LH2321 / SK3655 A320 D-AIZE

The flights were sold by Skiddoo with SK flight numbers but operated by LH. What a complicated world!

At Arlanda LH use the SK lounge so I won’t comment more upon it here. The flight was scheduled 07:50 – 10:00. Boarding was complete at 07:44. The plane had a modern looking interior with very slim seat backs and a magazine pocket high up giving you more knee room (or more seats in the plane). +1 for LH.

There were 3 rows of business class (Euro Business) with a real curtain, unlike SAS Plus. +1 for LH. Newspapers were available upon boarding. Push back at 07:47, take off at 07:58.

A snack was served (unlike SAS teat / coffee . water). That’s another +1 for LH. In this case it as a pain au chocolate loaded with preservatives. The use by date still had another 6 months remaining!

FA English was universally excellent and very proper and accent free. Surprisingly better than SAS.

Smooth landing at 09:53 then bus to G gates. -1 from LH. Arrived at terminal 10:09.

I always find the Senator lounges busy and today was no exception. We went to what looked like the quietest one and it was impossible to get 2 seats together. Food / drink offerings were average until 11am when the lunch options appeared. WiFi worked well. I have to say the Senator lounges are a -1 to LH.

LH1802 / SK3342 MUC – MAD A321 D-AIDF

Seat seats as the A320 with maybe more legroom. There were lots of newspapers in different languages and the extra leg-room seat was great. Exit rows were not available to be booked on-line (unlike SAS).

Flight scheduled for 11:55 – 14:35. Boarding was complete at 11:51, push back 11:53 and take off at 12:05 (but not before a passenger felt the need to stand up during taxi and retrieve something from the overhead locker.

A full hot meal was served. It wasn’t overly big but it was the best tasting free airline economy meal I’ve had in years. 3 rounds of drinks were offered! +2 for LH.

Landed at 14:22 then passengers started a round of applause. Madrid has a long taxi and again a person got out of their seat.

We arrived at gate T22 at 14:34 and the last bag arrived at 14:58 but one of ours failed to arrive. After years of talking about how good luggage handling is great at ARN we found out it didn’t even make the first flight. It was then rerouted ARN-CPH-FRA-MAD and would arrive in about an hour. -1 to SK.

We were advised just to sneak back in through the exit doors. I was surprised at this, but sure enough it was common practice. Even airport staff using their staff swipe card would allow people to tail gate into the arrivals (hence departure) section of the airport. This clearly makes a mockery of all that security when you arrive at the airport all through Europe! Minus about a million to MAD airport.

LH180 MAD-MUC A320 D-AIPE

There was a short queue at security except half-way through scanning a passenger’s bags the X-ray operator got up and walked away searching cupboards at each security point. I thought he was looking for something to help him complete a search (rubber gloves maybe?). But he was just looking for his bottle of water which he drank before walking off to find another operator to continue the scanning. A few bewildered passengers just stood there watching it all. The passenger who’s bags were halfway through the scanner was particular (not) amused.

The VIP lounge was good. It was spacious with plenty to eat and drink. There was a login provided to the airport free WiFi which overcame the 30 minute time limit for the general public. TV dinners were available for reheating in the microwave) operated by staff.

The lounge dragon required to site my Gold Card. This is twice now I’ve been asked for it at contract lounges in Europe (despite the details being shown on the BP). So I now carry it with me. Yet another piece of plastic in my wallet!

Boarding started late at 11:45 and a change of aircraft type saw my extra leg-room seat turn into a normal one, 3 rows from the back and surrounded by babies and toddlers. I can’t take a point off LH for this … can I?

Doors closed 11:57 and take off delayed because one runway was closed. Take off at 12:17. The Captain announced good tailwinds and predicted maybe an on-time arrival.

A delicious hot chick lunch was served, beer sizes were big and a second round of drinks was offered. All excellent compared with SAS.
We landed in light rain at 14:41 and arrived gate G20 at 14:47.

LH2418 MUC-ARN A321 D-AIDC
Boarding commenced at 15:20 from just about the most distant gate from where our incoming flight landed. We made it without a problem, but there was no time for the lounge. Our bags made it too. +1 LH.

Boarding was complete at 15:34, push back 15:36 and take off 15:49.

A very tasty chicken and feta cheese sandwich was provided with drinks.

Good tailwinds and we landed at 17:31. Gate 17:35. Luggage at 17:50 and we caught the shuttle bus to the Birkenstock long-term carpark where we arrived at 18:10.