Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Posted (1 year 1 month 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 9126 times:
Dear reader
Welcome to my briefest trip reports yet. I am heading to Luxembourg to attend a meeting with an important customer. My journey is taking me with Lufthansa from Zurich, where I work, to Munich and then from there on to Luxembourg with Luxair.
I shall refrain from bothering you with yet another Lufthansa report. But I figured you might be interested in a report on Luxair, an airline that has not been covered that often so far here in the forum.
Check-in
Check-in for the journey from Zurich to Luxembourg is a royal pain. I have booked online with Lufthansa. But check-in for Lufthansa flights ex Switzerland must be done on the SWISS.COM website. A lot of copy-pasting later I receive a text message from SWISS with my mobile boarding pass for the flight to Munich. I have not however, received anything for my onward connection to Luxembourg. It’s no big deal really but it does make you wonder just what exactly the alleged benefits of being in the same alliance has for the passenger if they cannot even muster something like issuing boarding passes to the final destination?
The flight
Security at Zurich airport was really easy. It’s the first time I do not have to queue at all and just walk straight up to the conveyor belt and the x-ray machine. The lounge on the other hand is rather busy. Perhaps that is also the reason why the internet connection is an absolute shambles today. I’m trying to download a document of 1.5MB and it takes me 32 minutes to complete the download!
Fast forward to Munich. As soon as I arrive inside the terminal, I head upstairs and find a check-in kiosk to issue the missing boarding pass for the Munich to Luxembourg sectors. By this time I’m starving. I didn’t eat in the lounge in Zurich. So I head to the older of the two Senator lounges and spoil myself with a plate of that lovely Lufthansa potato salad with some bread and cheese.
As soon as I finish it’s already time to leave again, my Luxair flight is already showing as ‘boarding’. Luxair only seems to use gate G47 in Munich, which is the remotest gate from just about anywhere else in the terminal. Here are some images from my trek to G47.
I head downstairs to get on to the bus. There’s an A 340 docked at the gate and I stop to take a few pictures. No idea where this bird is going, but I certainly wouldn’t mind swapping…
And now I make a strategic mistake. I thought I’d positioned myself in the bus so as to be the last to get off and be the last one to board. I figured this would give me time for some pictures. But unfortunately the bus stops the other was round and as the doors open, once we reach the aircraft, I find myself at the head of the queue. Not wanting to hold things up I decide to sacrifice a few excellent photo opportunities and head up the stairs to board the Dash-8.
The flight is full. I have yet another fat guy sitting next to me. To make matters worse, he likes a view. So he keeps leaning over to look out the window, taking even more of the limited space available on this bird. So I give him a nasty look, quite a few actually, until he finally gets the point and decides to read the inflight magazine instead.
We take-off from an intersection about half way down the runway. As I’ve noticed a couple of times now in Munich, we start to accelerate while we’re still on the taxiway, before we’re properly lined up with the runway. Our aircraft feels light and nimble as it steeply climbs into the sky. By the time we pass the end of the runway we’ve already reached quite an altitude. The pilot in command sets course for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, then switches off the fasten seatbelt sign to let the flight attendants work their magic.
What I like about Luxair is that they appear to be stuck in some kind of time warp. And please don’t get me wrong, I like that, in fact I’m ever so glad. These days all the airlines in Europe seem to be trying to cut corners where ever they can to reduce their costs. More often than not by cutting down on service, to the over all detriment of the passenger experience. But not Luxair.
The flight attendants are charming, both of them. And they make a point of making passengers feel welcome. The young brunette serving my row asks me if I would prefer a cheese or roast beef sandwich. I nearly feel as though I have to fight back the tears. I have a choice of sandwich on a flight of only 50 minutes duration!
I ask for a cheese sandwich, which is served to me out of pretty brown wicker basket. With that I have a Coke Zero and still water. The flight attendant gives me a concerned look. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a cup of coffee?” Well okay, if you ask me like that I think I’ll have a cup of coffee as well please.
The sarnie is very tasty I have to say, with nice, creamy cheese. Just as I finish the coffee, the flight attendants appear and clear away the trash. And soon after we begin our descent. The crew pass through the cabin one last time serving caramels and other sweeties.
We land in Luxembourg at 20:45. I’m in the terminal building by 20:55. I take the moving walkway one floor up to arrivals to catch a taxi. On my way I up I can’t but notice that departures is completely deserted and all the shops are closed. And indeed, it would appear there are no more departures for the day. At least no passenger flights. Later on in my hotel in the centre of town I can hear a few planes departing over the city.
This concludes this report. The day after, I return to Basel via Munich. Both flights are operated by a Lufthansa subsidiary. I shan’t bother you with any of that. One day later, on the Wednesday, I decide to make the most of the fact that Thursday is Ascension and head for Genoa on Darwin Airlines. Stay tuned for that report.
As for Luxair, they’re a nice little airline. They have a very positive approach to customer service, which is refreshing these days, when more often than not the passenger is made to feel more like a burden than a customer – at least on short-haul flights.
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 3, posted (1 year 1 month 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 7937 times:
Hiya, Mr. Maltese,
A very nice little tidbit on Luxair, a most amusing read before starting with work this morning. Reminds me a lot of my Luxair flight a year ago on the exact same route (albeit on the other direction) - LG certainly is a class act. Well Luxembourg being loaded with cash I guess it is only natural that their airline doesn't need to cut back too much...
I hope you checked out the lounge at LUX airport on your way back - I found that to be an amazing lounge with an excellent collection of wines (The Chateau de Schengen or something like that was my favorite, and not just for the name for this pro-EU guy!) and some very high quality snacks as well.
What? You weren't forced to use a travel agent? Lucky bastard, most of the corporate travel agents and especially the self service portals I've been forced to use have been quite awful. But luckily I've usually managed to trick them into booking exactly the itineraries I've wanted, well within corporate travel policies of course
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): It’s no big deal really but it does make you wonder just what exactly the alleged benefits of being in the same alliance has for the passenger if they cannot even muster something like issuing boarding passes to the final destination?
Well Luxair is in no alliance (apart from its close relationship with mama Lufty) so I think your point here is a bit amiss. It doesn't matter whether you were booked on the LH codeshare or the genuine LG flight number. However had the second leg been on LH metal then you'd have a valid case to complain!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): But unfortunately the bus stops the other was round and as the doors open, once we reach the aircraft, I find myself at the head of the queue. Not wanting to hold things up I decide to sacrifice a few excellent photo opportunities and head up the stairs to board the Dash-8.
Err, couldn't you just sidestep away from in front of the stairs, snap all the photos you wanted and then rejoin the queue? It's not like they are holding you at gunpoint to force you to go straight to the stairs from the bus door.
I thought a "sarnie" is the most British abomination, the weird bacon sandwich with nothing but bacon and sandwich in it. And potentially some ketchup or brown sauce, but definitely not anything green or healthy!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): On my way I up I can’t but notice that departures is completely deserted and all the shops are closed. And indeed, it would appear there are no more departures for the day. At least no passenger flights. Later on in my hotel in the centre of town I can hear a few planes departing over the city.
Yes, they have quite a sizable cargo operation, thanks to Cargolux. And since the airport is not that far away from the city (heck, let's face it, it's more of a "town" than a real "city"!) you can definitely feel and hear the heavily laden 747s taking off!
lychemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 906 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (1 year 1 month 3 days ago) and read 7877 times:
Luxair used to have a monopoly on the Geneva to Lux route and charged outrageous fares. Now that DARWIN are competing I believe the fares have drastically dropped.
LXM83 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 569 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (1 year 1 month 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 7698 times:
Hello Knightsofmalta
Nice report, thanks for writing it up.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): I have not however, received anything for my onward connection to Luxembourg. It’s no big deal really but it does make you wonder just what exactly the alleged benefits of being in the same alliance has for the passenger if they cannot even muster something like issuing boarding passes to the final destination?
This should be always possible when the booking is in the same PNR. Not good if it doesn't work.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): Not wanting to hold things up I decide to sacrifice a few excellent photo opportunities and head up the stairs to board the Dash-8.
I do it the same way as FlyingFinn. I'll just wait outside the bus until everybody else rushed to the plane and then do whatever I need to do with my camera.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Reply 7, posted (1 year 1 month 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 7123 times:
Hello all
First of all thanks for taking the time to comment. It's much appreciated
Hi Carfield, Hi Matthew, Hi Luke
Quoting Carfield (Reply 1): It is indeed nice to get a full sized sandwich in Y these days.
Quoting 767747 (Reply 2): Luxair looks really nice, and definitely offers a product in Economy Class superior to many other airlines. What a great looking sandwich!
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 6): That looked indeed like a fantastic service for such a hop. Quite a delicious looking sarnie
Yes and quite unusual. I think what surprised me most is that it tasted rather nice!
Hi FlyingFinn
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 3): Well Luxembourg being loaded with cash I guess it is only natural that their airline doesn't need to cut back too much...
I see your point. Although from what I've heard the airline isn't doing too well financially. Let's see what will happen now that Easyjet has announced it will fly to Luxembourg...
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 3): I hope you checked out the lounge at LUX airport on your way back - I found that to be an amazing lounge with an excellent collection of wines (The Chateau de Schengen or something like that was my favorite, and not just for the name for this pro-EU guy!) and some very high quality snacks as well.
Oh yes, the lounge is definitely a classy set up. I especially like the pasta salad they have, it's got so much garlic you stink out the whole plane if you have a plate of that!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 3): Well Luxair is in no alliance (apart from its close relationship with mama Lufty) so I think your point here is a bit amiss.
Well yes and no. After all, they are a Miles & More member.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 3): I thought a "sarnie" is the most British abomination, the weird bacon sandwich with nothing but bacon and sandwich in it. And potentially some ketchup or brown sauce, but definitely not anything green or healthy!
Interesting question. I thought a sarnie was a general term used for a sandwich.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 3): Yes, they have quite a sizable cargo operation, thanks to Cargolux. And since the airport is not that far away from the city (heck, let's face it, it's more of a "town" than a real "city"!) you can definitely feel and hear the heavily laden 747s taking off!
Yeah that really is cool. No matter where you are in the village - I mean town - you're bound to see a Cargolux 747 sooner or later!
Hi Lychemsa
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 4): Luxair used to have a monopoly on the Geneva to Lux route and charged outrageous fares. Now that DARWIN are competing I believe the fares have drastically dropped.
It will be interesting to see how that one develops. It's the same for Zurich, the fares to LUX are something nasty, no matter when you book or if you have a minimum stay!
Hi LXM83
Quoting LXM83 (Reply 5): This should be always possible when the booking is in the same PNR. Not good if it doesn't work.
The really interesting part came when I had to check-in for the return. I went on the Lufthansa website, where I was told that for flights from Luxembourg I would need to check-in with SWISS. There was a link to use. I figured this is never going to work. But quite surprisingly, when I clicked on the link and the SWISS check-in application opened, my data had already been transmitted and I was able to check-in for both flights!
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 6): Quite a delicious looking sarnie... though I think I would have gone for the roast beef!
Was actually in MUC that same day, in the morning though!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): But unfortunately the bus stops the other was round and as the doors open, once we reach the aircraft, I find myself at the head of the queue. Not wanting to hold things up I decide to sacrifice a few excellent photo opportunities and head up the stairs to board the Dash-8.
That's too bad
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The young brunette serving my row asks me if I would prefer a cheese or roast beef sandwich
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 8): Suprised to see you got a choice of free sandwiches on a hop so short as that one.
So was I. with most airlines nowadays it's usually just a drink on such a short sector.
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 8): LG seems to be pretty awesome.
I've been to Luxembourg a couple of times now. In a way to me Luxair is very much like the rest of the country. It's in a class of its own and therefore difficult to compare.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2337 posts, RR: 53 Reply 11, posted (1 year 1 month 11 hours ago) and read 5645 times:
Hello William,
Very nice report of a niche, boutique airline of Luxair.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): A lot of copy-pasting later I receive a text message from SWISS with my mobile boarding pass for the flight to Munich
How cumbersome!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): I’m trying to download a document of 1.5MB and it takes me 32 minutes to complete the download!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): No idea where this bird is going, but I certainly wouldn’t mind swapping…
It’s like a dream indeed. A short intra-European wide body flight!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): So I give him a nasty look, quite a few actually, until he finally gets the point and decides to read the inflight magazine instead.
Well, if you get a seatmate like that again, how about asking him that you do not feel comfortable by his behavior? Just a suggestion instead of a nasty look.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): Are you sure you wouldn’t like a cup of coffee?” Well okay, if you ask me like that I think I’ll have a cup of coffee as well please.
I would have melt just like you as well.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): Later on in my hotel in the centre of town I can hear a few planes departing over the city.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 5333 times:
Hi Suryo
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11): Very nice report of a niche, boutique airline of Luxair.
Thanks!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11): It’s like a dream indeed. A short intra-European wide body flight!
Well, there's still the Korean Air flight form Vienna to Zurich. That's about the same duration.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11): Well, if you get a seatmate like that again, how about asking him that you do not feel comfortable by his behavior? Just a suggestion instead of a nasty look.
Yeah, I have done that before. It's a questions of weighing one's options.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11): I would have melt just like you as well.
Yeah, they were so genuine. I found them quite refreshing.
Sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1215 posts, RR: 29 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 5313 times:
Hi William,
Thanks for this short and interesting story on Luxair. A nice little airline indeed, one could say they almost have this ‘retro feel’ about them. A shame they don’t operate on a larger scale, but maybe that is their strong point? I wouldn’t mind a ride on on of those nice looking Dashes for sure!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): I’m trying to download a document of 1.5MB and it takes me 32 minutes to complete the download!
The marvels of fast wireless internet for you.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): And now I make a strategic mistake. I thought I’d positioned myself in the bus so as to be the last to get off and be the last one to board. I figured this would give me time for some pictures. But unfortunately the bus stops the other was round and as the doors open, once we reach the aircraft, I find myself at the head of the queue. Not wanting to hold things up I decide to sacrifice a few excellent photo opportunities and head up the stairs to board the Dash-8.
And you didn’t put yourself strategically aside to shoot your shots and then rejoin the boarding line at the end? That’s what I would do
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 4843 times:
Hi Nils
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 13): Thanks for this short and interesting story on Luxair.
My pleasure!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 13): A nice little airline indeed, one could say they almost have this ‘retro feel’ about them.
That pretty much sums it up. There is something very old school about the entire operation, which certainly has a charm of its own.
From what I understand, Easyjet is about to start flights to Luxembourg. It will be interesting to see what the impact on Luxair will be. I suspect it will be minimal!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 13): And you didn’t put yourself strategically aside to shoot your shots and then rejoin the boarding line at the end? That’s what I would do
Oh, the same happend to me on a packed LH Regional CR2. It was even tricky for me to take pictures since you have to lain forward to look out and the guys head was in the way, hahaha get a window seat next time
Quoting Parton87 (Reply 15): Luxair looks really good and you can get some good fares too which is really good for there service-level.
I booked my trip through Lufthansa.com and I was quite surprised by the price. The whole thing came to about EUR200, which is significantly less than SWISS.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1256 posts, RR: 33 Reply 17, posted (1 year 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 4011 times:
Hi William,
That was a busy week in the air for you! Thanks for this report on Luxair, not that well covered here. How refreshing to see an airline offer such extensive service on a short flight. Long may it continue, let's hope they don't get taken over and a new concept introduced.
Love the buckle on the seatbelt, don't think I've ever seen anything like it.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): So he keeps leaning over to look out the window, taking even more of the limited space available on this bird. So I give him a nasty look, quite a few actually, until he finally gets the point and decides to read the inflight magazine instead.
Haha, that's the way to go. If only it worked every time!
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): I nearly feel as though I have to fight back the tears. I have a choice of sandwich on a flight of only 50 minutes duration!
And you got 3 drinks. 3 drinks! I think that has to be worthy of tears too
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Reply 18, posted (1 year 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 3975 times:
Hi Hannah
Quoting infodesk (Reply 17): That was a busy week in the air for you!
It was rather. I've got a few more such back to back trips coming up. should be interesting...
Quoting infodesk (Reply 17): How refreshing to see an airline offer such extensive service on a short flight. Long may it continue, let's hope they don't get taken over and a new concept introduced.
How right you are. Fortunately I think Luxair does not 'do' being taken over. The whole operation is highly loss-making but nobody seems to bothered about it in Luxembourg! Which is kinda nice, and also very old-school.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 17): Love the buckle on the seatbelt, don't think I've ever seen anything like it.
That is very funky. Not many operators or manufacturers have such a feature.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 17): Haha, that's the way to go. If only it worked every time!
Well hey, if it doesn't you can always accidentally spill your tomato juice over the pesky neighbour. Give him something to remember you by.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 17): And you got 3 drinks. 3 drinks! I think that has to be worthy of tears too
It's really quite shocking, but ever so sweet.
Right, and now off I go to the airport for my next trip. Up, up, and away!
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Reply 20, posted (1 year 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 3820 times:
Hi Tobry
Thanks! They really are a great little airline. The only draw back being that their network is not really very extensive. And Luxembourg is not exactly one of Europe's main hubs is it.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6219 posts, RR: 79 Reply 21, posted (1 year 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 3672 times:
Hi William,
another interesting report about a rather rare airline. I have wanted to try LG for a long time, but fares have always been horribly high. Well, I keep trying...
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The flight is full. I have yet another fat guy sitting next to me. To make matters worse, he likes a view. So he keeps leaning over to look out the window, taking even more of the limited space available on this bird. So I give him a nasty look, quite a few actually, until he finally gets the point and decides to read the inflight magazine instead.
To be honest, that sounds a bit harsh. I'm not amused either about "big" seat neighbors, but well, people are different. Sometimes illnesses can cause overweight. I agree it's disturbing when somebody keeps leaning over, probably he hadn't flown very often before. I'm not sure what I would have done.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Thread starter): The flight attendants are charming, both of them. And they make a point of making passengers feel welcome. The young brunette serving my row asks me if I would prefer a cheese or roast beef sandwich. I nearly feel as though I have to fight back the tears. I have a choice of sandwich on a flight of only 50 minutes duration!
I ask for a cheese sandwich, which is served to me out of pretty brown wicker basket. With that I have a Coke Zero and still water. The flight attendant gives me a concerned look. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a cup of coffee?” Well okay, if you ask me like that I think I’ll have a cup of coffee as well please.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1429 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (1 year 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 3643 times:
Hi PlaneHunter
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 21): I have wanted to try LG for a long time, but fares have always been horribly high. Well, I keep trying...
I think your best bet is probably to book the flight as a connection with Lufthansa via MUC or FRA. They have a code-share in place. I booked the ticket on Lufthansa.com and it wasn't that expensive. But then when I went on the Luxair website and started doing some research, I was also surprised by how expensive their own flights are.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 21): To be honest, that sounds a bit harsh. I'm not amused either about "big" seat neighbors, but well, people are different. Sometimes illnesses can cause overweight. I agree it's disturbing when somebody keeps leaning over, probably he hadn't flown very often before. I'm not sure what I would have done.
Good heavens, thanks for pointing that out. It was certainly not my intention to be harsh. Thing is, I'm quite a big guy myself, so things were rather tight anyway, even before he started leering over to my side!
Thanks for commenting and for your feedback, PlaneHunter!
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 23, posted (1 year 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 3415 times:
Hello William!
A nice little report!
Good to see that Luxair was treating you and the other passengers nice. They do indeed seem like a good little airline. That sandwich does indeed look quite nice.
25 Knightsofmalta: Hi Martin Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, so much nicer to have a proper sandwich with filling, rather than one of those pathetic little affairs
26 abrelosojos: Thanks for the report. I have flown Luxair quite a few times over the last few months and my experience has been consistent with yours - efficient and
27 Knightsofmalta: Hi again A. My pleasure! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Their fares are rather on the high side, although it is possible to get cheap
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