Lufthansa First Class: 2019 Vs. 2009

As I was looking though some old pictures last night, I stumbled upon a Lufthansa First Class trip I took in 2009 that was eerily similar to the one I just took. Thus, I thought a comparison post might be fun so we can see what has changed…and what hasn’t…in Lufthansa First Class over the last decade.

In 2009 I took my Uncle Dale to Israel and Egypt and we flew first class, SWISS on the way out and Lufthansa on the return. It turns out I visited the exact same B-Gates first class lounge and flew the same aircraft type, an A340-600. So what a perfect opportunity for a comparison.

Let’s start with the lounge. Lufthansa subscribes to the old adage, “Leave well enough alone” because almost nothing has changed.

The lounge entrance then:

and now:

The dining room then:

and now:

The breakfast buffet then:

and now:

My omelet then:

and now:

The bar then:

and now:

Seating then:

seating now:

Heck, the same TV is still tuned into CNN!

The cigar lounge then:

and now:

The restroom and spa area then:

and now:

As you can see, the only thing that has improved is my camera. The lounge is largely unchanged, a testament to its enduring quality. The only difference is cigars are no longer complimentary.

Now let’s move onboard.

Lufthansa A340-600 First Class: 2009 vs. 2019

I was not in the business of writing trip reports in the summer of 2009, so there are no cabin shots here. You’ll notice the biggest difference is old seats…oh how I remember those seats. The new seats are more comfortable and spacious, but the old ones were perfectly fine for sleeping. Bedding has also improved and wi-fi is now available.

versus now:

The welcome macadamia nuts then:

and mixed nuts now:

Same glasses, same napkins, same bowls.

The amuse bouche then:

and now:

The table set for lunch then:

and now:

Caviar and appetizers then:

and now:

Salad then:

and now:

Bread then:

and now:

Main course then:

and now:

(I’ve learned, over the last decade, that it is not worthwhile to order any red meat on Lufthansa unless it is a cheeseburger…)

Dessert then:

and now:

The pre-arrival meal then:

and now:

Even the berries…I’m such a creature of habit.

View from the window then:

and now:

Most importantly, at least in my book, is that service remains superior. That has not slipped in the last 10 years.

Economy class hasn’t changed much either, though Lufthansa has moved away from its yellow brand color:

The Lufthansa A340 still has the cool downstairs lavatories in economy class:

CONCLUSION

Well over a decade after I began flying Lufthansa First Class, it remains a product I always look forward to flying. Some things have changed, others have not, but Lufthansa First Class remains an exceptional and superior first class product.

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