As is typical for any fare sale, prices from the East Coast are lower than if originating from the West Coast. From example, Boston to Brussels is only $5239 while other East Coast origins range between $5500 and $6000. From the West Coast fares begin from $6500 (San Francisco-Madrid) and work their way up to $6800 (Los Angeles – Naples).
The fare sale runs until August 2. Departures need to take place between July 22 and August 30 and return travel must take place between July 23 and November 30. Tickets need to be purchased at least 28 days in advance.
One word of caution, be aware of the carriers operating your flights. This fare structure is set up so that flights can be operated by United, Austrian, Air Canada, SWISS, Brussels and Lufthansa.
If you are going to pay $6000 to cross the Atlantic in first class, PLEASE make sure that your flight is operated by LUFTHANSA or SWISS for the transatlantic portion.
Crossing the Atlantic with one of the other carriers will preclude you from many First Class perks afforded to LH and LX First Class passengers, including the use of First Class Lounges in New York, Germany, Switzerland and the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. Remember, part of the value of these fares is having access to fantastic on-the-ground amenities!
In the spirit of the World Cup, Lufthansa has officially released the first photos of the World Cup Duck that will be available to passengers who visit Lufthansa’s First Class Lounges in Germany as well as the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.
The duck will be available ONLY during the World Cup Tournament and while supplies last. Another reason to fly in front of the plane!
I got a peek at it a few weeks ago when I was at the FCT, but I did not want to spoil LH’s surprise! 🙂
Lufthansa has announced a new First Class amenity kit that will begin to appear on long haul flights in mid-April. They also announced a limited edition kit coming to Business Class for May and June.
The First Class kit, made by ESCADA will replace the different variations of kits that passengers find onboard currently.
A nice feature of the new kit is that the case is designed to be used as tablet cover once it has served its purpose as an Amenity Kit.
Beginning in May and running for a VERY SHORT TIME there will also be a new Business Class Amenity Kit that will celebrate Germany’s World Cup Team. That kit will only be available for Long Haul flights departing Germany in May and June.
As part of an LSG Sky Chef event in New York last week, Lufthansa has unveiled an entirely revamp Menu strategy specifically designed for flights departing US Gateways. For those of you not familiar with LSG Sky Chefs, it is a Lufthansa Group subsidiary and the largest provider of inflight meals in the world. In fact, 1 in 4 meals served by any airline, on any flight is sourced from LSG Sky Chefs.
The new ‘Taste Of America’ program is designed to serve regionally inspired cuisine for passengers traveling in First or Business Class and is scheduled to begin in May. For the program, Lufthansa has taken the US and divided it into 4 regions:
Northeast/Midwest: New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia
Southeast/Mid-Atlantic: Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, Washington DC
Central: Dallas, Houston, Denver
West: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
The new program looks to take advantage of regional traditions and ethnic influences to create unique dining experiences and move away from everyone having the same menu at the same time when flying from the USA. As part of the 5-star strategy, this is a major piece to the puzzle when it comes to improving the on-board experience from one of Lufthansa’s largest markets.
The program itself is a collaboration between Lufthansa food specialists and LSG Sky Chefs which undertook the daunting task of reviewing over 1,000 menu ideas before choosing the finalists. The vetting process went beyond just taste and flavor. The options chosen for the new menu had to pass a stringent review of the meal’s ability to maintain freshness and appeal when served in an airline environment, which includes preparation, temperature variations, altitude, etc. It was not as simple as the food tasting good on the ground, it had to perform while in flight as well. Additionally, ingredients used towards this menu are locally sourced so that authenticity to the region and ethnic inspiration can be maintained.
Here is the breakdown of the initial menu concept that will be on board beginning in May:
Northeast / Midwest: Italian inspired selections including Pasta stuffed with Artichoke.
Southeast / Mid-Atlantic: Cartoccio, a locally inspired seafood dish.
Central: Smoked and grilled Beef with a spicy chili sauce.
West: Cioppino – a seafood ragout with tomato and saffron.
Expect that these options will change on a monthly basis as is normal for Lufthansa’s dining menus. There will of course be other menu options available on board besides the options listed above.
To see what some of these options look like and the work that went into the program’s development, take a few minutes and watch the following video:
