Month after month, year after year, Lufthansa continues to offer a superb first class product. My flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles aboard the Boeing 747-8 was among my best ever.
I realize that I write so many Lufthansa First Class trip reports that you might wonder whether I am on the Lufthansa payroll. I most certainly am not. Rather, I just recognize value. I’ll tell you how you can book a flight like this yourself at the end of the report.
Lufthansa First Class Ground Experience
The Lufthansa first class experience starts on the ground, not in the air. A dedicated First Class Terminal in Frankfurt offers excellent amenities like a restaurant, bar, showers, sleeping room, and cigar lounge. All food and drink are complimentary. I always begin a Lufthansa First Class trip with a filet mignon cooked medium rare. Special-edition first class ducks commemorating the recent Easter holiday were available.
When it came to board, we were ushered downstairs, stamped out of Germany, and then boarded our Porsche to take us from the lounge directly to the aircraft. This remains one of the joys of flying Lufthansa First Class.
As you exit the car at your aircraft, you have a few moments to marvel at the massive piece of metal, today the beautiful 747-8, that will momentarily transport you thousands of miles, high above the clouds.
Look at that beautiful retro livery!
From the car, you are led inside, up an elevator, and directly onto the aircraft.
Lufthansa 456
Frankfurt (FRA) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Thursday, April 25
Depart: 10:30 AM
Arrive: 01:10 PM
Duration: 11hr, 40min
Aircraft: 747-8
Seat: 1A (First Class)
Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Seating
Lufthansa’s 747-8 first class cabin features eight seats, just like the A380 and A340. But unlike those aircraft which have a 1-2-1 configuration over two rows, the 747-8 is located in the nose of the lower deck. Thus, the configuration is 1-1, 1-1, and 1-2-1. In the center of the cabin is an island in which meal and beverage service can be staged from and which serves as a buffet and bar during the flight. I love the 747-8 configuration. As much as I love flying on the upper deck, I love the cozy and quiet nose.
Seats are equipped with multi-way controls as well as built-in power ports (two) and a USB port. Two storage compartments (for articles like passports, phones, and wallets) are available along window as well as storage inside the ottoman. There are overhead bins as well (none in the center) plus lockers for each passenger in the rear of the cabin.
Having indulged in a large meal in the First Class Terminal, I requested that my bed be made up shortly after takeoff. Note that privacy dividers make the seat, at least in 1A, fairly secluded. The plan was to sleep for the first eight hours of the flight and use the remaining two to leisurely dine. My bed was prepared, but I could not yet go to sleep…
My Window Problem
In my teaser post on this flight, I said my flight was not perfect, but nearly perfect. The 747-8 has window shades controlled by a button. One push sends the sheer blinds down, a second push lowers the blackout blinds. One of my four windows would not fully lower. That left a problem for a daytime flight in which I wanted to sleep. Although the flight attendant and purser attempted to fix it (they had a toolkit), they could not and had to get creative.
To their credit, they did. Here’s what I ended up with:
It wasn’t pretty at all, but it did the job well and I commend the crew for this ingenious solution.
Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Service
I dedicated a separate post yesterday to the wonderful service I received onboard. While I refer you to that post for more details, I’ll repeat here the following:
Marcel and Andrea were professional, kind, and provided flawless service. I’ve enjoyed some wonderful crews over the years, but never one who paid quite so much attention to detail as this one.
> Read More: A Model Flight Attendant On Lufthansa
Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Dining
When I did finally wake up from my nap deep sleep, it was time for a feast. As an aside, Marcel had to shake me awake…and I’m so thankful he did. I would have slept until landing and then been livid I had missed out on meal service. I told him to wake me up two hours before landing and that is exactly what he did.
Let’s go back for a moment. After boarding, I was offered a glass of champagne (Laurent Perrier) with macadamia nuts, which is always a treat when flying on Lufthansa.
Menus were carefully presented before takeoff, allowing me time to review the menu and select what I would eat.
Marcel appeared after takeoff and let me know that I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted. I let him know I would sleep, but prepared him for a big feat when I woke up, reserving both the spinach cannelloni and schnitzel.
Before going to sleep, I enjoyed a amuse bouche of salmon and an Aperol Spritz.
The Feast…
When I did wake up, the feast began. After carefully setting the table, I was offered a choice of bread and chose garlic as well as cheese bread. Although now nine hours into the flight, it was still served warm and tasted fresh. I had a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice with it.
Lufthansa uses superb olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which I tend to use in place of butter:
Next, I had caviar. Marcel did not serve the eggs and crème fraiche because it had been out for too long, but I still enjoyed caviar with onions and lemon juice on crackers.
Had I eaten earlier, I would have received the full service:
Caviar was followed by soup, a carrot ginger soup with shrimp.
I followed that with a small green salad.
My first main course (let’s call it a pasta course) was a spinach cannelloni in a butter sauce that was incredibly rich and flavorful.
By this point, I could have stopped, but my second main course arrived; schnitzel. It was delicious, although I only managed to eat half of it. It’s best to avoid red meat in Lufthansa First Class and both my pasta course and main course did not disappoint.
Sweets…
I skipped cheese but was offered chocolate ice cream with warmed berries, a side of blueberries, a side of mixed berries, and a cappuccino.
Just 30 minutes prior to landing I asked for one more cappuccino and was obliged (with another hot towel).
Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Amenity Kits and Pajamas
Sadly, it has been a long time since I’ve seen a Rimowa amenity kit on Lufthansa. The Windsor amenity kit contains the same contents, but the kit is just not the same. Contents include a comb, socks, shoehorn, ear plugs, toothbrush, toothpaste, and La Prairie skincare products.
> Read More: Magnifico – Lufthansa First Class Slippers
Lufthansa 747-8 First Class IFE + Wi-Fi
Although first class passengers are given complimentary wi-fi access, I did not bother to connect. The connection is usually so slow only iMessage works and frankly, I just wanted to sleep.
When I woke up from my nap I did watch Peppermint, a rather violent movie starring Jennifer Garner. The IFE library contained 100+ movies, TV shows, live TV, games, and music. The moving map broke halfway through the flight (see the images above, where it is frozen in place) so I wasn’t quite sure where we are beyond looking out the window.
Lufthansa offers Bose noise-canceling headphones in first class.
Van Laack pajamas are offered. This month they were blue.
Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Lavatories
The first class lavatories are located behind the first class cabin. Although in between business and first class, a placard designates them for first class use only.
Inside, the lavatory contains a window (which I almost forgot to close when I used the lavatory while parked at the gate) and several amenities including La Prairie hand cream, razors, Evian spritzes, and mouthwash.
CONCLUSION
If there’s any question as to whether it is worthwhile spending the extra miles for first class, I give you this trip report. The question is not whether business class is good enough, but whether the extra marginal cost for first class is worthwhile. On Lufthansa, it is. Always.
You can most easily book this flight with 86K LifeMiles (space is usually blocked), 70K Aeroplan (with a moderate fuel surcharge of around $200 when departing Europe), or 110K United miles (no fuel surcharge, only government taxes).
Space tends to open up not less than 48 hours prior to takeoff, so you must be patient. Our space on this flight opened up 12 hours before takeoff.
Here are some pictures I snapped out the window during the flight:
Frankfurt takeoff and city
Hoover dam and Las Vegas in the distance
Landing at LAX
Your sense of gratitude for the hard work of the crew is refreshing. Your family taught you well. The majority of business travelers I’ve talked to don’t want to engage in the old school premium cabin service. There’s an aversion to seeing every human interaction as valuable school to grow personally and spiritually.
You are not flying thousands of miles above the clouds….
@George: that was never implied. Please re-read.
@JoeMart: The human interaction is not just a joy of first class on Lufthansa, but a joy of traveling and a joy of life. Thanks for your kind comment!
how many seats of the 8 worked booked? Looks empty.
I was first to board, but it went out booked 8/8.
what device do you take your photos on? iPhone?
Correct. Good photos?
No word about the beautiful retro livery?
Oh yeah, that was also beautiful! 🙂
Took this flight last year and was the only passenger up front. Two bathrooms and three flight attendants to myself. I agree that it’s worth it.
I’ve never booked/been on LH F, so you’ll have to answer me this: Is it not possible to book LH F with miles for a future trip? It sounds like you can’t book until 48 hours or closer to the flight, which I understand, but that makes it impossible to plan for future flights, no? Unless you’re ridiculously flexible.
This was my question too…
So I believe that you can book LH F awards with Lufthansa miles pretty far into the future, but Lufthansa releases partner awards about 14 days out
@AJ: you are correct.
@Stephan: Technically, you can book LH F far in advance if you have Miles & More points. But if you are using partner currency, the soonest space will open is 14-days in advance. You see that for cities like Chicago, Boston, and Washington Dulles.
However popular cities like LA and SF tend to hold back on space and not release until the very least minute. Over the last few years, I’ve never seen space released more than three days in advance.
Hello Matthew, beside the excellent trip report, what does exactly mean ‘technically’, is it possible or not to book in advance with Miles&More miles? Being M&M member myself, would like to try LH First from Frankfurt (so the terminal as well) in next couple of months when I collect enough Miles, but not having such as flexibility as you are, I’m wondering if it’s going to be feasible for me. 2 weeks and more in advance are OK for me. Thank you are in advance for the answer
I meant technically because it is possible in advance, IF Lufthansa releases the space. This isn’t a sure-thing. But at least unlike partner awards, it is possible. And if you are traveling to the East Coast of the USA or Latin America it is more than likely.
Thank you for this comprehensive review. Being German myself I almost feel ashamed that I have only flown LH business but never first. However, I thought Aeroplan does pass on the full fuel surcharges and that it should be around $400 to $450 and not $200 when departing from Germany or did something drastically change in the past couple months? Thanks!
The fuel surcharge itself was only about $200 plus gov’t taxes of $150 or so. Now coming from Los Angeles to Frankfurt the fuel surcharge is over $800K with Aeroplan, which is why I would never consider such a redemption.
I swear – I had the same spinach cannelloni in J last week to JFK….
Delicious, wasn’t it?
Excellent trip report! I had the fortune of flying the 747-8 in First from FRA to ORD a few yrs back, and it really is awesome! Wish I had taken a bunch of pics as you did, but just didn’t seem appropriate that day…
Keep at it!
Thanks Ash!
What’s your backup plan if the seats don’t open up? Wait another day in Frankfurt or fly to a different US city and connect
I generally have the flexibility to wait an extra day or two. If I need to get home, I’ll book a connecting option. There’s always something.
Thanks so much for the report because I probably won’t have a chance to fly. I did fly F on LH and paying for the ticket once.
Why not red meat in DLH 1st Class, had me perplexed!
Usually served overcooked to shoe leather consistency.
Dear Matthew, you can Always ask the FA to serve it as “bleu” as possible. It will come out less warm but much more delicious. And-the pasta dishes AND sometimes other choices do appear in C class on the very same flights….Still, F is ALWAYS Worth the surcharge. Alles fuer diesen Moment!
You got to fly their retro livery! Awesome!
Ps. Is cheese normally served as an accompaniment for caviar on LH.
It was crème fraiche. My mistake!
I love their first class. I have 6 ducks at home….and wish I had 20 more!
But it’s not CHEESE served with the caviar Matthew, it’s crème fraiche!
They provide all of the standard sides including lemon, finely chopped egg white, choppef egg yolk and crème fraiche. The finely chopped onions are optional——and they are NEVER an option for me. They used to be red onions, but they’ve switched to white for a little while now.
You are correct! Thanks.
It’s so tedious , not to mention pretentious, for the F focus on caviar. While it’s probably necessary to retain it as a dish in order to meet the expectations of Ma and Pa Kettle ( of any nationality) on Vacation. it would be nice to see some innovation. But no: every airline must offer caviar in F and not one of them dares to be different. I guess it’s simple…just slop some out of a jar and the wannabe crowd will lap it up, literally, and it’s largely free of the additional catering cost of a cooked dish.
I would have been grateful for the extra sleep . You could have gone to In’n’out burger on the way home.
I’m not a caviar fanboy…clearly (based on the my confusion above). Still, I don’t mind it. It’s associated with “first class” on carriers around the world and I’ve grown to quite like the taste of it.
But the food was nice on the flight. Not Garuda or Singaproe levels, of course, but still nice.
Not all F Carriers do. SWISS serves Balik Salmon instead, which I personally find boring.
Hey Matthew
I had to change a FRA to ORD flight flon United Polaris. Turned out Lufthansa First was available so went for it!!
Question: I’ve rented a car and will need to return it to Avis at the FRA terminal. How do I get to the first class terminal from the car rental return?
Nice report. I had that same Wiener schnitzel in the F terminal before departure. Delicious!
I’m looking forward to your report!
I’ve gotten to the point where flying business class is no longer exciting and feels utilitarian. At the same time, I could never justify paying for First or going through the points rigmarole of booking it. So, it’s nice to read these reviews where I can live vicariously through the blogger.
But how about spending the extra points?
“I realize that I write so many Lufthansa First Class trip reports that you might wonder whether I am on the Lufthansa payroll.”
Nope, just United.
Not that either.
Soon I will have the opportunity to fly Lufthansa First for the first time. I’m debating whether to do FRA-BOS or ZRH-MUC/FRA-BOS. The food looks higher quality at the Zurich first lounge and I love the idea of a private “hotel” room looking over the tarmac. Would you still recommend the Frankfurt FCT over Zurich?
I love the Zurich First Class Lounge. I would do that with enough time in Munich or Frankfurt for a steak.
Thanks for the advice! Do either Zurich or Munich offer chauffeur service to the plane? And just to confirm, booking a Lufthansa F itinerary with business from Zurich to Germany, and then first from Germany to the US same day would give me Swiss First Lounge access?
Thanks for the advice! Do either Zurich or Munich offer chauffeur service to the plane? And just to confirm, booking a Lufthansa F itinerary with business from Zurich to Germany, and then first from Germany to the US same day would give me Swiss First Lounge access?
Very late to the discussion but can one use the F lounge when arriving? I’ve arrived twice and never could figure out how to get to it.
Thanks
You can use one of the first class lounges, just not the First Class Terminal unless you have a connecting flight.
I very much appreciate your writeup here. thorough and answered all questions I might’ve had. thanks m8.
I will very probably have to take this flight to Buenos Aires in January 2023 since there are no decent options for a good airline such as Emirates, Singapore, Etihad etc .
The product Lufthansa offers is a bad joke, a VERY bad joke!!
No private suite is pathetic these days.
I give a duck about a 3 minute Porsche ride and an elevator, I want perfect service on board for 13:40h which starts (and ends) for me with a private suite, especially for the price they ask!
In their A380s SQ, EY en EK would be ashamed to call this their Business Class!
Talking about Business Class, Lufthansa´s is even worse!!
Poor seats, poor space and a TV monitor a little bigger than my cell phone!
It´s just terrible.
I can only hope that there will be other and better options than LH to get to Buenos Aires.