Frankfurt Rhein - Main

We arrived at the A terminal and I wanted to make use of the welcome lounge as the Business / FTL Lounge next to gate A 26 was closed and therefore no showers were available. I walked towards the Welcome Lounge, which is also quite a hike, but since I had checked my luggage only to Frankfurt, I had to go there anyway.

My luggage made it to the belt a few minutes after I arrived there. It seems that not all passengers had made it to the belt at this time. In so far, quite good for Frankfurt.

The welcome lounge was not that busy and as usual there was no waiting time and showers were available right away. I showered, changed clothes and had a second breakfast. I used the T-Mobile WiFi Hot-Spot to check mails and did a few calls.

I left the lounge around 11:45 as I wanted to re-register for the use of the IRIS Scan facilities because my registered passport had expired and also check my luggage to Düsseldorf.

There were a few passengers queuing at the First Class counters but 4 counters were available and so the line moved quickly. I got a new seat in row 2A.

The security checkpoint at the A concourse was not that crowded, but with only one checkpoint used the lines moved slowly and it took me 20 minutes to pass it. At least the agents on duty were friendly this time.

I walked down toward the Senator Lounge at gate A 26 which was crowed. I was able to get a seat after a few minutes but decided to head to gate A 04 for my flight a bit earlier. The lower gate numbers indicated that we once again had a bus gate. Boarding was delayed a few minutes, but the plane was not fully booked, as a few waitlisted passengers and also dead heading crews were able to get on this earlier flight.

08 November 2010
FRA - DUS
[Frankfurt Rhein-Main – Dusseldorf International]
LH 78 (Lufthansa); Boeing 737-300 (D-ABXO / 'Schwäbisch-Gmünd')
Gate A 04
13:05 – 13:55 [effective 13:09 – 13:48]
Business Class
Seat 02 C

Only one bus was used for shuttling passengers from the terminal to the plane. The good thing about a bus gate is one gets nice view on the planes waiting at the gates and on the tarmac.
I boarded through the first door and settled down in my seat in the second row of the Business Class Cabin. I stored my belongings in the overhead compartment and under the middle seat. The window seat was not taken, but I did not move, simply because I was too tired.

We pushed back nearly on time and taxied for the runway, where we took off at 13:18.

I tried to sleep and dozed the time from taking my seat and landing in Düsseldorf. A service was done in Business Class, which I skipped, and also beverage was distributed.
The flight itself was uneventful, at least I was not that often interrupted in my sleep.

We arrived in Düsseldorf at 13:46 and arrived at our gate at 13:48 and could exit the plane quite fast. Waiting time at the luggage belt was not long, only three minutes and even before all passengers made it, the priority tagged luggage made its appearance on the belt.

So another nice trip came to its end.
Flying First Class was again great, especially with 13 other flyertalkers in the First Class Cabin. In so far this was a great flight and we had a great crew. They were friendly and exactly knew how to deal with us and did not care that much about the little event we made out of this flight. I think we did not disturb the other passengers that much.

The StarMegaDo and the flight IAH – PHX – PAE was also great. I have to admit, that I was a bit disappointed by the meeting with Continental Airlines but US Airways hosted a great event. The Boeing Tour was also great. The flight back was “Business as usual”. The meal services during the longhaul flights on this trip were not the best, to put it modest, but the main course on the flight back was simply awful. I have never had such bad course on a flight, too much oil and it tasted like you had only Balsamic vinegar and nothing else. The crew in the first class cabin on the flight to Houston was good, given that this was a Frankfurt based crew.

Overall a great trip, thank to the organizers of the Star Mega Do, the StarMegaDo charter flight and being able to attend the FT Awards.

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