For the primary worldwide sector of our ski journey within the French Alps, we flew Lufthansa first-class from Boston to Munich. Whereas I reviewed Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 first-class not too way back, I used to be excited to fly Lufthansa’s A340-600 first-class. That’s as a result of Lufthansa grounded these jets in the course of the pandemic, and so they have been solely not too long ago introduced again, to be able to deliver first-class again to Munich.
As an avgeek, it’s such a pleasure to fly the A340-600, as you don’t see many of those in service anymore, and it’s the world’s second longest plane (after the 747-8). How was the primary class flight? Properly, we had a completely pretty crew, and apart from that it was Lufthansa first-class as typical. That’s to say that the laborious product wasn’t a lot to get enthusiastic about, whereas the gentle product was fairly good.
Lufthansa first-class is remarkably constant. Normally that’s an ideal factor, however if you really feel like even the menus don’t change year-to-year, I’m unsure that’s excellent. I’m hoping that Lufthansa additionally refreshed its gentle product when it introduces a brand new first-class in 2024.
How I booked my Lufthansa first-class ticket
Lufthansa opens first-class award availability to accomplice airways at most 15 days upfront, although most of the time, the seats open a lot nearer to departure than that. I had been monitoring for first-class availability, and round every week earlier than departure it opened up.
I managed to ebook the next for 100,000 Air Canada Aeroplan factors plus $74.34 in taxes and charges per individual (the primary flight was in first-class, whereas the second flight was in enterprise class):
3/14 LH425 Boston to Munich departing 9:05PM arriving 9:25AM (+1 day)
3/15 LH2384 Munich to Geneva departing 11:20AM arriving 12:30PM
Admittedly there are far more artistic awards you’ll be able to ebook with Aeroplan factors, however this was nonetheless an excellent worth. Aeroplan factors are straightforward to return by, as this system is switch companions with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Final Rewards. On high of that, there’s the Aeroplan® Credit score Card (evaluate) in the USA, which is phenomenal.
Lufthansa first-class lounge & boarding
I’ve already reviewed the Lufthansa Lounge Boston, together with the unique first-class part. All-in-all it’s a stable floor expertise for first-class passengers, particularly since you’ll be able to board the airplane immediately from the lounge. Boarding was scheduled to start out at 8:25PM for our 9:05PM departure, and in actuality boarding began only a few minutes after that.
Lufthansa A340 first-class cabin & seats
We boarded by the second set of doorways, the place we have been greeted by the purser, and pointed left towards first-class. Between doorways one and two on the A340, Lufthansa has eight first-class seats (unfold throughout two rows) and 30 enterprise class seats (unfold throughout 5 rows).
Lufthansa’s first-class seats are kind of similar, no matter which plane you fly, so this structure ought to look acquainted. It’s hardly a innovative product, nevertheless it’s fairly comfy nonetheless.
These touring alone will definitely want one of many window seats, in order that they will have an aisle and a window. By the way in which, I like how Lufthansa has suede-like partitions (or no matter it’s) in first-class, which you don’t discover on many airways.
In the meantime these touring with somebody could want the 2 heart seats. I assigned us seats 2D and 2G, the middle seats within the second row. Be aware that if you happen to’re touring alone and find yourself in certainly one of these seats you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from privateness, as there’s a partition between the seats that may be raised.
On this configuration, the middle armrest has a panel that may be raised to reveal the leisure controller, which basically has a “mousepad” function you need to use to manage the leisure. This armrest additionally has the flight attendant name button and studying gentle button.
Additionally situated beneath this armrest are the ability shops, together with two AC energy shops and two USB shops. That is removed from innovative, and sadly plugs are inclined to “come out” of those fairly simply, which isn’t excellent.
Then the aisle-side armrest has the seat controls. You possibly can both select to vary one particular seat place, or there are 4 presets you’ll be able to select from.
There’s additionally a privateness panel on this facet, so that you’ve privateness from the aisle. Whereas there are far more non-public first-class merchandise on the market, this does the trick for not feeling too uncovered.
Lufthansa first-class seats have massive ottomans, that are fairly versatile. They can be utilized as a buddy seat to dine face-to-face, and will also be moved both ahead or backward, relying in your peak and the way you’re lounging.
The ottoman additionally incorporates a big storage compartment, which is the one substantial storage you’ll discover at this seat.
The middle armrest incorporates the big tray desk, which might slide fairly far in each instructions. The one dangerous factor is that it may be form of heavy if you’re making an attempt to both take it out or put it again, however the crew normally helps with that.
The middle console additionally some area to position a drink, do you have to not need to use the tray desk.
Talking of the middle console, there’s a small and deep storage pocket right here. Personally I don’t discover it to be significantly helpful, and for that matter it may be robust to get stuff out if it falls deep in there.
Lufthansa doesn’t have any particular person air nozzle on the A340. Then once more, the middle part of the A340 in first-class doesn’t have overhead bins, to provide the cabin a extra spacious really feel. Finally I’d say that’s a web constructive, because it makes the cabin really feel a lot bigger.
Lufthansa first-class facilities
Ready at every seat upon boarding was a pillow and blanket. That is the essential bedding that’s simply supposed for lounging round, as there’s extra substantial bedding with turndown service. This bedding is simply okay, because the pillow is fairly comfy, whereas the blanket is a bit scratchy.
There have been additionally Bose headphones at every seat. Lufthansa has headphones completely “wired” to every seat, in order that they will’t be eliminated. Bose headphones are about pretty much as good as they get on any airline.
Moments after settling in, the exceptionally pleasant crew welcomed us onboard and provided us pre-departure drinks. We ordered some champagne, which on this case was Duval-Leroy Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut.
Whereas it was fairly good, I can’t assist however level out that Lufthansa is doing fairly some value slicing, as that’s the most affordable champagne I’ve ever seen served in Lufthansa first-class. We have been served some blended nuts to go together with that.
Lufthansa tends to alternate its amenity kits, and the present one is a Porsche Design clear pouch, which I can’t say I’m an enormous fan of, because it appears form of low cost. It was fairly properly stocked, and contained socks, eyeshades, a dental package, earplugs, a shoe horn, a mint, a comb, and a few merchandise from Augustinus Bader.
We have been additionally provided the everyday van Laack pajamas, in addition to the very substantial slippers, that are amongst my favorites provided by any airline.
Lastly, we have been provided vouchers totally free Wi-Fi, as is customary in Lufthansa first-class.
Lufthansa A340 first-class leisure & Wi-Fi
Lufthansa’s first-class leisure system is sort of lackluster. The leisure display isn’t enormous, and it’s additionally fairly low decision. That’s not shocking, for the reason that know-how hasn’t been upgraded in years.
The amount of leisure was fairly good, nevertheless, as there have been over 250 motion pictures and over 300 TV exhibits.
I didn’t find yourself watching any motion pictures or TV exhibits, however fairly frolicked with Ford and saved a watch on the map function.
I do assume Lufthansa is likely to be a bit confused about which airplane we have been flying, although. They received the variety of engines proper, however that’s about it. 😉
Whereas Lufthansa’s leisure system is lackluster, the airline does a very good job with Wi-Fi. That is accessible totally free in first-class with no knowledge caps, and the speeds have been superb.
For these not in first-class, Lufthansa’s customary lengthy haul Wi-Fi pricing utilized:
- For €5 you might buy a messaging move
- For €15 you might buy a two hour premium move
- For €25 you might buy a full flight premium move
Lufthansa A340 departure from Boston
Boarding was actually environment friendly, and was full by 8:45PM. Six of the eight first-class seats have been taken (there appeared to be three upgrades on the airport, as just one different seat confirmed as booked up till hours earlier than departure). Enterprise class was additionally fairly full, whereas premium economic system and economic system have been each fairly empty.
As soon as boarding was full, the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our flight time of seven hours to Munich. He defined that we’d must deice, and that this may take round 20 minutes.
Positive sufficient, by 9:05PM deicing was full, and at that time we started our pushback. It took about 10 minutes to start out up all 4 engines after which start taxiing. We taxied out to runway 33L, the place we needed to await round 20 minutes, because the runway was getting used for each departures and arrivals.
We have been lastly cleared for takeoff at 9:40PM. We had an extended takeoff roll, after which a reasonably bumpy climb out, because the airplane swayed facet to facet considerably, to the purpose that it was borderline disorienting. Happily that didn’t final lengthy, and the seatbelt signal was turned off quarter-hour after takeoff.
Lufthansa first-class dinner service
After takeoff, the beautiful purser handed by the cabin to welcome every passenger onboard and current them with the menu and wine listing for the flight.
As you’d count on, dinner was served after takeoff, and you will discover that menu under.
Under you will discover the drink listing for the flight.
Service started with heat towels — whereas minor, I miss how Lufthansa not appears to place rose petals on these plates, as that all the time made Lufthansa’s heat towels memorable.
Subsequent up, the purser personally served the primary spherical of drinks. Because the champagne wasn’t something to get enthusiastic about, we determined to go together with a white wine as an alternative. We didn’t like the primary one we tried, so the purser kindly did somewhat wine tasting for us for all of the choices, and we ended up selecting the Italian one.
This was served with an amuse bouche, which was fairly underwhelming. For one, it’s precisely the identical amuse bouche I used to be served in 2020. Past that, a fork value of small chopped veggies doesn’t provide a lot in the way in which of taste. By no means thoughts that it’s form of difficult to eat with out making a multitude.
After the drink and amuse bouche service, tables have been set for dinner, with a collection of bread provided (sadly there was no pretzel bread).
I’ve flown Lufthansa first-class a numerous variety of occasions, and usually my take is that the caviar and appetizers are glorious, whereas the mains are simply “meh.”
So I went all-in with the appetizers. Along with a beneficiant serving of caviar with all of the garnishes, I additionally had the three appetizers, plus a facet salad. The three appetizers included ahi tuna poke with marinated cucumber and curled daikon radish, herb roasted beef with chilled polenta, feta, and dill, and a calming ratatouille parcel, with artichoke escabeche.
This was all fairly good, although I ought to point out that a few these dishes have been served a few years in the past as properly, so it looks as if Lufthansa actually isn’t mixing stuff up a lot anymore.
I used to be fairly full from the caviar and appetizers, so I skipped a essential course. The choices didn’t communicate to me a lot, frankly. The primary programs have been similar to those I used to be not too long ago provided in Lufthansa enterprise class, besides there was an extra choice (pork loin).
I didn’t say no to dessert, nevertheless, and chosen the ocean salt brownie with vanilla ice cream and raspberries.
I used to be provided some goodies on the conclusion of the meal, however was stuffed, so I didn’t partake.
Look, I’m usually a fan of Lufthansa first-class, however I’ve to say that the meal service may use a refresh. Appetizers are the identical ones that have been on provide years in the past, the principle programs are the identical as in enterprise class, and the wine choice is fairly low cost, in comparison with what it was.
Nonetheless, I loved my meal, because the caviar and appetizers have been superb.
Lufthansa A340 first-class mattress
The meal service was accomplished round 90 minutes after takeoff, at which level we requested the crew to make our beds. That was promptly taken care of. Whereas Lufthansa won’t have probably the most spacious or non-public first-class suites, I discover Lufthansa’s first-class mattress to be very comfy, because of the plush bedding.
I fell asleep simply over 5 hours earlier than arrival in Munich…
…and whereas I might have liked to sleep longer, I awakened round 90 minutes earlier than touchdown, as I had requested to be woken up for breakfast. 3.5 hours of sleep on such a brief flight is fairly good for me, particularly since I’m not a very good airplane sleeper.
Lufthansa A340 first-class toilets
Lufthansa has two toilets in first-class on the A340-600, situated instantly in entrance of the cabin. The toilets are an honest dimension, and every have a window. I’m additionally a fan of how Lufthansa locations a seat over the bathroom.
The toilets have been stocked with quite a lot of facilities, starting from Evian facial mist, to mouthwash, to shaving kits.
Lufthansa first-class breakfast
Whereas I wasn’t in any respect hungry, I figured I needed to take one for the crew for evaluate functions, and try the breakfast choice. Under you will discover the breakfast menu.
To begin, I ordered quite a lot of recent fruit, a cappuccino, and an orange juice. The recent fruit included a plate with melon, strawberry, and kiwi, after which there was additionally a plate with mango puree and recent berries. There have been additionally a number of selections from the bread basket, together with croissants and muffins.
One factor that Lufthansa does exceptionally properly in first-class is eggs. That’s as a result of you’ll be able to have scrambled eggs ready to your liking, with chives and/or bacon. I had some scrambled eggs with chives.
Lufthansa first-class service
We have been fortunate in that we had a rockstar crew on this flight. The 2 flight attendants working first-class have been skilled and form of quirky. They appeared to like their jobs, had an ideal humorousness, and have been seasoned professionals who knew precisely what they have been doing.
On high of that, we additionally had an ideal purser, who was far more palms on than typical. He got here round throughout boarding, served us drinks, and appeared once more previous to the descent to see how the flight was.
I can solely rave about this crew, and so they have been among the best Lufthansa crews I’ve had in a very long time. I’m completely happy to see flights to Munich as soon as once more providing first-class service, as a result of anecdotally I discover Munich crews to be a bit extra persistently skilled than Frankfurt crews.
Lufthansa A340 arrival in Munich
At 9AM Munich time the captain made his pre-landing announcement, informing us that we’d be touchdown on runway 26R in 38 minutes (you’ve gotta love German precision!). A couple of minutes after that we started our descent, and I made a decision to maneuver to seat 1K for the touchdown, because it was the one vacant window seat.
Our descent was clean, and the seatbelt signal was turned on about quarter-hour earlier than touchdown.
I all the time love the views of Bavaria when approaching Munich… so fairly!
We had a gorgeously clean landing in Munich at 9:37AM. From there we had a brief taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 9:45AM.
Upon bidding farewell to the crew we headed to the Lufthansa First Class Lounge, previous to our connecting Air Dolomiti flight to Geneva.
Backside line
I’ve flown Lufthansa first-class dozens of occasions, and usually I’m an enormous fan of the service’s first-class product. Nonetheless, I’m a bit conflicted.
On the one hand, I had an ideal flight, because the crew couldn’t have been higher, and I loved my dinner and breakfast. I actually recognize that Lufthansa has introduced again its A340s so as to add first-class capability in Munich. Moreover, Lufthansa first-class is the most effective first-class product accessible throughout a big community that may commonly be booked throughout the Atlantic with miles, and even with out gas surcharges (Emirates first-class is a bit higher, however that’s solely accessible on two routes between the USA and Europe). So from the attitude of redeeming miles, I completely love this product.
However, Lufthansa’s laborious product clearly leaves fairly a bit to be desired, however that might be addressed quickly, with the introduction of Lufthansa’s new first-class seat. I’m in all probability a bit extra forgiving of the present product on the 747 vs. the A340, on condition that sitting within the nostril of the 747 is such a deal with, so it provides to the expertise.
My larger situation is that I really feel that Lufthansa’s gentle product in first-class wants an overhaul. I can recognize consistency, however principally every thing I used to be served was both accessible in first-class years in the past, or was accessible in enterprise class on a current flight.
Right here’s to hoping that with the brand new first-class laborious product there’s additionally an up to date gentle product.
What do you make of Lufthansa’s A340 first-class?