What's keeping Lufthansa from becoming a 5-Star Airline?

[MAN Flyer]

Sevice in F on LH is generally excellent, or it has been when I've flown them.

The major problem for me is the F cabin being on the UD on the 744, with 2+2. It's just not right. F on the Airbus is very nice and much more preferable. The seats are long overdue an upgrade though.

The 'star' rating is a load of bollox anyway, it's from Skytrax.

[jhm]

Would anyone care to inform me of Lufthansa's flaws or blunders, which keep it from joining the league of 5-Star airlines?

Assuming it's a certain organisation's ranking you're talking about, it's probably because LH don't pay enough in advertising, consultancy, whatever.

[mad max]

What's keeping Lufthansa from becoming a 5-Star Airline?

[s7r0ng3r]

Wouldn't that make it a 6-Star airline?

[Kiwi]

Their ancient First Class seat, for starters. I'm surprised they still haven't gotten round to renovating the seat even though every single other "decent" airline who had their previous F product at the same time (AF Espace 180, NH "Full Flat" etc) have updated it long since.

And, as sumitsan said, there is no excuse for no PTV in Y in this day and age...

LH F on the airbus is quite nice, certainly better than on 747. I'm looking forward to my upcoming LH F flights.

[SQflyergirl]

LH F on the airbus is quite nice

It indeed is much nicer on the 340's than on the 744. The upperdeck seems (in hindsight now, knowing what F has evolved into) like the wrong place to put F.

[s7r0ng3r]

The upper deck seems (in hindsight now, knowing what F has evolved into) like the wrong place to put F.

Agreed. It belongs in the nose section!

[s7r0ng3r]

The major problem for me is the F cabin being on the UD on the 744, with 2+2. It's just not right.

Do you think they'll introduce suites in their A380s?

[leo]

I fly Lufthansa in Y very often intra-Europe and I personally love the (military precision) service. Never had a hot meal though (even on FRA-RIX sector, 2.5 hrs).

Greets from CGN.

[flo]

That might sound a bit odd but I think what really keeps Lufthansa from being a 5-Star Airlines is the lack of warmth there. I regularly fly Lufthansa and personally, I love them for being reliable, punctual and very predictable. I can always tell how the flight is going to be - also service-wise. I can't really judge if it's only my perception but I think that my impression that the final nudge of warmth is indeed missing, might have something to do with the German character... don't get me wrong here, I say the same thing about Austrian as well - this should not be perceived as yet another chance for me to play the "big brother" card on the Germans ...

... the warmth I am speaking of, probably has to do something with the Asian hospitality and mentality. Singapore Airlines is a perfect example on how it should be done IMO but I just know too well that some people here *caugh* prefer the Australian flagship airlines to SQ because of their warmth of service ...

The Asian warmth is something I appreciate very much: in Europe, I have the impression that when I ask for something that might not be possible, I will not get it in most cases because people might be more strict in regards to organizations. On SQ, I managed to get quite some stuff I should not have gotten, like second servings at mealtime when I was little, a glass of Champagne in Y to try it, a FA who put a blanket over me when I was asleep and simply the feeling that I am a special guest aboard and not just another passenger.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Lufthansa and they are the second choice for me to get to places in Europe only being beaten by Swiss but the warmth of hospitality is just something I really miss sometimes... I primarily used LH intra-european but SQ intra-asian is still on another level.

I think Lufthansa could:
- provide each F seat with aisle access
- update their Business Class / SEN lounges to be less crowded, less sterile and less metallic-blue cold
- go a bit more in the direction of Austrian when it comes to meals aboard on intra-european flights
- introduce PTVS in Y on all mid- and longhaul aircraft

[s7r0ng3r]

I fly Lufthansa in Y very often intra-Europe and I personally love the (military precision) service. Never had a hot meal though (even on FRA-RIX sector, 2.5 hrs).

Greets from CGN.

Ah, I see. So there's another thing keeping LH from becoming a 5-Star airline.

By the way, does Cologne smell as good as its bottled up namesake?

[N_Architect]

That might sound a bit odd but I think what really keeps Lufthansa from being a 5-Star Airlines is the lack of warmth there.

I agree with flo.

[leo]

Agree with flo on the entirety of this post. Lack of warmth it is... Greets from CPH.

CGN doesn't smell as good (perhaps due to my nose being stuck most of the time).

[s7r0ng3r]

Well, judging from all of the LH trip reports I've read, I can certainly agree with flo.

Leo, you seem to be embarking on an intra-European odyssey

[leo]

Also absolutely agree with flo. Lufthansa's Business / Senator lounges are a joke.. Especially in their FRA hub. A real joke... Even SAS beats them hands down. A shame..

OT mode on:
s7r0ng3r - yups, been at AMS, LON, TXL, FRA, CGN, CPH and currently in GOT..
OT mode off