Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Enterprise Class (Frankfurt to Miami)

Wednesday newsletters all the time function a lodge or flight evaluation.

I just lately loved an amazing vacation in Miami & Costa Rica. I’ll publish the next journey experiences over the approaching weeks:

• Assessment: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Enterprise Class from Frankfurt to Miami (in the present day)
• Assessment: Acqualina Resort on the Seaside, Miami, USA
• Assessment: Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Assessment: Lapa Rios Lodge, Corcovado Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Assessment: Los Altos Resort, Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Assessment: Andaz Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
• Assessment: 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
• Assessment: Edeweiss Air Airbus A340 Enterprise Class from Liberia to Zurich

At the moment: Assessment: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Enterprise Class from Frankfurt to Miami

I just lately flew in Enterprise Class from Frankfurt to Miami onboard a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8. Flying the Boeing 747 – dubbed the Queen of the Sky – is all the time an epic expertise and Lufthansa is likely one of the final remaining airways on the earth that also flies this plane kind, with 27 Boeing 747s in its fleet. The Boeing 747 has been a bestseller with airways: between the primary 747 flight on February ninth 1969 and the top of the 747 manufacturing line final yr, Boeing has constructed 1,560 B747 plane. The 747-8 is the most recent, quieter, extra economical, and extra environmentally pleasant model of the well-known plane kind. The B747-8 options comparable engines & cockpit expertise because the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is usually the world’s longest airplane with a fuselage size of 251 ft (77 m).

However whereas the Boeing 747 is a marvel of expertise (I all the time really feel privileged to fly on one), Lufthansa’s Enterprise Class doesn’t match the grandeur of its flagship plane. The cabin configuration (2-2-2 on the decrease deck and 2-2 on the higher deck), the shortage of privateness in addition to the mediocre facilities are disappointing and means behind a lot of the provider’s Enterprise Class rivals. The excellent news is that Lufthansa will introduce a brand new Enterprise Class seat and cabin structure by subsequent yr, in order that’s one thing to sit up for.

Have you ever ever flown with Lufthansa? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

• Journey: Frankfurt (FRA) to Miami (MIA)
• Airline: Lufthansa
• Plane kind: Boeing 747-8
• Plane registration quantity: D-ABYJ (inbuilt 2014 and nicknamed ‘Hannover’)
• On time departure: No (10:30 am; + quarter-hour)
• On time arrival: Sure (4 pm)
• Distance:  4820 miles (7760 km)
• Flight time: 10 hours
• Seat: 7K
• Class: Enterprise Class

On this evaluation (extra info & pictures under my YouTube video):

1. Value of my ticket
2. Lounge
3. Enterprise Class cabin
4. Enterprise Class seat (+ greatest & worst seats)
5. Facilities & bedding
6. Meals
7. Leisure
8. Onboard web
9. Different inflight experiences
10. My verdict (rating)

1. COST OF MY TICKET

I paid this one-way Enterprise Class ticket from Frankfurt to Miami with miles through Lufthansa’s frequent flyer program Miles & Extra (which I’ve reviewed right here). The full price of my ticket was 305 euro + 56,000 Miles & Extra miles.

2. LOUNGE

Lufthansa operates a community of greater than 12 lounges at Frankfurt, together with a devoted and unique First Class terminal. Previous to my flight to Miami, I visited the provider’s Enterprise Class lounge within the non-Schengen a part of Frankfurt’s terminal 1 (which was closest to the gate from the place my flight departed).

The doorway to the lounge – which is open from 6 am to 9:30 pm – is situated close to gate Z50. The lounge welcomes Enterprise Class passengers flying with Lufthansa or one of many Star Alliance airways. Elite members of Lufthansa’s frequent flyer program Miles & Extra are despatched to the neighboring Senator Lounge which shares its reception space with the Enterprise Class Lounge (each lounges have the same structure and design). Ineligible passengers touring on Lufthansa can even buy lounge entry on the reception for 40 EUR (50 USD).

Behind the reception desk is an escalator main into the lounge itself, which is situated one ground above the airport’s foremost concourse. Subsequent to the escalator is the lounge’s concierge space, the place the Lufthansa floor workers assists passengers confronted with sudden flight delays or cancellations. General, the lounge includes a fashionable and nice decor, with floor-to-ceiling home windows permitting daylight to flood the house and in addition providing good views of the apron. Though the lounge it very spacious, it may really feel very busy (for instance, throughout my go to, I had the impression that there was not sufficient seating to accommodate all visitors).

A eating space – with some eating tables – takes heart stage within the lounge, with all meals & drinks being provided on a complimentary foundation. A buffet counter is situated on the facet of the eating space, with a choice of chilly objects and scorching dishes on show (e.g. chilly cuts, cheese, pretzels, and scrambled eggs throughout breakfast hours). Alcoholic drinks embrace Beck’s and Franziskaner Weissbier beer, a restricted choice of wines, and various kinds of liquor.

Additional down the lounge, there are many seating areas, providing various kinds of ambiance (e.g. TV nook, rest & sleeping space, and a piece room). Various kinds of seats can be found, together with snug leather-based armchairs alongside the panoramic home windows, recliners within the rest & sleeping space, couch chairs with excessive partitions for extra privateness, a few benches alongside the inside partitions, and a few excessive tables with bar stools.

Lounge amenities embrace free WiFi, showers, and baggage lockers.

3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 options 8 open First Class suites, 80 Enterprise Class flat-bed seats with 180 levels recline, 32 Premium Financial system recliner seats, and 244 normal Financial system Class seats. The 80 Enterprise Class seats are unfold over three cabins:

• The most important Enterprise Class cabin is situated on the decrease deck (behind First Class) and options 6 rows of 36 seats, organized in a 2-2-2 structure.
• The smallest Enterprise Class cabin can also be situated on the decrease deck – separated from the bigger Enterprise Class cabin by a galley – and options solely 2 rows of 12 seats, additionally organized in a 2-2-2 structure.
• The higher deck includes a third Enterprise Class cabin with 8 rows of 32 seats, organized in a 2-2 structure. As a result of 2-2 structure (opposite to the 2-2-2 structure on the decrease deck), this cabin has a extra intimate really feel and is the very best Enterprise Class cabin. It virtually feels a bit like flying in a personal aircraft. The window seats right here even have extra space for storing (with additional bins on the facet) in comparison with the decrease deck Enterprise Class seats.

All three Enterprise Class cabins have a clear and unremarkable but very German-esque design, with white cabin partitions and gray seat covers making a impartial coloration palette. The one delicate colours you’ll see are the picket panels between paired seats and the colourful pillows which are positioned on the seats upon boarding.

All pairs of seats alongside the home windows and within the cabin’s heart are angled barely in the direction of each other. This is perhaps nice for {couples} however not for solo vacationers, for the reason that ft compartment is situated proper subsequent to the considered one of your neighbor, and it’s doable that your legs and ft often contact those of your neighbor whereas resting or sleeping. General, all seats lack privateness, and there’s not even a divider or privateness display between paired seats, which these days feels dated for a Enterprise Class product.

Click on right here for the seat map of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8.

4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

The Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Enterprise Class seat is kind of snug within the upright place, with a pitch of 162 cm (64 inch) and a width of 52 cm (20,5 inch). A studying gentle is situated subsequent to the top relaxation. The middle arm relaxation holds the seat controls, a handset for the inflight leisure, and a fold-out tray desk. The opposite armrest – both alongside the window or the aisle – will be lowered or raised (this permits for extra consolation within the seat’s flatbed place).

Every seat is provided with its personal leisure display, whose place will be barely adjusted in line with the passenger’s want. A storage drawer is situated under the TV display, in addition to a small footrest (ottoman) that turns into a part of the seat when totally reclined. As talked about above, paired seats share their ottomans, with a small divider in between (though not adequate to stop unintended ft cuddling along with your neighbor).

On the push of a button, the seat reclines right into a full lie flat-bed with a size of 78 inch (198 cm). The seat feels a bit agency although and sadly, Lufthansa doesn’t present a mattress to reinforce the sleeping consolation.

What are the greatest Enterprise Class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8?

• As talked about above, the very best seats are situated on the higher deck. As a result of 2-2 structure (opposite to the 2-2-2 structure on the decrease deck), this cabin has a extra intimate really feel. As well as, the window seats right here even have extra space for storing (with additional bins on the facet).

What are the worst Enterprise Class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8?

• The two-2-2 Enterprise Class structure doesn’t make the cabin very enticing for solo vacationers, since you’ll all the time find yourself sitting subsequent to a stranger. And sadly, there is no such thing as a display between adjoining seats for added privateness.
• Window seats don’t supply direct aisle entry.
• Passengers seated within the first row of all three cabins could also be bothered by the noise of the galley and passengers going to or getting back from the bathrooms.
• I additionally counsel to keep away from the final row of the decrease deck Enterprise Class, which is simply in entrance of the Premium Financial system bassinet seats.

Click on right here for the seat map of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8.

5. AMENITIES & BEDDING

Lufthansa’s Enterprise Class passengers obtain the next facilities on longhaul flights:

• An amenity equipment, which is wrapped inside a reusable tote bag. The equipment options the important journey objects (e.g. toothpaste, toothbrush, socks and a single breath mint) in addition to some L’Occitane toiletries. To cut back waste, eye masks and ear plugs are usually not offered contained in the bag however can be found within the bathrooms
• A cushty, multi-colored pillow
• A heat, marine blue blanket
• AKG noise cancelling headphones (that are fairly efficient in blocking out the cabin noise)

6. MEALS

Throughout this flight, a lunch was served (proper after takeoff) in addition to a light-weight dinner (previous to touchdown)

I select the next choice from the lunch menu:

• Starter: marinated black angus beef, mango & celery salad, asparagus and cranberry
• Fundamental course: cod wrapped in smoked salmon with stewed leek and venus rice
• Cheese: Lenggenwil nation cheese, Montagnolo blue cheese and French mushy goat cheese
• Après lunch deal with: Hachez confiserie praline

Lunch was okay and acceptable for a transatlantic Enterprise Class flight, though IMHO, Lufthansa must have some work accomplished in its catering division to boost the bar of its meals providing. It’s weird that Germany’s residence provider is so mediocre relating to its onboard meals, whereas its daughter firm Austrian provides a number of the greatest meals within the sky.

Two hours previous to landing, a light-weight dinner was served (on one tray). It comprised roast beef with potato salad as a foremost course and roasted almond cream with caramel sauce as a dessert.

7. ENTERTAINMENT

Lufthansa’s Boeing 747 inflight leisure is managed by a handheld distant, however sadly, scrolling with the handset by the choice of films and TV exhibits may be very gradual. This system itself has a dated structure, however nonetheless it provides a wide selection with greater than 100 movies in as much as eight completely different languages. Hollywood blockbusters, new German and European productions and movies from Japan, China, India and plenty of different international locations cater for all tastes. There are additionally 200 TV applications obtainable in addition to a wide selection of leisure content material for households and kids. As well as, you’ll be able to comply with the most recent information through the stay TV channels CNN and Euronews, in addition to sports activities highlights through Sports activities 24. The audio part options a big choice of CDs, audio books, playlists and podcasts from around the globe. Bose noise-cancelling headphones are offered to ensure the very best sound high quality. Lufthansa’s B747s are additionally outfitted with a stomach and nostril cameras, whose broadcasts are instantly streamed on the TVs.

8. ONBOARD INTERNET

In 2004, Lufthansa was the primary airline to supply inflight web to its passengers on worldwide flights. What’s just about the norm lately, was a floor breaking change on the time. On this flight, there have been three particular person tariffs for utilizing the web service (known as ‘FlyNet’):

9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: The Lufthansa flight attendants on this flight have been skilled, environment friendly and discrete.

# LAVATORY: tlisted here are seven bathrooms for the Enterprise Class passengers: 4 bathrooms are situated on the decrease deck and three on the higher deck.

10. MY VERDICT

• Seat consolation (upright): 8/10
• Seat consolation (mattress place): 7/10
• Privateness: 3/10
• Meals (high quality): 7/10
• Meals (amount): 7/10
• Inflight leisure : 6
• WiFi: 9/10
• Service: 8/10
• Cabin design: 7/10
• General expertise: mediocre – 6/10

*** Observe me on Instagram, Youtube, Twitter or Fb for a every day second of journey inspiration ***