Lufthansa First Class Boeing 747-400 to Vancouver

As a summary of my first first class flight with Emirates from Bangkok to Hong Kong, I had written that I really wanted to test the first class experience on a longer route. Now the time had finally come! You can find out what kind of experience Lufthansa First Class is in the Boeing 747-400 in the following Trip Report.

How much does a Lufthansa First Class flight cost?

Ende August reifte der Plan, unsere Reise auf ganz besondere Weise zu beginnen – in der Lufthansa First Class! Unsere Hochzeit im Mai bot den perfekten Anlass für dieses luxuriöse Erlebnis. Dank der über die Jahre gesammelten Meilen auf meinem Miles & More Konto konnten wir uns diesen Traum erfüllen. Die Online-Suche ergab interessante Prämienflüge nach Hongkong und Vancouver, doch nach kurzer Überlegung entschieden wir uns für Kanada. Die Buchung über das Miles & More Service Center verlief reibungslos: Nach nur zehn Minuten und dem Einsatz von 230.000 Meilen sowie rund 1.000 Euro Steuern und Gebühren hielten wir die begehrten Tickets für die Lufthansa First Class in der Boeing 747-400 in den Händen.

What did we save? A regular Lufthansa First Class ticket would have cost almost 14,000 euros in our travel period – a hefty sum! The return flight from Los Angeles was a little less glamorous: Since we lacked the miles for another First Class award and there were no more award seats available in Business Class, we flew back in Economy Class. Nevertheless, the outbound flight remains a highlight that was worth every penny and every mile.

Check-in at Leipzig Airport

Our travel day started early – the alarm clock rang at 4 o'clock in the morning. With the car packed, we started at 4.45 a.m. The drive from Halle (Saale) to Leipzig Airport was pleasant despite the thick fog, which made the roads seem mystical. After a few minutes we reached our booked parking lot, which was five minutes away from the terminal. The shuttle bus was already ready and so it went on quickly.

Arriving at Leipzig Airport, we were looking forward to the exclusive first-class service. But the anticipation was dampened: At the check-in of Lufthansa First Class, we surprisingly had to wait longer than the Economy passengers – a somewhat bumpy start to our premium travel experience. Nevertheless, the anticipation of what awaited us prevailed: the comfort and exclusivity of Lufthansa First Class!

Lufthansa Business Class Flight to Frankfurt

After the security check, we quickly went to the empty lounge for a coffee. In itself, there is not much to talk about in Leipzig. But we don't want to complain, at least the airport has one!

The Boeing 737-500 (registration D-ABIL "Memmingen", first flight 19.02.1991) for our flight LH157 was fully occupied. Shortly after the start, there was a small cold breakfast with rolls and cold cuts. Nothing special, but we preferred to eat in the lounge in Frankfurt anyway.

The approach to Frankfurt and the taxiing to the apron position took almost as long as the actual cruise flight of 25 minutes. When we got out of the car, we were greeted by a young man with a First Class sign and accompanied to a Mercedes Benz Vito waiting for us. This was very comfortably equipped with individual leather seats in the rear and other extras. It also appeared to be the latest model from Mercedes.

We were driven to Terminal 1 B and the driver explained to us the short way to the First Class Lounge, which is located opposite Gate B22. Already 10 minutes after leaving the plane we were in the very nice big lounge. A detailed report on the Lufthansa First Class Lounge B can be found in our lounge reviews.

Since we wanted to stretch our legs a little before our long-haul flight and of course to enjoy the flight experience as much as possible, we made our way to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal at around 9.45 a.m. So we had to "enter" Germany again briefly and then through the hidden corridors of Frankfurt down to the arrival gate A1. From there it is only a few meters on foot, past the taxis, to the terminal. A detailed report on the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt is available in the lounge reviews.

Exclusive chauffeur service to the aircraft in the Lufthansa First Class Terminal

After a great time in the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, where we enjoyed the excellent service and luxurious atmosphere to the fullest, we were picked up by our personal assistant shortly before 1 pm. Together we went one floor below, where we picked up our passports from the Federal Police. These had already been sent there when we arrived at the terminal, so we didn't have any extra waiting time.

After a friendly farewell and a few useful travel tips for Vancouver, we got into our vehicle, which took us directly to the plane. Since we shared the transfer with three other guests, we were chauffeured in a comfortable Mercedes Vito – even though we would have secretly wished to drive to the plane in a Porsche. Over the apron, past countless planes, we finally reached Gate C15, where our flight LH493 was handled.

The car was parked directly under the gangway and the elevator took us comfortably to the waiting area, which was already completely empty. All passengers were already on board, so that only we five first-class passengers were waiting for us. This exclusive service rounds off the luxurious stay in the Lufthansa First Class Terminal and makes travelling in First Class a very special experience.

What is the cabin and seat in Lufthansa First Class like in the Boeing 747-400?

The Boeing 747-400 "Düsseldorf" (D-ABVH), whose maiden flight took place on March 14, 1991, offered us an impressive experience in Lufthansa First Class. After boarding, the way led us directly via the stairs to the upper floor of the aircraft – one of the most exclusive areas of the "Queen of the Skies". Our personal chauffeur even accompanied us to our seats and said goodbye to us there.

The cabin of Lufthansa First Class in the Boeing 747-400 is particularly exclusive with only eight seats. Each passenger benefited from an innovative concept: a fully equipped bed was available next to the seat. This bed was not a simple lying surface, but a "real" sleeping accommodation with a thick mattress, soft pillows and a high-quality duvet that was already perfectly prepared on arrival. A change between working, eating and sleeping was thus possible at any time comfortably and without modifications.

The bed was by the windows, four of which were available to each guest – ideal for enjoying the magnificent view during the flight. The seat itself impressed with its high level of comfort and functionality. The brown reclining seats installed on the upper deck of the 747-400 replaced the older blue seats and offered a significantly improved travel experience.

The cabin of Lufthansa First Class in the Boeing 747-400 was equipped with many well thought-out storage options. Overhead compartments provided space for personal items, while a spacious bed drawer under the bed provided additional storage space. With a width of over 50 cm and a depth of 40 cm, it was large enough to safely store hand luggage or other utensils. These practical solutions ensured a tidy environment and allowed for a relaxed journey without obstacles.

The only downer was the outdated in-flight entertainment system with a 4:3 screen without HD resolution. However, Bose's high-quality active noise-cancelling headphones partially made up for this. However, it was not possible to listen to music and watch the airshow at the same time, which limited the entertainment somewhat.

Was gibt es in der Lufthansa First Class in der Boeing 747-400 zu essen & trinken?

The service in Lufthansa First Class impressed us right from the start. As soon as we boarded, we were warmly welcomed with a glass of champagne Pommery Brut Apanage Prestige, a glass of water and a bowl of macadamia nuts. Especially nice: The crew congratulated us on our wedding and gave us this moment with personal warmth.

Despite a delay of 45 minutes - due to minor technical problems - the time was used wisely. A flight attendant surprised us with a Polaroid camera, captured the moment and handed us the photos in a beautiful display as a souvenir. After the start, the purser greeted us personally, handed us the menus and gave us valuable tips for our destination Vancouver.

The culinary journey began shortly after flying over the North Sea coast with a greeting from the kitchen: trout appetizers with passion fruit and mango, an exquisite combination that we particularly enjoyed in the air. The service continued with the stylish setting of the table, accompanied by warm bread, olive oil and butter, in which "First Class" was stamped. Also sweet, the small pepper and salt mills. I would also like to have them for my home.

A highlight was the caviar service, which was served with the classic side dishes such as lemon, onions, egg and a noble beluga vodka.

The menu, put together by star chef Christian Eckhardt from the Villa Rothschild in Königstein im Taunus, offered a variety of starters:

• Riesengarnelen “Creolischer Art” with Krustentier-Chilivinaigrette
• Pink roasted saddle of veal with escabeche vegetables and iced radish
• Belgian chicory confit with ginger, lemongrass and honey curry emulsion
• Colorful lettuce with zucchini, carrots, dried tomato strips and chanterelles, with pumpkin seed or passion fruit dressing.

Christin only had the chicory given to her. I had a composition of king prawns, chicory and saddle of veal. The king prawns were my absolute favorite. In addition, a German Riesling (Scharzhofberger GG, Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt, vintage 2012).

For the main course there was a choice between:

• Rack of lamb with spicy bean cassoulet and Parisian potatoes,
• Turbot in bouliarabais broth with saffron vegetables and risoni noodles,
• guinea fowl in riche sauce with pea mousseline, finger carrots and king oyster mushroom,
• Glazed pumpkin gnocchi in their own broth flavored with Indian spice mixture "Vadouvan".

Christin had the gnocchi given to her. I had chosen the guinea fowl. In addition, a Barcolobo Crianza 2009 (Castilla y Leon, Finca la Rinconad, Spain). A fruity wine that goes well with guinea fowl. The main courses tasted good to both of us. Christin was thrilled with the pumpkin gnocchi.

For dessert, we opted for the Gâteau of dark chocolate with exotic fruit compote and mango passion fruit sorbet, accompanied by a 2005 Bonnezeaux dessert wine from France. Actually, I don't like sweet wines, but the aromas of quince, honey and exotic fruits went perfectly with the dessert. The end of the menu was a perfect espresso from the Nespresso machine.

About 90 minutes before landing, dinner was served. After our chef Christian Eckhardt had already spoiled us with a creative lunch menu, he now invited us to the finest specialties of Asia. From the passing serving cart with the appetizers, we could choose between sweet and sour pork with roasted sesame, spring onions and chili, various sushi with Japanese ginger and wasabi, Thai vegetable salad, marinated wakame algae or mango-ginger chutney. I also ordered a warm main course with beef fillet strips in red Thai curry sauce and wok vegetables with fragrant rice. Now I was finally full.

Shortly before Greenland, we slipped into the Van Laak pajamas and made ourselves comfortable in bed next to our seats. After all, it was already 5:30 p.m. German time, so a nap came just in time. I was able to relax really well on the right mattress. It was comfortable and had just the right hardness. I was just a little warm, which was partly due to the fact that I was sitting on the sunny side of the plane. But perhaps alcohol also played a role.

We still enjoyed the fantastic view of the eternal snow and glacier world of Greenland. We couldn't look out of the window long enough. Everything looks so untouched, as if no one had ever been here before. The visibility is so incredibly clear that you think you're not flying that high.

Shortly before landing, we quickly brushed our teeth and slipped back into our street clothes. For the drive to the hotel we got a bottle of water. In a short conversation with the purser, we thanked them once again for the great service. At this point, too, a big thank you to our two flight attendants, who took care of us touchingly.

As a small souvenir for the first days in the dreary hotel room, we decided to take the rose with us. That turned out to be a stupid idea, because of course we hadn't noted it on the customs paper. After a few red lines on our paper, everything went well. The first-class experience lost valuable points at the end, as we had to wait what felt like an eternity for our luggage. That could have worked better, after all, the HONs present got their luggage first.

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