Lufthansa First Class to Chicago
Lufthansa First Class to Chicago
The FCL dragon suggested leaving 45 minutes before departure. We wisely left at T-65. Not so much because of passport control or the long walk to Z62, but the Lounge dragon forgot to mention the chaotic and stupid “Medical Check”, where we had to show our PCR test for the 4th e**ing time today. Making it worse was that First Class passengers were lumped in with Business and Star Alliance Gold in a single slow moving lane manned by an idiot. The only lane that moved was the one for close in departures, which we finally convinced an agent to let us use.
Not that it got any better at the gate, where it was a free-for-all with gate agents boarding the usual nonsensical cadre of those that need more time (dozens and dozens of seminally able body Y pax), pax with children, blah, blah. Gate agent finally let us board when I complained about First Class having to wait and not getting any priority at all.
And finally, back in one of the nicest cabins in the sky.
Our First Class flight attendant was surprisingly American (or at least Americanized).... cheerful, indeed bubbly but not very polished. Definitely the B team.
Meh.
Ms. Bubbly then asked about a pre departure beverage selection. I asked for champagne and received an unknown champagne poured in the galley and delivered to my seat. When I inquired, she couldn't even identify what it was. She went to the galley to check but "my colleague had put the bottle away". Seriously? Typically, the pre-departure spread is placed here in between 2A and 2K. Today? Nothing. And no standard pre-departure macadamia nuts.
A far cry from the Covid-era spread on our LAX-FRA flight last September. Lazy or challenged or both?
And the wine list. Other than the champagnes, this was pretty pathetic.
Very nice on paper, but sadly not even close to what was actually loaded and served.
My unknown champagne.
As is normal prior to departure, the Purser made the rounds of the First Class cabin to greet everyone. He made the mistake of asking me how I was doing today. So I told him... happy to be on board and away from the chaos that is FRA. I recited the litany of Lufthansa’s ground flaws and that Lufthansa should be embarrassed by what it calls First Class on the ground at FRA. I then compared Lufthansa to spectacular Air France which never cut First Class service, in the air or on the ground. Also let him know that I knew a number of formerly loyal Lufthansa First passengers that have moved to Air France and are not coming back. Not sure whether he was more shocked at these failures or that a First Class pax would be so bold as to rip his employer a new one to his face.
Once in the air, pleasant but unpolished service continued. And at times, comical. I asked for another glass of champagne, specifically Laurent-Perrier Rosé. Ms. Bubbly came back a few minutes later to tell me that they don't have any rosé today. When I pointed to the Laurent Perrier Alexandra Rosé, the lights came on. Oh, rosé champagne. Off she went back to the galley only to return to apologize that catering didn't load that today. She did bring back an unopened bottle of Lanson to show me. I asked for the Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle, although I have no idea what I was drinking as she poured it in galley and brought the glass to me. I'm suspecting that it was not LPGC as it was not what I recall and not very good.
I didn't even finish it and went straight to G&Ts. The Schoss Gin was quite good. Major demerits for no lemon or lime slices. Ms. Bubbly blamed Covid for not allowing LH to serve lemon or lime, although miracuously lemons and limes showed up later.
Showtime, Lufthansa First style.
Lufthansa's garlic bread and pretzels are always good.
I passed on caviar and went for the starter trio, none of which were very good. The beef pastrami was the best of a bad lot.
The Cream of Asparagus Soup was way too salty and I gave up after a couple of spoons.
On the other hand, my Veal Schnitzel was quite good. Not as good as the First Class Terminal version (when it was open) but enjoyable. And look, a lemon!
By this time, meal service had dragged on for nearly two hours. With little sleep last night, I'd hit the wall, and passed on cheese or dessert and opted for bed... and slept great for more than 4 hours.
About 90 minutes out, my Pulled Turkey Burger was excellent, wiith onion balsamic jam and coleslaw. The Beetroot chips were a little weird though. And what do you know, a beautiful lime wedge.
Nice views of Chicago on approach.
Wrigley Field.
We pulled into M16 some 45 minutes ahead of schedule, with plenty of time to get over to Terminal 1 and our connecting United flights.
Since only 2L was used, we had a chance to see that Business Class cabin on our way out. Yeah, 2-2-2 J seating is really competitive.
