Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluate.
Early July, I loved one in all my greatest holidays ever, an ultra-luxe safari in Botswana with Wilderness, Africa’s award-winning, main eco-tourism firm. My actual itinerary with Wilderness in Botswana might be discovered right here (this website additionally permits you to e book the identical journey). You may learn my journey studies right here:
As we speak: Evaluation of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 First Class (Johannesburg to Frankfurt)
For my return journey from Southern Africa, I flew in First Class on board a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 from Johannesburg to Frankfurt (after Lufthansa accepted my on-line bid for an improve from Enterprise to First Class). On the time when this First Class product was launched, nearly twenty years in the past, Lufthansa select for open seats, based mostly on passenger suggestions. However these days, Lufthansa’s First Class product feels dated, particularly compared with the newer and visually extra placing First Class merchandise of the Center East airways. Nonetheless, a Lufthansa First Class flight nonetheless delivers, with flawless service, nice meals, snug bedding and entry to the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. And flying in Lufthansa’s First Class on board the iconic Boeing 747 stays one of the crucial sought-after experiences within the skies for aviation lovers. FYI, Lufthansa will quickly introduce a brand new First Class cabin with absolutely enclosed suites on its newly delivered A350 plane.
Have you ever ever flown in Lufthansa’s First Class cabin? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.
- Journey: Johannesburg (JNB) to Frankfurt (FRA)
- Airline: Lufthansa
- Plane sort: Boeing 747-8
- Plane registration quantity: D-ABYA (in-built 2012)
- On time departure: Sure (7:30 pm)
- On time arrival: Sure (5:30 am)
- Distance: 5400 miles (8690 km)
- Flight time: 10 hours
- Seat: 2K (decrease deck)
- Class: First Class
On this evaluate (extra info & pictures under my YouTube video):
- Value of my ticket
- Airport Lounge
- First Class cabin
- First Class seat (+ greatest & worst seats)
- Facilities & bedding
- Meals
- Leisure
- Onboard web
- Different inflight experiences
- My verdict (rating)
1. COST OF MY TICKET
I paid 2575 euros for my spherical journey Enterprise Class ticket from Frankfurt (Germany) to Maun (Botswana) by way of Johannesburg (South Africa). The Frankfurt-Johannesburg leg was operated by a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 whereas the connecting flight from Johannesburg to Maun was operated by an Airlink Embraer 135.
For the return leg (Johannesburg to Frankfurt), Lufthansa allowed me to put a bid for a cabin improve from Enterprise Class to First Class. Solely for the aim of this weblog evaluate, I positioned a bid of 1000 euros (which was the minimal bid). At some point previous to my scheduled departure, Lufthansa let me know by e-mail that my improve bid was accepted (and solely charged my bank card at the moment).
2. AIRPORT LOUNGE
At Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, Lufthansa’s First Class passengers have entry to South African Airways’ flagship lounge. The SSA Platinum Lounge reopened early 2024 following an in depth renovation and is simply open to First Class passengers and top-tier members of South African Airways’ frequent flyer program.
The chic lounge – which is without doubt one of the greatest lounges I’ve ever visited – boasts up to date design furnishings and fittings in addition to a fastidiously curated native artwork assortment. On the heart of the lounge is a powerful bar space, whereas a powerful buffet (with fantastically offered cold and warm dishes) is situated within the nook of the lounge. Company have the choice to be seated with a view over the airport ramp or work in one of many focus cubicles or just calm down in a quiet zone. The lounge additionally options convention rooms for enterprise conferences and fairly zones with sleeping pods.
3. FIRST CLASS CABIN
Lufthansa’s First Class cabin is situated within the nostril of the Boeing 747 on the decrease deck. The small and intimate cabin feels ethereal and spacious as a result of it doesn’t have overhead bins and lacks utterly enclosed suites like those you discover on the A380s of Emirates and Etihad Airways.
The First Class cabin options 8 seats, with 3 seats on both sides of the cabin and one pairs of seats within the heart (row 3). The 4 seats on the facet are perfect for solo vacationers, whereas the 2 seats within the center (row 3) are good for journey companions. A small moist bar (with water, Champagne, and orange juice) is situated in entrance of the 2 heart seats, which is utilized by the flight attendants to retailer the wine and small plates in the course of the intensive meal service (extra on that under). There are additionally a number of personal lockers within the cabin’s entrance (every passenger is assigned one locker upon boarding).
The cabin’s clear traces and muted colours – comfortable yellow panels contrasting with darkish brown seat covers – create a really feel of understated luxurious. The decor isn’t as opulent as on Emirates nor as refined as on Qatar Airways, but it surely feels heat, stress-free, and above all, very German. A small vase with a single pink rose is connected to every seat wall, including a cultured contact to the comfortable and creamy coloured area.
Click on right here for the seat map of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8.
4. FIRST CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
As already talked about, Lufthansa’s First Class seat doesn’t characteristic a closed suite design which is now customary for many First Class merchandise. This was a well-balanced selection although of Lufthansa, based mostly on buyer suggestions. Whereas visually much less placing and spectacular as enclosed suites, I desire an ‘open seat’ over an enclosed suite as I don’ like being ‘locked up’ for hours in a small, generally claustrophobic field. And Lufthansa’s ‘previous’ First Class seat combines the very best of each worlds, since you’ll be able to elevate a partition to rework the seat in a semi-suite with full privateness if that’s your most well-liked seat configuration.
The seat is snug in all positions and options beneficiant dimensions with a width of 31 inches (78 cm) and a pitch of 90 inches (230 cm). One arm relaxation holds the seat controls in addition to the management for the privateness display screen, whereas the opposite arm relaxation holds the handset for the inflight leisure system, a USB port and two common adapters.
The window facet of every window seat (or the central facet of the 2 center seats) options two storage containers, a cupboard with the inflight magazines and the protection briefing, and a small fastened desk (for drinks & snacks); it additionally holds a really giant tray desk which want be pulled out for any use. In entrance of the seat is a big retractable ottoman, which might be positioned to create the best footrest and doubles as a storage field. A 17 inch leisure display screen is fastened above the ottoman, which is on the small facet contemplating some airways now supply 30 inch TV screens.
Upon request, the flight attendants flip the seat into a totally flat-bed with a size of 81 inches (205 cm). The mattress is roofed with a snug mattress topper and temperature-regulating quilt, and dressed with Fleuresse cotton sheets, a throw, and a thick pillow. The mattress(ding) is great and I used to be capable of sleep for a few hours in the course of the flight.
What are the greatest First Class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8? Click on right here for the seat map of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8.
- Solo vacationers ought to go fo the window seats, whereas companions ought to select the 2 center seats.
What are the worst First Class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8?
- There are not any unhealthy seats in Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8First Class cabin.
5. FIRST CLASS AMENITIES & BEDDING
Lufthansa’s First Class passengers obtain the next facilities on longhaul flights:
- An amenity package which is offered as a marine blue bag. The bag incorporates the important gadgets for longhaul journey (e.g. eye masks, ear plugs, a comb, shoe horn, toothbrush, and toothpaste) and Augustinus Bader toiletries (face cream and physique cream)
- Excellent bedding, together with a mattress topper, temperature-regulating quilt, Fleuresse cotton sheets, a throw, and a thick pillow.
- Bose noise-cancelling headphones (collected by the crew previous to touchdown).
- Porsche Design-branded pajamas, with high and backside individually packed.
- A pair of slippers.
6. FIRST CLASS MEALS
Throughout this flight, a dinner was served (after takeoff) in addition to a breakfast (90 minutes previous to touchdown)
I select the next choice from the menu:
- Appetizer: caviar conventional garnishes
- Trio of starters:
- Chili and lemon flavored prawn with lemon & olive oil dressing accompanied by tomato onion and coriander sambai
- Grilled zucchini roll stuffed with goat cheese, moutbal and kalamate olive
- Combined area greens, bell pepper julienne, grilled asparagus, cocktail tomato and olive, offered with delicate dressing
- Major course: grilled beef filet enhanced by chimichurri, garlic and herb polenta, butternut pumkin and child marrow
- Dessert Apple crumble tart
Two hours previous to landing, breakfast was served, which included:
- Recent fruit, combined berry compote with strawberry
- Muesli with yoghurt or milk
- Smoked salmon trout
- Peppered kassler and smoked beef
- Brie and cheddar cheese
- Scrambled eggs
- A choice of breads and rolls, croissant, Danish pastry
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Lufthansa’s Boeing 747 inflight leisure is managed by both touching the display screen instantly or by a handheld distant, however sadly, scrolling with the handset by way of the choice of motion pictures and TV reveals could be very sluggish. This system itself has a dated format, however nonetheless it provides a good selection with greater than 100 movies in as much as eight completely different languages. Hollywood blockbusters, new German and European productions and movies from Japan, China, India and lots of different nations cater for all tastes. There are additionally 200 TV applications out there in addition to a large choice of leisure content material for households and kids. As well as, you’ll be able to comply with the newest information by way of the dwell TV channels CNN and Euronews, in addition to sports activities highlights by way of Sports activities 24. The audio part options a big choice of CDs, audio books, playlists and podcasts from world wide. Bose noise-cancelling headphones are supplied to ensure the very best sound high quality. Lufthansa’s B747s are additionally outfitted with a stomach and nostril cameras, whose broadcasts are instantly streamed on the TVs.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
In 2004, Lufthansa was the primary airline to supply inflight web to its passengers on worldwide flights. What’s just about the norm nowadays, was a floor breaking change on the time. Lufthansa provides onboard web by way of Deutsche Telekom. Lufthansa’s First Class passengers get a voucher for complimentary WiFi.
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: The 2 Lufthansa Fitst Class flight attendants on this explicit flight have been superior, environment friendly and superfriendly. As I’ve talked about earlier than, I all the time really feel protected when in Lufthansa’s skilled fingers.
# LAVATORY: tlisted here are two bathrooms for the First Class passengers, each of them situated on the aft of the cabin. Each bathrooms include a window and are stocked with toiletries & shaving kits.
10. MY VERDICT
- Seat consolation (upright): 9/10
- Seat consolation (mattress place): 10/10
- Privateness: 3/10
- Meals (high quality): 8/10
- Meals (amount): 8/10
- Inflight leisure : 5
- WiFi: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Cabin design: 5/10
- Total expertise: good – 7/10
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