Lufthansa First Class YVR to FRA LH493 – My $12,000 Flight!

Unless you’ve been in a flying in regional jet the last week (without wifi) then you’ve probably seen What It’s like to Fly the $23,000 Singapore Airlines Suites Class all over Facebook and the web. Well, I haven’t had the chance to fly in a Singapore Suite (yet.) But Lufthansa First class is probably the best flying experience money can buy for traveling between North America and Europe!

So, I decided to use some Aeroplan points and fly Lufthansa First Class this summer to Europe. Finding availability is a bit tricky and Lufthansa only releases a few First class award seats about 7-14 days prior to departure. So, I had to roll the dice and wait for availability to open. I monitored the awards very closely on this route and almost every day they release a seat or two in the window period. There was only 1 in 20 days were a seat doesn’t come available on this route in the summer months.

It was 60,000 points + about $450 in taxes in fees each way. But for a $12,000 RT ticket this is really great value!

At check-in I selected sea 82C which is the second row in the upstairs cabin of the 747 on this aircraft. I wouldn’t recommend the last row because of its proximity to the galley and I would avoid the first row because of its proximity to the bathroom. The middle rows seem idea! As you can see below there was no one next to me either so I had lots of room.

From the Air Canada lounge in YVR I watched as my plane pulled in. The lounge was very basic though and is nothing compared with the First class lounge in Frankfurt.

 

Getting my ticket ready as it’s almost boarding time — of course First class have special red card holders so we can be escorted to the front of the lines.

 

When you walk upstairs to the First class cabin it is absolutely stunning!

There’s a drawer under the bed with just enough room for my backpack. My carry-on roller couldn’t fit in the overhead (which is tiny in this cabin) but no worries as the flight attendant has a closet they can store it in for you.

Nothing wrong with a glass of Champaign to start the trip off right

Shortly after take off PJs and amenity kits are handed out. As well as a greeting from the purser (lead flight attendant) who asks to make sure I have everything I need.

Next are menus and first course of food.

A yummy light salmon to start, and a refill of my Champaign

  

Caviar for the next course which was some of the best I’ve had. Them some more courses. I forgot to take picture of the main as I got as excited when it came I totally forgot. Lava cake and ice cream for desert – wonderful!

  

After dinner I changed into my PJs and jumped into bed to get a few hours sleep. I unfortunately found it way too warm to sleep right through. I had to throw the heavy comforter off and ask for a light blanket. I asked if they could turn down the temperature and was told they didn’t have control over it. I don’t know if it’s like that on all the flights or if it was just this one.

Next was a nice light breakfast with espresso americano.

I watched part of a movie on the last couple hours and was impressed with the sound from the Bose headphones, but the picture wasn’t as good. The video quality is not HD and it’s the old 4:3 screen format. Video selection was alright and there was a couple new titles.

 

Pulled into the gate at Frankfurt for an on-time arrival.

I had a connecting flight to Barcelona and could of stayed in the terminal but rather decided to clear EU immigration and walk out of the main terminal over to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal (click link to read my blog post about FCT.) I would highly recommend checking if you have more than 2-3 hours layover. The terminal has a number of First Class amenities including a full restaurant where you can order a la carte or eat from the buffet. There are very nice showers and change rooms to freshen up. There are nice spaces to relax. A very well stocked bar to keep you happy. When it’s time for you next flight to leave the concierge will come find you and take you to your limo waiting outside which will whisk across the tarmac to your next flight!