by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 11, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Route Announcements |
Lufthansa has recently announced changes to their Summer 2014 flight operations which primarily updates the kind of aircraft that will fly on a given route. Additionally, this update provides information on any changes that involve adding or removing First Class cabins from certain flights or routes. Please pay special attention to some of these changes if you are looking to travel in First Class. Some destinations, like Philadelphia for example, will have a mix of 2-class and 3-class cabins depending on the day of the week.
BOSTON – FRANKFURT:
Lufthansa will operate a 747 on each of their 2 daily flights. The first 747 will begin flying the route on March 30 for flights LH422 & LH533. The second 747 will begin serving Boston on May 19 for flights LH420 & LH 421. Both of these 747s replace Airbus A340 aircraft.
BOSTON – MUNICH:
Beginning March 30, an Airbus A340-400 will fly the route until April 27 at which point an A330-300 will take over until June 5. On June 5, an a340-600 will begin to fly the route.
DALLAS – FRANKFURT:
Beginning on July 28, a 2-class A340 will replace a 3-Class A330 on the route thus eliminating First Class service on the route.
DETROIT – FRANKFURT:
Between May 5 and May 31 a 3-class A340 will replace a 2-Class A340 thus creating First Class capacity from DTW for most of May.
DUBAI – FRANKFURT:
Beginning March 30, a 3-class Airbus A340 will replace the 747 on the route. Beginning on June 1, First Class will no longer be available when a 2-class A340 is expected to begin flying the route.
DUBAI – MUNICH:
Beginning March 30, service will be reduced from 7x/week to 6x/week.
MONTREAL – FRANKFURT:
Beginning May 15, service resumes with 5x/week service. The route will be flown by an A330 on Tuesdays and an A340 on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
NARITA – OSAKA – FRANKFURT:
Until July 19, Lufthansa will continue to fly to Narita and Osaka as one continuous flight. Beginning on July 20, Narita and Osaka will receive their own dedicated non-stop flight from Frankfurt. Frankfurt – Narita will operated as LH710 and LH711 and flown by a 747-400. Frankfurt – Osaka will be operated as LH740 and LH 741, also flown by a 747-400.
PHILADELPHIA – FRANKFURT:
Between June 1 and August 1, the 3-class A340-300 will be replaced by a 3-class A340-600 on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. A 2-Class A340-300 will operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Between August 2 and August 21, a 2-class A340 will operate each daily flight (No First Class cabin during this period).
Beginning August 22, a 2-class A340-300 will operate everyday except Thursday. On Thursdays, a 3-class A330 will fly the route.
SEATTLE – FRANKFURT:
Beginning April 25, an Airbus A340 will replace the A330-300 for each daily flight (3-Cabin).
Beginning July 1, a 2-class A340 will replace the 3-class A330,eliminating First Class on the route.
WASHINGTON (IAD) – FRANKFURT:
Beginning August 2 for LH416 and 417, a 3 class A340-600 will operate on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A 2-class A340 will fly the route on Wednesday and Thursday.
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by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 10, 2014 | Featured |
As part of Lufthansa’s overhaul of their long haul fleet which includes the migration to a new Business Class and Premium Economy seat, attention has also been given to enhance the Infight Entertaintment (IFE) experience.
Recent IFE software and hardware upgrades that have been undertaken have enabled passengers traveling in all 3 class to have access to the same content. Additionally, LH has expanded the IFE menu which has dramatically increased the options available to passengers:
300 Music CDs by various artists in a variety of genres and languages.
Movie selections have doubled from 100 to 200 full length feature films.
200 TV shows included digital ‘boxed sets’ that provide multiple episodes of a given TV show.
Increased family-friendly offerings for children including 10 films, 20 TV shows, audio books and audio CDs.
Increased assortment of regional content for flights operating to Asia, India and the Middle East.
In addition to the audio/visual IFE enhancements, Lufthansa has also begun the expansion of FlyNet (inflight internet access) that will allow passengers to use their personal ‘Smart Devices’ to access internet content, email and text messaging.
This decision to upgrade came in the 4th quarter of 2013 as Lufthansa committed to create a complete ‘5-Star’ airline experience for all passengers. The decision came as a result of earning several prestigious awards for their First Class product. In 2013 LH was awarded a 5-Star rating for their First Class product including Best First Class Lounges from Skytrax as well as a 5-Star award from the American Academy of Hospitality Services for their Inflight First Class service and First Class Lounges in Frankfurt, Munich and New York’s JFK.
As of April 2014, approximately half of the long haul fleet will be updated with the new IFE systems. Upgrades will continue throughout mid-2015 as the long-haul fleet goes through the process of having their new cabins installed.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 19, 2014 | Airlines |
Lufthansa is currently running an attractive fare sale for First Class travel between the US and Europe with fares as low as $5240. This is the kind of fare sale I like to take advantage of because it lets me book a First Class ticket for what normally is a Business Class price.
By now, I’m sure you are all familiar with the outstanding amenities involved with flying First Class with Lufthansa including access to the world’s finest dedicated First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, private car transfer between terminal and aircraft in certain situations and 5-Star treatment during your flight. Additionally, Lufthansa has been upgrading their long-haul fleet to a new First Class cabin which puts the cherry on top of a fantastic experience!
As far as the fare sale is concerned, it runs until March 15 and is valid for departures taking place between April 13 and April 25 and returning between April 19 and May 1. Additionally, tickets must be purchased 28 days prior to departure.
I usually warn readers during these fare sales to be careful of operating carriers. In this particular case I have found several flights options that are operated by United Airlines. While their First Class product is great, it is not Lufthansa First Class. More importantly, if you fly on United you will NOT have access to Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal or Lounges! So keep that in mind when reviewing reservation options. It’s that important! 🙂
Start or add to your Lufthansa First Class Duck Collection!!
My suggestion would be to book flights operated by Lufthansa’s 747-8i or Airbus A380 aircraft. They both feature Lufthansa’s new First Class cabin throughout the aircraft types. Lufthansa’s 747-400s, A340 and A330 aircraft are currently undergoing upgrades so there is a possibility that you may not see the new First Class product if your flight is operated by one of these birds. Regardless, you will be pampered and spoiled by a fantastic crew, aircraft and ground services!
And don’t forget to get your duck! 😉
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 9, 2014 | Airlines |
Lufthansa has recently announced changes to their flight operations in the US for their Summer 2014 timetable. The biggest change involves the removal of First Class cabins from certain gateways in the US. Please keep in mind that these kind of updates are fluid and other changes can still be announced. I’ll provide updates as they are released by LH.
Boston – Munich beginning on March 30, 2014 will be operated by an Airbus A330-300. Beginning on June 5, it will be replaced by an Airbus A340-600. First Class cabins will be available on these aircraft.
Dallas – Frankfurt beginning July 1, 2014 will be served by a 2-class Airbus A340-300. This will replace the A330. First Class will not be available from Dallas during the summer timetable.
Detroit – Frankfurt effective between March 30 and May 4, 2014 will be operated by an Airbus A340-600 with 3-class service. Beginning on May 5, a 2-class Airbus A340-300 will resume flying the route.
Los Angeles – Frankfurt will see the 747-8i operate both daily flights between LAX/FRA for the summer timetable.
Miami – Frankfurt will continue to see the A380 fly the route during the summer timetable.
New York(JFK) – Frankfurt will see the A380 return for the summer for one of the 2 daily JFK-FRA flights. The A380 will operate on LH400/LH401.
Philadelphia – Frankfurt beginning June 1, 2014 will be served by a 2-class Airbus A340-300. First Class will not be available from Philadelphia during the summer timetable.
San Francisco – Frankfurt beginning on April 22 will see the return of the A380, replacing the 747-400 for the summer timetable.
Seattle – Frankfurt beginning June 21 will be served by a 2-class Airbus A340-300. First Class will not be available from Seattle during the summer timetable.
Washington Dulles – Frankfurt beginning on July 24, Flight LH416/417 will be flown by a 2 class A340-300. First Class service will not be available. The other daily Washington DC – Frankfurt, LH418/LH419, will continue to have First Class capacity.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 26, 2014 | Airlines |
SWISS is currently holding an attractive First and Business Class fare sale for travel in April from their USA Gateways. Anytime these fares go on sale it creates a great opportunity to experience one of the best First Class and Business Class products that exist for flights between the USA and Europe. Normally fares for these premium cabins can be twice as much!
For FIRST CLASS (click for fare website), fares from New York’s JFK and Newark range from the mid to upper $5000 range for most popular European destinations such as Prague, Rome, Paris, Vienna, etc. The lowest fare is from NYC to Florence for only $5493.
From the West Coast, fares range between the upper $6000 / lower $7000 range with Florence again being the best deal for $6493 from San Francisco or Los Angeles.
For BUSINESS CLASS, fares range from the upper $2000 to lower $3000 range from East Coast gateways. From the West Coast, fares range between the mid $3000 to mid $4000 range.
Be mindful when booking because some of the flights are operated by United or Edelweiss (using SWISS Aircraft). To maximize the experience I would suggest you make sure you pick the SWISS operated options for your transatlantic segments.
Terms and conditions are sparse, but at a minimum you must depart between April 13 and 25, returning no later than May 1. The fare sale makes for a nice ‘Spring Break’ opportunity!
