Munich First Class Lounge [MUC FCL]
Jun 29, 2019, 3:13 pm
#886
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA, France
Programs: LH HON*****, AF/KL Gold; HHilton Diamond; Marriott Gold; IHG Platinium; Avis PresClub
Posts: 934
We had our first experience at Munich about a week ago, traveling in LH F (outbound; no F service inbound on short leg).
What IS it with LH and wheelchair assistance? Nothing has yet been as bad as our first experience at FRA a year ago, where about 10 of us were just ... left... without even enough seats... at the VERY far end of some walkway. But I've described that elsewhere.
This time, at least we were let off the plane where there was a "real" airport area (meaning, people, services, SEATING) as soon as one exited the jetway. I can walk that far. But I cannot transit big airports without a wheelchair (or cart). So as I limped along slowly, DH scooted ahead and flagged down a "guy with electric cart". Said Guy insisted there would be a wheelchair waiting. Must have been "lost in translation", as it was obvious we were already off the plane, had waited, and ... no one to help in any way.
We talked him into taking us to FCL, which was okay when he realized that wasn't all that far (we had no idea where it was).
So we were taken there, and presented our passes and info about next flight out, etc.
But we did NOT realize that there was a "nicer" FCL at the satellite, which was where our flight would be departing from, anyway.
So for next time... can one request to be taken to the "other" FCL, especially if that is where the departing flight will be?
As for "help"... what a mess at the main FLC!
It ended up, as we noted the time ticking away for our flight to depart, and quite a few others had been helped with wheelchairs to different flights... and there we were... with 3 (THREE, count 'sm) desk assistants at the entry area, and 3 (THREE, count 'em) "assistants", two for wheelchairs and one with a cart, and ALL 6 (SIX, count 'em!) bickering away about "who" should be helping us to the departing flight at the other terminal...!
This went on and on and on. (The Passport Guy was looking out his little window, with various bemused glances...)
One wheelchair person apparently was "sick", so couldn't take us. (Okay, we get that, and we don't want to be "exposed" to whatever, but WHY was she still there the entire time, arguing amongst the others?)
Finally, "Cart Guy" won, when it was decided that there was no longer enough time for the wheelchair.
And then we took the most amazing maze route...one that ended with all sorts of locked doors, locked elevators and empty corridors (I would NOT have been a happy camper had I been alone!).
By the time we got to our flight, there were just a few stragglers boarding, and as soon as we boarded, the F/J jetway was moved back.
We must have spent 45 minutes with the bickering at the main FCL, while these people spoke a language we could not understand (fair enough, we are in *their* country), but whenever we asked a question, they all jumped to outspeak each other in English...
We have come to LOVE the in-flight LH F experience, truly.
(Okay, CX F was a bit nicer, bigger beds (!), but more isolated for a couple, with the separate pod/suites.)
We didn't have that long of a connection in Munich, but if we ever have one with quite a few hours (as we do in FRA), we'd rather be at the satellite FCL so we can see the airport/planes/etc. Now that we know of that other FLC, can we ask to be helped to get *there*?
But meanwhile, all we hear from LH about the assistance "problems" are variations of "We outsource that help, so it's not our problem...!"
???
Sorry, end mini-rant.
But we really thought we'd miss that last flight, and at the end, before we finally left the FCL, the lounge attendants were also glancing at the time, frequently...
Is there some magic code word we need to use?
Thanks!
GC
What IS it with LH and wheelchair assistance? Nothing has yet been as bad as our first experience at FRA a year ago, where about 10 of us were just ... left... without even enough seats... at the VERY far end of some walkway. But I've described that elsewhere.
This time, at least we were let off the plane where there was a "real" airport area (meaning, people, services, SEATING) as soon as one exited the jetway. I can walk that far. But I cannot transit big airports without a wheelchair (or cart). So as I limped along slowly, DH scooted ahead and flagged down a "guy with electric cart". Said Guy insisted there would be a wheelchair waiting. Must have been "lost in translation", as it was obvious we were already off the plane, had waited, and ... no one to help in any way.
We talked him into taking us to FCL, which was okay when he realized that wasn't all that far (we had no idea where it was).
So we were taken there, and presented our passes and info about next flight out, etc.
But we did NOT realize that there was a "nicer" FCL at the satellite, which was where our flight would be departing from, anyway.
So for next time... can one request to be taken to the "other" FCL, especially if that is where the departing flight will be?
As for "help"... what a mess at the main FLC!
It ended up, as we noted the time ticking away for our flight to depart, and quite a few others had been helped with wheelchairs to different flights... and there we were... with 3 (THREE, count 'sm) desk assistants at the entry area, and 3 (THREE, count 'em) "assistants", two for wheelchairs and one with a cart, and ALL 6 (SIX, count 'em!) bickering away about "who" should be helping us to the departing flight at the other terminal...!
This went on and on and on. (The Passport Guy was looking out his little window, with various bemused glances...)
One wheelchair person apparently was "sick", so couldn't take us. (Okay, we get that, and we don't want to be "exposed" to whatever, but WHY was she still there the entire time, arguing amongst the others?)
Finally, "Cart Guy" won, when it was decided that there was no longer enough time for the wheelchair.
And then we took the most amazing maze route...one that ended with all sorts of locked doors, locked elevators and empty corridors (I would NOT have been a happy camper had I been alone!).
By the time we got to our flight, there were just a few stragglers boarding, and as soon as we boarded, the F/J jetway was moved back.
We must have spent 45 minutes with the bickering at the main FCL, while these people spoke a language we could not understand (fair enough, we are in *their* country), but whenever we asked a question, they all jumped to outspeak each other in English...
We have come to LOVE the in-flight LH F experience, truly.
(Okay, CX F was a bit nicer, bigger beds (!), but more isolated for a couple, with the separate pod/suites.)
We didn't have that long of a connection in Munich, but if we ever have one with quite a few hours (as we do in FRA), we'd rather be at the satellite FCL so we can see the airport/planes/etc. Now that we know of that other FLC, can we ask to be helped to get *there*?
But meanwhile, all we hear from LH about the assistance "problems" are variations of "We outsource that help, so it's not our problem...!"
???
Sorry, end mini-rant.
But we really thought we'd miss that last flight, and at the end, before we finally left the FCL, the lounge attendants were also glancing at the time, frequently...
Is there some magic code word we need to use?
Thanks!
GC
Firstly, why do you believe the 6 guys were talking about the best way to bring you to the aircraft, if you do not understand *their* language, they speak in *their* country.
Secondly *their* language is called GERMAN and *their* country is called GERMANY. It is a minimum of culture and social behaviour to know this and to spell this out. If they where changing into English every now and then in order to keep you at least partially involved in their discussion, this has to be seen as a very positive attitude. In *your* country nobody never tried to talk in another language than *yours*
to my Grandmother, although she didn't understood English.
Thirdly, if you require the mobility assistance, there are special areas, where people with reduced mobility are supposed to wait. The FCL is not part of it. It was not the obligation of the mobility assistance service to escort you to the FCL. Complaining not to be brought to the "nicer" lounge (if it is really the nicer one, is another discussion) is a bit over the top. If the FCL is not good enough for you, you can still ask for the airports VIP service, which come with an additional substantial fee.
Sorry for the "rant" answer, but the world consists of more than the egocentric view of US citizens.
Last edited by athome; Jun 29, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Jul 1, 2019, 7:46 am
#887
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,188
Thank you for the report. I have some comments.
Firstly, why do you believe the 6 guys were talking about the best way to bring you to the aircraft, if you do not understand *their* language, they speak in *their* country.
Secondly *their* language is called GERMAN and *their* country is called GERMANY. It is a minimum of culture and social behaviour to know this and to spell this out. If they where changing into English every now and then in order to keep you at least partially involved in their discussion, this has to be seen as a very positive attitude. In *your* country nobody never tried to talk in another language than *yours*
to my Grandmother, although she didn't understood English.
Thirdly, if you require the mobility assistance, there are special areas, where people with reduced mobility are supposed to wait. The FCL is not part of it. It was not the obligation of the mobility assistance service to escort you to the FCL. Complaining not to be brought to the "nicer" lounge (if it is really the nicer one, is another discussion) is a bit over the top. If the FCL is not good enough for you, you can still ask for the airports VIP service, which come with an additional substantial fee.
Sorry for the "rant" answer, but the world consists of more than the egocentric view of US citizens.
Firstly, why do you believe the 6 guys were talking about the best way to bring you to the aircraft, if you do not understand *their* language, they speak in *their* country.
Secondly *their* language is called GERMAN and *their* country is called GERMANY. It is a minimum of culture and social behaviour to know this and to spell this out. If they where changing into English every now and then in order to keep you at least partially involved in their discussion, this has to be seen as a very positive attitude. In *your* country nobody never tried to talk in another language than *yours*
to my Grandmother, although she didn't understood English.
Thirdly, if you require the mobility assistance, there are special areas, where people with reduced mobility are supposed to wait. The FCL is not part of it. It was not the obligation of the mobility assistance service to escort you to the FCL. Complaining not to be brought to the "nicer" lounge (if it is really the nicer one, is another discussion) is a bit over the top. If the FCL is not good enough for you, you can still ask for the airports VIP service, which come with an additional substantial fee.
Sorry for the "rant" answer, but the world consists of more than the egocentric view of US citizens.
Just arrived at JFK to face the usual circus of 20+ wheelchairs clogging the jetbridge. Although slightly orthogonal to the topic here, this whole mentality makes me sick. If the FCL wasn't good enough, maybe stay home next time and enjoy the wonderful UA club lounges?
Aug 16, 2019, 7:06 am
#889
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,638
Aug 16, 2019, 7:19 am
#890
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
Aug 16, 2019, 12:35 pm
#892
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
Nov 14, 2019, 3:36 pm
#894
Moderator: SAS
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BLL & CPH & ZRH
Programs: LX, SK EBD (*G)
Posts: 3,152
Nov 14, 2019, 3:37 pm
#895
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,731
No, if your plane does not have an apron position, you will have to walk there and take the 90 second train to L. Don’t worry, it’s really easy.
Nov 14, 2019, 8:43 pm
#896
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA GS, AA PLAT, DL PLAT, EK SILVER
Posts: 250
Nov 14, 2019, 11:15 pm
#897
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
Your BOS flight will leave from H or L Non Schengen.
If your TXL fight arrives at K just head to the FCL in the Satellite & do immigration in the Lounge. If you arrive at G , just take the train to the satellite for K gates, again, you can use the FCL immigration & when you depart from the Satellite FCL you leave on the non Schengen level.
No car unless the TXL flight arrives at outside position.
Enjoy the Satellite FCL it’s one of the best lounges in the World.
Nov 14, 2019, 11:53 pm
#898
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,731
Enjoy!
Nov 15, 2019, 6:41 am
#899
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA GS, AA PLAT, DL PLAT, EK SILVER
Posts: 250
Now I'm very excited...I've actually never transited MUC, only FRA (many, many times). Also never done LH F from Germany, so there's that too...Anyone have the current menu for the Satellite FCL?
Nov 15, 2019, 8:58 am
#900
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
The Menu changes frequently & there is always a Chef’s daily special, Enjoy !