How is United Business Class compared to Lufthansa?
Nov 30th, 2008, 01:58 PM
#1
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How is United Business Class compared to Lufthansa?
I am going to book a business class flight from Germany to San Francisco. I can either fly United 747-400 or Lufthansa. I know from experience that Lufthansa has a fantastic business class with lie-flat seats. How are the seats on United?
Seatguru.com appears to say "recliner seats" - which is not state-of-the-art business class standard any more.
Since United offers the more convenient flight times for us, I would prefer United, but if their business class is substandard I would take Lufthansa.
Thank you for your advice.
Seatguru.com appears to say "recliner seats" - which is not state-of-the-art business class standard any more.
Since United offers the more convenient flight times for us, I would prefer United, but if their business class is substandard I would take Lufthansa.
Thank you for your advice.
Nov 30th, 2008, 11:23 PM
#2
United uses a 747 with the new flat bed seat in business class on those flights 900/901. At seatguru, look at the "Vers. 2" diagram. Scroll down to see the top deck.
Here is the webpage for the new seats:
http://www.suitedreams.united.com/
Here is the webpage for the new seats:
http://www.suitedreams.united.com/
Dec 1st, 2008, 02:55 AM
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United is in the process of converting their aircraft from the recliner-style (read: uncomfortable for sleeping) seats to fully-flat (horizontal) seats. My understanding is that you cannot be certain whether you'll get an old-style or new-style plane until fairly close-in before the flight date, but I'm not very confident about that statement.
For other aspects of the flight, Lufthansa beats United on all counts. Their ground handling (telephone service, check-in, baggage delivery) is markedly superior to UA. While in-flight service of course depends on the individual crew members you get, my experience is that Lufthansa gets you much better service: more frequent passes through the cabin, more attentive to requests. United has also cut back on the number of FAs per flight -- they now use the absolute minimum number required by law.
For food, United will have standard American fare while Lufthansa offers some more adventurous fare (lamb, etc.) If you would be uncomfortable with something other than the beef or chicken and food choice is important, UA would be a safer choice.
For other aspects of the flight, Lufthansa beats United on all counts. Their ground handling (telephone service, check-in, baggage delivery) is markedly superior to UA. While in-flight service of course depends on the individual crew members you get, my experience is that Lufthansa gets you much better service: more frequent passes through the cabin, more attentive to requests. United has also cut back on the number of FAs per flight -- they now use the absolute minimum number required by law.
For food, United will have standard American fare while Lufthansa offers some more adventurous fare (lamb, etc.) If you would be uncomfortable with something other than the beef or chicken and food choice is important, UA would be a safer choice.
Dec 1st, 2008, 08:11 AM
#4
We just flew with UA to BA and had the new recliner biz class seats...loved them! Very comfortable for sleeping as well as sitting in a variety of postions. I thought they were superior to the Luthansa lie flat seats.
As far as service in biz class I think UA does equally well as Luthansa does. Also don't recall that Luthansa food is any better, but it's been over a year since I flew in biz class on them.
Our flt had the plane changed to one with lie flat seats about 2-3 months out from the departure date. As a matter of fact, they had changed our requested seating due to the new configuration and did not have us sitting together. So if u decide to go with UA in anticipation of the conversion, be sure to check your seats periodically.
As far as service in biz class I think UA does equally well as Luthansa does. Also don't recall that Luthansa food is any better, but it's been over a year since I flew in biz class on them.
Our flt had the plane changed to one with lie flat seats about 2-3 months out from the departure date. As a matter of fact, they had changed our requested seating due to the new configuration and did not have us sitting together. So if u decide to go with UA in anticipation of the conversion, be sure to check your seats periodically.
Dec 1st, 2008, 01:03 PM
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I suppose that Lufthansa offers better beverages than United, but the 180°-lie-flat seats of United seem even better than the Lufthansa seats - and the United flight arrives three hours earlier than the LH flight.
Thank you again. I had to make a decision within 24 hours and you saved us three hours after a long flight in the middle of the (biological) night.
However, I booked the flight with Lufthansa. So, we will enjoy LH's ground service and better reliability in case of some incidence.
Thank you again. I had to make a decision within 24 hours and you saved us three hours after a long flight in the middle of the (biological) night.
However, I booked the flight with Lufthansa. So, we will enjoy LH's ground service and better reliability in case of some incidence.
Dec 1st, 2008, 03:59 PM
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traveller1959 wrote: "However, I booked the flight with Lufthansa. So, we will enjoy LH's ground service and better reliability in case of some incidence."
Actually, you will get the worst of both worlds using a code-share as you have apparently done.
The flight is operated by United, so they are responsible for resolving any problems en route in the event of delayed flights, lost baggage, etc. Also, Lufthansa will not be able to get seats assigned for you: you'll have to call United for that. And, because United's record locator for your trip isn't the same as Lufthansa's, the process gets a bit more complicated.
Actually, you will get the worst of both worlds using a code-share as you have apparently done.
The flight is operated by United, so they are responsible for resolving any problems en route in the event of delayed flights, lost baggage, etc. Also, Lufthansa will not be able to get seats assigned for you: you'll have to call United for that. And, because United's record locator for your trip isn't the same as Lufthansa's, the process gets a bit more complicated.
Dec 1st, 2008, 10:56 PM
#8
Just call Lufthansa for the seat assignments and get their record locator.
There are two nonstops each day. One operated by United and one operated by Lufthansa. The LH flights are also offered as a United codeshare flights 8828 and 8829. The UA flight is probably also a codeshare flight.
I just took UA roundtrip in business class (old sytle) on a 747 and it was great. Service was excellent on the return flight and very good going out. The food was very good. They had three menu options: filet mignon, chicken, and a Japanese dinner. I had the Japanese dinner going to Japan. Oishii kata desu.
The filet mignon on the return started with a dish with a couple of pieces of sushi and some smoked salmon. Salad, baked potato. An assortment of fresh bread was offered. A very good airline meal.
The new biz class seats are offered on tomorrow's SFO-FRA and FRA-SFO flights. It appears that the converting, on this route, is done. There is a chance of an equipment change, but the new config is what you should expect.
There are two nonstops each day. One operated by United and one operated by Lufthansa. The LH flights are also offered as a United codeshare flights 8828 and 8829. The UA flight is probably also a codeshare flight.
I just took UA roundtrip in business class (old sytle) on a 747 and it was great. Service was excellent on the return flight and very good going out. The food was very good. They had three menu options: filet mignon, chicken, and a Japanese dinner. I had the Japanese dinner going to Japan. Oishii kata desu.
The filet mignon on the return started with a dish with a couple of pieces of sushi and some smoked salmon. Salad, baked potato. An assortment of fresh bread was offered. A very good airline meal.
The new biz class seats are offered on tomorrow's SFO-FRA and FRA-SFO flights. It appears that the converting, on this route, is done. There is a chance of an equipment change, but the new config is what you should expect.
Dec 2nd, 2008, 12:07 PM
#9
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>>>Also, Lufthansa will not be able to get seats assigned for you<<<
No problem at all. I got the seat assignments right on the phone when I booked the flights. They even offered me to choose between different seats.
Why should I need the record locator? When I check in, I will get the boardings passes for all flights of my booking, regardless of carrier. I have done this two dozen times, and it has always worked smoothly.
No problem at all. I got the seat assignments right on the phone when I booked the flights. They even offered me to choose between different seats.
Why should I need the record locator? When I check in, I will get the boardings passes for all flights of my booking, regardless of carrier. I have done this two dozen times, and it has always worked smoothly.
