The definitive LH First experience thread [including how to maximize it]
Jun 20, 2015, 1:11 pm
#316
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?
Jun 20, 2015, 3:47 pm
#317
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Naturally I profiled, and ruled out the HON/SEN's sitting in the 1A & 4A.
May 7, 2016, 4:59 am
#318
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
How strongly should I prioritize the A380?
Hello LH aficionados.
So I will from returning from AMS on LH F. I live in CT so I can fly into NYC or BOS. I've had the privilege of flying LH F once - it was on a 747-400 seat + bed, and I spent many many memorable hours in the FCT and rented a Porsche etc.
Having flown the 747-400, I'm wondering how strongly I should prioritize experiencing LH F on the A380. To do that, I'd need to fly:
LH 1003 depart AMS 8:00 arrive FRA 9:10 and then connect to LH 400 which departs at 11:00. So herein lies the dilemma, the connection time is rather short and my concern is that lounge and/or FCT time would be rushed. But, I've done it before, so maybe it's ok to sacrifice ground time for better air time?
Plenty of options on 747-8s into BOS or NYC with layover times ~4 hrs which seems about right, minus the craft.
#firstworldproblems
So I will from returning from AMS on LH F. I live in CT so I can fly into NYC or BOS. I've had the privilege of flying LH F once - it was on a 747-400 seat + bed, and I spent many many memorable hours in the FCT and rented a Porsche etc.
Having flown the 747-400, I'm wondering how strongly I should prioritize experiencing LH F on the A380. To do that, I'd need to fly:
LH 1003 depart AMS 8:00 arrive FRA 9:10 and then connect to LH 400 which departs at 11:00. So herein lies the dilemma, the connection time is rather short and my concern is that lounge and/or FCT time would be rushed. But, I've done it before, so maybe it's ok to sacrifice ground time for better air time?
Plenty of options on 747-8s into BOS or NYC with layover times ~4 hrs which seems about right, minus the craft.
#firstworldproblems
May 7, 2016, 7:11 am
#319
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
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Location: 150km from MAN
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A true maximizer will take an evening flight from AMS, stay in the city overnight and take a taxi to the FCT in the morning for LH400. 
May 7, 2016, 7:14 am
#320
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
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Alternatively, I could route via MUC, haven't done that in F and people seem to like the ground experience there. Decisions, decisions...
May 7, 2016, 8:00 am
#321
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,922
NewbieRunner is right .
Since you've spent many hours in the FCT before, I'd suggest you go with the shorter stay at FCT and experience the A380. It's the best F product LH has (there are other threads about that). I love Boeing but I am not a fan of having F in the front of the 747 and it's a real shame that that is what they decided to do with the 748. I am sure that this makes more sense for LH so that they can pack the upper with C which is fine. F on the 748 is still great but it's not as good as the A380. Also remember, flying to JFK gives you a bit more flying time than to Boston.
.Since you've spent many hours in the FCT before, I'd suggest you go with the shorter stay at FCT and experience the A380. It's the best F product LH has (there are other threads about that). I love Boeing but I am not a fan of having F in the front of the 747 and it's a real shame that that is what they decided to do with the 748. I am sure that this makes more sense for LH so that they can pack the upper with C which is fine. F on the 748 is still great but it's not as good as the A380. Also remember, flying to JFK gives you a bit more flying time than to Boston.
Last edited by NYC1; May 7, 2016 at 8:02 am Reason: fixing emoji
May 7, 2016, 9:42 am
#322
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
Hello LH aficionados.
So I will from returning from AMS on LH F. I live in CT so I can fly into NYC or BOS. I've had the privilege of flying LH F once - it was on a 747-400 seat + bed, and I spent many many memorable hours in the FCT and rented a Porsche etc.
Having flown the 747-400, I'm wondering how strongly I should prioritize experiencing LH F on the A380. To do that, I'd need to fly:
LH 1003 depart AMS 8:00 arrive FRA 9:10 and then connect to LH 400 which departs at 11:00. So herein lies the dilemma, the connection time is rather short and my concern is that lounge and/or FCT time would be rushed. But, I've done it before, so maybe it's ok to sacrifice ground time for better air time?
Plenty of options on 747-8s into BOS or NYC with layover times ~4 hrs which seems about right, minus the craft.
#firstworldproblems
So I will from returning from AMS on LH F. I live in CT so I can fly into NYC or BOS. I've had the privilege of flying LH F once - it was on a 747-400 seat + bed, and I spent many many memorable hours in the FCT and rented a Porsche etc.
Having flown the 747-400, I'm wondering how strongly I should prioritize experiencing LH F on the A380. To do that, I'd need to fly:
LH 1003 depart AMS 8:00 arrive FRA 9:10 and then connect to LH 400 which departs at 11:00. So herein lies the dilemma, the connection time is rather short and my concern is that lounge and/or FCT time would be rushed. But, I've done it before, so maybe it's ok to sacrifice ground time for better air time?
Plenty of options on 747-8s into BOS or NYC with layover times ~4 hrs which seems about right, minus the craft.
#firstworldproblems
Overall, I think A380 is the nicer product but only by a hairthin margin. The cabin feels more spacious, plus the larger washrooms and is ever-so slightly quieter. Being in the nose of the 747-8 is a special feeling though, especially in 1A. Can't go wrong with either really.
May 7, 2016, 12:30 pm
#323
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,922
I just flew A380 and 747-8 in F back-to-back. I actually picked the 747-8 to EWR over the 380 to JFK even though there was space available on both.
Overall, I think A380 is the nicer product but only by a hairthin margin. The cabin feels more spacious, plus the larger washrooms and is ever-so slightly quieter. Being in the nose of the 747-8 is a special feeling though, especially in 1A. Can't go wrong with either really.
Overall, I think A380 is the nicer product but only by a hairthin margin. The cabin feels more spacious, plus the larger washrooms and is ever-so slightly quieter. Being in the nose of the 747-8 is a special feeling though, especially in 1A. Can't go wrong with either really.
May 7, 2016, 2:26 pm
#324
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
Interesting perspective. It's a big margin for me and I always pick the 380 when I can. The nose of the 747 doesn't do it for me (I also get 1A on the 748 when available) and I feel like it isn't big enough. Then there are the other 380 advantages mentioned above and the other threads.
I too would pick the A380 over the 748i when given the choice and the convenience factor is equal. In my case, the added hassle of switching airports in NYC outweighed the marginally better cabin in the A380.
May 9, 2016, 11:50 am
#326
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
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In order to reach the FCL B, go down the elevator between gates A15 and A17 and walk through the tunnel. Go up the elevator, turn right and go through passport control. With the construction work going on outside the arrival level it might be a little quicker to go to the FCL B than to the FCT. Unless your flight departs from a B gate (very unlikely) you will be driven to your plane.
May 9, 2016, 2:46 pm
#327
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,922
Your flight from AMS is likely to arrive at an A gate. The FCL A is convenient but is on the wrong side of passport control and you will have to walk to your departure gate. In order to reach the FCL B, go down the elevator between gates A15 and A17 and walk through the tunnel. Go up the elevator, turn right and go through passport control. With the construction work going on outside the arrival level it might be a little quicker to go to the FCL B than to the FCT. Unless your flight departs from a B gate (very unlikely) you will be driven to your plane.
In order to reach the FCL B, go down the elevator between gates A15 and A17 and walk through the tunnel. Go up the elevator, turn right and go through passport control. With the construction work going on outside the arrival level it might be a little quicker to go to the FCL B than to the FCT. Unless your flight departs from a B gate (very unlikely) you will be driven to your plane.
May 9, 2016, 3:46 pm
#328
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
Your flight from AMS is likely to arrive at an A gate. The FCL A is convenient but is on the wrong side of passport control and you will have to walk to your departure gate. In order to reach the FCL B, go down the elevator between gates A15 and A17 and walk through the tunnel. Go up the elevator, turn right and go through passport control. With the construction work going on outside the arrival level it might be a little quicker to go to the FCL B than to the FCT. Unless your flight departs from a B gate (very unlikely) you will be driven to your plane.
In order to reach the FCL B, go down the elevator between gates A15 and A17 and walk through the tunnel. Go up the elevator, turn right and go through passport control. With the construction work going on outside the arrival level it might be a little quicker to go to the FCL B than to the FCT. Unless your flight departs from a B gate (very unlikely) you will be driven to your plane.
May 9, 2016, 5:49 pm
#329
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM; Bonvoy Titanium; most other FF programs...
Posts: 654
Interesting perspective. It's a big margin for me and I always pick the 380 when I can. The nose of the 747 doesn't do it for me (I also get 1A on the 748 when available) and I feel like it isn't big enough. Then there are the other 380 advantages mentioned above and the other threads.
I was in 1A on the 747-8i and 2A on the A380.
My only caveat to what's already been said is that the windows on the upper deck on the A380 are much smaller, whereas the windows on the 747-8i were larger and easier to look out of.
Enjoyed the larger bathrooms of the A380!
May 14, 2016, 7:57 am
#330
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
Fellow LH F gurus:
Has anyone noticed that LH has "enhanced" their smoked salmon and Jamon Iberico offerings in the FCT/FCL?
When I was at the FCL B last week, I noticed the smoked salmon was different (it was in smaller slices and drier than the normal Loch Fyne offering), and there was no Jamon Iberico.
They did add a Gravadlax offering recently, but it is no substitute for the two. 
Was that unique to FCL B, or can anyone else confirm that there is also no more Jamon Iberico in the FCT?
Also, can someone tell me if it's common FCL B gets the crappier rides to the plane. I was the only passenger in the FCL going to EWR, and yet they still used the MB van (oh the humanity) over the S-class or Cayenne, which I get most of the time from the FCT. Is it because we who use the FCL are less worthy?
Has anyone noticed that LH has "enhanced" their smoked salmon and Jamon Iberico offerings in the FCT/FCL?
When I was at the FCL B last week, I noticed the smoked salmon was different (it was in smaller slices and drier than the normal Loch Fyne offering), and there was no Jamon Iberico.
They did add a Gravadlax offering recently, but it is no substitute for the two. Was that unique to FCL B, or can anyone else confirm that there is also no more Jamon Iberico in the FCT?
Also, can someone tell me if it's common FCL B gets the crappier rides to the plane. I was the only passenger in the FCL going to EWR, and yet they still used the MB van (oh the humanity) over the S-class or Cayenne, which I get most of the time from the FCT. Is it because we who use the FCL are less worthy?