by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 31, 2017 | Air Berlin, Etihad, Featured, Lufthansa |
Ahead of an announcement expected from Etihad and Lufthansa tomorrow from Abu Dhabi, details are starting to emerge regarding a deepening relationship between the 2 carriers.
Building on recent developments including Lufthansa’s take over of certain Air Berlin aircraft and routes in order to reduce the burden for Etihad (A large stake holder in AB), it appears now that Etihad is set to further seek Lufthansa’s assistance as it tries to re-sort itself.
Coming from various news outlets, including Bloomberg, it appears that Etihad is set to transfer their MRO operations (Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul) to Lufthansa Technik. Additionally, Etihad will transfer their catering operation to Lufthansa’s LSG Skychefs. There is also the potential for the relationship to expand to include Lufthansa handling much of Etihad’s security and ground services in certain parts of the world where both airlines are present. I expect we’ll find out the timing of these transactions during tomorrow’s event.
There has also been some chatter regarding the potential of Etihad joining Star Alliance, but that seems to be a bit of a stretch at this point based on Etihad’s involvement with other partners that are in direct competition with Star Alliance. But one never knows what can be announced.
There may be more to the announcement tomorrow, so you may see a follow up to this post.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 31, 2017 | A350, Featured, Lufthansa, On Board Experience, Passenger Experience |
In addition to all the new technology and efficiencies found within the A350’s airframe, Lufthansa has added a twist to the Inflight Entertainment System that should ‘WOW’ passengers.
With the introduction of the A350, LUFTHANSA introduces a new tool that will allow passengers to customize what Movies, TV Shows, Music, and other media they can enjoy up to 6 weeks prior to their flight. By using the ‘Lufthansa Companion App’, you will now be able to see your IFE menu weeks ahead of your flight, and can use your smart-device or tablet to create your customized menu of content you wish to enjoy during your A350 flights.
Once you’ve installed the app, you can enter your flight details at which point you’ll be presented with your IFE menu. From that point, make your selections and when you board your flight you’ll be able to sync your customized menu to your seat-back display and will immediately have your personal list loaded onto the aircraft’s system. What’s more, you can also use your smart device separately to view your IFE selections while on board.
The IFE system on the A350 is a customized version of Panasonic’s EX3 system which has the capacity to provide upwards of 100 Movies, 200 TV shows, and a myriad of Music and other content. This clearly marks the best that LH has to offer when it comes to Inflight Entertainment Systems.
The App should be available in your ‘local’ App Store in the coming weeks, timed with the introduction of the A350’s entrance into passenger service on February 10.
I’ll get to see the new system up close and personal later this week. If the app is released by then, I’ll come back with a follow up showing how it works.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 29, 2017 | A350, Featured, Lufthansa, Munich |
In a few hours I’ll be off to MUC for what promises to be a very A350-centric week.
After clearing the hurdle of an 11 hour layover in Chicago, I’ll head to Munich where a week-long list of Lufthansa related business and activities awaits.
The week will peak with the special ‘Roll In’ event scheduled for February 2 during which the first handful of ‘civilians’ will be able to step aboard the A350 before she enters service the following week. The invitation-only event will take place inside a hangar at the airport and if it’s anything like the 747-8i ‘Roll In’ event held in 2012 in Frankfurt, it promises to be a great evening. Expect to see several posts covering that event both here and on LH’s social media outlets.
Of course, no trip to Munich is complete without plane spotting from within and around MUC, so expect to see a handful of spotting posts from a variety of different perspectives from around the airport.
Hopefully I’ll be allowed back into the US a week from now. 😉
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 26, 2017 | Destinations, Fare Sale, Featured, Lufthansa |
Lufthansa launched a fare sale yesterday offering several attractive fares to a handful of European destinations.
By far and away the best deal is a roundtrip from San Francisco to Stockholm for only $399.
There is a large number of fares that will get you to Europe for well below $500 including New York – Madrid, Seattle – Frankfurt, Denver – Paris, Boston – London, etc. etc. It seems that each USA gateway city has at least once outstanding deal.
Departures must take place between February 2 and April 6, 2017 and return travel must take place between February 2 and October 6, 2017. Tickets must be purchased at least 7 days in advance of departure and surcharges may apply for weekend travel (Thursday – Sunday flights).
The fare sale lasts through January 31, 2017.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 20, 2017 | 747, Featured, Lufthansa, Route Announcements |
A few days ago, Lufthansa updated their timetable to reflect a switch in aircraft that will be used between Frankfurt and Detroit.
Beginning July 2, Lufthansa will begin flying the 747-400 on their daily flight to the Motor City, replacing the A340-300 that has been on the route until now. This will be the case at least for the Summer timetable which expires on September 29. LH will most likely downgage the route to a smaller aircraft for Winter 2017/18, but at least for the Summer and early Fall, passengers can enjoy the Queen of the Skies from DTW.
This covers flight LH442 that departs FRA at 10:00a and arrives in Detroit at 12:40p, and LH443 that departs Detroit at 3:50p, arriving in Frankfurt at 5:40a the following morning.
