[I originally posted this right around the time the Super Bowl kicked off so I felt like not many people got to see it. For the first post of my featured week on BoardingArea, I thought it merited a repost. For those of you who have already seen it, welcome back!]
Let’s pick up where we left off. If you didn’t read my post about the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, you should because it sets the stage for what we’re about to cover. Oh, and if you didn’t read the post before that, about some amazing pictures I took in Austria and Slovenia, read that too. Oh, and follow me on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook because you’ll see all of my wacky adventures in real time!
Ok now let’s pick up where we left off.
Lufthansa First Class
Lufthansa has a variety of First Class products. I’ve flown two varieties before, the really old version and then the 747-400 version, which is the absolute best in my opinion because it has a separate bed.
The Seat
I was excited about flying the current A330 First Class product. It’s not the nicest in the world but it’s an all-around solid hard product. After our driver delivered us to the jet I walked aboard, presented my boarding pass smugly, and was walked to seat 1A.
The seat consists of a large comfortable seat and then an ottoman, which is used both as a foot rest during Maxin and Relaxin Mode and also for when the seat is in Bed Mode.
First Class seats are a bit of a mixed bag on many airlines. Etihad, for example, has a monstrously huge seat in their First Class Apartments. Singapore’s Suites seat is enormohuge as well. But those seats aren’t actually that comfortable to sit in, both are hard to get into a nice reclined position. I’m happy to report that Lufthansa’s seat was comfortable both as a seat and as a bed, it took a bit of time to find my happy place but I eventually found that Just Right combination of footrest, leg rest, lumbar support, and champagne. Plus they put a rose at each seat, which is just freakin classy.
There are 8 First Class seats on Lufthansa’s A330 and every single one of them was full on our 11 hour flight to Dallas. The cabin is elegant and classy without being obnoxious or gaudy.
The Service
The flight attendants on my flight were wonderful. Their service was precise, as you’d expect from zie Germans, but very warm and fun. When my main flight attendant saw me taking pictures, she insisted on helping, so I looked out the window and tried to look majestic.
So yeah I failed at that. But then she fixed it with a glass of champagne and some macadamia nuts!
Then she decided that picture didn’t look good enough so she took the rose out of its holster thingie (technical term) and put it in the picture as well.
As I waited for boarding to complete I put a lot of effort into taking pictures and notes for this trip report drinking champagne, which was great because my flight attendant promptly would refill my glass.
Anyway, before the world started getting too hazy we pushed back from the gate and began our very quick taxi to the runway. On the way I saw a Lufthansa A320 taxiing to a gate with a nice variety of Lufthansa jets in the background.
We took off after a really short takeoff roll, leaving me some time to get a good runway shot of a wide variety of jets on the ramp at FRA.
After takeoff the service began again. The center console of the First Class cabin was used as a staging area for the cabin crew which is a cool way of doing it in my opinion.
The in-flight entertainment system had live TV available which I thought was pretty cool, the rose made it look even cooler. There was something about the lighting that I just loved! Having the cabin lights dimmed while light was coming in from the windows was wonderful for pictures, although everyone else in the cabin was probably annoyed [smug grin].
The meal service began with an amuse bouche, which was delicious. Oh, and more champagne.
After the amuse bouche menus were delivered.
When it comes to airline wine lists I usually just go with whatever the flight attendant recommends, since I kind of like all wine. Plus by that time I had probably a few bottles of champagne by myself and was feeling pretty good.
The table was set with some First Class butter and Lufthansa salt and pepper grinders.
Lufthansa has a wonderful caviar service as a starter. They serve it from a cart with all the traditional sides.
After the caviar there was a medley of appetizers, from quail eggs to some meats.
There was a lentil soup as well which was absolutely wonderful.
For my entree I chose the sous vide pork. Pork on a plane is kind of hit and miss, but this was absolutely wonderful, moist and flavorful without a hint of dryness.
I finished with a raspberry flan-type dish which was paired with a nice dessert wine which was supremely sweet but not too sweet.
The Bed
I don’t know whether it was the lack of sleep from driving 1100 miles in two days or the champagne (hint: it was the champagne) but I got pretty tired all of a sudden so I asked my flight attendant to prepare my bed. She prepared the bed, which involved putting down a mattress pad and supplying a really comfortable comforter.
The cabin temperature was fairly nice but I still got a little too hot so eventually I ditched the comforter, but I still got a few hours of great sleep!
As I awoke, I stayed in the bed for a while catching up via the in-flight wifi and watching TV. Eventually the flight started to wind down and people started requesting their snacks before landing. Once the windows started opening that cabin was bathed in a nice dramatic light, making for great pictures once again!
For my snack I chose a chicken Caesar salad and some ice cream, both were absolutely delicious.
So how was the flight?
You know what? This flight was fantastic, probably a top 5 of all-time. Some people on the flight were sitting in First Class purely as a function of travel, and the flight attendants treated them accordingly. Others, like me, wanted to enjoy the experience, and the flight attendants made it fun for them. Great flight attendants mixed with great catering mixed with a solid hard product is going to equal an incredible flight every single time.
A big round of applause to Lufthansa for a great flight. It cost me 110k United miles, which was a lot, but it was worth it to visit the First Class Terminal and experience Lufthansa First Class once again!
Which picture is your favorite? Have you flown Lufthansa First Class? Tell me what you think in the comments below!
What’s with the European carriers and their wide open premium cabins where there is no privacy? I don’t get it. It feels like some kind of communal (albeit luxurious) room. It looks like a very spacious economy class, not an exclusive cabin.
Lufthansa F just made my bucket list. Thanks for an entertaining and informative post!
i flew Lufthansa First class recently from Dubai to Frankfurt. incredible plane very smooth and no noise.