Munich Franz-Josef Strauss Airport

I went to the Senator Lounge in the upper level by the H gates and stored my carry on in one of the lockers. The lounge was busy, but there were free seats available near the buffet and a few empty lounge chairs as well. The lounge became less crowded later after the US and UA flights to the United States had left.

I put some work in this trip report, checked and wrote a few mails and just relaxed. The last couple of days had been quite busy and hectic with a lot of things at work, which did not run the way they should have, miscommunications and project deadlines and I was not really calmed down right now. I rejected to call the office, knowing that my colleague was in a meeting, but did so later.

Around 14:00 rcs85551 phoned me and told me he will arrive at the airport later and we should meet in the First Class Lounge around 14:30. I left the lounge a bit earlier than 14:30 because had to do a few calls where I did not want that anybody heard it and searched a more quite area.

I meet rcs85551 in the First Class Lounge and he printed something we needed for Hertz in LAX: the voucher since I booked this over a tour operator this time. Rcs85551 also confirmed our upgraded to Business Class. I am usually a bit reluctant of upgrading, but after very hectic days at work, I really thought I wanted to have a more relaxing flight experience and decided to pamper myself. Flying back in the Economy is still okay for me, but I am beginning to notice the difference and especially on a long haul with more than 7 hours it make a difference.

Around boarding time we headed for the gate. After the usual security check of APIS, we were directed to the gate without the need for an additional security check of the hand luggage.

23 April 2010
MUC – LAX
[Munich Franz-Josef-Strauß – Los Angeles International Airport]
LH 452 (Lufthansa); Airbus A 340-600 (D-AIHM / 'Wuppertal')
Gate H 08
15:45 – 19:05 [effective 15:50 – 19:13)
Economy Class
Seat 14 D

We used the Economy Class door since our seats where in the rear part of the Business Class Cabin or in the last row to be more specific. I stored my belongings in the overhead compartment, my laptop under the seat in front of me and settled down in my seat.

A flight attendant standing there took my jacket and handed it to a colleague who stored it. Economy Passengers where still boarding the plane.

Later pre-departure drinks were offered and I opted for a glass of champagne.

The amenity kit was from Rimowa this time and like blanket and pillow already placed on the seat. The safety video was shown later while the cabin was prepared for our departure.

We pushed back at 15:50 and taxied for the runway where we had to wait a few minutes before it was finally our turn for take off at 16:15. The plane was not fully booked with one free seat in First Cass, four Business Class seats of which one was taken by an on-board upgrade and a few free seats in Economy.

Once in the air, the fasten seat belts seat were turned off after ten minutes or so and rcs85551 changed into pajama. Trays were laid with linen and also the printed menus were distributed, soon followed by a beverage round. As usual a small packet of nuts where distributed as well. This time not the usual macadamia nuts but salted cashew nuts. I had a glass of Campari Orange.

While enjoying the Campari Orange, I had a quick look at the menu (click on icon for menu)

I chatted a bit with rcs85551 about flyertalk, travel related things and of our first impression of the crew. He was addressed by name, while I was not, though I addressed the flight attendant by name and she had the passenger manifest on the trolley.

First Course
Marinated Duck Breast; Pineapple Relish and Ketjap Manis

Second Course
Filet of Pikeperch with Chive Sauce, Lentil Stew and Potato Mustard Mash

Third Course
Fruit Salad

I took some time before the fist course was served, as usual with the cart and I took the duck. The presentation had room for improvement. The tray looked empty with an small plate for the roll and the first course. Salt and pepper had been removed from the trays and one had to ask for it nowadays. The arrangement of the first course was also a bit uninspired. I had a glass of white wine with the first course in addition to a glass of sparkling water.
Though the presentation was not the best, the food tasted not that bad, but it was far away from the best food I have had on airplanes.

Trays were cleared and refills of water and wine were offered. It took some time before the second course was served, again from the cart and unlike on other flights not brought individually from the galley. However this time rcs85551 and I were asked for our choice by the purser before the cart made it to our seats.

The second course was at least spicy but the fish was a bit dry. Again not the best course. This time I have to admit I have had difficulties to find something on the menu I really liked.

I declined the offer to refill my glass of white wine but accepted a refill of my glass of sparkling water.

Empty plates were collected soon later and after some time the dessert cart arrived. I took the fruit salad. Port, Cognac and “Schnaps” were offered to accompany the dessert. Coffee and tea were distributed later with two pralines.

After over two hours flying time the linen were collected and I reclined my seat after a quick visit of the lavatories.

I was able to sleep and dozed for some time, but got back pain and could not sleep anymore, maybe a wrong move or simply the bad seats. So I headed for the galley and picked up a glass of water. I took my laptop out of the overhead compartment and started it and put some work into this trip report and a few other reports as well. I also wrote a few e-mails to send them later in Los Angeles.

The crew did several beverage round during the night and offered orange and apple juice as well as water and coke. I was also offered coffee, which I gladly accepted.

The second shift of the crew during flight time was more attentive than the first one, at least from my impression. They looked more often through the cabin if everything was okay and did the beverage rounds also more often.

Our flight took us over England, north of Ireland towards the Atlantic. We flew south of Iceland and entered the American Airspace north of Newfoundland. The flight became a bit bumpy as we flew over the area of the Great Seas at the US / Canadian border. Though we climbed to 11582 meters we could not avoid the turbulence caused by the jet stream as the captain told us as he switched on the fasten seat belt.

App. 1:50 before landing there was another round of hot towels and the lights were switched on.

Time to look in the menu again .

The cabin crew began to prepare the dinner service. Just after the used towel were collected, the tray tables were laid with linen. I went with the small Swabian Dumplings like the most of the passengers. A beverage round was also done and I drank only sparkling water and a cup of coffee. Later a refill was offered.

Dinner
Small Swabian Dumplings filled with Vegetables,
Carrot Celery Juliennes

Rcs85551 woke up as breakfast was already finished, but after he changed out of his first class pajamas he was able to get small bowl of fresh fruit and something to drink.

The crew began to prepare the cabin for the arrival and the purser came over the microphone and requested that now nobody was allowed to get up from now on.

We touched down with a little delay at and taxied to our gate. There the captain requested us to remain seated and this had to be checked by the cabin crew before he finally get the okay to be towed to the gate. Not sue, what this procedure was about, but it was definitively new to me.

We were able to leave the plane through the second door and from what I could see, only one jet-bridge was in use.

Immigration did not take that long, though rcs8551 was much faster than me. But he had to wait at customs due to some question of the officer. We took the next shuttle to Hertz.

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