oneworld82

Very interesting indeed. Considering that LH uses the new FC on their 744 to DXB, it's a mystery... on that I won't mind not solving though, as it gives me a better chance to find a seat on my way there! DFW-FRA is usually ok as it uses an old 333. So far I see F8 A8 on DFW-FRA and F7 A0 on FRA-DXB... Hopefully that doesn't change!!

chinatraderjmr

I took the DXB-FRA flight 3 and 5 weeks ago, both had new F. On my flight in May there were 3 of us in F and my flight in june, there were only 2....have not flown LH from DXB -- FRA/MUC yet this summer (But the LX flight I took in May had only 3 of us in F as opposed to the EK flight I took back to MUC in June - all 12 F suites on the 380 were full (But how many paid for it is the question, EK is getting as ridiculous as UA with upgrading everyone and their mother. They are all OP Ups but still AFAIC making paying for F a slap in the face....

NA-Flyer

Not just in the UAE but also in KSA, Kuwait and Qatar: Locals avoid flying GCC carriers, including EY+EK+QR, like a plague

oneworld82

OP Ups are better than Non-Revs, at least. I have a friend working corporate at EY... apparently non-revs are banned from First class. US carriers please take note!

chinatraderjmr

My GF is a FA with EK and the only time she has ever sat in an F seat on EK is when I am paying for it. As a Non rev she is given 2 positive space J passes a year back to Germany (all FA's are expats so they all get 2 positive space J back to their home country to use during their 30 day paid leave.

Many foreign FA's are paid much much higher wages then their American counterparts so as my GF says, she would rather sit in Y and take the cash. Since American FA' are paid so little, they consider the F benefit part of their salary package. I can understand that. I know some FA's with Etihad and Qatar and they are not treated nearly as well as EK FA's. The corporate culture at EK is since unions are banned in the UAE, and they want to attract people (especially pilots) from Europe and the US/Canada who are used to Unions running the show. The only ay EK can attract such talent is by paying well and providing very good living / working conditions (but they cant fly F) I have not met a pilot or FA that cares about F in Dubai as long as the alternative is cash in their pocket. My GF has made more in per diem money (paid in non taxed cash daily while on a trip) then many FA's in the States make in salary. It is kind of pathetic

**I do have a friend thats a senior VP and he, of course can fly positive space F to his hearts content but I know other middle, senior managers and even they dont fly F. If your not a senior VP, its J or Y.

hamburglar

I'm modifying an award reservation on hold and want to change a Lufthansa flight to an earlier time. I see an award flight available online with saver seats, but the phone agent cannot hold the seats. I also can't change my reservation online (phone only). Last time I called, the agent had 5 people try to grab the seat, but it wasn't possible. Anyone here run into the same problem or have any solutions? Thanks!

Artemk

I guess this is what they call 'phantom availabitilty'

There are some reports of it here. Check last few pages.

Blootch

I scored two F seats on LH 423 this past Tuesday BOS-FRA. Must have tried 5 times to book on other flights from different cities but experienced a lot of phantom availability

Flyer303

I have been trying to change a business class tickets to first for DEN-FRA on the 7th. UAL web site has been showing availably for days, as well as EF web site. On one occasion the UAL web site reported an error(again), then canceled my original ticket and wait listed me. Lucky I was able to get our reservation reinstated. I have called Premier desk numerous time but they cant seem to find availability. Any ideas? I am trying to surprise my wife for our silver anniversary.

Europeanexplorer

UA.com and EF are pretty bad at the moment with phantom availability. I would say that almost every other LH F flight I can see at the moment is a phantom - pretty terrible to be honest!

I can see there definitely is an LH F award seat on DEN-FRA on the 8th of July. Or maybe route through ORD on the 7th July: The evening LH433 also has an F seat (which is not a phantom). LH433 should be the new F as well, so you'll have a much better product on that flight!

Flyer303

After three calls a day, due to days of Phantom availability, I have succeed in booking saver award from DEN-FRA in LH First for July 7th. Looking forward to checking out FCL in FRA during our layover before heading to Munich!

jasonvr

I assume you are heading to MUC on LH, so unless you have a short connection time, most would suggest FCT instead of FCL. It's quite the experience. Congrats on LH F!

AlreadyThere

I managed to snag an award VIE-FRA-JFK in F. A Porsche was waiting for us on the tarmac on arrival at FRA (me, and 2 other Americans who were evidently headed for PVG). But once we got through security ... nothing! No one was waiting for us on the other side to escort us to the FCT, as I recall from a paid F trip in 2010.

We schlepped the long way to the Z gates, where we went into the reception area for the new Senator lounge, and the receptionist told us, "well, this is ALMOST like the FCT!" The other 2 bit, and stayed, but I refused to give in.

I went out past security to the LH FC check-in area. I thought they'd offer me a ride to the FCT, but instead they suggested I go outside and walk the several hundred meters to the terminal on foot. I was the only one going there on foot that I could see.

Once I got there, of course, it was as heavenly as I remembered it. But what was up with that?

jasonvr

I believe your memory is flawed. No one is supposed to drive/escort you over to the FCT. It is meant for originating passengers, even though you can use it as a connecting passenger under certain circumstances. I don't even think that they are supposed to escort you to the FCL. As I recall, they just drop you at terminal.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...-fct-faqs.html

NewbieRunner

LH stopped ferrying passengers, whether paid or on award, to the FCT a few years ago as connecting passengers can use one of the First Class Lounges in the main terminal. Connecting passengers won't be turned away if they walk to the FCT.

As I said they used to drive you from the First Class check-in in the main terminal to the FCT until a few years ago.