TRIP REPORT
Last month I flew with Lufthansa for the first time in over a year and decided to share my experience with you. I took the morning flight from Belgrade to Frankfurt (6.15AM departure). I booked the ticket a month in advance and fares were quite expensive but business class was just 1,800 RSD (around 9 euros) more expensive than the remaining economy class fares that were available, so I opted for business.
The Lufthansa Group is still using the check-in area between the new central processor building and Terminal 1 (or at least was at the time). Since there were a lot of check-in desks open (as they serve all Lufthansa Group airlines) there was no queue. Despite being just before the Air Serbia morning rush, there was no major lines at passport control either, although as a business class passenger you can use the fast track lane which now includes a special lane both for passport control and security (and is very useful when it is busy).
Since it was early, I headed to the lounge. Lufthansa uses the Business Club lounge. It was around 5AM and I realised that the lounge doesn’t open until 6AM. You really must wonder why the airport, which has this Lufthansa flight in the morning for years and years, as well as several other Lufthansa Group flights at that time does not make an effort to open the lounge an hour earlier. Of course, there was a line of people waiting in front for the doors to be unlocked.
I installed the Lufthansa mobile app the evening before my flight and must say I was impressed. The app featured information on where your aircraft was coming from (its previous flight) and gave constant updates on the location of your luggage (in the luggage sorting facility or loaded onto the plane). It also gave gate information for connecting flights. I found it very sleek and useful. If your luggage is lost you can report it straight through the app.
Our aircraft, an A321, was full in economy, with 3 seats empty in business (all in the first row). I can’t exactly remember how many rows were dedicated to business class on this flight. I was seated in the first row. As these are eurobusiness seats, the middle seat is blocked. The crew was nice and greeted everyone at the door. They even tried doing the greetings in Serbian. I have generally had rather bad experiences flying with Lufthansa from Belgrade (delayed flights, lost luggage) but this time around everything went smoothly.
Several minutes after being airborne a recorded message was played that WiFi was available. The pricing is rather decent, and the WiFi homepage gives you the opportunity to see where you are and the remining time until arrival.
The crew then came by with breakfast and drinks, which was all pleasant. A selection of warm bread from the breadbasket was also served and drink refills offered. There are no menus or choices, but I think it was a decent breakfast for a short flight (and much more nicely presented on a tray than Air Serbia does). There was an announcement that food items would be sold in economy and there was also a price list in the seat pocket.
After breakfast was cleared, the crew came by offering apples and a Lufthansa chocolate.
We landed on time in Frankfurt and, to my surprise, we even got a gate with an airbridge. Thankfully, Belgrade is now considered a “safe” destination and you do not have to go through security if transferring onto other flights at Frankfurt Airport.
Overall, a nice experience with Lufthansa for me, for a change
Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com
Dobar report, cudi me da ne stave cesto da leti a321 ako je pun.
ReplyDeleteReally surprised of Internet prices, and that are valid for the whole flight.
ReplyDeleteThat so-called ‘business class meal’ is a complete joke. Funny how things have changed: what used to be one of the best legacy airline in Europe, Lufthansa, is now one of the very worst. What used to be one of the worst legacy airline in Europe, Air France, is now one of the best (after TK, of course).
ReplyDeleteLufthansa announced the other day that they plan on improving their onbord product.
DeleteMade a transfer via DUS in June. I couldnt believe it is Germany. So depressing and tired airport if you compare it with say ZRH or DOH. Arrogant staff, old ceilings, delays....ufff DUS one of the wealthiest regions in Germany.
DeleteWhat airline did you fly on? My sister flew from NCE to BEG with EW (Wizz was sold out) and her flight to BEG was 85% full on the A320.
DeleteThat’s Germany now my friend. Rude, arrogant, depressed and outdated
Delete11:06 Eurowings delays chaos, I don't like DUS airport sorry....
DeleteFlew from Boston to Munich this past June 1 st time with Luftstanza not impressed aside from 1 steward other crew members were not pleasant or helpful … connected flight from there to Bari Italy … guess what ? Luggage list for 5 days… and again coming home to Boston … horrible first experience .. will not be flying them again
ReplyDeleteI flew several times in the past year with Lufthansa in eurobusiness class, two times with kids, and their crew was always ultra pleasant. They really went extra mile when I was travelling with my children. During madness last year in August, they cancelled my flight from Berlin to Ljubljana via Frankfurt (both legs) and I managed to get their support via phone. As I had to be in Ljubljana on the exact same date, they found me a train from Berlin to Frankfurt (in first class) and another flight from Frankfurt to Ljubljana. I was also reimbursed within 72 hours. While their onboard product is far from what you would find with Middle East carriers they are still my carrier of choice in Europe. The only thing I dislike is that their lounges in FRA and MUC (Business ones, I never used First class lounges) are always overcrowded, especially compared to preCovid times.
ReplyDeleteI am sure they are just waiting for next year, when the changes with Miles and More come in force. These lounges will become a whole less crowded, as many participants will loose their FQTV or SEN status.
DeleteOmg that is really cheap ham used. Very basic.
ReplyDeleteLidl ham does rounds on this one Lufthansa serves. I am shocked there was no omelette, literally just cold cuts with bread, even students make better meals than this one.
ReplyDeleteWho's in charge of their catering when the plane stays in BEG over night? That could be an issue for the first morning flight...
Delete^ It's is brought on the outbound flight from FRA. Only airline that takes catering in BEG is Air Serbia and Hainan Airlines.
DeleteThank you, nice report. Lufthansa has a very consistent service which is very good. Not excellent, but you now what to expect. Their crew members are always nice and professional from my experience. Lost baggage occasionally and similar things are standard in this industry.
ReplyDeleteFlew with Austrian in business recently from BEG - also, very nice experience, lovely crew and better presentation of the meal than on these pictures for sure.
Tasting Heimat is such a horrible catering programme. I am Swiss, so culturally and culinarily fairly close to Germany. But I have been served horrendous, unknown (to me) German specialities on LH for the past two years over and over again. Delivered without any explanation about what I am about to eat. The only dish I knew was the Curry Sausage. If they would at least explain the dish and it's origins, it would be slightly better, but like this it is a total taste lottery with some very specific specialists.
ReplyDeleteIf it is a struggle for me, then I can't imagine how this must taste for someone from another continent connecting with LH.
Was 9 eur upgrade worth it? Coldcuts breakfast and bulkhead seat.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was. You avoid lines in Belgrade, first one off the plane in FRA, no one sitting next to you in a packed A321. Why does it bother you so much?
DeleteDoesn't bother me. I opted for exit row seat and a sandwich.
DeleteBooked and paid for flights from Frankfurt to Bucharest in November 2022, as a group of 4 with Luthansa, attempted on line check in only to get 3 seats assigned, thought it was a glitch and decided to fix the problem at the airport. Checked in luggage and was handed four bording passes, three with seats one without. Went to gate and located a Luthansa Help Desk, approached the gentlemen directing inquiries and when he looked at our flight informed me that the flight was overbooked and there was nothing to be done. Requested to see a customer service representative and was promptly informed that they could do nothing as well, we had to see the counter reps at the gate and may get a seat. Did finally get a seat due to bad weather delaying incoming flights.
ReplyDeleteMy party had flown from Australia and made all connections but Luthansa doesn't acknowledge that a ticket paid in full 8 months prior, all transfers made and 3 out of 4 passengers electronically checked in 24 hours previously doesn't warrant a seat allocation over someone paying for a standby ticket. Totally amazing, Luthansa, complete fail for customer service.