Lufthansa First Class Evaluation: Is It Value It?

For individuals who acquire factors and miles, the German airline Lufthansa’s top quality is a extremely sought-after technique to fly throughout the Atlantic. Whereas it doesn’t have the latest or most enjoyable top quality product, Lufthansa provides vacationers a memorable and constant expertise.

From tarmac transfers to caviar service, right here’s what it was like for me to fly top quality in March 2024 on Lufthansa from Europe to the uson an Airbus A380.

Members of Lufthansa’s frequent flyer program, Miles & Extra, get pleasure from expanded and earlier entry to award availability, in comparison with different mileage packages. Nonetheless, it may be troublesome to earn lots of Lufthansa miles, because the program doesn’t companion with any of the most important transferable factors currencies, comparable to American Categorical Membership Rewards or Chase Final Rewards.

Nonetheless, Lufthansa is a member of Star Alliance, so it’s potential to e book a first-class seat by one in all its alliance companions, comparable to United, Air Canada and Avianca, that does companion with a transferable forex. For this redemption, I transferred 84,400 Capital One miles to Avianca LifeMiles and paid an extra $193.90 in taxes and charges. (Word: In 2024, Avianca and United raised the variety of miles required to e book Lufthansa top quality; Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is at the moment the most effective methods to e book Lufthansa top quality with miles.)

Though there was a direct flight from Frankfurt to Boston, I opted to fly east from Frankfurt to Munich in financial system, earlier than flying again west to the USA in top quality. It gave me (barely) extra time in top quality, plus an opportunity to take a look at one other Lufthansa lounge.

Among the best perks of flying Lufthansa top quality from Frankfurt Airport is entry to Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal, a multi-story facility spanning greater than 19,000 sq. ft.

Right here, you’ll skip the hustle and bustle of the airport check-in, safety checkpoint and gates; as a substitute, you’ll be greeted by a private assistant who can verify you in, information you thru the non-public safety screening and present you across the terminal — basically, an enormous lounge.

It’s an unique house, with entry restricted primarily to Lufthansa’s top-tier elites and top quality passengers on Lufthansa and Swiss. Though my flight to Munich was in financial system, I nonetheless had entry as a result of my onward flight to Boston was in top quality.

There’s lots to do right here: You possibly can nap in a personal room with a daybed, get pleasure from buffet-style and a la carte eating, and take a bathe that includes luxurious Balmain bathtub merchandise.

You’ll additionally discover a cigar lounge and a well-stocked bar, together with varied seating and work areas.

One draw back of the terminal (at the least for avid airplane spotters) is its location.

Whereas there may be lots of pure gentle streaming in by the floor-to-ceiling home windows, you might be nowhere close to the runways, so don’t count on any airplane views right here.

After having a shower, I additionally requested one in all Lufthansa’s well-known rubber geese — a well-liked memento for aviation fanatics — who dined with me for my breakfast of salmon eggs benedict.

The rubber geese are a little bit of an “if you realize, you realize” state of affairs and might solely be discovered at this terminal or Lufthansa’s different top quality lounges. Some vacationers even plan their flights round particular occasions, such because the Olympics or the World Cup, as a way to snag a restricted version rubber duck.

When it was time to go to the gate for my flight to Munich, a private assistant introduced me and two different passengers on the identical flight downstairs to our tarmac switch.

Though I hoped for a Porsche (a 20-year partnership that’s ending later this yr), it was nonetheless thrilling to be pushed to my airplane in a Volkswagen minivan for the one-hour hop to Munich.

Though some would possibly suppose it’s foolish to backtrack to Munich earlier than heading again to the U.S., it did give me a chance to expertise Munich’s top quality lounge, the place I picked up a second rubber duck (sure, I’ve absolutely purchased into the hype).

The primary class lounge in Munich airport’s terminal 2 satellite tv for pc measures greater than 10,000 sq. ft, and provides facilities comparable to nap rooms, showers and elevated eating. The house was brilliant and ethereal with loads of seating choices.

I didn’t have a lot time right here earlier than my flight to Boston, so I loved some grilled octopus and champagne earlier than heading off to the gate. (Lufthansa additionally provides tarmac transfers in Munich, however I didn’t qualify for one since my gate was solely a brief stroll away.)

As soon as on the gate, I used to be stunned at how chaotic the boarding expertise was, in comparison with how streamlined every part else was main as much as that second.

Vacationers had been crammed round a small boarding space, and it wasn’t clear the place top quality passengers had been presupposed to board. As soon as I figured it out, I needed to push previous different confused folks to get to my boarding line.

My flight from Munich to Boston was operated by an Airbus A380, with two rows of top quality seats in a 1-2-1 configuration on the higher deck.

Seven out of eight seats had been occupied, and I had snagged seat 2K for myself. As a solo traveler, I used to be completely satisfied to have three home windows to myself; nevertheless, in the event you’re touring with a companion, you might need to go for a pair of side-by-side center seats.

What instantly struck me was how massive the seat was, and the truth that it appeared extra like a La-Z-Boy recliner than what I used to be used to in financial system. Lufthansa’s top quality seat on the A380 measures 30.5” broad — 13 inches wider than an financial system seat — with 83” of pitch. When laid flat, the mattress measures 6 ft and 9 inches.

My subsequent thought — as soon as I noticed there have been no overhead bins — was the place do I put my stick with it? The flight attendant, one in all two devoted to top quality, confirmed me to a row of storage lockers immediately behind the cabin, the place I might retailer bigger belongings. The dearth of bins made the complete cabin really feel extraordinarily brilliant, spacious and ethereal.

For smaller gadgets, there was loads of cupboard space within the ottoman at my seat, in addition to a small storage pocket constructed into the ledge alongside the wall of the airplane.

Though I cherished my top quality seat, it’s essential to notice one of many main cons about Lufthansa’s top quality product: the outdated cabin.

Whereas different airways have sliding doorways in top quality, Lufthansa solely has privateness dividers. They do a reasonably good job, however you continue to can’t assist feeling a bit uncovered. Personally, this didn’t trouble me as a lot, because the seat throughout the aisle from mine was unoccupied.

The in-flight leisure screens are additionally exhibiting their age. The picture high quality was not crisp, the system was laggy and the display was fairly small, particularly given how far you might be from the display whereas seated. Whereas it received the job completed, I anticipated extra from a first-class cabin.

The one brilliant spot: Every seat got here with a pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones.

To be truthful, Lufthansa is within the means of rolling out a brand new product as a part of its Allegris initiative. The key overhaul will introduce floor-to-ceiling partitions and sliding doorways to top quality.

The launch has been tormented by delays, however the refreshed top quality suites lastly debuted Nov. 9, 2024.

There have been lots of snacks, drinks and meals on this flight, beginning with a pre-flight glass of champagne and bowl of macadamia nuts.

Shortly after takeoff, we had been served a bite-sized starter together with some bread. Then, the star of the present arrived: caviar service.

Lufthansa describes it as “an integral a part of the First Class expertise,” and I must agree.

I additionally downed the shrimp confit and quail breast appetizers, in addition to the aspect salad. (The flight attendant might inform I used to be having problem deciding on appetizers and requested if I wished to attempt all of them. Who was I to say no?)

For my essential, I ordered the walnut-crusted beef filet, which was tasty and cooked fairly properly. The desserts — a chocolate mousse and an almond and plum cake — had been additionally scrumptious.

Like many different airways, there isn’t any formal second meal service in top quality. As an alternative, Lufthansa provides a dine-on-demand system, the place you’ll be able to order from a menu of sunshine meals at any time.

I requested the flight attendant if I might dine on the newest potential time, as I used to be stuffed from my meal and wished to get as a lot sleep as I might. She obliged and requested me if I had a primary alternative, providing to set it apart for me.

I went with the mini teriyaki burger sliders with beetroot chips. Whereas it appeared good, the style was missing, which was a little bit of a letdown after a wonderful flight.

As one would possibly count on, Lufthansa top quality passengers are provided all kinds of facilities for the flight. On the ottoman at my seat, there was an amenity equipment and a pair of very comfy slippers (which I generally nonetheless use at residence). Whereas the amenity equipment was stocked with all of the necessities, the pouch itself appeared generic and never very premium, which stunned me.

Previous to takeoff, a flight attendant provided me a pair of Van Laack pajamas in my dimension. I used to be additionally given a Wi-Fi card granting me limitless complimentary web entry through the flight, which labored effectively regardless of slicing out just a few instances.

The entrance of the cabin featured two gigantic bathrooms for top quality passengers, full with a bench and altering space. They had been additionally stocked with Augustinus Bader merchandise, in addition to Evian facial spray.

One surprising shock: a urinal within the toilet!

The 2 devoted flight attendants for the primary class cabin had been improbable, pleasant and personable. They had been additionally very attentive — even to the purpose the place I needed to cease trying across the cabin a lot, since they all the time took that as an indication that I wanted one thing.

Whereas I used to be boarding, one of many flight attendants provided to take photographs of me sitting in top quality. Clearly my makes an attempt to maintain my pleasure in verify didn’t work.

When it was time to relaxation, the flight attendants made my mattress and introduced out a quilt, which was excellent for sleeping. In the end, they helped make my first expertise flying in a first-class cabin one to recollect.

After stepping off the airplane, there was even an worker holding an indication welcoming top quality passengers to Boston. Nonetheless, that gave the impression to be the extent of his position there, which made me chuckle at how over-the-top the entire expertise was.

Lufthansa has an amazing top quality product, ranging from the passenger providers on the bottom and all the best way to the in-flight expertise. For those who’ve by no means flown top quality earlier than and might snag award availability, I might extremely advocate it.

The First Class Terminal in Frankfurt was a delight to discover, and my two rubber geese will all the time be a reminder of my expertise.

Nonetheless, some could discover sure features of the expertise missing, such because the outdated cabin when put next Emirates Airways’ top quality on the Boeing 777, which has absolutely enclosed non-public suites. I’m trying ahead to attempting out the brand new Allegris top quality on a future journey to Europe.