Lufthansa First Class Lounge [FCL] restart
Jul 22, 2020, 1:19 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,586
The Rhein? The Tay perhaps. Alas, it's all farmed.
Jul 22, 2020, 1:53 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Oneworld Silver
Posts: 778
I didn’t suggest river fishing and salmon smoking... I said it should be possible to offer the same service as before the pandemic. The point is it’s clearly a cost decision, not a hygiene decision. That’s pretty shabby since they’re not charging less than normal.
Jul 22, 2020, 4:04 pm
#48
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,924
In terms of your quoted message, I don't think the "same" service SHOULD be available now (specifically a full open buffet) (it's "possible" but not advisable) but I agree that the choices, prepared to order or handled by staff, COULD be vastly expanded and closer to what it used to be. However, in fairness, considering the dramatic decrease in demand, I don't think it's unreasonable to have an abbreviated menu. While they are not charging less per ticket, they are not selling as many tickets either, and one should look at the overall cost/revenue model.
Jul 22, 2020, 4:44 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Oneworld Silver
Posts: 778
For the reasons I already stated, I'm afraid I still disagree.
That may well be true. But I don't believe that justifies LH's poor menu here.
In fact, the normal offering in the FCT/FCL consists of waiter service plus a fairly small buffet. It's the waiter service which I believe should be improved.
That's a task for LH. As a fairly frequent flyer on LH, I think it's OK for me to call shoddy service out. This is shoddy service.
That's a task for LH. As a fairly frequent flyer on LH, I think it's OK for me to call shoddy service out. This is shoddy service.
Last edited by FlyerLX; Jul 22, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Jul 23, 2020, 1:26 am
#50
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
The statement from LH in VFT was that they normally have about 200 visitors in the FC facilities per day. Nowadays with the reduced schedule and nearly no F service operating the expected visitors in the FCL will be a tiny fraction of that. If they want to offer the full menu they would need to throw away the uneaten stuff away after each day. Looks like Do&Co made a minimum they can provide (like in WAW) under the current traffic. It is what it is... if they keep the FCLs closed people are upset, if they open it people are upset... 
Jul 23, 2020, 1:50 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Oneworld Silver
Posts: 778
Well let’s hope things will ramp up now, and that the FCL/FCT offering isn’t permanently reduced...
With fewer or no A380, maybe no A340-600 and possibly only 747-800 remaining as first class equipped aircraft, the signs for F on LH aren’t good.
Is it likely- as discussed in different threads- that the new M&M structure will mean more HONs and fewer F pax ? If not, it’s difficult to see how the cost of First Class facilities on the ground, including FCT/FCL, is justified...
With fewer or no A380, maybe no A340-600 and possibly only 747-800 remaining as first class equipped aircraft, the signs for F on LH aren’t good.
Is it likely- as discussed in different threads- that the new M&M structure will mean more HONs and fewer F pax ? If not, it’s difficult to see how the cost of First Class facilities on the ground, including FCT/FCL, is justified...
Jul 23, 2020, 1:54 am
#52
Moderator: SAS
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BLL & CPH & ZRH
Programs: LX, SK EBD (*G)
Posts: 3,153
Well let’s hope things will ramp up now, and that the FCL/FCT offering isn’t permanently reduced...
With fewer or no A380, maybe no A340-600 and possibly only 747-800 remaining as first class equipped aircraft, the signs for F on LH aren’t good.
Is it likely- as discussed in different threads- that the new M&M structure will mean more HONs and fewer F pax ? If not, it’s difficult to see how the cost of First Class facilities on the ground, including FCT/FCL, is justified...
With fewer or no A380, maybe no A340-600 and possibly only 747-800 remaining as first class equipped aircraft, the signs for F on LH aren’t good.
Is it likely- as discussed in different threads- that the new M&M structure will mean more HONs and fewer F pax ? If not, it’s difficult to see how the cost of First Class facilities on the ground, including FCT/FCL, is justified...
FCL and FCT are all set to reopen eventually. But given the cirumcstances nobody really knows when.
Jul 23, 2020, 2:28 am
#53
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Oneworld Silver
Posts: 778
Nevertheless I am interested... Do people think that FCT/FCL will see more HONs and fewer F pax once “new normal” is in place ? Or will there just be fewer lounge users every day?
Jul 23, 2020, 2:31 am
#54
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
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The statement from LH in VFT was that they normally have about 200 visitors in the FC facilities per day. Nowadays with the reduced schedule and nearly no F service operating the expected visitors in the FCL will be a tiny fraction of that. If they want to offer the full menu they would need to throw away the uneaten stuff away after each day. Looks like Do&Co made a minimum they can provide (like in WAW) under the current traffic. It is what it is... if they keep the FCLs closed people are upset, if they open it people are upset...
A decent Chef knows how to make things last & ensure little or no waste, maybe they have Freezers in those state of the art kitchens
Jul 23, 2020, 2:42 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
For us, and LH managers, it is "wait and see" - likely with scenarios for all sorts of outcome.
Jul 23, 2020, 6:25 am
#56
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
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I flew LH F this week because I felt it gave me the most distance to other people on the plane (worked out great) - what "attracted me" to LH was the simple fact that they could get me where I wanted to be with the least number of stops and the least perceived risk of sitting near anyone with Covid.
I
Jul 23, 2020, 7:34 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
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Are you really going to change your travel pattern because of the FCL food? If you are lucky enough to pick carriers yourself and/or are able to fly F - wouldn't you pick your airline based on what your travel need is. I am usually an AA/BA person - and rarely book F - but get upgraded 10-12 times a year (normal year). I sometimes fly LH - also usually J.
I flew LH F this week because I felt it gave me the most distance to other people on the plane (worked out great) - what "attracted me" to LH was the simple fact that they could get me where I wanted to be with the least number of stops and the least perceived risk of sitting near anyone with Covid.
I
I flew LH F this week because I felt it gave me the most distance to other people on the plane (worked out great) - what "attracted me" to LH was the simple fact that they could get me where I wanted to be with the least number of stops and the least perceived risk of sitting near anyone with Covid.
I
Jul 23, 2020, 11:30 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London | Sydney
Programs: LH HON, QF CL, SQ TPPS, AF Plat, VS Gold, VA Plat, EK Gold, HH Diamond, WoH Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,528
I agree with this... and the airport experience is important to me on both ends of the journey. That’s what LH usually nails (and I don’t mean just lounges, it’s limousine service, private security, fast track through immigration etc).. without that, my business will go to best overall
Jul 26, 2020, 1:53 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Up in the air
Programs: LH HON, BA LT Gold, AFKL ULTI, WOH Lifetime Globalist, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 385
The food offering looks fine to me.
It's good progress and I am happy about that.
It's good progress and I am happy about that.
Jul 26, 2020, 1:56 pm
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Usually seat 1A, home:Tallinn
Programs: LH -- HON Circle **, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Diamond, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 470
Looks like it is also important precondition for limousine service, but they "are looking for possibilities to start it earlier".
I was this week 3 times in FCL A -- on Monday, Saturday and Sunday.
During all 3 short (about 1 hour) visits I saw 5-12 pax. Of course not all of them was F / HON but also their guests.
But today even counted 8 flights on monitors.
Did not use, but asked on Satruday -- showers and also both bedrooms are available for use.
People working there was very happy to start work again after 4 months pause. Was nice to meet them again.