Flying with the Queen (747-400) had been on my to-do list for a quite a few years. I tried flying it several times, ending up failing. Lufthansa being a safer bet than Air China, as the Chinese airline often swaps models last minute. I decided to book Premium Economy, as I usually have a hard time sleeping during night flights in economy class. It turned out to be the right choice.
Check-in opened roughly 6 hours before departure: I was able to print my luggage tags & send my check-in luggage by myself in no time. Lufthansa's Premium Economy includes 2x23kg, exactly what I needed for this trip. I then waited in Singapore Changi airport, trying to find good spotting spots, ultimately failing as most of them are restaurants.
Since Lufthansa's Boing 747-400 is easily recognizable, I didn't even needed to look at the gate number. I simply spotted the aircraft taxiing and went where it gated! In Singapore, the security checks are done shortly before boarding, at the gate. I found this process interesting, but in this case annoying, as the 747 is quite a big airplane Security personal wasn't very friendly either.
Boarding was done quickly and efficiently: Premium Economy are called after the Business Class has boarded the plane. This was my first time flying Premium Economy and as a not-so-tall-guy, the change for me was … huge! I immediately felt the difference (and felt in love with it too). Lufthansa personal on this flight immediately made a friendly and professional impression.
My seat was next to the kitchen panel, so that our screens are folded into the armchair. We had 3 windows, enough to capture the huge wings and the two massive engines underneath it. A bottle of water, a very (!) comfortable blanket and a lovely amenity kit had been put on our seats too.
The boarding process was quick and we soon were taxiing out of Changi Airport, at night. Followed by an even more massive plane, a Quantas A380-800, heading back to Australia. Aviation at its heaviest ;) And quite a feeling being carried by the Queen, as it soars into the airs!
We first received a welcome drink, then a hand/facial hot towel. Meal was served about an hour after take-off. My neighbor and I, both managed to get a vegetarian meal (with a … chicken salad!). And a glass of a very decent German Riesling white wine. A nice treat, while being able to stretch my legs.
After the meal, I managed to sleep … more than 7 hours straight, not even waking up! Premium Economy did make a huge difference in this case.
About 2h before landing, the crew turned the cabin lights on, back again & announced breakfast. Again, I was very satisfied with both the breakfast & the choice of beverages offered. The cabin was then cleaned and prepared for landing. People could finish their movies, nothing felt rushed (unlike many Chinese airlines, as I flew quite a few times in the past years with them).
Landing happened in the dark, as the sun had not yet risen in Frankfurt. We could feel, how powerful the 747 stopped, after touching down. Quite an experience!
Disembarking was fast too. A few pictures of the plane, and I was out to reach my connecting flight to Paris CDG.
