CHECK-IN
I’d checked-in online the previous day, and had my ticket sent to my smartphone electronically.
On my arrival at Frankfurt airport, I headed straight to fast-track security at 1630 for my 1800 flight to London Heathrow. There was no queue but, for some reason, it took about five minutes for my belongings to pass through the x-ray machine.
Once they finally arrived, I packed up my laptop and toiletries and walked the three or four minutes to the Lufthansa lounge by gate B24.
THE LOUNGE
Lufthansa Business Lounge West is one of 14 lounges the German carrier has at Frankfurt airport, including its First Class Terminal. By the lounge's entrance next to gate B24 is a staircase and lift heading up to the lounge itself.
This large facility is U-shaped, bending round to the left as you walk inside, with showers and phone booths on the far side.
It contained a wide selection of food — I ate a hotdog and an apple and drank some fruit juice — newspapers, and televisions screening 24-hour news.
There are no UK plug sockets, so I had to charge my smartphone using my laptop, which had a battery charge.
I noticed on the departures screen that the gate had been changed to B27. I left the lounge at 1725.
BOARDING
Boarding commenced at 1740 with business and Star Alliance loyalty members invited first. It took three or four minutes before I arrived at my seat in business class on the aircraft, an A319-100.
THE SEAT
Business class is configured AC-DF and on this flight occupied the first four rows, separated from economy by a moveable curtain. I was in seat 4F, in the last row before the curtain.
The business cabin was half full on this early evening flight to London Heathrow.
WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE?
This boils down to a choice of aisle or window seat, unless you have to dash off the aircraft first at the end of the flight, in which case the front row is for you.
THE FLIGHT
Shortly after sitting down I was given a copy of Time magazine and offered a newspaper from a selection that included Financial Times, Daily Mail and Newsweek.
We pushed back at 1801 and taxied for a short while before taking-off at 1816.
Ten minutes later, food and drinks were served from the front of the cabin first. This consisted of a prawn and cheese salad, followed by a biscuit served with rasberry and custard, a Lindt chocolate and, finally, what can only be described in literal language — white chocolate on a stick with fruit in the middle.
The food was tasty. To drink, I had tea and a glass of water.
ARRIVAL
The flight was scheduled to arrive at 1845 local time. Our descent began at 1810 and the aircraft landed at 1835 and was at the gate at 1840. I was through Terminal 2 passport control by 1850.
VERDICT
An uneventful but efficient flight, which is exactly what you want on a short-haul journey. The cabin crew was polite and the food decent.
FACT FILE
- SEAT CONFIGURATION 3-3 with AC-DF in business class
- SEAT PITCH 18 inches
- SEAT WIDTH 30 inches
- CONTACT lufthansa.com
Graham Smith
