Check-in
The check-in desks for Lufthansa Group airlines are located at Aisle F of Hong Kong International Airport, and they open approximately three hours before departure. Although there were two flights departing this evening—one Swiss flight to Zurich and one Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt—check-in was efficient, as plenty of desks were available.
Boarding
Our ride to Frankfurt was parked at Gate 27, located at the midsection of Terminal 1. Lufthansa uses a group boarding system that begins with passengers requiring assistance, followed by those with priority status or seated in premium cabins. Passengers in economy class are among the last to board, with boarding sequence following the assigned group numbers printed on the boarding passes. These group numbers are determined by seat locations: window, middle, aisle. This group boarding approach facilitates a smoother boarding process by reducing congestion in the aircraft aisle.
The aircraft taking us to Frankfurt tonight is an A340-600, featuring a four-class configuration that includes First class, Business class, Premium economy class, and Economy class. Passengers traveling in First class and Business class are invited to board through the first jet bridge, which is significantly less crowded, ensuring a more pleasant boarding experience for these premium passengers.
Welcome onboard everyone! Lets get on this 15-year-old A340-600 (D-AIHY).
Seat and Amenities
I was seated in 11C, located at the front of the second Business Class cabin. The aircraft featured Collins Diamond seats manufactured by Collins Aerospace. The seats were arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, with adjacent seats angled toward each other, creating a V-shaped layout. There is a seat control panel at the armrest, and the seat can be reclined to a flat-bed position during the night.
The seats looked a bit dated by today’s standards. Each seat also featured a 15-inch personal television, providing a reasonable range of inflight entertainment options. A mattress and a blanket were already placed at the seat prior to boarding. Amenity kits and loungewear were distributed after boarding was completed.
Inflight Service
Shortly after I boarded the aircraft, a friendly flight attendant approached me to offer welcome drinks. I decided to try Lufthansa's signature drink, Avionic. Developed by the Ziegler Distillery, this aperitif is a delightful blend of de-alcoholized wine and fruit juice concentrate. With its refreshing citrus flavor and smooth texture, Avionic proved to be the perfect beverage before embarking on a long-haul journey.
The menu for the flight was designed by Lufthansa in collaboration with Jing An Shangri-La. There were two meal services, a late night supper soon after take off, and breakfast shortly before landing. Meal pre-ordering option was not available for this flight, and the menu was not very extensive. However, there was still adequate selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Snacks and beverages were available between meals. The menu was written in German, English and Traditional Chinese.
Another round of drinks was served before appetizers.
Appetizer: Charred Prawn, Sweetcorn and Tomato enhanced by Sriracha Dressing
Main course: Pan-fried Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce accompanied by New Crushed Potato, green Bean and Olive
Dessert: Ricotta Strawberry Cheese Tart
Flight attendants handed out chocolates to passengers before cabin lights were dimmed for the night.
Breakfast: Pancake with Blueberry Compote
Toilets
The business class cabin featured three toilets, which were shared among 44 passengers. During my flight, I noticed the business class toilet was quite messy. The paper towels were disorganized, and the vanity unit lacked proper cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, the toiletries were insufficiently stocked, failing to meet the standards expected in business class.
The economy class toilets were located below the main deck. There were five toilets, and they were shared among 213 passengers.
Arrival
The plane arrived in Frankfurt early in the morning, and I enjoyed a stunning view of the sunrise after disembarking from the aircraft. Immigration was efficient, and I was on the landside just 15 minutes after exiting the plane.
Welcome Lounge
Arriving passengers on long-haul flights operated by Lufthansa are invited to visit their Welcome Lounge, conveniently located just behind the baggage claim area in Arrivals Area B at Frankfurt Airport. The lounge offers a wide variety of breakfast options and shower facilities, allowing passengers to refresh themselves after a long flight.
Thanks for sharing your first review here with us! A great well-written report with good details and nice photos. While the cabin is old and nothing revolutionary, Collins Diamond seats are generally spacious and comfortable, especially when travelling with others where you don’t have to awkwardly climb over a stranger from window seats. The catering looks surprisingly good for Lufthansa.
Thanks again for sharing and welcome!
Thank you for sharing and welcome aboard.
A rather good flight on Lufthansa with a similar experience I had on that route onboard the Boeing 747-8.
I don't know if the cabin is really outdated, or if Lufthansa's Business class product that lacks privacy... I mean, Allegris Cabin are mire intimate. but the seating positioning could be inaccurate.
Have safe flights.
Welcome aboard!
It was actually a bit surprising for me to see this, because I reviewed the exact same route on a flight that was taken just one month later, and all I can say is that your review was much more well-done and picture-rich than mine 😅