The following trip report is my 12th posted trip report here on A.net. This was a trip my dad and I had wanted to go on for a while! The report is a first for me, as it is my first time flying on Lufthansa and KLM. I also sat in LH Business class! I had flown BA Club World (as shown in an earlier TR)
Also in the trip will have pictures from the land journeys (by car) of my trip in Europe. That trip extends into the countries of Germany, Luxembourg, France, and The Netherlands.
So…I do hope you enjoy the report. Comments and questions are always loved!
On the 26th of December 2009, the day after Christmas, my dad and I left on our trip. We left our house early at around 4pm for LH’s late flight to FRA.
At the Lefferts Blvd AirTrain station:
Terminal One:
LH:
We fly non-rev and were handed boarding passes without seat assignments, as usual. I was happy Lufthansa at least let us go to the gate before getting a seat, as I was not sure. Aer Lingus makes you wait at check-in until you get a seat (or don’t get one).
LH lounge:
Terminal:
Idlewild Wine Bar:
Departure screen:
The top of the Air France A380:
Our beautiful craft to FRA:
Close up of the A380:
Air France A380 seat plan:
Prior to boarding all nonrevs were called up to get seat assignments. On this flight, Economy was overbooked and we were upgraded to business! What a fantastic late Christmas present!
Boarding:
The seats with 3 in the middle…. I don’t like that:
Staircase:
We were given two seats in the middle at first…
But as the window and aisle seats next to us stayed open, we switched:
Economy:
Christmas wreath on the wall, with plenty of Lufthansa post cards and timetables!!!
Pre-departure drinks served:
Alitalia next to us:
In the slots next to the seats was a water bottle:
And the amenity kits:
I found the amenity kit bag itself to be nicer on LH. It came with eyeshades, ear plugs, socks, lip balm, and a tooth brush and paste. Also included were some Lufthansa branded golf tees. The LH Business amenity kit was much nice in my opinion then the BA Club world amenity kit.
Rainy night in New York:
Take off was powerful and bumpy. We hit a lot of bumps as we first got up, thanks to the weather I would assume. Fun though!
I looked through this book which showed you how to work the seat:
And also the Lufthansa magazine:
TV:
With the curtains closes and no one next to us, it felt so private:
IFE main page:
No map working!
Hot towels were given out after takeoff as were menus:
On the menu for dinner tonight….
A very friendly FA came around with the table cloth soon afterwards:
FA serving:
German beer and some peanuts:
The map was turned on over Canada:
I guess we can’t have a map over the United States anymore?
Pork appetizer:
My pasta main course:
My dad had the fish:
My meal was very nice. The pasta was cooked to perfection and it was nice and hot.
Dessert was some cake, biscuits, and tea:
Some Baileys on the side:
In the lavatory:
I put the seat into the near flat position…got comfy quickly and very quickly fell asleep! I was shocked to sleep for two hours…but I was glad afterwards.
I was so comfy in the bed / seat that it took me another 40 minutes of laying in it before I decided to get up.
Near flat seat:
I then switched seats with my dad so I could look out the window.
What a magnificent wing:
Soon over Ireland:
With about 1hr and ½ to go…breakfast was served:
A good amount of food:
Plenty of bread was offered over and over again. As was tea and coffee and other drinks.
British Airways below and ahead of us:
Fruit was offered as well:
KLM heading west!
Cabin:
Door:
Mini-Galley in very front of plane:
I’d of sat here too…but our more empty area was 10 times more private!
Full economy:
We went past FRA and turned around to land. Connecting flights were put on the tv:
Decent:
Sun shining through the clouds:
Lufthansa Cargo and Thai:
Lots of Lufthansa:
Nice:
More LH:
Beautiful Lufthansa and Singapore fin in background:
Gpbcroppers63 From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 24141 times:
Hey Tommy,
Great report but I think some got cut off as it finishes mid sentence. Loved the pics of Germany. Brought back so many memories of my time living in Bonn and in Mannheim. Also loved the pics crossing into Luxembourg as they brought back memories of the road trip I did to Budapest with my friend back in April. Happy times!
Looking forward to the rest of the report!
Gareth
According to one of my colleagues, my problem is that I'm addicted to travel!
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 24219 times:
Terminal:
Our craft in all her glory:
FRA looked really beautiful! Clean and modern added with a lot a LH makes a nice place to be. Immigration was quick and I was so happy to get a FRA stamp in my passport.
We had carry on bags only so we did not need to go to baggage claim.
We caught the local train into the city center. It was a nice ride and a decent price of around 3 Euro.
Central Frankfurt train station:
We had booked for the Bristol Hotel, but when we arrived they told us we were getting an “upgrade”. All we had to do was walk to a different hotel called The Pure. Apparently The Bristol was 100% empty so the few and only booked quests were sent to a sister hotel that would have enough guests to have the free breakfast. The Pure was nice and so was the free breakfast. Also The Pure was closer to the train station, which would be helpful.
Hotel beds with fortune cookies on pillows:
After a bit of a rest…we decided to go out. No sleeping till later!
Some Frankfurt skyscrapers:
First impressions of Frankfurt were very nice! Some beautiful old buildings and new buildings:
Financial area:
City Hall:
Olympic:
It was a long day…and we were exhausted by the end of it. We were up early the next morning and had breakfast at the hotel. It was very good. We then packed up our bags as we would be staying at a different hotel this evening. Today we were renting a car and driving to Luxembourg!
This was one of the parts of the trip I was looking forward to the most. Luxembourg was a little place I had always wanted to see. I always wanted to drive on the German autobahn as well! So this was killing two birds with one stone.
So we got a early train back to the airport to get our rental car:
LH tail:
In our Nissan!
On our way:
Using the great GPS:
Plenty of road…and FAST drivers:
Germany is a very beautiful country:
We decided to stop…
In Kaiserslautern:
We stopped at a local supermarket to get some drinks:
Our car:
We went back on the road…and soon saw signs for Ramstein Air Base! We wanted to have a look.
They would not let us into the base! lol
Beautiful country:
Welcome to Luxembourg:
Since we were so close to France, we decided to go across the border.
France:
Back in Luxembourg:
Heading for Luxembourg City:
Luxembourg City:
Heading back:
Sortie here:
Germany:
We stopped in Trier:
For some American food:
Snow:
Starting to get dark! Saw the sun rise and set in a car this day…
Some nicer beds at this hotel:
Lufthansa Systems was right next to our hotel:
The next day was another day of driving. Amsterdam, The Netherlands was our final destination with stops in the German cities of Bonn, Cologne, and Dusseldorf.
Lufthansa landing into FRA:
Heading North:
Germany has great infrastructure!
Our first stop of the day was in the former West German capital city of Bonn. It’s capital status ended after the 1990 reunification of West Germany and East Germany.
Bonn:
Back on the road:
Cologne skyline in the distance:
Cologne:
Turkish Airlines office in Cologne:
Cologne Cathedral:
German police:
Back on the road:
Dusseldorf where no cars are aloud (haha)
We did not get out of the car in Dusseldorf as it was raining and we were getting tired. We continued to drive towards The Dutch – German border.
We stopped for a bite to eat near the border on the German side.
Ausfahrt:
Welcome to The Netherlands:
Uit:
It was dark by the time we got near Amsterdam.
We were staying at the Best Western Amsterdam Airport. We were tired…but went into Hoofddorp town to get some food. Then went to bed early.
The next was Schiphol time! Amsterdam Airport Schiphol! It is perhaps one of the best airports ever, in my opinion. We drove to the airport to return our rental car early that morning.
Then we went for a walk around Schiphol Plaza.
KLM DC-9:
Inside the DC-9:
Going on up to the Observation deck:
KL M B777:
Delta (old Northwest):
More Delta:
KLM Asia B747:
KL MD-11:
KL B737:
Departures level (between KL check in and others check in areas)
KLM check in:
Christmas tree at Schiphol Plaza:
We had some breakfast at Juggle Sandwich Bar, which was good but expensive. After this we went back to our hotel for a short while. At around 1300 we were scheduled to meet Martijn, fellow A.net member CrimsonNL. I was looking forward to meeting him! He was going to be showing us a few things including the biggest aviation store in The Netherlands!
We meet him at the strange looking meeting point at Schiphol Plaza:
It is some sort of maze…
Together we went back up to the observation deck.
Another KL B777:
Martinair:
More KL:
Transavia:
Such a beautiful livery! I could look at it all day:
Cyprus followed by British Airways with a British Midland tail just visible behind that:
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 4, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 24055 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hey Tommy, great report! I love the way the Lufthansa bizz breakfast looks! Sorry about the KL food though... It was nice meeting you and I'm glad you had a good time!
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 24082 times:
We had a great time with CrimsonNL. It was great seeing the Aviation hobby shop.
We returned to Schiphol shortly afterwards.
With the observation deck closed:
Martinair ticketing:
Slow non KLM check in at 1800:
US Airways materials:
US Airways ticketing:
Easy Jet had a line out the door when no one else had anything:
The next morning it was time to head home on KLM to JFK.
Doing some spotting before leaving our hotel:
Check-in:
We were at the check-in line at about 1300. We were planning on going on the 1730 flight…but while checking in the lady said we could still make the 1400 flight. We agreed and decided to go for it. I was happy with getting home a few hours earlier.
Inside passport control:
KL MD-11:
Moving walkway:
Seagulls reminding me of home!
The line for security was huge! The security was very through as this trip was a few days after the 2 incidents on AMS flights bound for the United States. Every passenger was patted down thoroughly.
Our B777 ride home to New York JFK:
Boarding:
3-3-3.
I don’t like 3-3-3. Increased chance of a middle seat does not make me happy! Ever!
My window seat:
Time check: 1339. At this stage hardly anyone was onboard. Boarding was going very slowly.
IFE screen:
The leg room was poor and we felt boxed in:
The captain came on the intercom and explained that up to 100 passengers were still waiting to be screened for security and that we would be departing late. Security was being very through with every passenger. But we were not put through the full body scanners.
KLM Asia arrived as we were in our seats for an hour already.
The safety video started as we finally started to pull away from the gate:
KLM and United:
KLM, Suriname, KLM:
Suriname:
We must have taken off from the Polderban. It took forever to get to it!
Headsets were then handed out for FA’s for the IFE system:
Which was turned on:
Shortly after takeoff the FA’s came around with a snack and drink service.
Smoked almonds and a Coke Zero:
I had to ask for the can
I watched some 30 Rock! One of my favorite shows:
Wet towels handed out:
It was not long before lunch was served. Choices were chicken or vegetarian. Meals seemed to be in a Asian style. Strange…I’d have liked Dutch food on KLM!!!
Chicken Curry:
I was not impressed with the meal! The size was only moderate and the food did not taste too good. I like curry…but this one had no flavor. It came with some pasta with a disgusting Asian sauce. Then some jello type of crap. It was disgusting! Why was it all in Asian style? I don’t get it…was the vegetarian like this too? I wish they had informed us before hand…
Rant over.
At least they had Dutch beer:
The main course:
The pasta:
The jello stuff was covered with some white cream:
Coffee:
Cabin:
Lovely blue interiors:
Look who I caught out the window below us…
Delta:
In the middle of the flight the Flight Attendants went into action. I was surprised to receive some lovely chocolate ice cream. Well done KLM! A nice surprise!
I then watched some ER:
The pre-landing snack was served. I got quiche over pie:
It tasted very nice. You might notice that in the picture about a bit of the napkin is wet with Coke Zero. This is from the cup, which had a crack in it. It was leaking and the puddle grew. Luckily my dad had an extra cup with him.
Slowing down as we near JFK:
Landing in a snow covered New York:
It was a great epic trip for us! We highly enjoyed it. To sum up the airlines involved…Lufthansa business was fantastic! KLM economy was good with some great surprises! The lunch on KLM was just not good enough.
Thanks for reading! Until next time, Happy Flying!!!
Tommy
Hey! I'm Tommy from JFK, New York. (US AIRWAYS RULES)
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 23975 times:
Quoting Gpbcroppers63 (Reply 1): Great report but I think some got cut off as it finishes mid sentence.
Thanks and I think it is fixed. I had some trouble with it not fitting into a post...and other things. I don't know...but it seems to all be up now (in 3 posts)
Quoting Kimberlyrj (Reply 3): I love the look of that Business Class sub section, I would agree with you and say its more private.
Did you find there was more noise from the crew / aircraft in that part of the aircraft vs the nose section?
Kimberly
Hi Kimberly. I found the nose to be cluttered. It felt like everyone was on top of each other. My seat area was very quiet.
Gpbcroppers63 From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 23944 times:
Quoting JFKMan (Reply 6): Thanks and I think it is fixed. I had some trouble with it not fitting into a post...and other things. I don't know...but it seems to all be up now (in 3 posts)
Yep. All fixed. And a very enjoyable report to read on a cold Sunday evening. Thanks!
According to one of my colleagues, my problem is that I'm addicted to travel!
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 23916 times:
Quoting Gpbcroppers63 (Reply 7): Yep. All fixed. And a very enjoyable report to read on a cold Sunday evening. Thanks!
Thanks again I am happy to hear that. I enjoyed writing it on a very cold Late Sunday Morning and Early Afternoon.
Hey! I'm Tommy from JFK, New York. (US AIRWAYS RULES)
C8fromONT From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 70 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 23870 times:
Looks like you had an awesome time! Thanks for sharing!!
Flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 23668 times:
JFKMan, always great to see a trip report on LH, my favourite airline from Europe. As well as of KLM in one report, which could very well take LH's place in Y class once I fly them. Have been reading tons of how KLM's crews are the best!!
I guess we can’t have a map over the United States anymore?
This is just awful, that there is no airshow on flights departing the US!!!! Fortunately they were switched on over Canadian Airspace!! . Was there no Flightmap on KLM or did it get turned off once you were over US airspace?? No pics of any maps on your return to JFK.
Not only does that look dreadful, but the portions are so small . Fortunately the Ice cream saved the day!! At least now I know what to expect on KLM Y class.
Akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 12, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 23248 times:
Hi Tommy,
What a great roadtrip! I really enjoyed it.
Quoting JFKMan (Reply 2): Christmas tree at Schiphol Plaza:
It's really an eye catcher, isn't it?
Quoting JFKMan (Reply 2): At around 1300 we were scheduled to meet Martijn, fellow A.net member CrimsonNL. I was looking forward to meeting him! He was going to be showing us a few things including the biggest aviation store in The Netherlands!
That's so funny! It looks like many A.netters had got the same idea to have a Christmas meeting up!
Gjunnar From Germany, joined Sep 2001, 155 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 23110 times:
Great report with some nice pictures, I really enjoyed it. Glad you liked Germany. You guys were lucky with the travel dates because it wouldn't have been very fun to drive around in that snowy weather that has come over Europe at the moment.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8263 posts, RR: 56 Reply 14, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 23107 times:
Hi Tommy,
Very enjoyable TR, thanks for posting for us.
Looks like the LH flight was good, though the meal on Kl looked pretty poor, quite unimpressive to be honest.
Quoting JFKMan (Thread starter): On this flight, Economy was overbooked and we were upgraded to business! What a fantastic late Christmas present!
- Always a nice thing./
Quoting JFKMan (Thread starter): The seats with 3 in the middle…. I don’t like that:
- Agreed, don't like either, not good in J!
Quoting JFKMan (Thread starter): Also included were some Lufthansa branded golf tees
- Odd, what the point, not everybody does golf.
Quoting JFKMan (Thread starter): My meal was very nice. The pasta was cooked to perfection and it was nice and hot.
- I guess better than it looks!
Quoting JFKMan (Thread starter): I don’t like 3-3-3. Increased chance of a middle seat
Loalq From Switzerland, joined Jan 2007, 196 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 23040 times:
That's a lot of pics, very good!
I really enjoyed this TR as I have never tried LH C and was really curious about it. I was in fact booked to return to China flying GVA-FRA-PVG on 06/Jan with LH, but my flight out of GVA had technical problems and I ended up having to rebook for the next day, but with LX instead (earlier flight that would get me earlier to Shanghai as my boss was already pissed off with my delay...).
Thanks again and many flights in 2010!
Loalq
"...this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped."
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 22760 times:
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 12): What a great roadtrip! I really enjoyed it.
Quoting Gjunnar (Reply 13): Great report with some nice pictures, I really enjoyed it. Glad you liked Germany. You guys were lucky with the travel dates because it wouldn't have been very fun to drive around in that snowy weather
It seemed that it snowed before we arrived and after!!! Thanks so much
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 14): Very enjoyable TR, thanks for posting for us.
No problem It was fun!!!
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 14): Agreed, don't like either, not good in J!
Yea...BA does it...but does it better!
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 14): Odd, what the point, not everybody does golf.
HOOB747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 420 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 22497 times:
Now that is an awesome trip report! The sort of report that makes you yearn for travel to Germany!! Nicely done, and your pics were amazing. Thanks for the effort.
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 21, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 22485 times:
Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 19): Impressive TR. Thank you for your time and for sharing with us !!!
Thank You so much!
Hey! I'm Tommy from JFK, New York. (US AIRWAYS RULES)
JFKMan From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 22473 times:
Quoting HOOB747 (Reply 20): Now that is an awesome trip report!
Thanks
Quoting HOOB747 (Reply 20): The sort of report that makes you yearn for travel to Germany!! Nicely done, and your pics were amazing. Thanks for the effort.
Thanks so much! And Germany is amazing.
Hey! I'm Tommy from JFK, New York. (US AIRWAYS RULES)
COEWR2587 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 603 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 22139 times:
"I don’t like 3-3-3. Increased chance of a middle seat does not make me happy! Ever!"
Even in the 2-5-2 config, you still have three middle seats in the 5 section. With 3 middle seats in the 3-3-3 config.
LYChemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 904 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (3 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 21756 times:
I took my first KLM flight in 1957 and it used to be one of my favourite airlines. They were good even in the 1990s but lately seem to have gone downhill.
Lousy food with tiny portions and 31" legroom. I Am surprised that AF allow this as their service in y at least 2 years ago was excellent.
25 Ocracoke: Need an ID card to get on base, but a US passport can get you into smaller american stuff over there (bowling, movies, resturants,etc.) K-Town has (o
26 Lfutia: Hey Tommy! Great trip report and photos!I hope you had a great time on KL! I see that your learning Dutch eh. I also had a great time meeting Martijn
27 Kurt: Nice report; I read this one eagerly as I just booked two award seats in LH C EWR-FRA-TLV-FRA-DTW. EWR-FRA-TLV is on 744s (then an A346 TLV-FRA and an
28 JFKMan: 2-4-2 only has 2 middles. Thanks for your comments I know right! Thanks They said we needed a sponsor...so my dad asked the guy if he would sponsor u
29 BOACCunard: Very nice, especially the photos. LH J looks pleasant enough but IMHO paper tray liners are not appropriate for an international J product. Too bad as
30 Vandenheuvel: Hi JFKman, Great report you've got up here. I have seen nearly all German places you wrote about. I like these places, and had a good time reading abo
31 JFKMan: Thanks so much! Hmm...the presentation is very good and honestly I did not really notice or think anything of the paper. .. but you are right. It rea
32 Signol: Fantastic report, glad you enjoyed Europe! " target=_blank>http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...6.jpg On that day, 777 PH-BQL had just arrived from
34 NwMKE: This is a fantastic trip report! Thank you for posting. It looks like a really fun trip. The type of trip I would love to go on. Thanks again for post
36 PlaneHunter: H Tommy, very enjoyable report, definitely an interesting trip. LH's C Class product looks quite ok, though not as impressive as on various other carr
37 JFKMan: Hey Thanks so much It was still very good! But my favorite is Becks. I don't know...but I would not be surprised. It was disgusting...and Thanks agai
38 Airbuseric: Hi JFKman, thank you for the good insight on LH business class. I dislike their main meal course for C-class, not to appealing to me. Breakfast is fin
39 JFKMan: Hi Eric and Thanks! Yes...we visited a few in this trip and we do plan to return. We did! We had a bit of a walk around Luxembourg City. It was fine!
40 nethkt: Thanks for the report. KLM is just plain HORRID to me. The food, the seat, even on their newer aircraft in fleet (don't talk about errors-prone auntie
41 JFKMan: Thank you! I would not go that far! Thanks again for reading
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From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 582 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Jan 2008, 511 posts, 
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I am happy to hear that. I enjoyed writing it on a very cold Late Sunday Morning and Early Afternoon.
From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, 
Fortunately they were switched on over Canadian Airspace!! 
. Was there no Flightmap on KLM or did it get turned off once you were over US airspace?? No pics of any maps on your return to JFK.
. Fortunately the Ice cream saved the day!! At least now I know what to expect on KLM Y class.
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