by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 16, 2014 | Featured, Frankfurt, Lufthansa, Plane Spotting |
Two weeks ago, I was flying from Michigan to Johannesburg via Chicago and Frankfurt which created a very nice and lengthy layover in Frankfurt between my inbound flight from the US and connecting flight to JNB. This routing gave me a unique opportunity take in plane spotting at night when Lufthansa sends a few of their long haulers to Asia and Africa.
On typical trips, I arrive in FRA during early morning hours and my departures for the States typically take place by early afternoon. Having a 10:00p departure from FRA gave me an opportunity to see LH aircraft in a different light, or lack thereof….
While waiting for 10p to roll around, I ‘abandoned’ my wife to the capable hands of the Senator Lounge and set out to walk the length of Concourse Z which is typically where you’ll find most of LH’s long haul activity, especially at night. Fortunately the glass was clean enough and glare was manageable so that the pictures actually turned out quite well.
Enjoy!
747-8i, D-ABYL, ahead of her flight to Hong Kong
Another look at ‘Yankee Lima’
D-AISL, an Airbus A321, would head to Amman, Jordan
D-AISR, an Airbus A321, would head off to Bucharest, Romania.
D-AIGO, an Airbus A343, would head off to Qingdao-Shenyang
This would be our ride to Johannesburg. ‘D-AIMB’ aka Munchen is an Airbus A380, and is outfitted with the fantastic new Business cabin…..
Another look at ‘Michael Bravo’
D-AIMF, or ‘Zurich’ would head to Singapore.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 14, 2014 | Business Class, Featured, Lufthansa, On Board Experience |
Lufthansa has announced that beginning with the Summer 2015 timetable, all long-haul flights operated by LH will feature their new concept in Business Class hospitality referred to as Business Class Signature Service.
Up until recently, this concept was in pilot phase and was tested on random long haul flights for several months. After feedback from crew and passengers, LH has decided to make it permanent and use it to build upon their quest to become a 5 Star airline.
The concept is designed to allow flight attendants to focus on a limited amount of passengers during a flight in the hopes of personalizing the experience for the passenger. As part of the program’s design, flight attendants will have the responsibility for only a group of 8-12 passengers.
With Business Class Signature, the number of flight attendants on a give long-haul flight may be adjusted to account for large load factors. For example, with full Business Class loads on the 747-8i or A380, it would result in additional flight attendants being assigned in order to keep the ratio of passengers to flight attends at no more than 12:1. In a long haul aircraft, this typically results in a flight attendant working an area of only 2-3 rows, giving him or her more opportunities to interact with their passengers.
I’ve yet to experience this product since the tests were only done on a handful of flights, however I have had several readers comment to me on how much better and different this new experience has been.
There are additional test flights scheduled in November and December for this new program. Passengers flying between Frankfurt and Shanghai may find this service in November, while Munich – Haneda passengers may experience Business Class Signature Service in December.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 12, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy, Route Announcements |
In part 3 of Lufthansa’s extensive update for their Long Haul fleet for 2015, I look at the 747-8i and the new destinations it will see beginning in late March. The changes aren’t widespread, but if you live in, or travel to these LH destinations you are in for a treat with the 747-8i.
Beginning on March 29, 2015 the 747-8i will replace the 747-400 on the following routes.
Frankfurt – Buenos Aires
Frankfurt – Newark
Frankfurt – New York JFK (LH404 & LH 405) — As a side note, LH had indicated as recently as this past summer that FRA-JFK would be dropped from the timetable. It looks as though they changed their mind and will keep JFK as a gateway.
Beginning on April 27, 2015:
Frankfurt – Boston (LH422 & LH 423)
All 747-8i will operate as 4-class aircraft with 8 First Class, 80 Business Class, 32 Premium Economy and 244 Economy seats:
PART I: Click here to see the changes coming to the A380 route map as well as the A380’s Premium Economy rollout calendar.
PART II: Click here to see the changes involving the 747-400, including the removal of First Class cabins and Premium Economy rollout calendar.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 11, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, On Board Experience, Premium Economy |
Following up on Part I of Lufthansa’s Long Haul changes for 2015 that dealt with the 747-400 and removal of First Class cabins, Part II looks specifically at A380 operations. This includes the timing of Premium Economy rollout as well as an update on the A380 taking over a few 747-8i routes.
Here is an update to the A380 route ‘map’. Beginning in late march, the A380 will replace the 747-8i on the following routes:
March 29: Frankfurt – Los Angeles (LH456 & LH 457). This is the mid-afternoon LAX departure.
April 16: Frankfurt – Beijing.
April 26: Frankfurt – Seoul (ICN).
Here is the most recent schedule for Premium Economy rollout for the A380. The seating configuration will be 8 First Class / 78 Business Class / 52 Premium Economy / 371 Economy. (Click here for my earlier post showing the Premium Economy seating maps):
March 29: Frankfurt – Los Angeles (LH456 & LH457).
March 29: Frankfurt – Seoul (ICN).
April 16: Frankfurt – Beijing.
April 22: Frankfurt – Delhi.
April 22: Frankfurt – Houston.
April 22: Frankfurt – Johannesburg.
April 22: Frankfurt – Miami.
April 22: Frankfurt – New York JFK (LH400 and LH401).
April 22: Frankfurt – San Francisco.
April 22: Frankfurt – Shanghai.
April 22: Frankfurt – Singapore.
You may be wondering how 8 A380 aircraft will all debut Premium Economy exactly on the same day. In fact, the Premium Economy seats will be gradually phased in a few days / weeks prior to the official launch date. In the event that Premium Economy seats will be on an aircraft/flight prior to the official launch date, LH will provide passengers with complimentary upgrades and offers to upgrade to Y+ on a flight by flight basis. The firm dates listed above are the dates loaded into LH’s reservation system for purposes of booking Premium Economy.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Oct 11, 2014 | Featured, First Class, Industry News, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
Lufthansa has provided a thorough update for its 2015 timetable that will see substantial changes to fleet operations on long haul flights around the world. The changes include the removal of First Class seats from 747-400 aircraft, the introduction Premium Economy cabins throughout the long haul fleet and minor adjustments in Business Class / Economy Class seat inventory.
The announcement, first made on October 9, was quite lengthy and covered all of LH’s long haul fleet so I decided to break up the information into separate posts in the hopes that it is easier to absorb. This installment covers the 747-400 fleet, while future posts will cover other aircraft types.
The following routes will see the removal of First Class cabins on the 747-400 aircraft that fly these routes. Initially these aircraft will have Business and Economy class seats only (67 Business Seats / 322 Economy Seats per aircraft), however beginning in August Premium Economy seats will begin to appear on these routes (67 Business Seats / 32 Premium Economy Seats / 272 Economy Seats per aircraft).
Frankfurt – Vancouver beginning on March 26, 2015.
Frankfurt – Toronto beginning on March 29, 2015.
Frankfurt -Denver beginning on April 10, 2015.
Frankfurt – Shanghai beginning on May 7, 2015.
Frankfurt – Orlando beginning on May 15, 2015.
Frankfurt – Boston beginning on May 25, 2015.
Frankfurt – Osaka beginning on May 25, 2015.
Frankfurt – Washington DC (LH416/417) beginning on June 22, 2015.
Frankfurt – Mumbai beginning on June 30, 2015.
Frankfurt – Seattle beginning on June 30, 2015. A 3-Class (F/C/Y) 744 will fly FRA-SEA effective March 29. On June 29 it becomes a 744 with Biz / Prem Eco / Eco.
