Swiss moves from JFK T4 to T1
Mar 27, 2022, 2:00 am
#61
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DUS
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 764
I have to agree that the service for LH/LX at T1 is not comparable to the service LX had in T4. But @LukasNied: you were probably unlucky on that day.
So far I have flown LX First from T1 twice, both on the early flight LX17. The F check-in was open even more than 3 hours before departure, probably because they have an earlier flight to FRA (LH401). The F check-in is very slow, but they escorted me to the ONE VIP service before security and then to the front of the line of security. They let the TSA officer know if you have TSA pre and then you can leave the tablet etc. in your carry-on and have no need the remove the shoes. This is important, as there is no real TSA pre line in T1. I do not understand, why the ONE VIP would close before the last flight of LX, which is at 9 p.m. After security I was accompanied to the F-part of the LH lounge and to my surprise last time there was the lady I knew from the LX-FCL in T4 serving meals. That was a nice surprise and she is happy having got that job finally.
So far I have flown LX First from T1 twice, both on the early flight LX17. The F check-in was open even more than 3 hours before departure, probably because they have an earlier flight to FRA (LH401). The F check-in is very slow, but they escorted me to the ONE VIP service before security and then to the front of the line of security. They let the TSA officer know if you have TSA pre and then you can leave the tablet etc. in your carry-on and have no need the remove the shoes. This is important, as there is no real TSA pre line in T1. I do not understand, why the ONE VIP would close before the last flight of LX, which is at 9 p.m. After security I was accompanied to the F-part of the LH lounge and to my surprise last time there was the lady I knew from the LX-FCL in T4 serving meals. That was a nice surprise and she is happy having got that job finally.
Mar 27, 2022, 7:37 am
#62
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
I agree with shipsmail’s sentiment. I would also add that the last few times that I flew with LX from T4 (this was during the last couple months before the move to T1), the check in was pretty chaotic, took a while (the processing of the covid related forms seemed to be the issue) and LX seemed understaffed. So it’s not just a T1 issue. The inclusion of Star Gold to the F line made things worse and makes no sense.
Mar 29, 2022, 12:26 pm
#63
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,453
This part is consistent with other US airports (LAX and SFO come to mind). It probably has to do with how LH/LX treat SEN/*G above regular C pax for lounge access, but I agree that for check-in it makes more sense to send SEN/*G in Y to the C line rather than have all SEN/*G (in Y and C) entitled to the F line.
Mar 29, 2022, 12:50 pm
#64
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
This part is consistent with other US airports (LAX and SFO come to mind). It probably has to do with how LH/LX treat SEN/*G above regular C pax for lounge access, but I agree that for check-in it makes more sense to send SEN/*G in Y to the C line rather than have all SEN/*G (in Y and C) entitled to the F line.
Mar 29, 2022, 12:56 pm
#65
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Zurich / Europe / New York
Programs: LH, BA, AA
Posts: 1,309
Or would you prefer the following - based on real experience few years ago with AF :
First class counter was occupied, business class counter was empty, so I walked to business class counter and the agent sent me right back to line and said this is only for business class not first class 🤔😵💫 … Forgot which airport but not CDG.
First class counter was occupied, business class counter was empty, so I walked to business class counter and the agent sent me right back to line and said this is only for business class not first class 🤔😵💫 … Forgot which airport but not CDG.
Mar 31, 2022, 10:15 am
#67
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
HI All,
This is a little bit late. Here is my report. I flew from JFK on 16 FEB with LX23 to GVA. Total disappointment with LH handling of the LX First class at the airport. We arrived to the airport around 17.30 for 19.25 departure. Unusually early for First Class, but I wanted to have some time for unexpected issues with COVID-related document check. My wife and I were already pre-OK'ed but kids boarding passes were not.
As you can see in the attached pictures there was NO ONE at the two First class desks for nearly 20 minutes. There was one couple in front of us and later on board , there was another couple. So in total we were three groups of First class passengers. The business class check-in had one agent desk open. So in total there (!!) desks for C &F. It took us nearly half hour in check-in line. After 20 minutes of waiting the lone business class agent came to us on the First class/Sen/Hon waiting line and asked quite pretentiously and loudly if we ALL are flying in Frist. We (the couple in front of us and me) said yes So she took them and then us. It was quite uncomfortable as business class line was so long that it was going out of the zig-zag and everyone was starring at us angrily. By the time of waiting we were done with check-in after 18.00 and the One VIP security area was already closed. So the agent took us through the regular line, even though we had pre-check. She said that we 'all' arrived at the same time and they were not ready for us. That was she literally said that ... and we did not even ask or mentioned anything.
The menu at the lounge was the same, as the picture in the earlier posit. Two notes: the Cesar Salad had actually NO Romain lettuce. The short ribs weren't actually ribs, but some type of steak cut in strips. Nothing exciting and again disappointing. The selection of wine & spirits is OK. It looked, by the display that more, at least spirits, were left form pre-pandemic area. Definitely, the lounge staff was not LX.
The agent offered us escort to the gate. We asked her twice if she is sure she will be able to do it. You probably guessed by now... no one shoed up. We walked to the gate, which was. totally fine!
Bathrooms on Sen floor were quite dirty and smelly.
The flight was delayed by around 40 minutes due to slow loading of luggage. Even the captain came and plainly explained that there was enough ground staff and loading takes longer every day since they moved.
That's my report. A rude awaking. No more flying in LX First style at JFK. I am beyond disappointed and sad.
Lukasz
This is a little bit late. Here is my report. I flew from JFK on 16 FEB with LX23 to GVA. Total disappointment with LH handling of the LX First class at the airport. We arrived to the airport around 17.30 for 19.25 departure. Unusually early for First Class, but I wanted to have some time for unexpected issues with COVID-related document check. My wife and I were already pre-OK'ed but kids boarding passes were not.
As you can see in the attached pictures there was NO ONE at the two First class desks for nearly 20 minutes. There was one couple in front of us and later on board , there was another couple. So in total we were three groups of First class passengers. The business class check-in had one agent desk open. So in total there (!!) desks for C &F. It took us nearly half hour in check-in line. After 20 minutes of waiting the lone business class agent came to us on the First class/Sen/Hon waiting line and asked quite pretentiously and loudly if we ALL are flying in Frist. We (the couple in front of us and me) said yes So she took them and then us. It was quite uncomfortable as business class line was so long that it was going out of the zig-zag and everyone was starring at us angrily. By the time of waiting we were done with check-in after 18.00 and the One VIP security area was already closed. So the agent took us through the regular line, even though we had pre-check. She said that we 'all' arrived at the same time and they were not ready for us. That was she literally said that ... and we did not even ask or mentioned anything.
The menu at the lounge was the same, as the picture in the earlier posit. Two notes: the Cesar Salad had actually NO Romain lettuce. The short ribs weren't actually ribs, but some type of steak cut in strips. Nothing exciting and again disappointing. The selection of wine & spirits is OK. It looked, by the display that more, at least spirits, were left form pre-pandemic area. Definitely, the lounge staff was not LX.
The agent offered us escort to the gate. We asked her twice if she is sure she will be able to do it. You probably guessed by now... no one shoed up. We walked to the gate, which was. totally fine!
Bathrooms on Sen floor were quite dirty and smelly.
The flight was delayed by around 40 minutes due to slow loading of luggage. Even the captain came and plainly explained that there was enough ground staff and loading takes longer every day since they moved.
That's my report. A rude awaking. No more flying in LX First style at JFK. I am beyond disappointed and sad.
Lukasz
Mar 31, 2022, 10:38 am
#68
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
Normally, if you have Precheck and stand in the left line (with others who don’t have it), you’ll be able to keep you shoes on and laptop in bag and go through the old metal detector by showing the TSA agent your boarding pass with Precheck. But it’s not a separate line and it’s often a pretty chaotic experience.
Mar 31, 2022, 11:00 am
#69
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Normally, if you have Precheck and stand in the left line (with others who don’t have it), you’ll be able to keep you shoes on and laptop in bag and go through the old metal detector by showing the TSA agent your boarding pass with Precheck. But it’s not a separate line and it’s often a pretty chaotic experience.
Jun 21, 2022, 3:38 pm
#71
Moderator: SAS
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BLL & CPH & ZRH
Programs: LX, SK EBD (*G)
Posts: 3,152
I finally got the chance to fly out of JFK T1 in LX F.
There is one Check-In desk for First Class, it has roses, which are a nice touch. Somebody will then escort you to security where you get to use the ONE VIP service and they will shuffle you in to the line at the very left. If you have TSA Pre make sure to hold on to your BP as there are some agents that want to double check, which is quite difficult, when the prior agent demands that everything, including the Boarding pass has to go through the X-Ray machine and already waits on the other side. Kudos to the LH Ground agent for dealing with this one really obnoxious TSA Agent. You then get to go to the F lounge floor. The lounge definitely shows its age and gets quite full for the evening departure wave. What I found a nice touch is the agent coming to get you to escort you to the get and the airplane door, which is quite nice.
I do of course still miss the old new LX lounge and its staff..
There is one Check-In desk for First Class, it has roses, which are a nice touch. Somebody will then escort you to security where you get to use the ONE VIP service and they will shuffle you in to the line at the very left. If you have TSA Pre make sure to hold on to your BP as there are some agents that want to double check, which is quite difficult, when the prior agent demands that everything, including the Boarding pass has to go through the X-Ray machine and already waits on the other side. Kudos to the LH Ground agent for dealing with this one really obnoxious TSA Agent. You then get to go to the F lounge floor. The lounge definitely shows its age and gets quite full for the evening departure wave. What I found a nice touch is the agent coming to get you to escort you to the get and the airplane door, which is quite nice.
I do of course still miss the old new LX lounge and its staff..
Jun 21, 2022, 5:22 pm
#72
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
I finally got the chance to fly out of JFK T1 in LX F.
There is one Check-In desk for First Class, it has roses, which are a nice touch. Somebody will then escort you to security where you get to use the ONE VIP service and they will shuffle you in to the line at the very left. If you have TSA Pre make sure to hold on to your BP as there are some agents that want to double check, which is quite difficult, when the prior agent demands that everything, including the Boarding pass has to go through the X-Ray machine and already waits on the other side. Kudos to the LH Ground agent for dealing with this one really obnoxious TSA Agent. You then get to go to the F lounge floor. The lounge definitely shows its age and gets quite full for the evening departure wave. What I found a nice touch is the agent coming to get you to escort you to the get and the airplane door, which is quite nice.
I do of course still miss the old new LX lounge and its staff..
There is one Check-In desk for First Class, it has roses, which are a nice touch. Somebody will then escort you to security where you get to use the ONE VIP service and they will shuffle you in to the line at the very left. If you have TSA Pre make sure to hold on to your BP as there are some agents that want to double check, which is quite difficult, when the prior agent demands that everything, including the Boarding pass has to go through the X-Ray machine and already waits on the other side. Kudos to the LH Ground agent for dealing with this one really obnoxious TSA Agent. You then get to go to the F lounge floor. The lounge definitely shows its age and gets quite full for the evening departure wave. What I found a nice touch is the agent coming to get you to escort you to the get and the airplane door, which is quite nice.
I do of course still miss the old new LX lounge and its staff..
The new lounge and staff at T4 were great. Pretty mind boggling how long they worked on its renovation to then only have it open for a few months…
Jun 21, 2022, 8:32 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
Sounds like a huge waste of $. Clearly they called an audible but I don't really get what for.
Jun 22, 2022, 7:17 pm
#74
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
Sep 24, 2022, 6:47 pm
#75
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
The nice lady who worked in the first class section of the former LX lounge at T4 is now working in the first class section of the LH lounge at T1 so that’s good. The bad is that the food is worse than it used to be and it was mediocre at best previously (not her fault). Really crap stuff.