BRITISH AIRWAYS VERSUS LUTHANSA
 

Going to Munich then returning from Budapest. One member of party alway purchased on BA but he is leaving one week earlier. Some of us want to fly via Luthansa although somewhat more. Advantage no change in planes going to Munich. Please, I wish to know your experiences with these airlines. Thank you. Jack

Throw a coin. Unless you have some serious difficulties that have to be catered for, IME the performance deviations within an airline are larger than the difference between airlines. I would decide just based on whether flying non-stop is worth paying some more, and not bother about "which airline". It´s all the same - semi-unconfortable seats, food that is at it´s best just OK, and entertainment systems that greatly vary from plane to plane.

Thank you.

Hi; Jack, anytime you can avoid Heathrow, you will begin your journey in a much better frame of mind. Going thru security is very 'convoluted. Fly direct with Luthansa. iris1745/dick

Have flown both airlines and I much prefer Lufthansa - now maybe that's because I was in business class.

One of the worst flights I had was on BA - the plane was filthy and one of the toilets not working. When I asked the attendant about the toilet she said it hadn't been working for a couple of days. Couldn't believe that.

Agree with Iris - avoid Heathrow if possible.

I firmly second Iris1745's opinion! Heathrow can be very difficult due to unforeseen security issues which can cause delays. The baggage requirement while transiting thru Heathrow is limited to only 1 carry on bag and this is absolutely non-negociable.

The carry-on limit at Heathrow was changed a while ago. I took two through check-in and security in February.

We like both of these airlines and have positive experiences on both. I would pick the one where you don't have to change.

For what it's worth, I've been through Heathrow a few times and never had problems, although my pilot friend (who flies there regularly) says it can get really backed up quite often.

I like Lufthansa and flying non stop would be preferable but it would come down to cost. I'd pay up to $100 more to fly direct otherwise I'd suck it up and go via Heathrow.

I actually think BA is a better airline than Lufthansa. They provide very good service in coach, especially for short-hauls. The big downside for many people, though is that you cannot pre-choose seats.

As for complaints about Heathrow, I have to wonder if any of those are about T5. It had some growing pains, but it is a beautiful terminal and a very pleasant place to transit. Good food, plenty of diversions/shopping, etc. I don't have than much experience flying through there, but I would rate it up there with AMS among European airports. Munich is a nice airport, too, but if your return connection takes you through Frankfurt, I would choose T5.

Personal opinion:

Airline food is hardly an issue on those short intra-European flights. It's either a good sandwich, a lousy sandwich, or no sandwich. (And yes, I do know that some airlines even throw in a small salad, yoghurt or sweet treat).
The flight time from London to Munich is only 90 minutes (well, the time you could get stuck at the gate or taxiing may be almost as long - with some exaggeration), so I doubt it will really matter what you get to eat then.

But connecting somewhere adds another 2-3 hrs or so hours to any flight. That's a big minus.

An even bigger minus for me is to change planes when I fly US->Europe, and the connection is in Europe. I do not like to line up for "hours" at security checkpoints at 7 or 8am, feeling like a zombie after hardly any sleep in economy on the transatlantic leg.
If I had to make a connection after a short intra-European leg going back to the US, it would be less stressful for me since then I still would be kinda fresh.

Summary: I would hardly ever base my decision on "food" if that meant I had to change planes vs a non-stop flight with maybe less exiting junk to eat in coach. Only if saved a good deal of money by taking the flight with one connection.

Edit: exiting junk into exciting junk .. maybe a Freudian slip.. dunno

Lufthansa = decent service!

To be honest: On their short London flights, LH "serves" one measly tiny "sandwich" the size of a cigarette box and as tasty as cardboard with Gounda, plus a tiny half-sized Kitkat. Enjoy LOL

BA = 2009 version of the Mayflower. Boarding BA at LHR gives you first hand experience how it must have been back then.

Decided to do Lufthansa NYC to Munich. Since returning from Budapest, connection is in Frankfort. It is much more expensive, but my wife wants Lufthansa and frankly I agree at least for starting the trip, nice to not worry if one makes the connection in London to Europe. Jack