International Business Class on Lufthansa

Route: Frankfurt International to Chicago O’Hare International
Aircraft: Airbus A340-600
Flight Time 9 hours and 20 minutes

The competition for premium class passengers is fierce. In today's transatlantic market passengers have a variety of airlines to choose from. As a result airlines have upped the ante in their first and business class cabins. Passengers expect excellent service, flat beds and five star dining. So the question remains...is business class really worth the extra money in the bank.

Lufthansa like their competitors has recently invested millions in their new business class product. The new product includes: upgraded food and wine selections, a larger business class cabin and flat bed seats.

On the Ground

Check in for flight 432 was extremely efficient. I walked right up to the business class check in counter. The wait time to speak with the customer service representative was less than three minutes. After my passport was checked my bag was tagged with a premium sticker, and I was presented with my boarding pass and an invitation to Lufthansa's Business Class Lounge. I cleared security within a matter of minutes and proceeded to the lounge. Once, in the lounge I took a seat in a large comfortable leather chair. There were a variety of light breakfast items and drinks avaliable on the buffet counter. The lounge also offered showers and lockers for added comfort. The biggest problem with the lounge was it was like sitting in Grand Central Station. People everywhere, cleaning attendants with vacuums and the constant sound of the loudspeaker announcing departures. I figured I would try and be productive before my flight and check my email. I logged on to my laptop to find internet would cost twelve U.S. dollars. Wait a second, I thought I paid to fly in business class and not coach. Approximately, an hour later the flight began to board for Chicago. The gate was connected to the lounge via an escalator. I grabbed my orange juice and boarded the plane on schedule.

6/10

Seat Comfort

The Lufthansa Business Class seat is certainly not a flat bed like they say. The seat offers sixty inches of pitch and twenty inches of width. In the upright position the seat is very comfortable with ample space to work or dine. The lay-flat position is a different story. The seat moves into the lay-flat position via an electric motor. As the seat reclines it moves your body into multiple awkward positions before reaching the sleep setting. Once in sleep setting the seat is neither flat nor reclined but sloped just enough to make your body fall towards your feet. Your feet are enclosed in a cheap plastic portion of the seat in front of you. It makes your legs feel locked in and movement almost impossible. Hopefully, you are seated next to your lover because if not you will have to climb over some complete stranger if you are seated in the window seat.

7/10

Food and Beverage Offerings

On routes to and from the United States Lufthansa's menu is created by chefs at Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts. Prior to take off you are offered your choice of water, orange juice or German sparkling wine. Once the aircraft becomes airborne you are offered a drink of your choice followed by a bag of snack mix. The airline attempts to run the food service onboard like a five star restaurant. Starters include: marinated asparagus with shrimp or chicken terrine. Entrees include: grilled chicken with mushrooms and apples, cod with a vegetable ragu, and pasta with vegetables. The desert offerings are probably the weakest part of the meal. Choices include: a cheese plate, fresh fruit or a passion fruit tart. I don't know about you but, when I dine at 35,000 I would much rather enjoy simple comfort foods. The menu is so bizarre and new age that many passengers find nothing that appears appetizing. Lufthansa's Business Class Menu looks much better on paper than it tastes in the air.

6/10

Crew/Level of Service

Let's face it with sixty business class seats personalized service is certainly not the airlines strong suit. Flight attendants are readily available during meal times. However, during the rest of the flight they tend to congregate in the galley and talk amongst themselves. I did manage to get a drink refill from one of the flight attendants in the galley. However, the attitude of the staff made me feel as if I was interrupting their personal conversation.

5/10

Arrival Process

The flight touched down in Chicago ten minutes ahead of schedule. The ground crew at the international terminal was ready as soon as we pulled up to the gate. Within twenty minutes of deplaning I had cleared customs and retrieved my checked bag. All of the bags that had been tagged with a premium stickers were waiting by the time premium passengers cleared customs.

9/10

Overall Impression

All in all, Lufthansa's Business Class overpromises and under delivers. I think the airline needs to spend time retraining cabin staff on proper service methods. I must also reiterate that the menu is probably the weakest point of the whole experience. So is Business Class on Lufthansa worth the money...you decide.
7/10