Hi. I just came back from Florence. I flew Lufthansa back to Toronto via Frankfurt. I had no problems with the flight or food. The meals were actually tastey, and the fellow sitting next to me agreed. There was a slight delay getting out of the Frankfurt airport because of amount of air traffic that day. The pilots made efforts to speed up during the flight to try and make up time, so we could try and catch connecting flights. That was considerate of them I thought. I could actually hear the engines blasting every so often picking up speed. Wa hoo! The German Audobon in the air.

I think I may have made a mistake. I just booked a flight from Dulles to Frankfurt on United, then connecting on a Lufthansa flight to Budapest, but with only 50 minutes betweeen arrival in Frankfurt and departure from Frankfurt to Budapest. Have I made a huge mistake? Will my luggage arrive on time? Sjoerd, are you there and can answer this question? Thanks.

Only 50 minutes betweeen arrival in Frankfurt and departure from Frankfurt to Budapest? You expect your luggage to make the connection? <BR><BR>We did the same from Frankfurt to Munich and got our luggage 16 hours later. There were about 5-7 flight after ours from Frankfurt to Munich and we got our luggage 16 hours later. I hope it will be less than 24 hours before you get yours. <BR><BR>May I suggest you carry on the flight a clean set of underwear and a douche kit.

Hey- It's me Louise (I posted the orginial question). Do I need to be worried? I'm connecting from Miami to Frankfurt to Munich, with about 50 minutes connection time in Frankfurt (each way). I've spoken to Lufthansa twice about the connection times and they said I was fine, both to catch my flight to Munich and not to worry about my luggage, since it would be checked through to Munich from Miami and back.

Louise, if what the reps. told you is true, that your luggage will be checked through, then you should not have anything to worry about. We did the San Francisco to Paris route by connecting in Frankfurt and our luggage was checked through. However, be aware that you may have to take a shuttle bus from the terminal to the tarmac to board the plane. I can't understand why this is so.<BR><BR>It's good your final destination is Munich. In our experience we flew back home from Paris via Munich and if we weren't so early at CDG and the thoughtful agent put us on an earlier flight, we could have missed our connecting flight at Munich as there's security (hand searches and body searches). No big deal really but we noticed that when our original flight arrived for the connection, there were alot of people to check so that could delay you.<BR><BR>I think you'll be okay.

Louise, this is minor, but in my opinion, Frankfurt int'l. airport is dismal in comparison to Munich int'l. airport. In Munich there are a variety of stores to keep you occupied while waiting and snacks to buy if you get hungry. It's a very new airport also so everything is clean and modern.<BR><BR>Frankfurt airport, in comparison, is lousy. We couldn't find a store to buy drinks and snacks-it seems there were only vending machines. It's not convenient if you don't have euro coins with you.

Cheryl-- Thank You!!! I was starting to get a little freaked out and thought about changing my flight arrangements ( BIG $$$). I know nothing is perfect, but I don't want a nightmare.

<BR>Yes. You should be worried. My suggestion is to try and change your connecting flight to a later one. I once had 1 hour and 15 min connection. I missed my connection to Boston, they rerouted me to DC, from there to Boston. My suitcases arrived 5 days later, after I have already left Boston. I finally received them at home 8 days later. Who needs this aggrivation?<BR>AA

I am a frequent flyer on Lufthansa. I connect in Frankfurt about once a month and have done so for the last 7 years. They have never lost my bags. They always arrived at my final destination with me. Lufthansa is fine and Frankfurt is painless. No problems and enjoy your trip.

I agree with Cheryl that Munich is a nicer airport, but only because it is smaller, less crowded, and less hectic. I find it hard to believe that she had trouble finding dining facilities. Frankfurt has 16 sit down restaurants whereas Munich Airport only has 5. However, 12 of thesw restaurants are in Terminal 1 as are most of the shops.

I think that the location of our Lufthansa gate at Frankfurt int'l. airport was not close to the 16 restaurants mentioned by CharlieB. I still prefer Munich airport.<BR><BR>I don't think Louise will have a problem connecting in Frankfurt-she doesn't need to collect her luggage and go through security. If she had to do that then there would be a problem. And I don't understand what AA is suggesting: to take a later connecting flight. If Louise is flying from Miami to Frankfurt and then on to Munich what is the importance of a later connection? In general, there's always a chance of connecting luggage getting lost. I think we would all like to get a nonstop flight to all of our destinations, but many times it's not possible.

&gt;&gt;&gt; I've spoken to Lufthansa twice about the connection times and they said I was fine &lt;&lt;&lt;<BR><BR>I had a LH flight arriving in FRA where a had a transfer flight. We were 1,5 hours late and cabin staff told me not to worry, just to contact LH transfer desk upon arrival. Got out of plane 30 minutes before my transfer flight and was told at the transfer desk that there is nothing they could do!!! Ran through the WHOLE airport and actually caught my flight!<BR><BR>Nevertheless I do not dislike LH because when you miss your transfer they take care of you - once I ended (as a cattle class passenger) in a **** hotel executive suite (in FRA)!

In my opinion, all airlines are not as good as they once were and so many faults can be found with them. I've flown British Airways and United for transatlantic flights and I prefer Lufthansa now. As mentioned before, the agent at CDG was considerate to put us on an earlier flight so we wouldn't miss our connection in Munich. <BR><BR>I don't know how it is with the other airlines, however, Lufthansa had an overbooked flight and offered anyone willing to give up their seats a few hundred $ in cash, messages sent to let others know you're delayed, and I believe help in securing lodging.

Lufthansa is a first class airline! They leave on time, and arrive on time, and our baggage has never been lost. The food is good, the wine is flowing...I can't say enough good things about this airline....we flew on the Airbus, and it's great. It's true that in Frankfurt one must use a shuttle bus to and from the tarmac..not a big problem. They are super at what they do, and very safe...we recommend them highly. We usually fly Dulles to Frankfurt to Bologna, then home from Florence to Frankfurt, back to Dulles. Enjoy!

Christina, maybe if you are flying first class or business class. Frankfurt is the worst airport I have been in. Lufthansa lost my luggage for over 24 hours after an all-night flight. Their food lacks everything to be desired. Their customer service sux. <BR><BR>They changed my reservations without even asking me, and when I got back on my original flight, they weren't in the least apologetic. The gate attendant said that I was lucky to be on the flight. What a bunch of bozos.

Mike, as you may know, I agree with you that Frankfurt is one of the worst airports I've flown through.<BR><BR>However, while I had a favorable experience flying Lufthansa last month-was better than British Airways last year-I suppose we may have been lucky. Sorry about your unfortunate experience with the lost baggage; it appears they lose alot of baggage as their website has a section devoted to tracking your baggage. Airlines are not as good as in the past.

I just flew (and flew and flew) Lufthansa to Italy from the West Coast 2 weeks ago.<BR><BR>I read every prior post, and also letters on other websites pertaining to their service. Since this was a &quot;tour&quot;, I had no choice or I might have switched.<BR><BR>SURPRISE! I have no complaints, I even thought the food was tasty, and yes, I never &quot;hurt&quot; for wine (or bottled water which they &quot;push&quot; each time they refill your wine glass). The attendants work their butts off and still remain curteous!<BR><BR>Because of this favorable experience, I would fly them again---although not such a stretched-out flight plan--when I return.<BR><BR>BTW, I knitted continuously after an 800 number staff member told me that it was definitely prohibited (the key is plastic needles). No one batted an eye! I made a 6 ft long wool scarf, which tells you just how long I was in the air.<BR><BR>Even with 3 connections each way, the luggage arrived when I did.<BR><BR>Too each his own!

I had just the opposite experience when I flew Lufthansa last month. The food, service, and attitude were much to be desired. I guess that is what you get when you fly cattle car.

Peter, like roco, we flew Lufthansa from the west coast to Paris via Frankfurt (going) and Munich (coming back). It was a long journey. <BR><BR>I'm not sure what destination you flew to and from. However, we had a good experience as I mentioned before. We were prepared for lousy food and bad service from the flight attendants. The food was very good considering.<BR><BR>The ticket agent in Paris was a thoughtful person putting us on an earlier flight so we wouldn't have to stress ourselves to connect in Munich. We really appreciated that gesture.<BR><BR>And we flew &quot;cattle class&quot; just like you did. Unless we were just lucky or you were just unlucky, I don't know. However, we won't hesitate to fly Lufthansa again.

Wow. This is a dated post, but one that is still quite pertinent. You hit the nail on the head. Lufthansa into Munich?

That is the flight I took, from Los Angeles. I was looking so forward to this flight as I heard so many good things about Lufthansa.

Unfortunately, some of the longer hauls for Lufthansa, such as the one from LA, Lufthansa has opted for cost efficiency in lieu of passenger comfort.

I have never seen a non-jumbo-jet cross atlantic flight, until I stepped into this one.

The cabin felt cramped, uncomfortable. The stewardesses were crabby.

And there was NO AIR VENTILLATION CONTROL.

That was not a problem (no ventillation control on seats) at some parts of the plane that was less crowded. It however was a huge problem in my section. Can you imagine 12 hours in a seat that has no air control vent? In a cramped cabin?

I'm used to Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air France. All remarkably good to Europe.

Lufthansa? Ouch! Traveller needs be extremely aware. Some of these planes have been made for fuel efficiency, not passenger comfort. In fact you will see the official report of the manufacturer for these planes boast about cost cutting, mentioning nothing about passenger comfort.