Flying business class in Europe is always surprising to me as they’ve adopted the economy seat with a blocked middle as “standard” fare. Our trip today was no exception to this, but was highlighted by excellent Lufthansa service that has been our usual experience with the carrier.

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This post is one chapter in our Around the World in Star Alliance First Class via China, Thailand and Spain. This trip was booked using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: Lufthansa Business Class, Airbus 320-2, Madrid – Frankfurt

Before long, it was time to head to the gate and to board the flight.

After boarding, we were able to settle in.

Lufthansa
MAD – FRA (Madrid Barajas Terminal 2 – Frankfurt Flughafen – Terminal 1)
LH 1113 – Business Class (I)
12:30 PM – 3:15 PM
May 27, 2012
Booked: Airbus 320
Flown: Airbus 320-200

On board, the Lufthansa Short Haul Business Class is the same as an economy seat with a blocked middle. Needless to say, it’s a little uninspiring to arrive and be seated in this for business class.

There was no pre-departure drink service today, but we did get a printed menu. This is always a nice touch. 

Our flight took us over the beaches of South West France. Despite being in the middle of densely populated Europe, they appeared beautiful and isolated. Of course, there were also cities to look at as well.

Our server was exceptionally personable. I was called by name for the first time on the entire First Class Round the World Experience. It was surprising that this happened in regional business class that it would happen. Perhaps it was because it was our first flight on Lufthansa. . .

The In Flight Meal: “Lunch”

With the lunch service underway, I opted for the pork tenderloin. It was difficult to eat since it was mushy and sauce was going everywhere. A choice of warmed breads (brown / white) wine and water offered at the same time. Seeking that Cava experience that I had missed in the lounge, I chose the sparkling from the menu and was told that it was not as the menu had loaded it today, but that it was an Italian Prosecco. 

We landed without incident at Gate A36 and into the mess that is Frankfurt Airport. Personal opinion here, (also a light RANT) – I do find that the Frankfurt airport itself is a bit of a disaster. It has a long way to go to catch up to the great airports of the world. It’s improved over the years, especially with the smoking sections finally being segregated. I don’t understand why the moving sidewalks aren’t sunk into the ground. And, because the sidewalks are not sunk into the ground, they have to put luggage cart blockers in front of the entrances of the moving side walks which slow everything down. In addition, the criss cross of pedestrian traffic and the limited gate holding areas make for a lot of congestion and consequently, a less than smooth travel experience.

Rants aside, we walked through the terminal. Our bags beat us to the conveyer belts, which I had never been to since I’d always connected through here. Indeed, many others experienced the same thing since there were only about ten bags on the belt when we arrived. 

We descended into the Frankfurt Flughafen Regional train station in the basement to hop on a train to Mainz Hautbahnhof. Having a train station in the basement of the airport is one of the best things about Frankfurt airport. You can even connect to international trains to Brussels Midi from the basement of the airport. Two thumbs up. ^^

Lufthansa Business Class in Conclusion:

The Lufthansa short haul Business Class is a reasonable way to get around Europe. Although the thin slim line economy seat with a blocked “My Space” middle isn’t all too appealing, the service on board is typically very good to excellent. The food and beverage on board, in my experience, has usually been quite good and more exciting than British Airways.

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