FLY777UAL From United States, joined May 1999, 4501 posts, RR: 7 Posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 3626 times:
On Friday the 23rd of August, I got up and ready, checked out of the hotel, and got a cab back to Dusseldorf International.
I was dropped off at Dusseldorf International at 8:20am infront of the Lufthansa check-in counters. I found it to be only a short walk from the curb inside to the Lufthansa First Class check in counters, which had been designated "LH408 Check In" by large signs. Two of the podiums were open with agents waiting to help, and I approached, presented my ID-90 ticket, and just PRAYED this time that I would get on. Worst case scenario would have been I wait an extra hour and fly UA back to Dulles. The customer service agent took one look at the ticket, typed in a few things, looked up at me smiling, and asked if I wished to check any baggage. HOORAY!! I MADE IT! I declined, preferring to carry on, and was then asked for my preference for a window or an aisle. Eventhough it was an awfully gray day in Dusseldorf, I figured the window might be nice just incase we went over Greenland, as well as for the arrival into Newark. She printed out a gray boarding pass for me, printed with 5F for my seat! I was informed that the flight would board at 9:30 from gate A89, as well as instructed on how to get to the A concourse.
I still had an hour to kill, and what a better airport than Dusseldorf to kill it in! The terminal has just been finished, and is absolutely...amazing. It is one of the most beautiful terminals I have stepped foot in. After wandering around the departures level, I took the escalators to the highest floor, paid my two Euros, and was in Heaven. Not literally, but the observation deck at DUS is close enough to it! Built on top of the newly completed B concourse, the observation deck is the entire width and length of the concourse, giving amazing views of arrivals and departures as well as all that goes on with aircraft servicing. For me, some notables were an arriving Ghana Airways DC-10, Finnair A320, Condor 767-300, as well as the regional jets from Alitalia, Air France, and British Airways. I spent a good half hour on that cold observation deck before I decided it was time to go back inside and settled at the gate.
I took my passport and my ticket out of my bag to be inspected before I would be allowed access to security and the concourse, sped through security (no lines), and was once again inside Lufthansa's concourse A making my way down to the very end, gate A89. It is obvious that the concourse is very old, however Lufthansa has done a great job remodeling the interior, matching the interior of the new building. I shopped for a few minutes in the small duty free area and picked up a postcard and a magazine from a small shop before I continued. About three quarters the way down the concourse, we came to passport control. I approached a small podium where my ticket was inspected, my name highlighted from a list of 23 other passengers on LH408, and I was given a "LH 408 Passenger Card" to fill out. The only required fields were (IIRC) name and nationality. There was an inside to the card, however the officer at the podium told me not to worry about it, just to continue and have a pleasant trip. Five steps later and I found myself at the immigration counter having my passport stamped. I completed the walk to the end of the concourse and took a seat across from gate A89 where security personnel, a metal detector, and an x-ray machine had been set up and were waiting just a few minutes before they began screening.
Ten minutes after I had sat down, secondary security screening had begun, every passenger required to remove their shoes and wallets and place them through the x-ray machine. Not five minutes later, and boarding began for Lufthansa flight 408, operated by Privatair through A89. Agents checked tickets and passports before boarding, and I figure that all 23 of us had made it on the plane in about five minutes or so.
I walked down the jetway to first see a linen-draped cart positioned near the boarding door overflowing with newspapers and magazines in both German and English. I grabbed USA Today and Time before taking my first steps onto the BBJ. Greeted by the Service Director, Christopher, I boarded HB-IIO to see navy blue leather-clad seats, the exact same model as found aboard the British Airways' Club World (non-sleeper).
I walked back to row five on the right hand side, stowed my bag in the overhead bin, and sat down, only to be rushed to by a flight attendant offering orange juice, champagne, and water before we took off. What the heck--it's my first BBJ, I'll go for the champagne, but I'll also keep the orange juice in there--a nice mimosa before takeoff! At my seat, I found a large bottle of water positioned under the center arm rest, as well as a Lufthansa hangar and amenity kit stowed in each seat pocket, along with a copy of the duty free catalogue from which we could order, a Lufthansa inflight magazine, and the Privatair 737-700 safety card, printed specially for HB-IIQ.
The drinks came around again, and just before closing the door, the magazine cart came through the aisle, where I was able to pick up a Newsweek. The TV screens had been deployed the entire time during boarding and were showing views of clouds inflight while pop music played over the PA system. Promptly at 10:00, the boarding door was closed, and the flight attendants, three male, one female all welcomed us aboard the aircraft. All announcements were made first in German, then English, and the all-animated safety video was played first in German, followed by English. When the safety video had finished playing, the screens retracted into the overhead bins, and then were immediately deployed, this time displaying the Airshow information. Menus were distributed, and the BBJ took a long taxi to the end of the runway, past the observation deck where we sat for a bit waiting for other traffic. It was finally our turn, and HB-IIQ's engines spooled up and we roared down the runway, lifting off at precisely 10:20, breaking through the clouds into the warm sunshine just a few moments later.
The service began immediately with a drink cart (not the usual closed-wall cart--it was completely open--called a "queen cart"), where I started with a glass of Champagne and two packs of roasted, salted almonds. Two flight attendants worked the drink cart, whilst the other two began distributing the Sony Watchman tape players and movies/audio tapes. At 10:40, the meal service began, customers choosing between:
Hors d'oeuvre
-Matjes Herring Terrine and Matjes Herring Fillet with sweet and sour Cucumbers and Chive Cream
-Smoked Breast of Duck in Honey Coriander Crust served with Lentil Salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Salad
-Frisee, Radicchio, Arugula and Radishes with Herbed Mustard Dressing
-Bread, Rolls and Butter
Entrees
-Almond Chicken Piccata with Curry Lemon Sauce, Bell Pepper Medley and Wild Rice
-Pan-fried Fillet of Cod with Bouillabaisse Sauce, Vegetable Julienne and Potato Balls
-Penne Pasta flavored with Thyme accompanied by Broccoli Florets and Tomato Coulis
Cheese and Dessert
-Appenzeller, Bavarian Blue, Camembert and Grapes
-Red Fruit Pudding Sylt-style with Vanilla Cream
-Fresh Fruit Salad
The trays were delivered by hand from the forward galley, pre-set with the appetizer, salad, and cheese. The breads and rolls were delivered from a linen-lined box, and once finished with the salad, the dish was cleared and the main course was delivered. All of the food was absolutely delicious! I had the duck to begin and the chicken for my entree. The Appenzeller and Bavarian Blue are two of my favorite cheeses, and for desert, I chose the red fruit pudding--very good!
The linens and trays were cleared, I reclined my seat, sat back, and watched, "The Royal Tennenbaums" and "In the Bedroom", two selections from the Lufthansa First Class video selection.
Mid-flight, chocolates and other goodies were offered from a box, and water, orange juice, and apple juice were constantly being offered from a tray. I used the lav a few times during the flight, both fore and aft (mainly to see the galley set up). They are your typical lavs, stocked with mouth wash, etc., from Lufthansa's First Class. In the interior picture above, the curtains are pushed all the way to the rear of the cabin, however on my flight, they were brought forward three rows, so there were only 9 true rows in the cabin. The three after the curtains were used for crew rest, etc. They are quite noisy seats, as they are located in the high-traffic zone near the galley and aft lavs, along with the video storage location and closets.
I tried to sleep in the seats, however I found them to be most uncomfortable when reclined. The back of the seat did not have good recline for the amount of legroom which was offered--55", and the legrest only came up just a few inches while seated, which tilted up when reclined to a measely level. I found sleeping to be difficult, but the key (for any non-bed Business Class seat) is to sleep on your side.
Our route took us on a very northerly path close to N. Scotland, the Shetland Islands, just south of Iceland, over the very tip of Greenland, and then over Canada, swinging through Upstate New York, and then turning over mid-New Jersey prior to landing.
An hour out of Newark, the second service started. It was very small, but very good!
Salad
-Seasonal Greens with Dressing
-Roll and Butter
Hot Specialties
-Fillet of Hake with Herbs
-Quiche with Leeks and Chanterelle Mushrooms
Dessert
-Passion Fruit Delight and Strawberry Puree
Service this time was done strictly from a tray cart, with the quiche and fillet being positioned on top of the salad. The quiche was good, as well as the dessert. We began our descent into Newark thirty minutes out (over Upstate NY), and sadly, as we descended through the coulds, I could see New Jersey out of my window, knowing full well that my flight aboard the BBJ was soon to be over.
We touched down on runway 4R ontime after our eight-hour Atlantic crossing and taxied to gate 61 in Terminal B to clear US Customs and Immigration. I made sure I was the last to leave the aircraft, trying to fit as much time onboard in as possible! I bid farewell to the crew, thanked them for an excellent journey, and proceeded through customs and immigration to the AirTrain to make my connecting flight to Denver.
I think that's the end of the trip report for the whole thing--the next two flights aren't too exciting--one 757 in First which I slept through, and one 747 in the Suites which I also slept through--any particulars you would like to know, you may ask!
Hope you enjoyed that one! I'm so glad that I was able to go on that flight! A big thanks to MEL for letting me know that staff travel was possible on the BBJ!! I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
LufthansaUSA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 188 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 3277 times:
Great Report! Was the amenity kit from Lufthansa's first class or its Business Class? Neither of them are that good, but which is used on this service? Thanks for a reply, I was just looking at the Privatair jet at Newark today.
FLY777UAL From United States, joined May 1999, 4501 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 3240 times:
The amenity kits were from LH Business Class. Everything on that flight is from Lufthansa Business Class, with the exception of the personal video player guide.
One interesting thing is that the aircraft was not equipped with in-seat audio, so any audio selections (pop/rock/etc.) were recorded on the small personal video tape and played in the Sony Watchman!
UALbrat From United States, joined May 2006, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 3114 times:
I really enjoyed reading this report -- and then I saw the new Airways has a feature on the same route. In all honesty, your report was better than their article!
FLY777UAL From United States, joined May 1999, 4501 posts, RR: 7 Reply 10, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3040 times:
There were only 22 or 23 people aboard my flight, so it was very nice! The feeling I got while onboard was close to that of what it would be flying in the upper deck of the 747 (if that's any comparison). No PTV, however. The Sony Video Walkman pictured below is what was distributed in place of the PTV's.
As for comparison versus United trans-Atlantic, it's a tough call. The service onboard with Privatair, as well as the exclusive atmosphere of the BBJ are amazing--both blow United out of the water, however the seats on United, both in First and Business are much more comfortable. Food is just a personal preference. While the food on the BBJ was great, I think that United has a better variety of selections for appetizers and main courses. All and all, just being able to be on that "private jet" is a great feeling! Looking out onto that silvery wing, following the curve up that giant red winglet--it's a great sight to have out of your window!
Setjet From Namibia, joined Mar 2002, 1057 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2987 times:
Great trip report!
I have a question: I am planning to take the BBJ in October to get back to Dusseldorf. As I understood you need a C-Class ID90 ticket to get on that plane. Point is that it has to be a Business Class ticket as they don't "upgrade". Did you have an Economy ticket???
Setjet From Namibia, joined Mar 2002, 1057 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2880 times:
Question is: Will I get on the plane with an ID90 Economy ticket (which is 90% of the full Y-Class fare). Lufthansa PAD travel rules say "no", but reality might be different.
Vermeer From United States, joined May 2000, 442 posts, RR: 5 Reply 15, posted (7 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2847 times:
Actually I used the flight three times already and I LOVE IT.
Service is much better than on LH regular C class with severa; nice details:
F/A call you by name all the way through the flight ( not on LH)
roses in the lavatories
leather curtains
salt and pepper from LH first class together with first teaspoons and espresso cups ( LH does not offer, as far as I know, espresso to business class pax)
bottle of water ( same as above)
increased pitch ( 55' compared to the 48 of LH).
You can get some extra inches flying in row 7 ( emergency exit)
My flights have been on a 65% capacity pretty much all the the three.
I was discussing with the purser, one day, and he agreed that the amenity kit is crappy and he pointed me to a young lady travelling.
She turned out to be one of the LH marketing team execs who are in charge to redesign LH C and F class experience for the future.
I bothered her with all my requests as a frequent traveller and pointed out a seires of things that need to be improved ( starting from THE TRAY. I don't want to see NO tray in C class ever again...oh yeah, all my queeny bitchiness in full rage...especailly for the amount of money I pay - not my company's...)
It is true that a full Y gets you on board, I checked the manifest and there was one Y, a lot of D ( "discounted" biz class) and several C pax.
For the first months LH made a special offer from DUS to EWR for 2170 euro, if I am correct, return. I don't know the booking class...
On another note, as my fellow FLY777UAL may have not noticed, in the senator lounge there is a special table with "New York specials": bagels, rolls, cream cheese, salmon, muffin...to give a first feel of the USA.
Furthermore at the gate there is a cart with a sign " a red apple for you!" that, of course, offers apples for boarding.
If you want to take a look at the menu, I have posted 4 pics of July/August food on airlinemeals.net. check them out.
cheers
Sponsor Message: 
From United States, joined May 1999, 4501 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 4726 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 9916 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Apr 2000, 2736 posts, 
From Namibia, joined Mar 2002, 1057 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
