Review of Lufthansa flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt in Economy

Report No: 2019-308E

Ladies and Gentleman,

Welcome to another series that would include 2 transatlantic flights on Lufthansa Premium Economy on the newest version of the Queen of the Skies and 2 Frankfurt-Istanbul flights again on Lufthansa and one American Airlines regional flight. All 5 reports would include lounge reviews of their respective airports.

In normal conditions, I always share Flight-Report's in the sequential order but this time it's different. From now on an end has came for my home airport and it's closed anymore. So, I have prioritized writing this report before the domestic United series that I planned to write before and before the first two flights of this series. This is the report of my last flight from Atatürk Airport and my last visit to the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Atatürk Airport. This flight would be a Lufthansa flight onboard their A321 from Istanbul Atatürk Airport to Frankfurt on the Economy cabin with a review of the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Atatürk Airport.  

The routing for this series would look like this

Trip Overview:

As I was going to head back to Istanbul for a week and needed miles to earn on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles as I'm really close to achieve Elite Plus status, I have preferred to use Lufthansa Premium Economy for this trip. For the first leg to Istanbul there was availability for the promotional N fare-class which is significantly the same price as most airlines' semi-flexible Economy tickets, however, on the way back the IAD flight didn't have availability in the premium economy saver fare and for my specific travel date only JFK and Tampa had this special fare. First I've opted for Tampa but then I realized that the TPA-WAS flight were around $300 so I have decided to fly to JFK and take the American Airlines Shuttle from LGA to DCA. For my specific travel date American had a $257 fare for their JFK-DCA flights and Delta had a $237 fare which I had to pay extra checked baggage. Due to my OWS status, I decided to fly American from LGA and paid $132 for Regular Economy on the short flight including two checked baggages. An Uber from JFK to LGA would definitely be cheaper than $120.

Pax for this flight:

Business Class: %90-95 [ Business Class until row 7 ]
Economy Class: %85-90

ONLINE CHECK-IN

I have completed the online check-in process 23 hours before departure. Lufthansa is one of the best carriers that knows passenger preferences and I was automatically given seat 12F for the first leg which is the second emergency exit row of an A320. However, later on that day, I had a notification that my seat was changed due to an aircraft change. I was given seat 11F on an A321. Then I've checked if there were any better seats but seat 11A was occupied and I didn't want to sit at 26A ( the second emergency exit on A321's ) as that row is missing a window and it would be my last flight from Atatürk Airport I definitely wanted a window.

I have generated a mobile boarding pass, however a paper one was given to me at the airport

It's sad to tell but this would be my last flight from Atatürk Airport.

Istanbul Atatürk AIRPORT - IST

I have used the E2 entrance which is reserved for Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus passengers and Business Class passengers flying on TK. After showing my card to the agent over there I was welcomed. The first checkpoint took around 5 minutes.

Then I have headed to the Lufthansa check-in counters. There was no-one in front of me at the First/Business Class lane so my documents were checked by the aviation security officers and then I was immediately helped by the first agent. As I've entered by APIS details online, he just printed baggage tags and boarding passes and stick the fast track barcode behind my boarding pass. As the flight is going to be a nearly full flight he asked me if I would like to check my carry on, several times but I have rejected. The story with the carry on would continue soon.

Boarding pass for my last departure from Atatürk Airport

And the fast track barcode

A last view of the check-in hall before heading to the airside.

As the regular checkpoint was crowded, I have used the TAV passport fast track with the barcode behind my boarding pass. There was nobody in front of me and I have cleared immigration and security within 5 minutes.

FIDS from the airside

A photo of the airside

Turkish Airlines LOUNGE - Istanbul Atatürk AIRPORT

At the first plan, I was intending to do some lounge hopping between the Primeclass Lounge and the Turkish Airlines Lounge but at check-in, I have learned that Primeclass lounge vouchers are only given for LH Business Class passengers, HON Circle members and Senator's. That's why the Turkish Airlines Lounge was my only stop that day.

As usual, I have preferred seating at the lower level as it is less crowded.

Let's start to show the offerings with the fruit options

The coffee bar and tea bar

The cake bar with some fresh juices and lemonades

Some strudels and tarts that were available

Tea selection

Bread and croissant selection alongside with Danish pastries

This month was the India month and Chicken Tikka Masala was the featured dish however, due it was early morning cheese toasts were served at the dedicated Indian food bar.

The gözleme station

Trabzon countryside butter and simit

The section where the chef prepares a personalized omelette with the ingredients of your choice.

The TV section and alcoholic beverages

The racing game and PlayStation devices.

And before leaving the lounge, the pool table at the first floor.

GATE AREA & BOARDING

Later on, I have headed to my gate which was 203. I would definitely miss these corridors for sure. However, they are too narrow and when it's crowded it's impossible to walk in a fast pace.

I have arrived to gate 203, 30 minutes before scheduled departure time. After my visa for my final destination was checked I was admitted to the gate area.

Shortly after, boarding begun with priorities being respected and I was one of the first ones to board. Our aircraft from the terminal

LH 1305 ISTANBUL ATATÜRK AIRPORT TO FRANKFURT AIRPORT

After being welcomed by the crew, I have took my seat 11F. Despite the popular bad comments about this seats, I find them comfortable and the legroom was also OK for a 3 hour flight. Due to theoretical seating that LH does, seat 11E was empty throughout the flight.

IFE - LH 1305 Istanbul Atatürk AIRPORT TO FRANKFURT AIRPORT

While boarding was still going on, I had the chance to look at the seat pocket content.

This aircraft was equipped with FlyNet, however, it didn't work throughout the flight. Mobile IFE streaming didn't work as well.

Fleet section in the Lufthansa Magazin

LH Europe route map. Istanbul is the only all-year Turkish destination. Flights to Izmir, Bodrum and Antalya are seasonal.

FRA Airport map

And the information page for FlyNet that didn't work.

Later on, we had started our push back on time and the first visible aircraft was this Turkish Airlines A330.

As well as this A321, TC-JSD

After a short taxi to the runway

And after arriving to runway 35L

We were ready to takeoff.

I know it's difficult to say goodbye to a home airport 

But, I had to and we had started to gain altitude.

Yenibosna district

A scenic view of Istanbul from the west

Habibler district

Göktürk district

And before passing near Istanbul Airport, we were above the clouds.

Shortly after the seatbelt signs had been switched off, inflight shopping catalogues were distributed by the cabin crew. Inflight shopping was available throughout the flight.

BREAKFAST - LH 1305 Istanbul Atatürk AIRPORT TO FRANKFURT AIRPORT

Shortly after a passenger needed medical assistance so the crew went next to him with the health kit onboard and gave him oxygen. However, he was fine after a bit and the meal service had begun after that passenger felt OK.

The tray contained a main course, a strawberry yoghurt, bread, strawberry jam and butter.

The main course was an omelette with cheese and tomato alongside with a Turkish style pastry "Su Böreği". The meal was delicious and I really enjoyed it. The main course was tastier than the classic breakfast of Turkish Airlines.

Shortly after I finished my meal, I have went to the lavatories. They were kept clean throughout the flight

Then I have had a short sleep and woke up above Germany.

Some photos before our arrival

City of Frankfurt

Commerzbank Arena

Some facilities and hotels around the airport

And we had landed to Frankfurt safely, on time.

Then we had started our taxi to our parking position.

Lufthansa A319

Lufthansa A321 sisters, one in the old, one in the new livery

LH A320neo and LH A321

Another photo of the A321

And we started to turn right to park at gate A28 which is a Schengen gate. This meant that we would be transferred to the non-Schengen area by bus.

Another LH A321

And as we parked our neighbor was this Lufthansa A320neo.

Later on, the crew announced that doors 2L and 4L would be used for disembarkation. As usual, the border police would do visa checks at the stairway, so I had prepared my passport and put took my backpack. At that moment, the cabin crew at door asked Economy passengers to wait until Business Class passengers have left the aircraft. After a small wait and saying thank you to the cabin crew, I have left the aircraft. The Schengen visa page on my passport was ready and the officer said thank you, 3 seconds after he saw the visa. Then it was time to head to the bus.

Guess what happened, my last flight from Atatürk Airport was the first time during my entire life that I have left my carry-on onboard. I have realized this at the bus. In the past, once I have left a bag of duty free items after a Swiss flight from Zurich to Istanbul and after reporting to the baggage office, my duty free bag was handed just after I claimed by bags at the carousel but this one was different. At least I didn't have "must" stuff in that carry-on bag, and all important belongings were at my backpack.

After coming to Terminal 1B, I have contacted the transfer desk and they have gave the e-mail of the respective department. Then, the adventurous connection in Frankfurt had started.

Unfortunately, I would continue to report the rest in the LH 400 Frankfurt - JFK report, which would be posted soon.
For the moment this report has came to an end and I would like to thank you all for joining the report of my last flight from Atatürk Airport.
I wish you to see you all in another report.