The definitive LH First experience thread [including how to maximize it]
Jul 16, 2017, 11:50 pm
#452
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
The Porsche deal can be fun, just try to avoid certain times on certain days of the week, when the Autobahn around FRA gets terribly busy.
Jul 17, 2017, 1:34 am
#453
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
I fly in on a Monday at 10AM ish, I figure it will take at least 45 minutes to get in the bar by the time I land - so driving around noon? How bad is that on a Monday?
Jul 19, 2017, 7:24 pm
#454
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
What would the maximizing crowd here do:
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
Jul 20, 2017, 10:38 pm
#455
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
I had the limo transfer service from FCL B recently in a Porsche SUV (woo!!!) But a friend who traveled the next week said he was driven in a Mercedes Mini-van.
We were both on award tickets, but I'm *G. Could this be why he didn't have the Porsche? Or ... do they use both vehicles for the transfer, and you get to ride whichever is next?
Definitely a #firstworldproblem , but just curious.
We were both on award tickets, but I'm *G. Could this be why he didn't have the Porsche? Or ... do they use both vehicles for the transfer, and you get to ride whichever is next?
Definitely a #firstworldproblem , but just curious.
Jul 20, 2017, 10:39 pm
#456
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Much as I like the FC experience, 12hrs is overkill (IMO)
What would the maximizing crowd here do:
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
Jul 20, 2017, 11:13 pm
#457
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
What would the maximizing crowd here do:
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
Jul 21, 2017, 1:51 am
#458
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,641
I had the limo transfer service from FCL B recently in a Porsche SUV (woo!!!) But a friend who traveled the next week said he was driven in a Mercedes Mini-van.
We were both on award tickets, but I'm *G. Could this be why he didn't have the Porsche? Or ... do they use both vehicles for the transfer, and you get to ride whichever is next?
Definitely a #firstworldproblem , but just curious.
We were both on award tickets, but I'm *G. Could this be why he didn't have the Porsche? Or ... do they use both vehicles for the transfer, and you get to ride whichever is next?
Definitely a #firstworldproblem , but just curious.
That said, driving around FRA at 20 km/h in the Porsche is about as exciting as sitting in one in the dealer's showroom...
Jul 21, 2017, 2:22 am
#459
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
They have minivans, Porsches and Mercedes S-class, assigned according to a number of factors but not your *G status. Minivans will be used if there are more than 3 pax, but also for single pax.
That said, driving around FRA at 20 km/h in the Porsche is about as exciting as sitting in one in the dealer's showroom...
That said, driving around FRA at 20 km/h in the Porsche is about as exciting as sitting in one in the dealer's showroom...
If one is honest, the seats and the view are better in the much-dreaded minivans...
Jul 21, 2017, 7:57 am
#460
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
What are these factors?
They have minivans, Porsches and Mercedes S-class, assigned according to a number of factors but not your *G status. Minivans will be used if there are more than 3 pax, but also for single pax.
That said, driving around FRA at 20 km/h in the Porsche is about as exciting as sitting in one in the dealer's showroom...
That said, driving around FRA at 20 km/h in the Porsche is about as exciting as sitting in one in the dealer's showroom...
Jul 21, 2017, 9:02 am
#461
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
What would the maximizing crowd here do:
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
HKG-FRA
(12h layover in FRA)
FRA-ORD on the afternoon flight
(2h layover in ORD to final destination)
or:
HKG-FRA
(5h layover in FRA)
FRA-IAH
(5h layover in IAH to final destination.
Going through IAH gets me the A380 on both segments, and FRA-IAH is longer meaning more time in the air. However, less time in the FCL/FCT, and a longer layover in IAH, as well as longer domestic segment
Going through ORD gets me the 74H on a shorter flight, but more time in the FCL/FCT (more time to sample the food and whiskies), and a less agonizing segment home with a shorter layover in ORD and shorter segment back home.
What would you choose?
1) 12 hours in FRA is a little excessive, but at least it will be in comfort and you have plenty of time to rent the Porsche at your leisure
2) 5 hours in IAH is going to feel like hell. If you are *G you'd likely have access to the UC which will feel like a third world country after the FCT/FCL. If you're not *G I think you're left out in the cold. Either way, all you're going to want is for it to be over so you can take your flight home
3) ORD gets you a shorter time either waiting in the terminal or in a UC, and a shorter final connection. The only concern is whether 2 hours gives you enough time to clear customs/immigration, collect and recheck luggage, take the train over to T1, and then reclear security. Carry on only, GE, and PreCheck will help all of those things, but I don't know if you have them.
Assuming you think 2 hours is enough in ORD, I would definitely go for the ORD option. You'll get your fill of the 380 coming from HKG and you'll get to experience the 748 as well. If you're like me after my last long connect thru FRA, you'll pass out on the second plane anyways (driving a Porshe at 250kph really takes it out of you
)
Jul 21, 2017, 5:44 pm
#462
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
I did HKG-FRA-ORD many times in F. IMHO By the time I get to ORD I always feel I have enough experience of flying LH F class @:-)
Jul 22, 2017, 3:30 am
#463
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
Thanks all! I ended up choosing the ORD option. I've done LH F many times before, but the shorter ORD connection and connecting flight home won out over the slightly longer IAH flight. And with the later flight, I can also have the lunch/dinner menu at the FCT (love the Iberico ham at the buffet and the schnitzel), take a Porsche for a spin and also meet a friend in Frankfurt for lunch.
Jul 27, 2017, 2:04 am
#464
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: OSL
Posts: 275
It is a longer walk in most cases to B (not so if you have to go to Z69...). But you will be driven to the plane in Z, so while there is no maximizing there is a bit of the F glamour in this way.
Even with 80 minutes, it could be like this: T-75 arrive A, walk through tunnel and go through passport control, T-60 get to FCL B, have a light meal and a drink at FCL B, T-20 depart for plane by car.
If you are departing from Z50 for example, then the FCL A would make more sense indeed.
And if you have an apron arrival ask to be driven to B, the driver will know why!
Even with 80 minutes, it could be like this: T-75 arrive A, walk through tunnel and go through passport control, T-60 get to FCL B, have a light meal and a drink at FCL B, T-20 depart for plane by car.
If you are departing from Z50 for example, then the FCL A would make more sense indeed.
And if you have an apron arrival ask to be driven to B, the driver will know why!
2x limo pick-ups
2x rosés
2x rubber ducks
Again, thank you very much for all your help^
Jul 28, 2017, 10:02 am
#465
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Franklin TWP, NJ
Programs: Co-Onepass, Delta-Useless Skymiles
Posts: 651
My flight arrives form EWR to Frankfurt @ 7:30 am and departs 1:30 pm ish continue to Del on A380. What to do for 5.4 hr layover? am I cutting it short for the frankfurt city tour which leaves at 9:30 am for 2 hr tour, will I have enough time to get back an pass through security to see the tour? Or just shower up and pass time in the lounge?