Passenger Experience | Lufthansa Flyer

SWISS Publishes 777 ‘Training Flight’ Schedule Within Europe

by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 8, 2015 | 777, Featured, Passenger Experience, Swiss | 4 comments

In anticipation of SWISS receiving their 777-300 aircraft next year, they’ve published a timetable showing crew training flights that will take place within Europe.

These flights are normal when an airline introduces new hardware to the fleet and it gives their flight crews ample time to familiarize themselves with plane.

As it stands now, LX plans to start these training flights on February 8 and will continue the flights through March.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 8:

Zurich – Geneva will operate a 777 on flight LX2802, departing ZRH at 7:30a, arriving in GVA at 8:20. This flight will take place daily except for Saturday and will continue until March 25.

Geneva – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX2807, departing GVA at 10:00a, arriving in ZRH at 10:55. This flight will take place daily except for Saturday and will continue until March 25.

Be aware that 777 service will not be offered between ZRH and GVA at all between March 12 and March 19.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 8:

Zurich – Frankfurt will operate a 777 on flight LX1072 departing ZRH at 12:15p, arriving in FRA at 13:20p. This flight will take place daily except for Saturdays.

Frankfurt – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX1073 departing FRA at 2:40p, arriving in ZRH at 3:10p. This flight will take place daily except for Saturdays.

Then, ON FEBRUARY 20, ZRH-FRA will change to Tuesday and Thursday service only, ultimately ending on March 22.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 8:

Zurich – Barcelona will operate a 777 on flight LX1956 departing ZRH at 5:10p, arriving in BCN at 6:55p. This flight will take place daily except for Saturdays.

Barcelona – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX1957 departing Barcelona at 7:55p, arriving in ZRH at 9:45p. This flight will take place daily except for Saturdays.

Please note the 777 will not operate on February 12, and also not between March 10 and March 23. 777 service to Barcelona will end on March 24.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 12:

Zurich – London (LHR) will operate a 777 on flight LX329 departing ZRH at 4:35p, arriving in LHR at 5:20p. This service will only operate on February 12, 13, and 20.

Zurich – London (LHR) will operate a 777 on flight LX318 departing ZRH at 10:05a, arriving in LHR at 10:50a. This service will only operate on February 13 and 20.

London (LHR) – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LH 327 departing LHR at 6:55p, arriving in ZRH at 9:35p. This service will only operate on February 12, 13, and 20.

London (LHR) – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX319 departing LHR at 12:20p, arriving in ZRH at 3:05p. This service will only operate on February 13 and 20.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 27:

Zurich – Hamburg will operate a 777 on flight LX1054, departing ZRH at 5:40p, arriving in HAM at 7:20p (SATURDAY ONLY).

Hamburg – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX1055, departing HAM at 8:16p, arriving in ZRH at 9:44p (SATURDAY ONLY).

777 service on this route will end March 26.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 27:

Zurich – Malaga will operate a 777 on flight LX2110 departing ZRH at 9:40a, arriving in AGP at 12:20p (SATURDAY ONLY).

Malaga – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX2111, departing Malaga at 1:10p, arriving in ZRH at 3:50 (SATURDAY ONLY).

777 service on this route will end on March 26.
BEGINNING MARCH 13:

Zurich – Hanover will operate a 777 on flight LX814 departing ZRH at 7:45a, arriving in HAJ at 8:55a. This flight will operate a 777 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only between March 13 and 18.

Hanover – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX815 departing HAJ at 9:50a, arriving in ZRH at 11:15a. This flight will operate a 777 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only between March 13 and 18.

Zurich – Hanover will operate a 777 on flight LX828 departing ZRH at 6:35p, arriving in HAJ at 7:50p. This flight will operate a 777 on Tuesday and Thursday, March 15 and 17 only.

Hanover – Zurich will operate a 777 on flight LX829 departing HAJ at 8:30p, arriving in ZRH at 9:40p. This flight will operate a 777 on Tuesday and Thursday, March 15 and 17 only.

Please note that this special timetable is a VERY fluid one and changes should be expected. Proceed at your own peril if you are trying to catch a ride on one of these test flights! You might wind up on a Jumbolino instead! 🙂

As far as seating, it appears that SWISS has blocked the sale of First and Business Class seats for these flights. It is not known at this point if that will change, or if LX will offer special upgrades to SENs and HONs who are booked on these flights. If I learn more, I’ll pass it along.

H/T: VFT & FlyerTalk’s ‘ClaudiSTR’

LUFTHANSA Brings Broadband Internet Access To Medium & Short Haul Routes

by Lufthansa Flyer | Sep 21, 2015 | 9525, Featured, Fleet Update, Passenger Experience, Technik | 2 comments

Lufthansa announced today that they will begin to roll out Broadband connectivity to all aircraft that fly LH’s medium and short haul routes. If all goes to plan, the first aircraft will have this ability starting in Summer of 2016.

According to LH, they will first airline in Europe to offer passengers the ability to connect to the internet for browsing, email and streaming access with speeds similar to what you would see at home.

In addition, Passengers will also be able to use the service to access their own mobile data plan for texting. Voice calls will thankfully not be permitted!

The new system will be provided by Inmarsat and will be installed and maintained by Lufthansa Technik.

LUFTHANSA Premium Economy Sale Ex-USA

by Lufthansa Flyer | Sep 18, 2015 | Fare Sale, Featured, Lufthansa, Passenger Experience, Premium Economy | 4 comments

LUFTHANSA is currently running a Premium Economy fare sale for travel between the USA and Europe during the 4th quarter of this year.

Fares, as usual when Prem Eco goes on sale, are attractive. For example New York to Milan can be had for only $1500.

Most departures from the East Coast range between $1550 and $1700, while departures from the Midwest and West Coast range between $1700 and $1850.

The difference between Economy and Premium Economy on Lufthansa is fairly significant. Not only do you get a much more comfortable seat with more leg room and seat pitch, you’ll also experience enhanced dining and a generous checked baggage allowance. For more details on other perks visit LH’s dedicated Premium Economy webpage.

I have experienced the new Premium Economy seat on flights between New York and Frankfurt. It is a perfectly comfortable seat and I had no problem being comfortable and getting a few hours of sleep during the flight. I sensed that the cabin crew was a bit more attentive to the Premium Economy passengers as compared to the economy passengers. Perhaps because it is a relatively small ‘cabin’, but nevertheless I had a great experience and would recommend to anyone to fly Premium Economy.

In fact, part of my segments to Johannesburg ZA next week are in Premium Economy as well……unless an upgrade clear or my wife lets me have her First Class seats 😉 .