LH First Class

[Princess Fiona]

As someone who has not been driven to a plane (other than when I was 6 years old, quite some time ago) I am curious about a couple of things. Are you boarded first, last, or random? And do you have to walk up stairs either direct to the plane, or to the aerobridge?

General Boarding is underway by the time you are boarded. You are driven to the base of the aerobridge and the driver takes you up in a special lift to the aerobridge to board.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Some food pics from the dinner. I was really looking forward to the Caviar service on this flight and it didn’t disappoint. Perfect portions and served with ice cold vodka.

 

[TomVexille]

I really must do this. Getting two seats is going to be the issue I think

 

[Princess Fiona]

I really must do this. Getting two seats is going to be the issue I think

I think if you pick your route and hold your nerve you will definitely get two seats !!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Last few pics from this flight.
The Bathroom is smallish but pretty well equipped with nice La Prairie toiletries. After dinner I slept for the majority of the flight. Didn’t watch the IFE but it was adequate and Bose NC headphones are supplied.
Prior to landing in ORD we were served a snack. I chose the German snacks, quite tasty.
There are no special services on arrival at ORD for F pax but the kiosk arrivals process was quick and painless.
Next up :
The return flight....

 

[TomVexille]

I think if you pick your route and hold your nerve you will definitely get two seats !!

Will see if we can fit it into future plans

 

[Princess Fiona]

After a terrific few days in GRB attending a friend’s wedding it was time to head back to Europe. 14 days out from departure there were no F award seats available to FRA so as a back up I booked a J seat. The day before departure I saw a seat J available on LX to ZRH 777 (mini cabin throne), switched my ticket over. On the day of departure I switched again to LH F. Routing was ORD-MUC on the A340 and MUC-LHR A320. The timings weren’t great at ORD giving me a 9 hour layover. Not great that is until I discovered Polaris........

 

[Princess Fiona]

Straight up, this is the best lounge in North America of any carrier or Alliance by a long margin. Far superior to anything else I have used. The United Polaris Lounge opened up in Dec 2016. It is adjacent to the C18 gates just at the top of the escalator as you ascend from the connecting tunnel between B and C. Eligibility is UA Polaris Business and Polaris First pax and all Star Alliance J/F Long Haul. AC over the border used to qualify but as of Oct 1st no longer do.

 

[marki]

Not Bad Not Bad ...Yeah agree about TXL its cold war origins shine through still it is fast to get through (mostly)

 

[TomVexille]

With 9 hours at ORD it would be very easy to hop onto the blue line into the city for a few hours

 

[kermatu]

No Bad Not Bad ...Yeah agree about TXL its cold war origins shine through still it is fast to get through ( mostly)

Only a handful of experiences but completely agree - deplane to taxi in under 10 minutes. Pretty good for an international airport.

 

[Kangol]

Straight up, this is the best lounge in North America of any carrier or Alliance by a long margin. Far superior to anything else I have used.

Interesting you say that, what makes it better than the LAX TBIT QF F lounge?
Looking at some reports/photos - ORD has some better alcohol (VC NV, Moet Rose, Hibiki 12).
Food wise looks similar to the updated AA F/L dining, which is a different style to QF F.
Then again LAX QF F loses points for taking the tacos off the menu (who wants to walk all the way to the J lounge and bring them back?!)
Showers in ORD look a lot better though.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Interesting you say that, what makes it better than the LAX TBIT QF F lounge?
Looking at some reports/photos - ORD has some better alcohol (VC NV, Moet Rose, Hibiki 12).
Food wise looks similar to the updated AA F/L dining, which is a different style to QF F.
Then again LAX QF F loses points for taking the tacos off the menu (who wants to walk all the way to the J lounge and bring them back?!)
Showers in ORD look a lot better though.

Everything is better than QF F. Showers, day beds, views, seating areas, Wi-Fi. The F&B is also far superior with a decent self serve buffet as well as the a-la-carte. I was in the new Flagship Lounge at ORD during a transit last month and I don’t think it’s anywhere close to this lounge.

 

[cove]

It has been a while since we did baths with rubber duckies. Could be ok for grandchildren.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Some more pics from Polaris. There are 4 Day beds. They are very comfortable and I easily fell asleep for a couple of hours with the supplied eye mask and white noise in the background. There is an individual unit on each console. Afterwards I had a shower and my silk shirt was pressed. The showers are beautifully appointed with floor heating controls and a tempur bath mat.
Next up dining.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It has been a while since we did baths with rubber duckies. Could be ok for grandchildren.

You and Mrs Cove must do this. The Germans are a machine when it comes to First Class Travel. A big shiny machine that never falters I think

 

[cove]

My German language skills are now 50 years behind where they should be. If I had followed the rest of my family into chemistry German language would have been very helpful.
I do love trains in Germany as they run like clockwork.
I have lots of Kris Miles so we could give Lufthansa a go.
I saw there was caviar....and rubber duckies....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Really glad you enjoyed it Not everyone likes LH F and I was hoping you'd find it to your liking.

For long layovers at ORD it's worth noting the ORD Hilton has day rooms for USD79-USD109. Great value. The room probably isn't worth the USD300+ they charge overnight, but for a few hours it's great. Day rate applies 9am-6pm, you can book it direct on their website entering in the same date for arrival and departure.

The polaris lounge service was good. The concierge ironed a shirt for me - perfectly - before my flight. But it does close about an hour before the late LH departure and the food was limited and the bar closed when I got there. At closing time (9pm?) you're relegated to the normal UA club.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Polaris Dining. The first pictures show the self service buffet. My food is from the a la carte menu.

 

[RooFlyer]

I was pretty impressed with the new(-ish) Polaris lounge at SFO but it didn't have a la carte or sleeper rooms