Who flies in LH F?
Jan 31, 2006, 5:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Boston
Programs: LH SEN, BA Silver, HH Silver
Posts: 291
Who flies in LH F?
In another thread FtlAOI wrote:
I am curious and I was wondering what sort of people typically fly in LH First Class. I used to have the usual preconception: CEOs, movie stars, financial service people charging their clients (investment bankers, consultants, lawyers), etc., but I am not sure this is actually true.
Alas, I have only flown F once, when I upgraded a C ticket FRA-JFK using miles. Looking around the cabin I don't think my expectations were correct. There was mabye one person who matched them: He seemed to be some senior executive at Gruher & Jahn. The rest seemed like a very mixed bunch: An Italian family that was obviously returning to NYC, where he seemed to have a well paid job; A guy studying inventory lists of fashion items; Lots of German men in their forties and fifties travelling alone, but for most of them I don't think they were bankers, consultants or lawyers, more like (midlle-)managers or even engineers.
The usual asortment of consultants, pharma sales people, lawyers, etc. could be found in C.
In the interest of full disclosure: I am in my thirties, have a decently paid job in technology in the US, do not travel for buiness and would not be willing/able to pay for F, but would pay for C (well Z anyway).
[...]the dragon at the front desk of the Lounges was watching me from top to feet with a very strange expression and after inspecting me for a while she was asking me with a smile on her face: "Do you think you fit in the First Class properly?"
Alas, I have only flown F once, when I upgraded a C ticket FRA-JFK using miles. Looking around the cabin I don't think my expectations were correct. There was mabye one person who matched them: He seemed to be some senior executive at Gruher & Jahn. The rest seemed like a very mixed bunch: An Italian family that was obviously returning to NYC, where he seemed to have a well paid job; A guy studying inventory lists of fashion items; Lots of German men in their forties and fifties travelling alone, but for most of them I don't think they were bankers, consultants or lawyers, more like (midlle-)managers or even engineers.
The usual asortment of consultants, pharma sales people, lawyers, etc. could be found in C.
In the interest of full disclosure: I am in my thirties, have a decently paid job in technology in the US, do not travel for buiness and would not be willing/able to pay for F, but would pay for C (well Z anyway).
Jan 31, 2006, 6:07 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MUC/HKT
Programs: UA1K;AAEXP;BAG
Posts: 595
Originally Posted by gunnar
In another thread FtlAOI wrote:
I am curious and I was wondering what sort of people typically fly in LH First Class. I used to have the usual preconception: CEOs, movie stars, financial service people charging their clients (investment bankers, consultants, lawyers), etc., but I am not sure this is actually true.
I am curious and I was wondering what sort of people typically fly in LH First Class. I used to have the usual preconception: CEOs, movie stars, financial service people charging their clients (investment bankers, consultants, lawyers), etc., but I am not sure this is actually true.
Jan 31, 2006, 6:35 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CH / D
Programs: Amex, Avis, BA, BD, CX, FS, Hertz, HH, IC, LH, NH, RC, RCCL, Sixt, SPG, SQ, UA
Posts: 7,050
Yachtsurfer...
The people in F very much depend on the route. The bankers and consultants fly LHR-JFK, one can assume. SFO-FRA, SFO-HKG, many wealthy people from California, e.g. Silicon Valley, or PE or VC firm employees.
Often it is people who upgrade or families on vacation in F using miles mixed with a few managers of not so frugal firms.
The people in F very much depend on the route. The bankers and consultants fly LHR-JFK, one can assume. SFO-FRA, SFO-HKG, many wealthy people from California, e.g. Silicon Valley, or PE or VC firm employees.
Often it is people who upgrade or families on vacation in F using miles mixed with a few managers of not so frugal firms.
Jan 31, 2006, 7:24 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: US
Programs: LH and BA
Posts: 2,324
Originally Posted by flamboyant 1
Yachtsurfer...
The people in F very much depend on the route. The bankers and consultants fly LHR-JFK, one can assume. SFO-FRA, SFO-HKG, many wealthy people from California, e.g. Silicon Valley, or PE or VC firm employees.
Often it is people who upgrade or families on vacation in F using miles mixed with a few managers of not so frugal firms.
The people in F very much depend on the route. The bankers and consultants fly LHR-JFK, one can assume. SFO-FRA, SFO-HKG, many wealthy people from California, e.g. Silicon Valley, or PE or VC firm employees.
Often it is people who upgrade or families on vacation in F using miles mixed with a few managers of not so frugal firms.
Jan 31, 2006, 7:56 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: May 2001
Location: DUS
Posts: 4,004
Hardly anyone travels on company paid F anymore across the pond, it is a little different to/from Asia and some major US gateways like JFK and LAX...
RTW ticket holders become more and more important, so paid F class is more paid A class these days.
And certainly quite some guys who use miles/vouchers to upgrade from C...
RTW ticket holders become more and more important, so paid F class is more paid A class these days.
And certainly quite some guys who use miles/vouchers to upgrade from C...
Jan 31, 2006, 7:57 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wuppertal
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 428
Can only comment on the FRA-BKK and BKK-FRA route which I have flown many times the past years.
Seems to me LH is doing well on that route with F always 100% when I have flown (and pursers have been telling me that F is very well booked on that route).
As to the kind of people I have observed: "business executives" seem to make up the majority of the F class passengers I have encountered. Depending on the time of the year I have also seen families travel on holidays. For example, in Dec. there was a family of 4 who own property in Thailand and were on their way to BKK to spend their Christmas vacation there. I have also seen couples on their way to or from their honeymoon in Asia or Australia. Then there are retired couples who were travelling to or from vacation in Asia or Australia.
All quite normal people really....
I have never seen any "star" (movie, music, sport...) on this routing but perhaps on flights to USA (LAX, JFK) one is more likely to see such people in F class.
Seems to me LH is doing well on that route with F always 100% when I have flown (and pursers have been telling me that F is very well booked on that route).
As to the kind of people I have observed: "business executives" seem to make up the majority of the F class passengers I have encountered. Depending on the time of the year I have also seen families travel on holidays. For example, in Dec. there was a family of 4 who own property in Thailand and were on their way to BKK to spend their Christmas vacation there. I have also seen couples on their way to or from their honeymoon in Asia or Australia. Then there are retired couples who were travelling to or from vacation in Asia or Australia.
All quite normal people really....
I have never seen any "star" (movie, music, sport...) on this routing but perhaps on flights to USA (LAX, JFK) one is more likely to see such people in F class.
Jan 31, 2006, 8:15 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
Let's face it: most F pax are just sales people or engineerss who have a lot of international business and use miles or vouchers for upgrades. Not much glamour there...
When in First I am usually on a RTW trip in A class.
When in First I am usually on a RTW trip in A class.
Jan 31, 2006, 8:21 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: IST - NYC
Posts: 776
Originally Posted by fm747
Can only comment on the FRA-BKK and BKK-FRA route which I have flown many times the past years.
Seems to me LH is doing well on that route with F always 100% when I have flown (and pursers have been telling me that F is very well booked on that route).
As to the kind of people I have observed: "business executives" seem to make up the majority of the F class passengers I have encountered. Depending on the time of the year I have also seen families travel on holidays. For example, in Dec. there was a family of 4 who own property in Thailand and were on their way to BKK to spend their Christmas vacation there. I have also seen couples on their way to or from their honeymoon in Asia or Australia. Then there are retired couples who were travelling to or from vacation in Asia or Australia.
All quite normal people really....
I have never seen any "star" (movie, music, sport...) on this routing but perhaps on flights to USA (LAX, JFK) one is more likely to see such people in F class.
Seems to me LH is doing well on that route with F always 100% when I have flown (and pursers have been telling me that F is very well booked on that route).
As to the kind of people I have observed: "business executives" seem to make up the majority of the F class passengers I have encountered. Depending on the time of the year I have also seen families travel on holidays. For example, in Dec. there was a family of 4 who own property in Thailand and were on their way to BKK to spend their Christmas vacation there. I have also seen couples on their way to or from their honeymoon in Asia or Australia. Then there are retired couples who were travelling to or from vacation in Asia or Australia.
All quite normal people really....
I have never seen any "star" (movie, music, sport...) on this routing but perhaps on flights to USA (LAX, JFK) one is more likely to see such people in F class.
On FRA BKK you also find a lot of employees in F - but only in low season.
In the high season the flight is jam-packed with "A" and "O" tix. That is no surprise at all as BKK is more a place to have fun than doing business. The only "star" I know of that flew on FRA BKK is Whitney Houston who refused to lower the leg rest for landing until the pilot suggested to circle as long around BKK till she puts back her seat in a propper position - even if he runs out of fuel
(a major "mud-wrestling" with the FA's has foregone this statement by the pilot). That event also made me wonder who uses all the private jets if not even such a superstar.
Jan 31, 2006, 9:17 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CH / D
Programs: Amex, Avis, BA, BD, CX, FS, Hertz, HH, IC, LH, NH, RC, RCCL, Sixt, SPG, SQ, UA
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LAX-FRA-LAX LH F: Thomas Gottschalk and Juergen Klinsmann...
Of course Beckenbauer, Mayer-Vorfelder (spelling ?), etc fly F...
BMW executives that are Bereichsleiter (e.g. Mario Theissen) or Vorstandsmitglied travel F on flights longer than 8 hours.
Some individuals pay for it on own dime and enjoy it...as roundtheworld said...but it is time to fly other carriers than LH as well since variety is the spice of life.
Of course Beckenbauer, Mayer-Vorfelder (spelling ?), etc fly F...
BMW executives that are Bereichsleiter (e.g. Mario Theissen) or Vorstandsmitglied travel F on flights longer than 8 hours.
Some individuals pay for it on own dime and enjoy it...as roundtheworld said...but it is time to fly other carriers than LH as well since variety is the spice of life.
Jan 31, 2006, 9:31 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: US
Programs: LH and BA
Posts: 2,324
Originally Posted by flamboyant 1
LAX-FRA-LAX LH F: Thomas Gottschalk and Juergen Klinsmann...
Of course Beckenbauer, Mayer-Vorfelder (spelling ?), etc fly F...
BMW executives that are Bereichsleiter (e.g. Mario Theissen) or Vorstandsmitglied travel F on flights longer than 8 hours.
Some individuals pay for it on own dime and enjoy it...as roundtheworld said...but it is time to fly other carriers than LH as well since variety is the spice of life.
Of course Beckenbauer, Mayer-Vorfelder (spelling ?), etc fly F...
BMW executives that are Bereichsleiter (e.g. Mario Theissen) or Vorstandsmitglied travel F on flights longer than 8 hours.
Some individuals pay for it on own dime and enjoy it...as roundtheworld said...but it is time to fly other carriers than LH as well since variety is the spice of life.
Flamboyant can add.. my experience so far is
LH
CX
SQ
TG (mhh not my thing)
NZ (when they had it)
AA (eeeekssss horrible)
UA (little eeks)
BWIA (a bit scary)
GH (Ghana Airlines)
TC (Air Tanzania both VERY SCARY)
And so far neither SQ nor CX has blown me away (except that Icould request a friend who is pilot to be scheduled on the flight - well he managed to get it organized)
So now BA,LX and maybe if the routing comes up QF
Jan 31, 2006, 10:00 am
#11
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: DUS
Posts: 4,004
Originally Posted by flamboyant 1
LAX-FRA-LAX LH F: Thomas Gottschalk and Juergen Klinsmann...
Some individuals pay for it on own dime and enjoy it...as roundtheworld said...but it is time to fly other carriers than LH as well since variety is the spice of life.
Some individuals pay for it on own dime and enjoy it...as roundtheworld said...but it is time to fly other carriers than LH as well since variety is the spice of life.
He was actually known to be one of the best BA customers...
Jan 31, 2006, 11:02 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 6,984
Certainly, I will not FIT as an LH F customer...
No wonder other business executives nor the HON pax were not nice to me...
But I don't care as long as the crew are treating indifferently.
I know a German executive who worked in Jakarta. For his business trip, he demanded LH F. Yes the company paid for him. But for his personal travel with family, he would buy the cheapest Y. So, my message to all F who doesn't pay from their own money, just be corteous to your fellow F pax. Don't look down on other pax.
No wonder other business executives nor the HON pax were not nice to me...
But I don't care as long as the crew are treating indifferently.I know a German executive who worked in Jakarta. For his business trip, he demanded LH F. Yes the company paid for him. But for his personal travel with family, he would buy the cheapest Y. So, my message to all F who doesn't pay from their own money, just be corteous to your fellow F pax. Don't look down on other pax.
Jan 31, 2006, 11:47 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
Originally Posted by Threy
Since when is Gottschalk a LH customer ?
He was actually known to be one of the best BA customers...
He was actually known to be one of the best BA customers...
Jan 31, 2006, 11:47 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: US
Programs: LH and BA
Posts: 2,324
Originally Posted by CGK
Certainly, I will not FIT as an LH F customer...
No wonder other business executives nor the HON pax were not nice to me... But I don't care as long as the crew are treating indifferently.
I know a German executive who worked in Jakarta. For his business trip, he demanded LH F. Yes the company paid for him. But for his personal travel with family, he would buy the cheapest Y. So, my message to all F who doesn't pay from their own money, just be corteous to your fellow F pax. Don't look down on other pax.
No wonder other business executives nor the HON pax were not nice to me...
But I don't care as long as the crew are treating indifferently.I know a German executive who worked in Jakarta. For his business trip, he demanded LH F. Yes the company paid for him. But for his personal travel with family, he would buy the cheapest Y. So, my message to all F who doesn't pay from their own money, just be corteous to your fellow F pax. Don't look down on other pax.
Jan 31, 2006, 11:49 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
Originally Posted by flamboyant 1
BMW executives that are Bereichsleiter (e.g. Mario Theissen) or Vorstandsmitglied travel F on flights longer than 8 hours.
Bosch makes even their 8 Geschäftsführer fly Business. Those poor guys...
