On the routes I fly where LH competes directly (FRA/JFK, FRA/DTW), I find DL is, on average, less expensive with a similar on-board quality.
With respect to ground/lounge service for normal mortal business and/or elite customers, LH is a quantum step ahead of DL.
During IRROPS, I give the edge to DL, though my status on DL may affect that treatment somewhat. I have observed in the past couple of years a marked improvement in my handling during IRRPOS on DL, and it is greatly appreciated.