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Seattle Tacoma International
I took the train from downtown Seattle to the airport and arrived at the airport app 40 minutes after I had left the hotel and walked through the parking lot towards the Lufthansa Check in counters.
I was quickly checked in, the designated Star Gold / First Class Line was not that busy, while the Economy Class counters had long lines and also quite a few people were waiting at the Business Class / Star Silver Line.
This time I checked my luggage, but only to Frankfurt, where I wanted to get it as I needed a few things out of it in the welcome lounge. I was able to use the fast lane at security, which was long but moved quite fast. After security I met a few fellow flyertalkers and together we went to the BA Terrace Lounge which LH uses in Seattle. At the entrance, boarding passes were checked and we were allowed to enter the BA Terrace Lounge, in my case the Business Class section. The lounge was busy, but I was able to get a seat with a free seat next to it.
I picked up a water from the self service bar and later a glass of Chardonnay from the serviced bar. Since WiFi was free in the lounge, I checked e-mails and surfed flyertalk and moderated a few topics.
A few minutes before boarding time, I headed downstairs for a quick visit at one of the Duty Free shops and a Hudson Outlet.
Boarding started a bit delayed. First families with small children and passengers who need some additional minutes were invited to board the aircraft. In the meantime, First Class Passengers were brought down from the lounge by a lounge agent and could board the plane ahead of passengers traveling in Business Class and Star Gold Passengers, which were asked to board the plane soon later.
07 November 2010
SEA - FRA
[Seattle Tacoma – Frankfurt Rhein-Main]
LH 491 (Lufthansa);Airbus A 330-300 (D-AIKF / 'Witten')
Gate S 16
13:40 – 08:45 [effective 14:08 – 08:45]
Business Class
Seat 03 A
I turned left to the small first section of Business Class and stored my belongings in the overhead bin and in the wall pockets in front of me. A flight attendant took care of my jacket and put it in the closet between First and Business Class.
The plane filled with passengers and pre departure drinks were offered. As usual the choice was orange juice, champagne and water.
The safety video was shown while we were still at the gate. We pushed back a bit behind schedule at 14:08 and taxied slowly the long way to the runway. While doing so, the Air France Airbus A 330 bound for Paris took off. After a plane of United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, it was our turn and we left SEA at 14:26 on runway 16L, as far as I remember.
It was a smooth climb into the partly cloudy sky over Seattle with a few bumps as we reached the clouds, but nothing really serious.
Once we nearly had reached the cruising altitude the fasten seat belts seat were turned off and the crew went to their stations.
Soon later tray tables were laid with linen. The menus were distributed by the purser, who addressed me by name and took this opportunity to welcome me on board and thanked me for choosing Lufthansa. A more standardized small talk than a real conversation. A first beverage round soon followed, but it took them nearly 40 minutes before the first beverage was served airborne. I think, this is really a long time and other airlines seem to work more efficiently. As usual a small packet of nuts, this time almonds, where distributed. I had a glass of Bitter Lemon with the nuts.
Time to look at the menu 
(click on the icon for the menu)
Another beverage round followed and this time I opted for the Chilean Chardonnay, which unfortunately was not available. So I took the California one.
First Course
Seared beef carpaccio
Second Course
Butternut Squash Ravioli
I took some additional time before the first course was served, as usual with the cart and I took the beef Carpaccio. The tray looked empty with a 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. However, the arrangement of the first course was better than on the flight from MUC to LAX back in April. Since my glass was still full, I just asked for some additional sparkling water.
The first course tasted not that bad, but it was far away from the best food I have had on airplanes.
Trays were cleared, but this time no refills of water and wine were offered like on previous flights. It took some time before the second course was served again from the cart.
I opted for the ravioli which sounded good, but they were really bad. There had way too much oil and the balsamico was too strong, so the filling did not really taste at all. I had only a few bits of it. As it was collected, I was asked, if it was not okay. I told, why I did not like it and was offered another option, but declined it and asked for a roll. In so far, the food in the premium cabins of this trip was a big disappointment and I already had very low expectations.
I skipped the dessert, because I was just nibbling at my roll and had not yet finished the wine. During the flight, I was addressed by name by the purser, but not by the rest of the crew.
Coffee and tea were offered later and I had a cup of coffee. Meanwhile I had started my laptop and put some work into the trip reports of this and other flights.
Lights were dimmed and a few people slept while others watched movies on the inflight entertainment system.
3:30 hours before we were scheduled to arrive in Frankfurt, I shut my laptop down and dozed a bit until around 7:00 Frankfurt time the lights were turned on again. Soon later the tray tables were laid with linen and the cart with the items for breakfast arrived.
I went with the omelet and a cup of coffee as well as a glass of orange juice. Rolls were also offered.
The omelet was okay, the portion a bit small, but this is always the same in Business Class on LH.
Breakfast
Omelette with mushroom ragout
After half an hour or so, trays were cleared and the crew began to prepare the cabin for the arrival in Frankfurt. We had already passed North Sea and the Channel and were now heading over the Ruhrgebiet towards Frankfurt. Jackets were given back, but I had to ask for my jacket, the flight attendants forgot the jackets in one closet.
We approached Frankfurt from Eastern direction and touched down on runway 25R at 08:39.
We taxied to our gate A 63 where we arrived at 08:45.
I was able to leave the cabin through the First Class as both jet bridges and both doors were used for deboarding. In the terminal we waited for the other Flyertalkers and VFT members and said good-bye. A few of us were heading towards the First Class Lounge or their connecting flights while I was heading for the Welcome Lounge and the luggage belt. I had checked my luggage only to Frankfurt as I wanted to change clothes there.