Flying Lufthansa
 

We'll be travelling on Lufthansa, since we're using United miles for a free flight.
Any opinions on this airline? We've travelled quite a bit, and flown on many different airlines, however not Lufthansa.
Thanks!

I went from Phoenix to Madrid via Frankfort last year and they were great. I missed my connection on the return trip, they already had my bags pulled and re-scheduled to Denver / Phoenix. I was so worried but they were great, the total delay was about 2 hours. I would travel with them anytime, sorry to say they stop their Phoenix non-stop service to Frankfort.

It's just like any major airline, except the crew is German.

We've taken Lufthansa to Europe thru Frankfurt. Worst airport to catch a connection I've ever been in. You have to go out & back in thru customs & security to catch your connection. One hour was a rush because twice we had to be bussed out to the plane.

We sat in the back of the bus, in cattle car. Very little leg room, and the food was horrible, at least on the Europe to States leg. Choice was turkey or a vegetarian dish. By the time they got to us, the only thing left was the vegetarian "treat." <gag>

Only positive think I can say is that beer/wine/liquor was free, and they kept coming thru the isles to refill.

Intra-Europe was another thing. On our connections to Paris and Munich we had leather seats, lots of leg room, and they even served a nice meal and some great German beer!! ((b))

got,

Allow me to second the sentiments of yk. Last summer I flew Lufthansa from the east coast to Munich, and while it was by no means a highlight of my trip, the service was satisfactory, good enough so that I'll be making another European trip this summer via Lufthansa.

My trip to Munich was "economy class". This I remember quite vividly given the woeful lack of legroom in this class. The food was forgettable, as was the in-flight "entertainment". On the plus side, however, was the efficient, friendly service of the crew, and heated towels near flight's end (a nice touch).

Lufthansa appears serviceable enough.

Enjoy your holidays.

We used f.f. miles and went to Venice on Lufthansa via Frankfurt. You didn't mention which class of service your in? We splurged with our miles and went 1st class and it couldn't have been any nicer! We also had friends on our flight in business class and they were very pleased as well. Very Happy in all regards!

As for the Frankfurt airport...ugh! It is a lot of walking to make connecting flights....seemed like miles! Don't overload with carry on or you might be sorry!

We also experienced an extremely long walk between connecting flights at Frankfurt Airport, including having to go back through security. I read later that there are pedestrian tunnels that connect the concourses. These make for a much shorter walk and do not require going back through security. They don't seem to be well-marked as we did not see them. I think you should head for the area called transfer center after deplaning where they could point you in the right direction for these tunnels.

I believe the OP is asking about how Lufthansa is as an airline. I don't see any mention of flying to FRA or transferring there.

OK, it stinks unless you are flying business or first class.

P.S. If you have to transfer in Frankfurt, make sure you have at least 1 and 1/2 hours. ((b))

I guess my question for gottheitch is:

Does it matter what our opinions are? Since you are going to fly LH for free, are you comtemplating other options? If you get very negative answers here about LH, are you going to pay out of pocket to buy plane tickets on a different airline? Or are you going to use more miles and fly First/Biz on LH?

It is just another major airline. You will get both positive & negative opinions on it. I've flown it twice to Europe and will fly them again if the price is right.

yk, that's an accurate observation.

After reading the horrible comments about Lufthansa here two years ago my family & I were apprehensive about the airline. We expected the worse.

The strange thing was we really enjoyed our flights and all the crew members. The aircrafts were all new and the bathrooms were very clean. The flight attendants were very friendly and helpful. They kept giving refills of water and oj during the flight also.
The meals, of course, could be better just like any airline in cattle class. But on Lufthansa they were actually edible. Plus they hand out snacks during the movie (chips and Milka chocolates). I know UAL does this too as I noticed on my flight from Paris to SFO last month. Must be something they have in common.

The intercontinental flights between Frankfurt/Munich to Paris and back are flown on Airbuses and they were new aircrafts with leather seats. We were given lunch which was sandwiches. These were made from fresh loaves like small baguettes with ham and cheese or vegeterian. They were pretty good too.

Anyway, personally, I would welcome the opportunity to fly on Lufthansa again. Except for flying through Frankfurt. I am in total agreement with Budman. It is also archaic how we had disembarked on the tarmac and was bussed to the terminal. Gosh, good thing our layover was around two hours and we didn't need to go through customs and security at that time two years ago. I hate Frankfurt airport.

Our return flight was through Munich and that airport is so modern and nice as it's new.

And I forgot to mention there were the heated towels. Again UAL copies this but theirs are made from some kind of heavy duty paper towel.

All in all Lufthansa is ok and for you the price is right so go for it!

I fly Lufthansa frequently from Kuwait to Frankfurt and back. Not my favorite airline, but they're fine. I also fly them from Frankfurt to the US occasionally, but only if I can't get a flight with United (I get more miles using United).

I'm not a fan of the Airbus, but I think that's pretty much all they fly anymore - at least from this part of the world. The Airbus can be really squishy in coach with very little leg room, but I suspect all airlines are like that these days.

Lufthansa has a bad habit of losing my luggage in Frankfurt, so I always arrange a long layover hoping my luggage will make my connecting flight.

FYI - on some flights leaving from Kuwait, Lufthansa offers upgrades to business class for about $180 if they've overbooked coach and have extra seats in business class. I've never known them to do this on the Frankfurt end though. I wish they would!

You'll be fine - have a great trip!

See http://www.airlinequality.com and go to the Passenger Opinions/Lufthansa section.

My own opinion is that for long haul flights in cattle class, Lufthansa's legroom is among the worst in the industry, which makes for a very uncomfortable flight if you are over 5'7" tall. I have also gone poodle class in Lufthansa and it is very nice and pleasant.

Here's the bottom line for economy class - UAL vs. LHA:

United's first section of economy is called economy plus, which means you get leg room compared to the non-economy plus section (obviously) and compared to Lufthansa's entire economy section. Benefit....UAL

Also, most trans-atlantic flights on UAL have personal TV in all economy seats. Lufthansa never spent the money to upgrade its economy cabin (one reason they're still profitable today). Benefit....UAL.

As for flight attendant service, this can be hit or miss, but generally speaking I would say LHA is better. For example, LHA flight attendants bring around more drinks, there's a bigger selection than on UAL and also the flight attendants repeatedly bring OJ and water throughout the flight to keep down dehydration. Benefit....LHA.

So if I had to fly economy on LHA or UAL, I'd bring along a big bottle of water and fly UAL and do my best to get a seat assignment in economy plus.

petlover,

We splurged and used our UAL miles for first class on Lufthanss and felt spoiled.

3 flight attendants fpor about 12 people...ten different kinds of wine ...and sleeper seats.

gottheitch, could you specify which class of service you're flying?? Lots of opinions ranging from the best to the worst....

I would say that Lufthansa seves the most tasty food in econmy class but for what they lack in food quality they gain in on time service and professionalism. some people will say that Lufthansa's flight attendants are not friendly but I think they are just professional and do not go out of their way to be you "best friend". I always enjoy flying Lufthansa because of their on-time service, modern jets and good connections. I do have to say the only thing they lack is personal TV's on their A340 jets across the atlantic.

We've flown them twice using FF miles from United and have been very happy with them. The food is so,so but it's airline food. They are a very professional flight crew but good nonetheless.

My memories of Lufthansa date back before smoking was banned on international flights. We were seated at the very front of the section behind the smoking area and were dizzy from cigar fumes. The fact that cigars weren't allowed on flights didn't seem to matter to the crew.

However, the snacks were excellent, and we became big fans of brotzeit throughout the day.

Wow, thanks so much for all your replys.
We didn't think the replys would have necessarily swayed us one way or another, but it's always interesting to hear people's views on certain airlines. Just wanted to hear your opinions. We've traveled quite extensively, but have never flown Lufthansa.
We're actually using our ff miles to fly 'economy' class. Don't know if we'd want to fork over the extra miles for and upgrade.
Interesting that many of you mention Frankfurt airport not being very convenient. We only have about a 1hr connection - hopefully that'll be enough!
Thanks again for all your help, we appreciate it!!

gottheitch, if you have only 1 hour for your connection, I would bring a change of underclothes and some toiletries in your carry on. We went to Munich thru Frankfurt. Got to Munich about 10:00am, and our luggage reached us at our hotel at midnight. ((b))

LH is fine. Get row 28 on either side in a 744. You can expect to miss your connection if you only have an hour. Have a backup plan.

We will be flying on Lufthansa for the first time in May. We've going "cattle class" but really don't care.

We got THREE RT tickets from Charlotte to Barcelona via Munich for $907 ! so as long as they get us there we're happy.

It's good to hear the good comments regarding Munich airport as we'll have a quick overnight in Munich on our way back and it sounds like a great airport to travel through.

Thanks for the input.

Oy, this is not good. I'm flying Lufthansa tomorrow, connecting in Frankfurt with all of 50 minutes to catch our flight to Prague. I was told by their customer service that this was a legal connection, but they do have other flights that day just in case. Does anybody know of an internet cafe in the Frankfurt airport?? If we miss it, I'll have to contact the shuttle servie somehow!! Thanks so much!

AHaugeto,

You may very well catch your flight, but your luggage may not. If they have other flights that day, your luggage may come on one of those flight if it doesn't make your connection. I would plan accordingly.

Coming from the States, you will have to hurry, because you have to go thru immigration, then back thru security again to get to the gate for your connecting flight. I would go to the Frankfurt airport web site to get an indication of how the terminals are layed out. There is a tunnel connecting two terminals, and it's down 2-3 flights of stairs, and back up 2-3 flights of stairs. There's an elevator, but it's slow and crowded. Good luck, and wear comfortable shoes.

Just talket to LH according this issue (it makes me sick)...
Lady operator said that 1 hour is enough time to reconnect and there are people to ask and if this was a problem it would be perfected long time ago and what is hard for one person is not hard at all for another. So I felt like dufus ! and said Thanks.

She also said there aren't FR airport floor plan available and if it was - it wouldn't help because we didn't know where you going to connect untill the very morning you arrive. Strangely enought I know that I am at T1 to T4 !!!
Just thought of it ...
Are they nuts ?

Budman- Many thanks for this- I just printed out their maps, and they show the transit tunnels, though it's a bit jumbled. They're both Lufthansa flights, but inter- vs. intra-continental, so do you know if they come in/out of the same terminal? I will call them tomorrow (I don't trust gate info that's projected > 10 hours in advance!), but I wanted to mull this over tonight. Thanks again!

As your flight approaches FRA, they should advise what gate you will be arriving at and the gate where your PRG flight will be. The airline magazine that is in the seatback pocket has a map of the airport that you should use.

As you get off the plane, there will be helpers to direct you. Also, near your arrival gate and near passport control you should easily find the service center where they would get set up with a later flight. The helper at the gate and at the service center almost certainly will speak English. There are LH flights from FRA to PRG at 8:25, 8:55, 12:15, 17:00, and 19:10, so you will get there that day.

They do have telephones at FRA, if not an internet cafe.

We've always had to change terminals when we flew with them when connecting in Frankfurt on international flights coming/going. Maybe it was just our bad luck?

Don't lose any sleep, just be prepared, and have a nice vacation. ((b))

We've flown on Lufthansa, and think it's a great airline. They are very efficient...depart on time and arrive on time. We were traveling in coach and it was no worse than other airlines. Flight attendents were great, good food as well, and as the other posts mention, lots of wine, etc.

No problems with the FRA airport either. Luggage handling has been great in our experience. The long walks are true...but surely you will be doing a lot of walking at your destination.

We are flying Lufthansa again in May. I think you'll enjoy your flight. Justine

Don't panic about connections, you can't control it. If the flight arrives late ask the agent at the gate if they can call and let them know you are coming. One thing to remember is that you have to move fast to your next gate, don't stray. If the line is long at immigrations, you could always ask to skip to the front if you simply ask nicely.

We're on Star Alliance and live in China, so we fly Lufthansa a couple times a year to Europe, and United once or twice a year to the US.

Personally, I like Lufthansa. I think the seats in economy are slightly larger or more comfortable, although I'm too lazy to look this up on SeatGuru to confirm it (and Asia-Europe planes might be different from US-Europe planes anyway). The lounges are nice, too - if you have FF status, you should be able to use the lounge if you have time.

I haven't had any negative experiences with Lufthansa, or with the Frankfurt airport, and we've been flying with them (and through Frankfurt) a couple of times a year for 5 years.

Good luck!

It's interesting that several people have mentioned that when you arrive in Frankfurt airport from a foreign country as a 'connection' to another city, you have to go through immigration.
We're flying from New York through Frankfurt to Rome. Am I correct in saying that we will not have to go through immigration when we arrive in Frankfurt? Aren't we just 'transit' passengers that can go straight through to the connecting flight's gate?
Thanks

Yes, you will have to go through immigration once you arrive in Frankfurt prior to connecting to your flight to Rome. You will also have to go back through security prior to boarding your connection to Rome. At least that was my experience having gone through Frankfurt 4 times. %%- ((b))

For those who don't understand how the Schengen zone works in Europe (like how and why you go through immigration in FRA when you're travelling to Rome), check out this official site:

http://www.eurovisa.info/

Basically you go through immigrations at your port of entry so if you are flying through London, Paris, Frankfurt or another big city you clear immigrations before going to your connecting flight.

One note, when returning through Frankfurt or Munich allow plenty of time for immigraions because the lines get very long and you also have to go through a security check on flights to the USA. They are very thorough. If you set off the aralm be prepared to be "felt up"!

Basically you go through immigrations at your port of entry so if you are flying through London, Paris, Frankfurt or another big city you clear immigrations before going to your connecting flight.

One note, when returning through Frankfurt or Munich allow plenty of time for immigraions because the lines get very long and you also have to go through a security check on flights to the USA. They are very thorough. If you set off the alarm be prepared to be "felt up"!

What if I am flying to Hamburg fron FR ?
Will I have to go through immigration ?

UK is not in the Schengen zone, so if you fly through same airport in LHR or LGW, you don't need to clear customs and immigration for transit to Europe, though many people find it faster to get into UK and walk between terminals in the "landside" on some occassions.

The Schengen zone covers 15 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. You do not go through immigration between any of these countries. Just like you don't go through immigration when you go from New York to California.