EY Apartments vs. LH First Class

[vantage03]

Cruiser, seats are identical but layout is different. Bathrooms significantly bigger and better on A380. I still like being in the nose though.
Very unlikely you'll get an award F ticket through a partner airline on LH778/779 (the FRA-SIN) services, they tend to only even open A class for sale on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

 

[boomy]

Exactly, the LH really get "First Class" as a concept, they make you feel special and they look after everything. Most importantly, they take the worst part out of travel - the awful airport experiences, and turn it into an absolute pleasure.

All F and HON Circle members get airport arrival services at international ports, regardless of how full the cabin is.

Shame you didn't like the F Cabin. I really like it, but my style is more minimalist. I find EK gross, for example.

Excellent report, thanks for sharing!

Glad you liked the report, thanks for the feedback.
Just to be clear, I'd love to fly LH again. It's not that I didn't like the cabin, it just failed to impress.
For me, one of the main reasons for booking F over J when traveling solo is a sense of privacy the F cabin offers.
I understand your dislike of EK but this is an extreme example of tacky design. There are quite a few tasteful cabins out there which still manage to give that sense of privacy. On B747s CX and TG come to mind as good examples.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Cruiser, seats are identical but layout is different. Bathrooms significantly bigger and better on A380. I still like being in the nose though.
Very unlikely you'll get an award F ticket through a partner airline on LH778/779 (the FRA-SIN) services, they tend to only even open A class for sale on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Yep understand layout different - 380:



And 748:



Just thought I would check if same seats - if I can shake one or two loose ex FRA will try LH - if cannot will suffer through SQ R - no biggie - tried EK F ex FRA last year - never again!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the kind words.
Keep in mind this is just one review based on one flight. Some of my friends who live in Europe swear by LH (and LX).

Thanks for the report and welcome to Lufthansa First class I think it is the best in the world, and I like their cabins - I'm just as happy in an open space as enclosed. The 747-400 with just 8 seats on the entire upper deck was something in terms of space. But same issue re (lack of) privacy.

Full cabin really makes no difference with LH. The service is the same. While LX is good in terms of food, their lounge isn't in the same league and their service is... well... kind of 'Swiss'. Which is a somewhat different service ethic.

 

[TheBOSman]

Cruiser, seats are identical but layout is different. Bathrooms significantly bigger and better on A380. I still like being in the nose though.
Very unlikely you'll get an award F ticket through a partner airline on LH778/779 (the FRA-SIN) services, they tend to only even open A class for sale on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

747-8 bathroom doesn't have a urinal in the loo unlike the A380 .

 

[boomy]

Speaking of bathrooms, this one on LH B748.



It's small but the smart design allows changing clothes in relative comfort.

 

[boomy]

You have certainly whet my appetite for LH F boomster - are the F seats on 748 same as 380? I have 2 x FRA deps booked in SQ R for July and Aug and might contemplate trading one in - I just prefer the SQ schedule to LH - but I guess I should try it at least once.

I have 2 X QF10 F booked for May and Aug. Wouldn't mind swapping at least one of them to try LH A380 F if can find availability to SIN.
Since both my flights are outside current JL F schedule to SYD, going via Japan again is out of the question (unless ANA suddenly decides to service their F to AUS ).

 

[boomy]

One last thing before moving on, the chauffeur drive service provided by EY and others is very good benefit. There is nothing like landing in LHR after 24hr journey and finding someone waiting to take you to hotel in style.
Would be nice if LH offered that as well. Can be useful for HND-NRT transfers

 

[boomy]

JL F NRT-SYD

Since I've covered JL F already in a previous TR in March I'll just do short review here as part of this current trip.

The direct train transfer from HND to NRT via Shinagawa was an easy ride, no need to change lines. It wasn't one of the famous high speed trains but comfortable enough and not crowded. I even managed to catch some sleep, something I would only dare to do in Japan (sleeping in trains while traveling with luggage).

NRT ready for Xmas



JL F check in feels very welcoming with all the nice smiling ladies around. I love the express lane located next to F counters, didn't have to stand in any queues from check in to DF.

JL F lounge wasn't busy when I got there so didn't need to wait for showers and 10 min complementary massage.

It's not the most impressive lounge like LH F nor is it massive like EY or EK lounges but it looks and feels elegant and most important - civilised. It's strictly forbidden to talk on mobile phones in the main area. There are dedicated sound proof booths for that a short walk away. I wish more lounges would have similar policy.

So what is the main attraction here?
There is sushi bar where chefs prepare sushi to order.



There is also sake station.



They have my favourite Japanese whiskey.



Got my appetite back



There is also shoe shine station, massage chairs, work area with computers and printers and smoking area at the other end.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Apologies for interrupting the JL part of the report... but worth noting (I didn't see it mentioned) is that there is a privacy screen on the LH seats... this extends from the tip of the arm-rest all the way back behind the seat. Once deployed it creates the same semi-suite you get on TG. You can see pictures of this towards the end of this trip report: Lufthansa A380 First Class: Frankfurt – Singapore | bart.la

 

[Spizz]

Is that only on the LH A380?

 

[boomy]

There is something similar on the B748.
Can be partly seen in this photo.



Divider good to use while sleeping, a bit uncomfortable to have it up all the time.

 

[Spizz]

Great TR BTW. Do you know when JL cease flying their F to Australia as I looked late next year and see no availability?

 

[boomy]

Great TR BTW. Do you know when JL cease flying their F to Australia as I looked late next year and see no availability?

Thanks.
Previously JL run F to SYD from late October to late March but made the final decision to upgrade only a couple of month prior. This is why you can't see any availability for late next year.

 

[boomy]

During boarding I noticed three Japanese guys traveling together, all in F. Two of them sat in 1D/G and another in 2A. I was in 1A and offered the guy in 2A to swap seats which he kindly accepted.
Moments later one of his colleagues came to thank me and said this is his boss and the CEO of a big company in Japan. From that moment I started getting special attention from the crew. First, each FA came to thank me for swapping seats with Mr. Big Shot. Then the CSM brought a bag of goodies (extra amenities), present for swapping seats today, she said.
So that's how good karma looks like

The JL F cabin and seats reflects a cosy atmosphere, the place just feels comfortable.



The cabin was full on this flight so getting some extra attention can be handy, especially for Salon refills later

 

[boomy]

After departure they finally brought out the good stuff



Accompanied by small appetiser



The wifi which used to be free (from three hours after departure to one hour before landing) is unfortunately no more.

As opposed to most airlines who offer this service, the wifi onboard JL actually works well (managed to do TR once include uploading all the photos!) so I wouldn't mind paying for the service if it was day flight. For this overnight flight there was no point.

 

[boomy]

Drinks menu

Champagne



White wine



Red wine

 

[boomy]

Food menu

Japanese



Western



A La Carte



Breakfast

 

[kermatu]

I haven't had any (international) F flights where wifi was actually available on the plane - I just assumed if it was F pax would be given it free!

 

[boomy]

food and drinks menus are all different from what I had earlier this year, hope the quality hasn't changed tho

Brand new Loewe amenity kit.





It's the third different Loewe kit I got this year.

Even the NC headphones look new.



The service on JL is typical Asian, in the best possible way. Very attentive, FAs always smiling and even between meal times there is always one on the look in case pax needs anything.
Before using toilets there is usually one FA who checks it's clean. After changing to pyjama they hang your clothes on a rack. After changing back fold the pyjama nicely. Just a small example of JL attentive service.