CHECK IN I pulled up to LHR T1 at 0600 and went straight to check in zone A, located in between the Lufthansa and Star Alliance desks on the far left hand side of the terminal building on entering. Lufthansa moved its check in area to zone A in August, placing it much closer to the train and underground platforms than the old zone K check in was. The desks and electronic kiosks were all quiet, with queues no deeper than 10 persons on each. There is a Boots, AMT Coffee and WH Smiths in close vicinity.
I went through the small security gate hidden away around the corner nearby in check in zone B, which was quiet at this time of the morning. Laptops out, shoes on and I was airside in no time at all.
LOUNGE As I was travelling on a press trip I was granted access to the Star Alliance Business lounge. The lounge was serving hot and cold breakfast, a selection of hot drinks and juices as well as alcohol, although with it being 0600 I abstained from that particular section. The lounge was very busy with limited seating throughout, although it was still quiet inside. Wifi is free but was clearly feeling the strain as most of the people in the lounge were on a device of some kind. There was also rolling news on the TV and a large selection of newspapers and magazines to be taken away.
BOARDING From the lounge it is a short walk to gate 17 with only gate 16 closer. I was too late to see if priority boarding was being implemented but passengers were called by row numbers so it is safe to assume this was the case. We boarded via an air bridge at 0720.
The A321-100/200 aircraft was configured with eight rows of business class, separated by a curtain to the economy cabin which lies just beyond a small lobby area where the exit doors are located. To see a seat plan click here. The aircraft was configured 3-3 throughout, with the middle seats left unoccupied in business class. I was informed that the flight was fully booked and it looked full from a quick glance around. Complimentary copies of the Daily Mail and a German newspaper were available on boarding.
SEAT This was the old style seat, not the new ultra-thin Recaro seat that is due to be completely installed on Lufthansa’s short haul fleet by November. The seats, although old did not show their age and were grey leather and very comfortable.
I was sat in the window seat 18A and had a comfortable amount of legroom. The seat was located four rows into the economy cabin, directly over the wing and a long way forward for the rear toilets. However access to a single toilet cubicle at the back of the business cabin was possible.
FLIGHT Boarding was complete by 0730 and we pulled away soon after. Expected flight time was stated as 1 hour and 30mins. We finally took off at 0753, nearly 30 minutes late. On take-off we banked over Twickenham rugby stadium with a sweeping view of the London skyline, bathed in early morning fog.
At 0805 a full hot and cold drinks service came round with a small egg, spinach and coriander hot, toasted wrap. A strange choice for breakfast but tasty nonetheless, and the right amount for so early in the morning.
The flight was turbulence free and we began our descent at 1000 and landed by 1020, an hour and twenty five minute flight time.
ARRIVAL We were ready to disembark by 0930 and transferred via bus to Munich airports’ Terminal 2 through entrance 4N. Passport control was populated by just our flight and was quick for EU passports. We were through baggage reclaim and landside by 1000. Rail connections to the city centre are served by the S-Bahn and take roughly 45 minutes to reach the main station in Munich, Hauptbahnhof. A day ticket costs €10.80.
VERDICT Despite leaving late this was a swift and very comfortable flight. The food choice was slightly odd and left me more than ready to visit the Airbrauhaus, the only airport based brewery in the world, for a quick bite and a well earned beer.
Contact lufthansa.com
To read a review of the return leg, click here.
Scott Carey
