My husband and I are traveling to Florence from San Francisco with our one year old daughter this fall. For ease of travel, we are considering booking Business Class seats on either United or Lufthansa through Frankfurt but are wondering whether one of the airlines offers better amenities than the other?...

Does anyone have experience with United or Lufthansa Business Class on Transatlantic flights?

Any insight greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I don't know if this is of any help to you, but the two United trips I booked to Italy last summer from IAD to Rome were on Lufthansa-operated flights, and they were wonderful. One went through Frankfurt (something of a nightmare); one went through Munich (far easier). So I'm thinking United and Lufthansa code-share and that many US>Italy flights booked through United are actually operated by Lufthansa. I did not fly business class on either flight.

I don't know when in the fall the OP is going, but currently, there are three daily SFO-FRA non-stops.

UA 900 (744)
UA 926 (772)
LH 455 (744)

Each of those flights also carry the 4-digit codeshare flight numbers of the other airline.

UA900 and LH455 are scheduled to depart 2 minutes apart, but they are separate flights.

UA just introduced its new flat-bed product in business, but if you're going this fall, I doubt you'll get a plane with it installed. You'll get a standard cradle-style seat.

LH should have completed its new business class changeover now. [According to its website, it should have completed by May 2007.] So, you should get a angled lie-flat seat in business.

I'd choose LH over UA.

I flew Lufthansa's business class a year ago, and it suffered greatly by comparison with Austrian Airlines. The Lufthansa flight felt more like one on a U.S. carrier--nothing special about it at all.

Would you say the upgrade to business class is worth it? or would you opt for UAL Economy Plus instead?

thanks1

Upgrade if you can--business class is much more comfortable.

Underhill- When you flew Lufthansa business class last summer, had the cabin been upgraded? The ticketing agent told me they have recently upgraded all their business class cabins, and I wonder whether the comfort level has improved signifantly since then or is it just hype?

thanks!

I did United Business Class from Chicago to Paris last spring and it was worth the cost. Able to recline and enjoy a comfortable sleep, food was a better selection than in coach and I didn't feel cramped at all. I don't know if those in coach got the "travel bag" but I did appreciate the socks, lotion and sleep mask that was sitting in my seat when I got on board. I imagine you'll be on a longer flight (10hrs plus?) so you may enjoy having the extra room.

I just flew business class on United from Paris to Wash DC, and it was very nice compared to economy, that's for sure. I didn't pay for it, though, but that's sort of beside the point, as you'd have to decide on your budet for yourself as to that. I don't think amenties are really the issue -- at least not to me -- the main advantage is the space and seat size. There was tons of space in front for you to stretch out your legs. I even had my carryon bag in front on the floor, rather than in the overhead, and never even touched it, there was so much space. I don't know what you consider amenities, but the food is a lot better than economy, of course, and you get your own little individual TV screen you can adjust, which is also better than the one on the seatback in terms of visibility. There is also a nice thing on the seats that makes it more like a recliner, with a footrest coming out. The space of business class is a whole lot more than economy plus on United, I believe, as well as the recline angle.

I actually flew Lufthansa in December 2005; so with luck most of the cabins have been refitted by now.

Lufthansa's business class is second to none. Absolutely wonderful. Their seats lie completely flat for sleeping, they have a wonderful meal menu for you to choose from, separate screens for entertainment at each seat with choices for about 20 different movies, games, etc., and excellent service. You can't go wrong.

Excuse me, but that's called "second to none"? Many airlines have completely flat bed in business. Lufthansa's is an angled flat so your head is higher than your feet.

20 video channels? Many airlines now have audio video on demand with 200+ movies to choose from and can pause, rewind, fast forward.

Thanks everyone for all of the feedback.

One more question, is there a signifant difference in the comfort level in business class on a 777 vs 747-400?

Thanks!