LH 440
FRA-IAH
A380-800 (New York, New York)
10:05A-1:30P
September 8, 2013
Departed 8/8
Seats 2DG
The upper jet bridge attached between at the galley between First and Business Class. First class is at the front of upper deck and like the A330/340s, configured 1-2-1.
Each pax has his/her locker with a lock, although no FA bothered to explain.
We were the last to board and as we settled in, our FAs offered pre-departure beverages. Time to start drying out so we opted for water... for now.
That water-only thing lasted about 5 minutes...
Time to check out the front of the cabin the two spacious lavs at the front of the cabin.
With two lavs for 8 pax, there was never any wait to use one. Large but pretty stark and hospital like. No need to go the Bling Air route, but maybe a little less sterile.
With a urinal discretely hidden behind the mini door.
OK, so the A380 is all new and pretty, but it just didn't do anything for me. In fact, I'd prefer to be on the 747-400 (even old First) any day. I'm thinking that LH could have done a much better job with this one. First class is on the less spacious upper deck. Yes, New First is a step up from old First but like the Airbi 330/340 cousins with a 1-2-1 configuration, not very private when the cabin is full like it was today. That privacy screen is a must after take off but we were the only ones that knew it was there.
But the biggest surprise of all today is that Lufthansa decided not to install WiFi on the A380... seriously?? It's 2013 and you either didn't spend the money and/or think to install WiFI. Most of the 744s, even the old First 744s have WiFi. Wow.
Other issues... Overhead lights are not well designed. Each seat has two sets of overhead lights, yet your controls only let you control one set of lights. The other set of lights, which shine right on your head can only be controlled by the FA and apparently on the same circuit as all the other overhead and logo highlighting lights. And as I've noted before with Airbus New First, the drink mini-table is beyond arm length from your seat, forcing you to lean forward every time you retrieve or return your glass.
Boarding was completed and we pushed back on time for the 9 hour 50 minute flight to IAH. While our Purser was friendly and helpful, our primary FA was mediocre. Professional yet not interested in engaging or even smiling. Even Mrs. SFO picked up on it and had an interesting observation. "Our best Lufthansa crews were almost always male. Why do we keep getting women"?
We had originally decided to wait a few hours to eat, but service rolled out so slowly that we started to get hungry and decided to eat with everyone else.
Today's amuse bouche was excellent, but delivered before post-departure drinks.
September means a new menu and a new celebrity chef, one Marc Haeberlin from Auberge de 'Ill in Alsace.
And a new list with some interesting and pleasant additions. IMO, an upgrade from last month.
Lunch time.
I decided to try the 2010 Lupé-Cholet Chassagne-Montrachet which prompted this exchange with our FA.
SFO: I'll try the Chassagne-Montrachet please.
FA: Which wine?
SFO (pointing at the label on the wine list), the Chassagne-Montrachet
FA: Oh, the French one.
SFO: Yes, please
FA: That's a white wine
SFO: Yes, I know. thank you.
At this point, we ran into some mild turbulence and absent anything else to do, since there is no effing WiFi on this airplane, I took pics of my wine. Had three glasses of this very nice Chassagne which retails for $40-$45.
I passed on the caviar today but did notice Smirnoff has been banished, at least today.
The appetizer cart. Get your hand out of the food.
I went for the Medallion of Lobster on Artichoke Salad. Very nice.
The Celery and Cream Cheese with Truffle Vinaigrette and Apple Fennel Salad was excellent.
The Seasonal Leaf Salad with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and carrot with herb dressing. Way too big for the bowl with way too many extra, bitter ingredients for my taste.
Tomato Consommé with Sepia Ravioli filled with crabmeat. Ravioli was good, consommé not so much.
The Medallion of Venison with Basil Spatzie and Mango was tender, moist and delicious. Lovely with the excellent 2009 Bodegas LAN a Mano Rioja. Recently rated 93 by Wine Spectator and retails for around $40.
The cheese and dessert cart.
Passed on the cheese and went right for the Symphony of Chocolate Haeberlin. Wow, It was sensational... in the "to die for" category. With port.
After dinner drink cart.
A couple of bon-bons and glass of Ziegler Wildkirsh Nr. 1. Wow, now that's strong stuff.
After lunch, which didn't conclude until more than three hours into the flight, most pax watched movies and then ultimately slept.
This is certainly one way to keep the Y pax from exploring upstairs. LOL.
Around two hours from landing, our crew started the second meal service.
The Paprika and Onion flavored Curd Cheese with pretzels was really good.
And the Quiche Lorraine with assorted ham delicacies was excellent.
We landed on time at Houston and then got our exercise with one of the longest walks to customs I've experienced, worse than DEN. Fortunately, there was a bank of at least 15 Global Entry kiosks, unlike the 2 at DEN. Since we were over our duty free limit, we got the big circle, and then hand written C for secondary from a surly GE agent.
While waiting for the lovely checked bag, a Lufthansa PA offered to escort us to the United Club for our ongoing flight. We stopped briefly at secondary, friendly CBP agent this time, paid the $140 in duty, exited customs, dropped our colorful bag at UA connections and followed our PA Edna to security and the UC. Very nice personal assistance service, especially if one is unfamiliar with international to domestic connections at IAH, as we were.
