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Home » Lufthansa » Dare Accepted: I’m Flying Lufthansa Economy Class From LA To Frankfurt
Lufthansa

Dare Accepted: I’m Flying Lufthansa Economy Class From LA To Frankfurt

Matthew Klint Posted onMarch 19, 2019November 14, 2023 36 Comments

a man sitting in an airplane

My business partner made me a deal I could not refuse: you fly Lufthansa economy class and I’ll pay for it out of my own pocket. Ok, sold.

We’re headed to Europe this week for business and typically will use miles to fly business or first class. Although business class was wide open, there was only one first class seat left and my business partner grabbed it for himself.

I could have flown SWISS or United and met him in Germany. I also could have taken the business class seat, though we have mostly AMEX points and I simply will not drop money for fuel surcharges on such a mediocre business class product. Of course the flight did not show as available with Avianca Lifemiles in business or first class.

So when he half-jokingly offered to personally pay for an economy class seat from LA to Frankfurt for me, a couple of thoughts swirled through my mind. One, I’ll give him the pleasure of coming downstairs and seeing me packed in like a sardine can. I’m sure there will be photo evidence that we can hopefully laugh about decades later. Two, it will make a fun blog article and the economy class review may be more useful than the business and first class reviews I tend to focus on. 

So why not? We booked it for 30K United miles and $5.60 in taxes. Since we don’t know how long we’ll be staying, no return has been booked. But, don’t get your hopes up for a round-trip economy class review.

CONCLUSION

Thousands of people fly economy class each day…I know I’ll survive. But that’s the wrong question. My prediction is that this flight will once again show why it simply makes sense to redeem miles for premium cabins over economy class. But we shall see…

image: Lufthansa

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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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36 Comments

  1. Joey Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    I’ve always said flying economy from time to time makes one appreciate flying premium cabins more. If you can snag a whole entire row to yourself, then kudos! You’ll survive.

  2. Shaun Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 1:11 pm

    Can you pay for an exit row or is that against the “rules”?

    • Matthew Reply
      March 19, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Not available. All full.

      • Head huncho Reply
        March 19, 2019 at 6:22 pm

        Damn look at all gallons of elitism overflowing out of this “article” and comments. Makes me sick to think we live in world where people eat out of garbage cans then some people have these concers or Warren buffet types hoarding billions. The poor will eat the rich. Self awareness and thinking of ur fellow man seems to have all but disappeared. Enjoy will u can. The party will end one day.

        • colleen Reply
          March 20, 2019 at 3:35 pm

          Before you make such a sweeping statement about Warren Buffett hoarding billions, I’d suggest you google “Warren Buffett” and “Giving Pledge”. Then you might realize how stupid and judgmental your remarks are. You sound jealous and petty.

  3. Chris Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 1:18 pm

    I’ve flown economy all around the world for two decades and I’m still alive.

    But, don’t get me wrong, if I had the opportunity to fly in a premium cabin I would obviously do it.

  4. Bandmeeting Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 1:43 pm

    An empty middle seat makes a massive difference if flying economy.

  5. Debit Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    Lovely. Next an overnight layover in a midwest airport in December.

    • Mick Reply
      March 19, 2019 at 1:54 pm

      Ha!

  6. Mick Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 1:55 pm

    I love flying premium but economy isn’t so bad when you don’t have three young kids to look after!

  7. Paolo Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    For me, ecenomy is fine for 8-9 hours provided 1. Aisle seat 2. It’s a day flight. Overnight flights I prefer business

  8. Esteban Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 3:14 pm

    i Can imagine you telling the FA: -“I used to fly First Class, I swear, believe me! First Class!!! Please, I don’t belong in here, please, Helga, don’t go away! Savages, savages!!!!

  9. Phil Duncan Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    Don’t worry, Brunhild and Annelise will still be there to attend to your every need and their economy class resources. At least you’ll know what you’re missing upstairs at the front which most of your traveling companions will not.

    • Paolo Reply
      March 19, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      No, they quit and went to KLM.

  10. Mare Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 4:01 pm

    So,you survived… wow what a revelation.. i cant even comprehend how stuck up you are… how did i even stumble upon this unrelevant piece of read… peope dying of famine and you are embarrased for flying economy… i cant even… i would be embarrased to end up sitting next to you,but hey not worried its gonna happen cause i fly economy and i am blessed…

    • Matthew Reply
      March 19, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      C – O – N – T – E – X – T

      This is a travel blog that focuses on premium travel…

    • Evan Reply
      March 19, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      Actually, you should be embarrassed that you can’t spell simple words like “it’s,” “can’t,” “irrelevant,” and…”embarrassed.” Stay “blessed!”

  11. PM1 Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    If it is a 2-4-2 or 2-3-2 configuration, the window seat not too bad, especially if you can get an empty seat next to you.

  12. LAXJeff Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 4:57 pm

    Welcome to the reality of most people who fly, coach class. Business class and first class are awesome treats. You’ll appreciate them a little more next time you fly up front (the return trip!)

  13. Terri Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    Cant wait to hear. Lufthansa Houston to Frankfurt Economy in 5 days.

  14. Christian Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 6:40 pm

    I suppose to do it up right, you should really take a middle seat with people on both sides, but that seems a bit harsh. On the return, maybe you could upgrade to PE, which would give readers a nice contrast.

  15. GERMAN GARDEAZABAL Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    Matthew…You have picked one of the best and more consistent quality product in Economy. I have flown all classes in LH and one thing about LH is the quality of service and attention thru all cabins… Yes different seats… Different food and beverages but believe me the crew will make you feel comfortable… Sadly you are in A380 not 747-8… I have found the A380 less comfortable and made me feel cramped even in Business… First I only have had in 747-8 and A350-600… Business and Economy in All long haul fleet from LH and the worst for me is A380…you will survive and I hope LH will give you a great service.

  16. mallthus Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    I’ll fly economy on LH any day of the week compared to flying econ on UA or, worse, AA, although it’s a lot better east to west than west to east. Sleeping isn’t really feasible unless you’re narcoleptic or petite.

  17. Luis Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    I will be doing ATL to Frankfurt in 2 weeks. Entire family is traveling…2-4-2 configurarion were we have all 6 seats. So for us it will actually be comfy and nice. Also, we choose “prefere seating”.

  18. Lisa Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 10:01 pm

    Our whole family of 4 flew economy
    Through Frankfurt to Italy last Dec.
    Couldn’t beat the price. We were fine.
    Sitting in any seat for that long is a challenge.

  19. - Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 11:01 pm

    The bigger challenge imo is if you take a LCC like French Bee across the pond from SFO, or Air Asia X in Asia for their longer regional flights. If it’s their A330, I believe both carriers put 9 across instead of the usual 8. 😛 (Or Wow Air back when they still flew their A330 to SFO/LAX)

  20. Mohammed Schlappig Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 11:16 pm

    I think you are a self-absorbed SOB. Not all people fly business or first and some have to make do with the resources that are afforded them. I personally am afraid of flying and haven’t flown in over 20 years. Too risky. I say you stop being an irrational prick and stay home. If you must fly, I say you fly economy 99% of the time and humble yourself before Allah and pray five times a time. Don’t be a Kafir.

  21. colleen Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 11:30 pm

    @Mohammed Schlappig With all your wisdom, why in God’s name are you reading a frequent flyer blog if you haven’t flown in over 20 years? You’re not lying to us, are you, Mr nom-de-plume?

  22. colleen Reply
    March 19, 2019 at 11:40 pm

    Mare: Good point. I too can’t even comprehend how you even stumbled upon this unrelevant (sic) piece of read (sic).

    But it’s good to follow posts above your level for education’s sake. Good on you, MARE!

  23. Mohammed Schlappig Reply
    March 20, 2019 at 12:19 am

    @colleen Allah is not happy with your statements. You need to pray five times a day and repent. I don’t lie and never have lied. I like reading about travel just not getting on an airplane. Too risky and people who fly are irrational.

    • Ken M Reply
      March 20, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      Hey Mohammed, are you Jewish? Great last name!

  24. Will Reply
    March 20, 2019 at 8:35 am

    I dont see how this is a story. Matthew has blogged about flying on economy to or from asia and had traveled to Afghanistan and not living in luxury conditions. So I am sure he would be fine. Now if this were his friend ben from one mile at a time, I think this would be a story.

  25. JoeBamba Reply
    March 20, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    Matthew, as you may well know, one of the secrets to flying economy in a 380 is to get a seat upstairs. There are 4 or 5 rows in the back that are 2-5-2. Any of the window or isle seats are as good as it gets for long haul economy in modern aircraft.

    The window seats have storage bins for blankets and pillows. Very handy bonus storage! Plus, you’re sharing the FAs with the nearly empty business class. I flew HOU – FRA in this cabin last November. All in all it was entirely suvivable. The best suprise? Food was as good as any trans- continental Business Class Delta flight.

    Looking forward to your review.

    • Matthew Reply
      March 20, 2019 at 9:53 pm

      Hi Joe, unfortunately they were all taken.

  26. Mohammed Schlappig Reply
    March 20, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    @Ken M my father was Jewish and my mother from Lebanon. He died at a young age and my mother raised me along with my siblings. Kind of a cool mix if you ask me.

    • colleen Reply
      March 21, 2019 at 12:36 am

      Dear Mohammed: please go upstairs, ask mom for a juicebox, and stop bothering/trolling this blog. You’re busted. That’d be cool, if you ask me.

      And say hello to your “cousin” Lucky.

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