<<I think the "majority" extrapolates from their domestic experience and assumes that US carriers are worse>>

Thats not possible as the reviews are not comparing services between European and US airlines. They are basing their reviews on a flight with an airline/airlines.

<<Excuse me if I dismiss the experiences if Joe E. Casual Traveler when he recommends LH>>

This is major assumption on your part and its flawed. How many casual flyers would be aware of airlinequality, let alone be bothered to write a review about their flight. Only people who have a keen interest in aviation would be bothered and as a result they probably fly a lot more than yourself.

<<If you look at the hard facts then you will see that LH offers 31" of seat pitch. This represents a 20% reduction in legroom over a 32" carrier, such as DL,NW, or AA.>>

Another misleading hard fact, it depends on which aircraft you're traveling on, Lufthansa's international routes have a combination of 32", the same as Delta, AA, similarly 31" is also found on Delta & AA (AA even have 30" on some planes).

The 20% extra legroom as a result of adding an extra inch to 31", I'll admit I'm puzzled by that bit of maths.

<<<<Believe it or not, I spend a lot of time thinking about these issues>>

I will actually put in a disclaimer here, I am used by Air France and their Skyteam partners to evaluate their products as I fly with them extensively, but more importantly I travel a lot with their competitors as I'm not married to a particular program. I am not paid money for this but I am rewarded in points.

<<Oh and the other thing I've noticed is that you always seem to want the last word, so over to you>>

Geordie

I think it is positive that a minority exists. It leaves more seats free for the majority !!

Cheers !!

God, I just booked two Business Class seats, IAD to MUC with return from geneva through Frankfort on LH....I hope NONE of you are on those flights and if you are you keep the rather nit-picky BS to yourselves!

Lufthansa is the worst airline especially if they lose your luggage. They have no customer service at all! I've received no help from Customer Service after numerous calls nor a response to my written feedback on the customer service website. My luggage has been missing for over 90 days after a flight from Frankfurt to Munich on 28 May 2013. Per instructions, I have faxed/mailed to Lufthansa customer service an itemized list of lost baggage contents and receipts for replacement clothing authorized/instructed by Munich airport Lufthansa lost baggage personnel. I would not recommend this airlines at all and I must add I am extremely angry. I was on a seven and half week (very expensive) vacation with very few clothes. They are very unhelpful and now I must contact the Department of Transportation. I will get reimbursed no matter how long it takes or whatever measures I will need to take.

I flew them in economy from Frankfurt to Orlando. Free wine and free after dinner drinks. Good airline for sleeping as they do not make a lot of announcements during the flight. One little bump won't turn on the fasten seatbelt sign, unlike some American airlines. On a recent flight with United to Brussels, whenever there was a bump, the pilot said seatbelts, the English speaking flight attendant said, the pilot has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign. Please make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened. Then the French speaking flight attendant said something like that, and finally the German speaking flight attendant made his comment. I can't imagine anyone sleeping through that.

<i>On a recent flight with United to Brussels, whenever there was a bump, the pilot said seatbelts, the English speaking flight attendant said, the pilot has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign. Please make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened. Then the French speaking flight attendant said something like that, and finally the German speaking flight attendant made his comment.</i>

That almost surely wasn't German that the FA was speaking.

Avoid their 747-400 but try to fly on the 747-800.

Lufthansa First Class is great. The A380 is very open. Doesn't have the suites like Singapore Airlines. Bathrooms are huge though.

An old post, but still interesting.

Took Lufthansa FC: flew it to Frankfurt, upgrading with miles.

I will never travel that well again!! Two FC seats to myself, turndown service, jammies, etc. Quiet, great service. I don't drink much so the drinks etc. aren't the issue; legroom is.

FC lounge at FRA had an enormous bathtub complete with rubber ducky which I took advantage of after flight while waiting for DH.

OK, back to economy -- I don't fly transatlantic if I have to go economy, since I'm on the west coast. I suppose from the east coast I'd consider it if I had to go and I could pay a little extra for exit row or other premium seat. I would go to Seatguru and check pitch and that would dictate my selection.