REVIEW: Flying First Class on Lufthansa’s B747 is an interesting experience, but…

Embarking on Lufthansa’s First Class flight LH717 from Tokyo-Haneda to Frankfurt offers a blend of luxury and efficiency, though not without its issues. Below is an in-depth review of the experience, as well as a video review:

Seamless Check-In and Boarding

Upon arrival at Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3, the First Class check-in is distinguished by a signature red rose—a thoughtful touch mirrored later at your seat. Post check-in, Lufthansa staff escort passengers to the crew entry of security control, ensuring an expedited and hassle-free process.

Lounge Access: ANA Suite Lounge

First Class passengers gain access to ANA’s Suite Lounge in Terminal 3. While the lounge provides a comfortable environment, it’s not particularly exceptional to warrant an early arrival solely for its amenities. However, aviation enthusiasts might appreciate the panoramic views of the tarmac. During our visit, we observed two JAL Airbus A350-1000s parked side by side—a rare and captivating sight.

We could also see our plane for today arriving (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

I made a video review about the lounge which you can find here (and spoiler alert: it was not great):

Aircraft and Cabin Ambience

The flight operates on a Boeing 747-8, tail number D-ABYI, delivered in May 2013, making it over 11 years old. Lufthansa’s First Class cabin is configured with eight seats, arranged in a 1-1 configuration in the first two rows, followed by a single row of 1-2-1.

First Class seating configuration on Lufthansa’s B747 (Source: AeroLopa.com)

The absence of overhead bins in the center contributes to an airy and spacious feel. From seat 2A, the abundance of windows—four for your seat and nine in total in my periphery —offers expansive views, enhancing the in-flight experience.

The cabin feels spacious and airy (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Seat Design and Comfort

The cabin’s color scheme of cream beige and brown may be perceived as either timeless or slightly dated, but it undeniably contributes to a bright atmosphere. The seats are comfortable, and a notable feature is the ability to dine with a companion by utilizing the ottoman as a guest seat—a delightful option for shared meals above the clouds.

You definitely notice the age of the seat (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Privacy is surprisingly good once you move up the privacy shield (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Dining together 40,000 feet in the air feels special, even though it might be a niche use case (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The cabin’s soft-touch materials and carpeting enhance comfort, though the temperature was slightly warmer than preferred, especially under the provided heavy blankets.

The beige color tones and many windows allow for a lot of light to come in (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) System

The IFE system shows its age. The screen is relatively small with noticeable low resolution, and the interface is somewhat clunky, lacking quick navigation options. An attempt to filter the movie library by language caused the system to crash, though it did reboot automatically after about half an hour.

The screen is too small and far away for a good viewing experience (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The movie selection is quite limited (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The selection of movies is modest, with limited highlights, and the provided over-ear AKG headphones, despite effective noise-canceling, become uncomfortable over extended use. Overall, I definitely recommend you bring your own entertainment in the form of an iPad or laptop loaded with movies.

Make sure to bring your own headphones - the provided ones by AKG really hurt after a short time (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Dining Experience

The culinary offerings were underwhelming, both in taste and presentation. The caviar service, in particular, lacked the finesse expected in First Class. While the initial food service commenced promptly, the main course was delayed, arriving over three hours into the flight. The crew, though friendly and engaging, exhibited occasional lapses in professionalism, such as delivering incorrect items and suboptimal table settings.

Menu overview for the first meal (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

We started with caviar (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Then another starter dish (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The main dish had to be put on a smaller plate to accommodate us eating together at one table - the presentation should usually look nicer (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

And finally a slice of cake for dessert (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The food itself then was alright, but nothing too special. While it’s always a matter of taste, to me the food seemed more fitting to a regular business class experience. Neither the presentation nor the taste felt really luxurious or on par with the class we were in.

The “Order Anytime” menu is extensive, however, with fresh berries being a standout; savoring blueberries at 35,000 feet is indeed a treat. Ordering a la carte at any time during the flight is always a highlight to me. Of course, such an option exist on many airlines and even on many business classes, such as my flight on JAL from Tokyo to Frankfurt a few years ago.

The “Order Anytime” menu was more fun (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

I love to get fresh fruits on a flight (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

I can recommend the Bavarian bread & spread plate (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

You can also never go wrong with Gulasch (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The quinoa salad was a bit strange (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Bed and Sleeping Experience

Lufthansa’s First Class offers a comfortable sleeping setup, though it doesn’t quite match the standards set by some leading airlines. The seat converts into a fully flat bed, which is long and sufficiently padded for a restful sleep.

Enough space to get a few hours of sleep (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

However, the bed is narrower compared to competitors like Singapore Airlines’ First Class, and the cabin temperature can feel slightly too warm, especially under the heavy blanket provided.

It gets a bit narrow around the shoulder and head area (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

On the plus side, the bedding itself is of high quality, with soft linens and a plush pillow that contribute to a cozy environment. Despite the cabin being full, the quiet nature of the Boeing 747-8 at cruising altitude ensures minimal disturbance, allowing for a peaceful rest.

The padding is really good and should be even enough for side sleepers (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

The nearly constant darkness during the flight’s polar route over Alaska and Greenland enhances the sleeping experience. The flight crew ensures that lights are dimmed, and passengers have access to eye masks and earplugs for additional comfort. While the sleeping setup isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a reliable and pleasant experience for long-haul travel.

Additional Amenities

First Class passengers receive complimentary internet access via vouchers; however, connectivity was unreliable for most of the flight, possibly due to the polar route over the North Pole.

First Class passengers get complimentary internet access for the entire flight (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Besides that, you can expect slippers, a comfortable pajama by Van Laack (which I am wearing now at home) and a toiletries kit by Porsche Design awaiting you at your seat. While nothing too flashy, the toiletries kit has everything I usually need and it’s nice that everything can be stored during the flight inside the ottoman.

There are creams by Augustinus Bader included in the toiletries kit (Source: UnmatchedVoyages)

Service and Crew Interaction

The cabin crew’s personable approach is a departure from the more formal service styles of some Asian airlines. They are attentive and quick to refill drinks, engaging in friendly conversations, which adds a personal touch to the journey. However, minor service inconsistencies suggest room for refinement in training. And, of course, not everyone might like the personable approach over a more distant one, as you can find them on Middle Eastern or Asian carriers.

Booking and Value Proposition

Lufthansa’s First Class is accessible through their Miles & More program and our flight cost 111,000 miles plus around 200$ in taxes and fees.

Booking this flight through Lufthansa’s Miles&More program (Source: Lufthansa)

While purchasing miles directly isn’t an option, the airline offers Bundle&Go packages that include miles and additional travel benefits. Recent promotions have provided up to a 50% bonus on miles, allowing travelers to acquire miles at approximately 1.33 cents per mile . This can result in significant savings, though it’s essential to consider associated fees and taxes. Check the button below to see if there currently is a promotion running.

Of course, Lufthansa’s First Class can also be booked via other loyalty programs and often at a lower price, such as via Avianca LifeMiles or Air Canada’s Aeroplan. However, I found that availability is much worse and you will likely only be able to book such a flight at most four weeks out - that can work for some but is much too tight for me.

Conclusion

Lufthansa’s First Class on the Boeing 747-8 offers a consistent and solid experience. While it may not boast the opulence of some Middle Eastern or Asian carriers, it provides a comfortable and refined journey. The cabin’s spaciousness, coupled with the crew’s friendly demeanor, contributes positively, though enhancements in the in-flight entertainment system and dining services would elevate the experience further. For those able to leverage miles and promotions effectively, Lufthansa’s First Class remains an attractive option for transcontinental travel. Just don’t expect too much…