Disappointing LH F

[Rejuvenated]

Few days ago, I flew with LH F on FRA-DTW, thus completing my first ever round trip F class experience with the German carrier. Honestly they were by far the worst F class experience I have ever had among all carriers I had flown F class with.

Before I elaborate the details relating to my experience, I would like to mention that my expectations for this trip were not exceedingly high as I would on some top notch Asian carriers. Rather, my expectations were more or less akin to what I would look foward to when I board a BA sector in F (which I have done previously several times and as recently as the beginning of this month). So while they were somewhat high, they were not to the roof top level. But gosh did LH ever fall below the grades of my BA experiences on the front cabin.

Of course there is no doubt the FCT at FRA is a superior facility compared to the CCR at LHR T5. Clearing security there was rather quick as I was escorted by the concierge and was given a quick tour of the building (as it was my first time around). While there was a nice quantity of selection in the buffet of the dining area, the quality really was average at best and I've had better dining experiences "quality wise" at the LHR CCR, Galleries, Arrival Lounges with BA. And I while I had a nice bath in one of their tubs I could not help wonder WTF are those rubber duckies doing there? Are they there purely for decorations or is there a demand for them since a great poriton of their F passengers are toddlers, or does LH simply think most of us adults still have a little youth in ourselves that we would be killing time by playing with them? The escort onboard the MB Van to the aircraft was nice but after that things really went downhill as I entered the F cabin.

The F seat onboard the A340 (an A330 was originally scheduled for the flight but was switched to an A340) comfort wise was not much of a difference as the BA F seat but boy were they dirty in comparisons. Upon reaching my seat there were visible candy wraps on the edges of the seats along with quite a bit of hair flakes (had similar problems on the sector ex-DTW as well). So got the attention of one male crew to bring up the issue to and while he wasted no time cleaning up the mess, he seemed rather annoyed that he had to perform such duties and even said "I did not create that mess". Of course my objective in getting his attention was to get the seat in better condition and I wasn't trying to stir things up by pointing fingers that he created them. Anyhow this was the beginning of what would be a disappointing experiences with the onboard crew similar to the disappointing one onboard the outbound flight. Basically the crews on this flight (as well as the outbond one), while they were by no means surly, just seemed like they were forced to do their jobs rather than being passionate. I did not witnessed much smile on the faces of the crews and when they smiled, they were very mechanical. Basically after the first meal service they just disappeared to the back to chat with their colleagues and seldom came wondering back to the front cabin to check upon the passengers despite this being a day flight. During the meal service refills for water had to be asked for (this has never been a problem with BA). Absolutely in sharp contrast to the wonderful crews I had onboard my BA F flight earlier in the month LHR-BOS (also a day flight) where it seemed like they were walking the isles every little while to check up on you and joyfully willing to strike a conversation with the passengers.

The catering was the second sour point of the experience. Yes LH F offers Caviar while I have never gotten any on any BA F sectors I have flown in, but the lamb I had for the main course for this sector was the toughest piece of meat I have ever had for an airline meal. I really felt my tooth were going to fall out after chewing through them. Now in general I've perceived European deserts to be mildly sweet unlike the over-sweetness that one would often get in America. But the fudge I had for desert was a typical American-like desert with overloads of sugar in them. I basically gave up after two bites. Even more discouraging, I find this ex-FRA catering worser than the one I got ex-DTW.

No doubt after this encounter, I would only be flying with LH in the future when they are the only option available. I really fail to understand what the fuss & hype some people make of their onboard F product. And again, I was merely using BA F as the measuring stick for this experience and LH failed as overall, I am more satisfied with BA's product especially in the department of onboard crews and catering.

[jhm]

Thanks for the writeup, Rejuvenated.

Perhaps it was just an off-day for LH F ? All airlines have them - including my one and only experience so far with SQ R where neither the food nor the service were up to the usual SQ standards.

I've never flown LH F but phaleesy has twice I think and she doesn't think much of the FCT, e.g. the food is apparently better in the BKK TG F lounge (and perhaps even the SIN SKL F) (although this may be down to personal tastes). Whilst the car ride to the plane is nice (similar to the vans I've experienced on TG F and some Chinese domestic flights in F), at the end of the day it's a gimmick IMO.

[HUGE AL]

I've never flown LH F but phaleesy has twice I think and she doesn't think much of the FCT, e.g. the food is apparently better in the BKK TG F lounge (and perhaps even the SIN SKL F) (although this may be down to personal tastes). Whilst the car ride to the plane is nice (similar to the vans I've experienced on TG F and some Chinese domestic flights in F), at the end of the day it's a gimmick IMO.

Perhaps phaleesy can someday detail things she DOES like...I've been very curious for a while... hahahaha

[stargold]

Perhaps phaleesy can someday detail things she DOES like...I've been very curious for a while... hahahaha

I think she liked NH F

[SMK77]

I am not a huge fan of LH F - but the review seems to be more a rant than anything else.

FCT - This is the best and most convenient way to start a travel and the only criticism that came up was that they introduced the MB Van while advertising S-class and Porsche. The "duckies" have become a collection item and people just love the "mis-fit" in the otherwise completely designed environment. Look at SQ's ground services at their base - a complete joke, especially when flying in F.

Seat - The seat is old (and only BA has older seats) and needs urgent, urgent replacement. The video is a joke (same on BA) - I would think that the screen of my SQ remote control is larger... However, seating comfort in the old throne seat is still very good and on the A340 you have a choice of a single seat (if you travel alone) or a pair of seats (if traveling with someone else). Sleeping comfort is a disgrace for a "First Class" product (as is privacy) and they don't even give you a mattress or sheet to cover the seat.

Food - I think that LH (while having eliminated everything that is expensive) is still in the top league of offerings. A lot more choices than SQ and a lot better dining experience.

Crew - Has improved over the last couple of years. And while they lack the hospitality that LX crews are able to extend, the service level is consistent and on a high level. For any issue, the purser is the first person to talk to. I would request to replace a FA in a heartbeat if they were not up to delivering dedicated service.

Overall, I don't think that LH is worth the money looking at what I can get for the some money at other airlines. And that has mostly to do with the seat - the most important part of the First Class product to me.

If you have seen the new LX First Class (currently flying ZRH-JFK) is giving you an impression where LH is going next year - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[jhm]

Look at SQ's ground services at their base - a complete joke, especially when flying in F.

I'm not a SQ apologist by any means but what exactly is it which makes the SQ ground service at Changi a "joke" ?!? OK, you don't get buggy transfers nor spa treatments but they're gimmicks IMO. The lounges can be improved but they're still very good (and much better than most European lounges). Otherwise, all of the essentials (luggage delivery, security, check-in etc) are there and amongst the very best in the world; and I've always found the ground staff very efficient and friendly.

[Savage25]

I've flown LH F three times on the 330 and 747 (DTW-FRA, FRA-SIN and BOm-FRA) and I found all three flights to be excellent. The seat was good for sleeping (though it does appear outdated), the food was among the best I've had inflight, and the crew were very attentive. I spent 6 hours in the FCT as well (4 of them asleep in the slumber rooms) and found the food to be quite good. Only thing that wasn't great was the tiny IFE screen. Good value for miles - before the BD enhancement.

[concept|infinit]

he seemed rather annoyed that he had to perform such duties and even said "I did not create that mess".

Wow.. this would never happen on SQ.

Okay, I'm going to avoid LH unless absolutely necessary.

[KeithMEL]

I'm not a SQ apologist by any means but what exactly is it which makes the SQ ground service at Changi a "joke" ?!? OK, you don't get buggy transfers nor spa treatments but they're gimmicks IMO. The lounges can be improved but they're still very good (and much better than most European lounges). Otherwise, all of the essentials (luggage delivery, security, check-in etc) are there and amongst the very best in the world; and I've always found the ground staff very efficient and friendly.

I wouldn't consider SQ ground service a "joke" by any measure, but on the other hand I also think they can do more for their best customers than simply delivering the essentials which yes they do extremely well. What you consider gimmicks, others might consider luxurious add-ons that enhances the entire experience. I disagree with the comparison with "most European lounges", as this is not some random second tier airline we're talking about. For an airline of SQ's calibre a more appropriate level of benchmarking would be the flagship lounges of airlines like LH, CX, QF, VS etc.

I personally reckon the SQ lounges are pleasantly dependable - there's nothing wrong with them, but there's also nothing particularly spectacular or memorable.

JMO and YMMV as always.

[MAN Flyer]

Slightly strange from LH, as I have found them pretty consistent in F. Efficient maybe, as one probably should expect.

Having said that I flew BKK-FRA with them at the beginning of last week and it was probably the best flight I have had with LH, probably as much to do with the fact that there was only 3 of us in F.

The seat is indeed not the best, but I find it comfortable for sleeping in. What I don't like is the location of F on the 744. 2+2 on the Upper Deck is not right for F. F on the A330 and A340 in 1-2-1 is much better.

I've never flown LH F but phaleesy has twice I think and she doesn't think much of the FCT, e.g. the food is apparently better in the BKK TG F lounge (and perhaps even the SIN SKL F) (although this may be down to personal tastes). Whilst the car ride to the plane is nice (similar to the vans I've experienced on TG F and some Chinese domestic flights in F), at the end of the day it's a gimmick IMO.

The food in the SKL is nowhere near as good as the FCT, or the FCL's. It's not in the same league imho. The TG F maybe, which is great, but SKL's definitely not.

The car ride is 'fun' but I find myself hoping everyone else is already on board or they don't arrive while I am boarding as it feels 'embarassing', for want of a better word. Unfortunately every time I am driven out to the MAN flights, the other pax are sat on the tarmac packed on buses and I rock up in the Merc or Porsche, driver gets out and removes luggage from the boot and I board in view of everyone. Cue pax boarding all walking past staring at me thinking 'who the f*ck is he ?'.

I'm not a SQ apologist by any means but what exactly is it which makes the SQ ground service at Changi a "joke" ?!? OK, you don't get buggy transfers nor spa treatments but they're gimmicks IMO. The lounges can be improved but they're still very good (and much better than most European lounges).

I've bolded the key point.

As has been said time and again and by many people, the F lounges in Changi are crap, for what is supposed to be the world's leading airline. They have just put little or no effort into them. For an airline so insistent on reminding us of a Class Beyond First...airline other airlines talk about etc etc... they are 'extremely poor'. The point that they are much better than most European lounges shouldn't be good enough for the self-believed 'worlds best'.

Wow.. this would never happen on SQ.

Okay, I'm going to avoid LH unless absolutely necessary.

You are going to avoid an airline because of one post on an internet message board ?.

I wouldn't consider SQ ground service a "joke" by any measure, but on the other hand I also think they can do more for their best customers than simply delivering the essentials which yes they do extremely well. What you consider gimmicks, others might consider luxurious add-ons that enhances the entire experience. I disagree with the comparison with "most European lounges", as this is not some random second tier airline we're talking about. For an airline of SQ's calibre a more appropriate level of benchmarking would be the flagship lounges of airlines like LH, CX, QF, VS etc.

Spot on.

[Kiwi]

The OPs experience doesn't match mine in LH F (rather more than just two flights).

You can have good and bad experiences on any airline if you are lucky/unlucky, and these aren't representative of what I'd expect on LH.

[SMK77]

SQ's ground handling is a "joke" because:

- they don't get essentails right: security has no F priority, you line up like any cheapo ticket in Y. Suites has no added value over F on the ground.
- they don't get the add-ons right: they will not "buggy" you to a gate if it's more than a ten minutes walk
- they are not using their brains: on an award ticket you do not have access to TPR / PPS has no meaning to any better/faster ground handling

[jhm]

Are security queues really a problem at Changi ? Never for me but I don't go through frequently. Anyway, is there any large airport with security at each gate which has priority lanes ? I can't think of any but perhaps I haven't been or have simply forgotten.

I can sort of see the advantage of a buggy service somewhere like Suvarnabhumi where it always seems to be a tedious trek to get anywhere (although it was a bit comical and OTT IMO when they offered me a ride from the TG lounge main entrance to the TG F lounge entrance (which I refused)!) but I've never had that feeling with Changi. Perhaps I just enjoy the surroundings of Changi more.

PPS does have better ground handling at Changi in the sense of (hopefully) better tratment during irrops, a greater luggage allowance and (I believe) TPP/LPP luggage comes out ahead of QPP luggage (say by 10 seconds ? ). (That's not to say however that I don't agree that the PPS programme has been gutted since I was PPS, e.g. SKL F access if flying in J, SKL J "open doors" access etc.)

[Kyo]

Generally agree with you, SMK77 - on point no. 2, however, it's an unwritten rule that paid F will get you a buggy if you 'demand/request' for it if the gate is any 'reasonable' amount of distance. I.e. it'd be pointless to bus you 10 meters downstairs the SKL, of course.

[kt74]

Are security queues really a problem at Changi ? Never for me but I don't go through frequently. Anyway, is there any large airport with security at each gate which has priority lanes ? I can't think of any but perhaps I haven't been or have simply forgotten.

I can sort of see the advantage of a buggy service somewhere like Suvarnabhumi where it always seems to be a tedious trek to get anywhere (although it was a bit comical and OTT IMO when they offered me a ride from the TG lounge main entrance to the TG F lounge entrance (which I refused)!) but I've never had that feeling with Changi. Perhaps I just enjoy the surroundings of Changi more.

Yes, security queues can be a problem at some gates (although (a) I tend to wait until the queue dies down and (b) this recession has been fantastic for queue lengths!). As for security at the gate, well, why didn't they design T3 to separate departing and arriving passengers, so there could be central security? They do that at most new terminals these days (HKG, DXB3, LHR5 etc)

And, yes, I think T3 would benefit from a buggy service. Basically the lounge-to-gate is fine if you are in the A gates directly underneath the lounge, but if you're departing from the B gates, you need to negotiate the stupid shopping mall, and the distant A gates are simply miles away - the transit doesn't get you particularly close to the gate

Back to the OP, I think the issue with LH F, and indeed most non-Asian F experiences, is that it's quite variable and dependent on the crew. I have had a couple of fantastic crews/experiences, which have easily surpassed my 1-2 experiences in SQ F - but, as ever, YMMV...