Hello,

I have never traveled from U.S. to Europe on Lufthansa or United. Do you recommend these airlines as positive experience? They seem to have the most flexible times coming out of Italy getting back to the states. Also is an hour enough time at Munich to switch planes if you have never been there before? Thanks

Oh, boy. Do I have a story for you -- in a good way.

Five of us flew Lufthansa round trip JFK-Italy via Munich both ways. The flight back was where things got interesting. We, like you may, had one hour to make a connecting flight from Genoa.

We didn't make it on time -- plane landed in Munich at just about the same time the other flight was supposed to take off. However ...

Announcement from flight attendant as Genoa plane was landing: "All those taking the connecting flight to JFK, there will be a bus on the runway to take you to your flight."

Turned out the "all those" was just the five of us. Parked next to the plane, there was a mini-van parked that we hopped on. They whisked us through a special VIP security stop and held the plane till we got on. And only one bag was missing when we arrived in JFK (was delivered to owner's house the next day).

As for the flights themselves -- food, service, etc. -- we had no complaints. Also, when you have little time between connecting flights, Lufthansa tags your luggage "priority" so that handlers will know to process and transfer yours first.

So, yes, we were OK with it. And if you arrive on time and have the one hour to make the connection in Munich (as we did on the way over to Italy), you will have to hustle a bit, but it can be done. The Munich airport isn't massive. It may help to tell the flight attendant that you have a close connecting flight so that you can be among the 1st to get off the arriving flight. Good luck.

United is fine - nothing special, but I don't think most airlines provide anything special in coach these days - LOL. I have not flown Lufthansa, but I have heard from others that they are a slight improvement over United. If United or Lufthansa has the flight schedule that works for you, then go for it.

I flew Lufthansa to Italy for the first time last May. (First trans-atlantic flight as well). I liked it and definitely plan to fly them again. We flew coach, but found the service level and food offerings (both amount and quality) to be superior to most US based airlines. We did have more than one hour to connect, but found connecting in Munich to be better than connecting in Frankfurt.

We flew to norway via Munich last summer with one hour between connections.
We arrived in Munich 30 minutes late and still made the connecting flight.
I think Lufthansa may be the most efficient airline I've ever flown.

We flew IAH to Barcelona with a stop in Frankfort on Lufthansa. Great airline, service, food (two meals), wine, tv for each seat. They were great and we booked thru B-T Store. Only downside was Frankfort airport. Hubby is going in two weeks non-stop from IAH to Paris on Air France using FF miles from Delta to visit his brother. He retired 3 yrs ago and this is the last of the FF miles!!!!! Most of our US travel has been Delta or SW.

We flew from LAX to Frankfurt on Lufthansa in June. It was absolutely wonderful. Adequate leg room in coach. Good food, free booze, friendly staff.

The flight back was on United which is partners with Lufthansa. Typical US type flight. No leg room, mediocre food and no free booze.

We flew Lufthansa to/from Innsruck via Frankfort. On the way home, our flight from Frankfort to JFK was canceled due to a major east coast snowstorm. We were stuck in Frankfort for 2 days. Lufthansa put us up at their hotel near the airport at no charge to us, and the cancellation wasn't their fault! Also, they went out of their way to get us back to the US ASAP by putting us in first class. I'd fly them again in a minute.

Lufthansa is one of my favorite airlines, in addition, they are great w/kids if you are taking any along. I've not had any trouble w/United either, as I frequently take code share flights w/them (or US Air).

Well uptodate information about Lufthansa is good BUT please note jwalker1 posted this thread on April 9, 2007.