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Home » Trip Reports » Review: Lufthansa A380 First Class Houston to Frankfurt
Flight ReviewsLufthansa

Review: Lufthansa A380 First Class Houston to Frankfurt

Matthew Klint Posted onJuly 5, 2018November 14, 2023 44 Comments

My recent flight from Houston to Frankfurt was one of the worst Lufthansa First Class flights of my life. It truly was. But I also must add it was not just fine, but a good flight overall. Read on to understand this apparent paradox.

Let’s just get down to it. What I love most about Lufthansa First Class in the air is the service. It’s not the hard product, because other carriers have superior hard products that offer more privacy and comfort. It’s also not the food, though I usually enjoy the dining experience onboard.

What sets Lufthansa apart is the service. The highly-polished, over-the-top excellent attentiveness. That’s a huge reason…the main reason…I love Lufthansa First Class. It is why I will staunchly defend Lufthansa and even defended Lufthansa’s Skytrax five-star honor (though I now rescind that endorsement after a recent subpar experience in business class).

Now you might call what I’m about to write as nitpicky. My response: guilty as charged. I’m absolutely being nitpicky here. But isn’t that what I am supposed to do if I am truly providing fair reviews?

Five Service Lapses

The problem on this flight was the service, which I’ll demonstrate in five examples. Just after takeoff, a delicious amuse bouche was offered.

a plate of food on a table

I promptly enjoyed it. But the empty plate sat there throughout the meal service. How do you miss that? Of course I could have handed it to the FA, but I wanted to see if she would notice it. She never did.

a napkins on a tray on a seat

Second, while bringing over the table settings (salt and pepper shakers, butter dish, cutlery, etc), the FA dropped them. She yelled out, “Hoppla!” which means oops in German. I know it happens, but you just don’t except FAs to drop table settings in first class.

Third, when my table was set for dinner, the FA did not arrange the salt and pepper shaker with the Lufthansa logos facing toward me. Feel free to pummel me for even writing this…but I make no apologies: this is something that FAs are 1.) trained to do and 2.) have always done on my previous Lufthansa First Class flights.

a salt and pepper shakers on a table

Fourth, when preparing my caviar course, the FA broke the toast with her tongs, which crumbled on my tablecloth. When this has happened in the past, FAs use a crumber (also called a crumb sweeper) to quickly sweep away the crumbs. That did not happen here. She stared at the crumbs for a good few seconds, then decided to ignore them.

a plate of bread and a knife

Fifth, the meal service took nearly three hours. Three darn hours. That’s far too long on relatively short overnight journey. By the time meal service was over, there were only five hours of flight time left.

Small issues, but…

These issues are all so minor, but Lufthansa’s attention to detail is what sets it apart. It’s not like these service lapses ruined the flight or even made it unpleasant. But it did mark a failure of precision. I trust this was a one-off and suspect it was as well.

The FAs were so nice. So nice. I feel bad writing anything negative, but I feel compelled to.

One other thing. FAs cut off hot breakfast at 90-minutes prior to landing. And while that may be what protocol calls for (not sure), on my past few eastbound flights, FAs have always offered eggs even as late as 45 minutes prior to landing.

Okay, let’s move onto the flight.

Flight Review

The boarding gate was a mess in Houston…a lot of people in a small area. We had only a 50-minute connection in Houston so did not have time to check out the lounge. A new United Polaris Lounge is now open and available to Lufthansa Business Class and First Class passengers.

a sign with a blue screen and a black text

a group of people in an airport

a group of people in a terminal

an airplane at an airport

An obnoxious lady had staked out her place in the front of the first class boarding lane, waiving around her boarding pass and letting those around her know that her employer had paid for a first class ticket for her.

a sign in a room

a woman standing in front of a red rug

But she had a seat assignment in row 23…I didn’t break the news to her that she was flying in business class.

Lufthansa 441
Houston (IAH) – Frankfurt (FRA)
Saturday, June 16
Depart: 3:50PM
Arrive: 8:35PM+1
Duration: 9hr,45min
Aircraft: Airbus A380
Seat: 1K (First Class)

Lufthansa First Class Seating

We boarded late, just about 20 minutes before scheduled departure. Afternoon sun streamed into the beautiful first class cabin on the upper deck of the A380.

a woman standing in a room with a television

a tv on the side of a plane

a seat in an airplane

a seat in a plane

a open box with a blue mesh inside

a table with glasses and a rose on it

a staircase leading to a counter

Lufthansa has no overhead bins in the A380 first class cabin. Instead, each passenger is assigned a locker. Seats 1A and 1K have lockers directly in front of them. Inside there is plenty of room to store a large rollerboard bag, personal items, and articles of clothing. There’s even a three-digit combination you can set if you’re worried about theft.

a closet with a shelf and a towel on it

a white and grey paper with text on it

Shortly after boarding, a FA presented an amenity kit, pajamas, and a food and drink menu. A glass of champagne with mixed nuts was also offered. Lately, Lufthansa has offered mixed nuts rather than macadamia nuts on flights out of the USA.

a glass of wine and a bowl of nuts on a tray

a bowl of nuts on a table

a pillow and a pillow on a seat

a white towel on a plate

a hand holding a glass of wine

No Rimowa amenity kits. Instead, leather kits from Windsor were offered. The contents included socks, a shoe horn, La Prairie skincare products, a dental kit, comb, an eyeshade, and earplugs.

a black leather bag with silver zipper

a close up of a zipper

a small black bag with a small package and a small box with a small silver object on it

a label on a black bag

I changed into my pajamas prior to takeoff. Additional amenities like a toothbrush and shaving kit were available in the lavatory. Usually there are larger La Prairie creams in the lavatory, but they were not present on this trip.

a sink with a rose in it

a bathroom with a sink and shower

a toilet in a bathroom

Before we pushed back the captain paid the first class cabin a visit, thanking everyone for their business. We took off  about 30 minutes late, but the captain promised an on-time arrival.

 Lufthansa First Class Meal Service

Meal service began about 25-mintues after takeoff.  Here’s the flight menu:

a close up of a menu

a white paper with black text

a menu of a restaurant

a menu of a restaurant

a letter to a wine company

a book with a bottle on it

a page of a book with text

a page of a book

a paper with a bunch of grapes

a paper with a bottle of alcohol

a menu of a drink

a white paper with black text

After the amuse bouche I mentioned above, I enjoyed a caviar course…always appreciated on Lufthansa.

a plate of food on a table

a table with food on it

a salt and pepper shakers on a table

a plate of bread and butter

a silver ring on a white napkin

a silverware on a white napkin

a glass of water on a table

a table with plates and glasses on it

a table with food on it

a plate of food on a table

a person holding a piece of bread with black caviar

After that, I had a trio of appetizers including crab, BBQ pork tenderloin, and green asparagus. All were excellent, though the hot bread was perhaps best of all.

a woman sitting in a chair with a table full of food

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food on a table

I was not proactively offered a salad, but requested one and it was promptly delivered.

a bowl of salad on a table

Rather than risk an overdone beef (I knew I’d enjoy a nice filet mignon in the first class lounge after arriving in Frankfurt), I ordered pasta. It contained zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red Swiss chard, beans and pesto and turned out to be a great choice. It was a delicious balance of ingredients and rich in flavor.

a plate of salad and a glass of wine

a plate of food on a table

With dinner I enjoyed a glass of Bordeaux wine.

a person holding a bottle of wine

a person pouring a bottle of wine into a plate of food

Next, I picked at a cheese course which contained wonderful aged cheddar.

a plate of cheese and grapes

a plate of cheese and grapes

To conclude the meal, I enjoyed apple pie a la mode with a cappuccino and truffles. Overall, I was very satisfied by the meal.

a plate of dessert and a cup of coffee

a dessert on a plate

a cup of coffee and a chocolate bar

a plate of chocolate and white chocolate cupcakes

IFE + Wi-Fi

During dinner, I watched Red Sparrow starring Jennifer Lawrence. It’s the story of a Russian spy and an excellent movie.

a screen with a picture on it

IFE was well-provisions with live TV, movies, TV shows, games, music, and a moving flight map:

a screenshot of a computer

a screen shot of a computer

a screenshot of a computer

a screen shot of a video game

a screen shot of a map

I tried to connect to the internet, but the Lufthansa FlyNet service was down. No big deal this time, as it was a Saturday evening and I enjoyed being disconnected. First class passengers receive a complimentary wi-fi voucher.

a sign on a wall

a close up of a card

Sleep

I asked a FA to prepare my bed and within moments, my seat was transformed into a plush bed. While the cabin temperature was not as cool as I would have liked, I slept well for the next four hours.

a bed in an airplane

Breakfast

One hour before landing, a FA woke me up for breakfast. There was “no time” for eggs, but I enjoyed a bowl of muesli, some yogurt, fruit, orange juice (it was terrible, not fresh squeezed), a cappuccino, and smoothie.

a plate of cereal and fruit on a table

a table with drinks and a plate

a bowl of yogurt with fruit

a plate of fruit and a bowl of liquid

a table with food and drinks on it

I missed my usual bacon and eggs, but as you can see there was more than enough food.

Despite the late departure from Houston, we did indeed arrive on schedule in Frankfurt.

an airplane flying in the sky

a city with trees and buildings

an airplane at an airport

CONCLUSION

It seems I am in the complaining mode lately, though that is certainly not my aim.  I hope you understand that this was still a comfortable flight overall with friendly service and good food. But I have to be fair and even my favorite airline has off days. This flight was one of those times. As minor as the service issues were, they represented a failure of what separates Lufthansa from its competitors.

I cannot wait for my next Lufthansa flight.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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44 Comments

  1. MHA in Ithaca Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    I appreciate your honesty here in describing the balance between what was a good flight with enjoyable food and the unusual lapses in the service you’ve come to expect from Lufthansa.

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks!

  2. MeanMeosh Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 1:03 pm

    A 50-minute domestic to international connection at IAH on a summer afternoon? You sure do like playing with fire. One badly timed (but very common) pop-up t-storm over the airport, and you’re screwed.

    If this is a subpar experience in LH F, I look forward to seeing them at the top of their game next March!

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      Funny you mention that, we dodged a huge storm by literally 30 minutes!

      Honestly, I figured if we did not make the connection they’d put us on Air France First Class to Milan via Paris! 😉

      But the real reason I booked it is because there was absolutely no other options using miles.

  3. Hal Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    I want to know more about what happened to the lady with in row 23. How did she react when she couldn’t board with F? or did you casually stroll past her?

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:42 pm

      I think it was an innocent mistake. She probably didn’t know there was a difference between business and first class and perhaps had a domestic US mindset.

  4. David W Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    Great review, as always!

    Red Sparrow stars Jennifer Lawrence, not Jennifer Garner.

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:40 pm

      Oops! Yes indeed. I fixed it.

  5. Greg Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    I think you may have discussed this before, but why do you change into pajamas before takeoff? If I had to evacuate an aircraft, I wouldn’t want to be doing it in pajamas and slippers, especially without socks. Without shoes, it’s actually dangerous.

    Since takeoff and landing are the highest risk points in a flight, I always wait to change into PJ’s until cruise.

    • Tennen Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:21 pm

      Agreed! IIRC, Lucky/Ben @ OMAAT does the same thing, and it always baffles me. Take off and landing are when most accidents happen, so it doesn’t seem like a terribly smart decision to be wearing pajamas/slippers during those phases of the flight.

      @Matthew, while your comments on the service lapses are mostly valid, I think you’re really reaching when you called out the dropping of the utensils. It happens to everyone, regardless of training or service mindset.

      • Matthew Reply
        July 5, 2018 at 3:48 pm

        Your point is well-taken on dropping the cutlery. Still, it wasn’t like she had very much in her hand.

    • Tennen Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:23 pm

      …And I inadvertently repeated some of what you said. >_< I guess I skimmed over some (most?) of your post… :-p

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 3:47 pm

      Fair question, but I guess it’s just a risk I am willing to take. I love to get comfortable immediately upon boarding.

      • Tavote Megias Reply
        September 6, 2018 at 5:16 am

        But according to your comments re. dropping the cutlery, you do not really deserve to be comfortable. Disrespectful at least, regardless of how much you spent on the ticket. Worse words pop up in my mind.

        Anyway, I wish you ending up in some seedy airport after one of your 120.000-milish legs and be gently serviced by a hord of westafrican sodo*****. You can then post your review and entertain us all.

        Only then you will truly embrace buying a life on ground.

      • Tavote Megias Reply
        September 6, 2018 at 5:18 am

        So unstylish. Not over the top

  6. Kristi K Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 6:19 pm

    I would love your job. Let me get this right. You fly around to critique flying around? I’ve never had the pleasure to sit in the blood clot free section of the plane! Going to Seattle soon. Current physical mobility issues require some disability transportation arrangements at the airport. This could be interesting. Might you have any advice? Safe travels. Maybe I will get get upgraded!!!

  7. TJ Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 6:38 pm

    Wow, what a terrible flight and service…no doubt, the worst First Class in the planet…never fly them again… talking about non-sense…

  8. Max Eeper Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    You need a life. Sheesh

  9. NoobieDoobieDoo Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    Amusing that you call it “Fist Class” at the beginning of your article. Wonder exactly what the service was like …

  10. John Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 8:13 pm

    I dont know. Reading this makes me think it must have been you who had a bad day and not the cabin crew. The stuff you´re going on about leaves me speechless. Not sure that adds to the credibility of your blog.

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

      We’re talking about Lufthansa First Class and I made very clear it was still an excellent flight. Should these issues just be overlooked when every other Lufthansa First Class flight I’ve taken over the last few years has managed to provide a higher level of service?

  11. Jeremy E Clark Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    Great review Matthew.. I think the service expectation is directly proportional to the class of travel, and you have some very valid complaints.

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks for your comment Jeremy!

  12. GaryE Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    Hi Matthew,

    My first comment to any of your critiques and this one was on point.

    I stopped my regular LH/First travels in the early 200o’s because of poor service and the “Eva Braun” attitudes from many FAs.

    But after years of increasingly poor service from BA/First, I will try LH/First again in a few days from IAD to DUB via FRA.

    747-8i with First in the nose.

    Hopefully it will far exceed my expectations as it’s a paid ticket with no points.

    Gary

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 10:26 pm

      Hi Gary! Thanks for writing. I sure hope you have a wonderful flight on Lufthansa. Overall and over the years, I could not be more happier with the product.

  13. 747always Reply
    July 5, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Sorry. But the bit about the cutlery being dropped is very stupid. Mistakes happen. As long as it was replaced I don’t see why anyone should be upset.

    • Matthew Reply
      July 5, 2018 at 11:40 pm

      I don’t think I expressed anger about anything about this flight.

  14. Aashish Reply
    July 6, 2018 at 1:27 am

    First World problems.

    • emercycrite Reply
      July 6, 2018 at 11:33 pm

      And this was in First Class, so your point being…?

  15. Chilangoflyer Reply
    July 6, 2018 at 2:30 am

    Lufthansa Business Class is not part of the 5* rating. They got it just for First and Economy (which they do not say loudly, of course)

  16. Gene Reply
    July 6, 2018 at 8:15 am

    Perhaps the crew partied a bit too hard on their IAH layover…!

    • Matthew Reply
      July 6, 2018 at 11:46 pm

      Could be.

  17. 121Pilot Reply
    July 6, 2018 at 10:34 am

    I find your review to be quite fair. It’s fine to nitpick when it’s kept in context and you’ve done that here. You’ve noted service lapses that are uncharacteristic and yet been clear that it was on the whole a wonderful flight.

    I know someone else mentioned it but I really would strongly encourage you to keep your street clothes and shoes on until after takeoff. Yes the risk of a catastrophic failure is quite low but as BA in LAS and AA in ORD have shown it can happen. It’s only a short time after all.

    Keep up the good work.

    • Matthew Reply
      July 6, 2018 at 11:47 pm

      Thanks for your comment. I may hold off on changing until after takeoff next time.

  18. Michael Reply
    July 7, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Matthew if you feel that the Lufthansa First service was subpar, I would suggest you try premium economy or regular economy class. I hear the service is to die for!

  19. norita Reply
    July 11, 2018 at 3:03 am

    Those who complain about first world problems forget that they are living in the first world, what other kind of problems would there be then?

  20. DAVID ARCHIBALD MCKELLAR Reply
    August 21, 2018 at 9:42 am

    I find it appalling that young people today don’t have a clue about proper grammar. He said “there WAS only five hours…….etc”. NO!! There WERE only five hours……etc. Was is singular, were is plural. It’s just that simple!

    When I see this kind of thing, its like chalk screeching across a blackboard.

    • Matthew Reply
      August 21, 2018 at 9:49 am

      its –> it’s

  21. Ivo Martinac Reply
    August 25, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    Sorry, this really reads like a spoiled brat report despite your trying to “come across balanced”. What is even more appalling is how many readers seem to agree with you. Sad! Time to cross this blog off my reading list.

    • Matthew Reply
      August 25, 2018 at 10:16 pm

      Bye!

  22. Kyle Stewart Reply
    August 26, 2018 at 1:03 am

    These suites look a little open. I see that in bed-mode privacy walls can be raised but even with these up it still looks like it would feel a little “on display”. Any truth to that assertion?

  23. Steve Reply
    January 18, 2019 at 12:08 am

    You sound like an entitled prick. I feel sorry for your family and friends (if you have any).

    Will still read the blog though – lol.

  24. Jon Hampton Reply
    January 19, 2019 at 7:24 am

    I’ve never understood Lufthansa’s First Class service. Ridden maybe 5 times in it, mostly LAX, JFK or South Africa to FRA or MUC. They exceed many expectations, such as the FRA First Class Lounge and the nice touch of plush sedans to drive you straight to the gate, but onboard in First Class, on ALL types… The A-380, 744, 748 and even the A-340-600, It is always marginal to me. The seat is just not that great to me. The absolute lack of privacy is astounding and the food quality is “meh”. I fly many airlines and always choose one for some reason or another but always gravitate back to the sandbox carriers who just get over the top (which I dig) like Emirates , Etihad and even Qatar First. Such a better experience for me. I like privacy, being served over the top and ultra-lux amenities (shower and boatloads of Lavatory amenities to use) and for when I want to escape and close the suite door and zone out for a few hours, they are perfect.
    Lufthansa is probably my 6th or 7th go to airline…. even behind Cathay First and they don’t have suite doors either. I just don’t like the Lufthansa (and also Swiss First) interiors of how there’s light wood everywhere…. I feel like I’m in an IKEA or something. I prefer dark varnished burl wood environments seeming to be more luxurious and dark and refined similar to Singapore Suites or their 777 First Class.
    I guess it just a personal thing. Anyway, good review and I’m just as picky as you!
    At the fares they charge us, my salt and pepper shaker should be aligned as well! Damn right!
    I get a little wound up if they serve Caviar with no Blinis but toast (as does Lufthansa) I have never eaten Caviar with toast….. maybe its a European thing or something. Anyway, sunny skies and chilled Champagne wishes!

  25. Peter Reply
    November 8, 2019 at 3:59 am

    High maintenance a bit lol must be a yank

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