Frankfurt Rhein-Main

Business Class passengers were hold back, and so I was among the first passengers entering the empty C concourse. I hurried up a bit and since there was no one at immigration I passed it quickly and arrived ten minutes after we had arrived at our gate the Welcome Lounge as the second passenger of the day and signed the list for a hot and refreshing shower.

I had not that much time, so I hurried up a bit, changed my summer leisure clothes into a winter business outfit and left the lounge half an hour later as a new born person. I have written it several times, but a hot shower in the morning is one of the best things after a long flight and after it I am really awake and fresh and ready for a day in the office.

So I headed to the security check at the A concourse, where long lines were queuing for security and I cannot understand why the Frankfurt security staff is unable to manage this. They open and close line, direct passenger to full lines instead of empty and the security staff is worse than the one in the US. Again, I will try to avoid Frankfurt as often as possible or try to connect during the skytrain or the B concourse.

Anyway, I made it after scheduled boarding time to the gate for my flight to Frankfurt. Gate was A 26, which is a common gate opposite the Senator lounge for the morning flight to Düsseldorf. Boarding time had not started yet and the plane seems to be full according to the number of people at the gate.

Boarding started a bit late and all passengers were allowed to board the plane at once. It was a very chaotic boarding process, especially in the plane, because several people were sitting in the wrong rows or the wrong seats or even did not understand the concept of assigned seat (thank you Ryanair).

09 February 2009
FRA - DUS
[Frankfurt - Düsseldorf]
LH 800 (Lufthansa); Airbus A 319 (D-ABIY / 'Lingen')
Gate A 26
07:10 – 08:00 [effective 07:14 – 08:00]
Economy Class
Seat 16 C

Several seats were given twice and people were upgraded into Business Class, which was not completely full but was after the upgrades.

We pushed back with a slightly delay at 07:15, which was not that bad considering the chaos in the plane and taxied to the runway. 15 minutes after push back we were airborne and on our short hop to Düsseldorf. The flight was uneventful, no service as usual, though some passengers seem to expect a service.

We touched down in Dusseldorf at 07:57 and arrived at our gate at 08:00. Unfortunately it took some time, before the jet bridge was at the plane and the door are open. I was on my back to the bus stop, but I had missed the earlier bus by just a few seconds, so I had to wait a few minutes But soon later, the later bus arrived and after a bus and tram ride later, I arrived in my office half an hour after I had left the plane.

It was a nice but short trip. First Class on LH is a noticeable step above Business Class and it was nice to have the change to try them and compare them with the experience of traveling up front on several Asian Airlines. The cabin is for sure not up to date anymore and esp. the in-flight entertainment system is not up to date as is the seat. The food and wine selection was not bad and I would rate it not far below Asiana and better or equal with SQ. The crew was good but not as attentive as for example the Asian crews. However, they were for sure better as the most US Airlines.

Unfortunately, my next intercontinental trip is again in Economy, but at least once a year, I will try to fly in either Business or First Class.

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