Crossing The Atlantic For A Quick Birthday Visit (SQ R, LH F)

[Yehoshua]

That sure doesn't look like a traditional breakfast, at least for someone who's not Israeli, though at least they gave you a kosher breakfast on such a short flight. LH didn't give us any kosher meal FRA-VCE even though everyone else got a meal on the flight.

[rediplus]

did you get access to the lounge in VIE just because of the ticket or do you have a lounge pass or status ? i will be in VIE on my way to TLV next week. how do you know what's kosher in the lounge ?
on a separate note. i'm comng in from tlv to fra, any idea how to find fct

[D93]

did you get access to the lounge in VIE just because of the ticket or do you have a lounge pass or status ? i will be in VIE on my way to TLV next week. how do you know what's kosher in the lounge ?
on a separate note. i'm comng in from tlv to fra, any idea how to find fct

J/F gets access to the lounge in VIE.

Go outside the terminal, make a left, walk 5 minutes and  you'll see it on the left hand side right behind the taxis.

[benjie1305]

did you get access to the lounge in VIE just because of the ticket or do you have a lounge pass or status ? i will be in VIE on my way to TLV next week. how do you know what's kosher in the lounge ?

J/F gets access to the lounge in VIE.

Also F passengers in LH/LX get access to separate HON lounge.

Nothing in there - from a food point of view - is specifically kosher. Drinks are plenty within the fridge, coffee machine, liquor.

[benjie1305]

on a separate note. i'm comng in from tlv to fra, any idea how to find fct

Leave the gate towards the exit and walk out of the gate. You will then need to go down one floor - via escalator or elevator - and can then leave the building.

Make a left, walk 5 minutes and you'll see it on the left hand side right behind the taxis.

[shoobi]

I asked him for his email and said that he should be in touch next time he comes to the States (which is probably in the summer). Building bridges; one CEO at a time.

We look forward to your future TRs and reviews of Learjets and Embraers 

[rediplus]

thanks

[benjie1305]

FCT!

As mentioned previously, it was kind of tricky to actually find my way out of the terminal I was in. After asking 3 different LH employees and getting different directions each time I decided that I was going to figure it out by myself. After a few minutes I was finally out of the area in which all the gates are located and in the entrance hall. I walked down one floor and was by the doors leading out. Now it was relatively easy. I looked right and saw nothing, looked left and - tadaaaa - a big building surrounded with LH Flags and letters reading First Class Terminal.

Found you
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I entered from what I believe was a side entrance ( wish I would have done it properly!) and took the elevator up one flight to the entrance of the FCT. There I was speedily greeted by Lisa who took care of me that day.

Side entrance
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She asked me for my boarding pass and passport and then escorted me to my private little security check-in located right ahead of the FCT entrance. I rushed through that and was off to the actual lounge. Lisa was excited to show me around and give me a first glimpse of the different areas and then left it up to me to discover the lounge simply letting me know that she'll be back when it is time for me to leave.

*Here is where I want to mention that I am more then happy that my first time here was via a 6 hour stopover. It gave me the time to fully explore the entire lounge with all its different facets without feeling rushed or feeling like I am missing out. I do not need and would not want another 6 hour stopover in FCT going forward as I now know where I'd focus on when there going forward.*

Standard Benjie1305 beverage
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Newspapers and Magazines when you enter (Israeli paper sure is good enough for FCT)
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Play area for children
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Many of the seating areas come equipped with trays filled with nuts and dried fruits
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I obviously couldn't resist making my way over to the bar - despite it being 9:30 am - and breaking in some of those great bottles they offer (They are known to have some of the biggest selections of any bar in any airport with over 80 bottles of liquor).

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Untitled by BLR, on Flickr

Chocolates at the bar
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I then went ahead to seat myself in the dining area just to order some drinks and relax a bit.

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While I was there I wandered around the dining area a bit and came across some nice little snacks they offer.

Very fresh prosciutto
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Some honey straight from the beekeepers
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Fresh parmigiano reggiano
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I then made my way over to the Cigar Lounge in order to serve myself some scotch while indulging in a cigar and enjoying the sun shine.

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Untitled by BLR, on Flickr

Self-serve liquor cabinet
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Seat in the sun by the window
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After that it was time to take a shower in order to feel all refreshed and ready for my up and coming flight. I made my way over and rang the bell to check if there was a shower ready for me. While waiting for the lady, I noticed a sign saying that they will also do any ironing and minor tailoring needed. Sweeeeeet.

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2 minutes later and the shower room was confirmed. "Would you like a toothbrush and a shaving kit with that?" Why how nice of you. Off I was into the bathroom.

 
While the Jacuzzi was broken and out of service across all 4 bathrooms I still had a very enjoyable shower using the rain forest shower head.   

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Untitled by BLR, on Flickr

I also liked how they don't use paper towels in the toilet area. Only real washcloths.

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A quick hop into the relaxation/nap room and it was almost time to get going again..

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Fine fine! I did get myself one more bloody marry while enjoying the view as well before it was off to the car!

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Untitled by BLR, on Flickr

Lisa approached me and said it was time to gather my belongings and head over to the elevator. I took it down a flight and had my very own passport control done before it was time to head to the car.

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It was a fun time in the lounge and it was time to get the real party started!

Byeeee FCT
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And so we headed over to the plane in our very own ride and with my very own entrance. Nice!

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Next up: FRA-EWR..

[Yehoshua]

Looks like you had a nice time, albeit without any food. Do you think that 6 hours was a bit long for the layover, even for the first time? I can imagine 2-3 hours being enough for the things you did.

[benjie1305]

Looks like you had a nice time, albeit without any food. Do you think that 6 hours was a bit long for the layover, even for the first time? I can imagine 2-3 hours being enough for the things you did.

As I mentioned above, I was happy that the first time was 6 hours. The first 1.5 hours was me just looking at everything and staring it all down. That coupled with me looking at the people in there and wondering what they do. I then went on to start enjoying the actual amenities and was comfortable with the time I had. Next time, 3 hours is more then fine for me.

[shoobi]

As I mentioned above, I was happy that the first time was 6 hours. The first 1.5 hours was me just looking at everything and staring it all down. That coupled with me looking at the people in there and wondering what they do. I then went on to start enjoying the actual amenities and was comfortable with the time I had. Next time, 3 hours is more then fine for me.

Add alchohol= feels like time/2

[benjie1305]

FRA-EWR!

I got into the car and the driver drove us right up to the plane. Out we got and with his security key opened a door that led to an elevator that we took up a flight. Next thing we were straight by the jet bridge and were escorted straight past the business class passengers into the aircraft. While most people made a right, I made a left.

Making a left at the sign
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Seat 1A
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Full view
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Seat across for good visual
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Mini bar located in the middle of the F Cabin
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Got started with some sparkling water and some Kirsch
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Rimowa ammenity kit
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Birds I ran into..

Thai A380
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Iran Air Boeing 737-800
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Lufthansa A380 chasing us
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Emirates A380
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The famous "First Class" butter they provide
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Appetizer which turned out to be quite good
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Main Course


The only one that changed into PJs and took advantage of the turn-down service
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Business Class seat on the flight
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Overall the experience was very good. The FAs were very attentive and friendly. They were much more conservative compared to my SQ flight and really only checked on us every once in a while to make sure we seemed all set. They were great about refilling my drink as soon as it was filled no more then a third. They originally started out with me in English but after my German just kept slipping out, we just opted to continue in German for the full ride.

As much as people seem to talk about LH's old IFE, it was good enough to serve me "Bridge of Spies" (overrated IMO), "Everest" (Wow) and "The Martian" (quite good). I had my bed made about 3 hours in and was surprised by its comfort. It was a very solid bed with an especially good blanket that was better - IMO - then SQ's. I ended up falling asleep for an hour probably. I very much enjoyed the seat as well as it leans back quite nicely and is accompanied by a moving Ottoman on the ground that works out really well for people that aren't 6'5.

We landed in EWR very much on time and while I was at first hesitant to travel via EWR I was all but convinced that I'd do it again when I arrived at home. Why? I took an Uber home. And there was traffic. Lots of traffic. It ended up taking a good hour and fifteen minutes to get home. How much did it cost?   



Now that's a great way to end my trip! 

[shoobi]

Nice. Was LH on A380 or 747?

[coralsnake]

Great TR!

That is a pretty decent price from EWR. Sorry I didnt happen to be in EWR on MLK day 

[benjie1305]

Nice. Was LH on A380 or 747?

This was 747-800. The A380 behind me was on its way to MIA.

[benjie1305]

Great TR!

That is a pretty decent price from EWR. Sorry I didnt happen to be in EWR on MLK day 

Decent? Amazing price if you ask me.

Sorry I didnt happen to be in EWR on MLK day 

Well, let's just say you suck! 

[a mirrer]

Great tr, nice way to celebrate your dad's birthday

[enwhycee]

Nice TR!

That seems like an average price for Uber, no?

[Yehoshua]

Wow! Looked like a great experience in LH F. Thanks for sharing this TR and getting it out so quickly.

[benjie1305]

Great tr, nice way to celebrate your dad's birthday

Nice TR!

Thanks!

That seems like an average price for Uber, no?

Sure doesn't seem that way. Yellow cabs can easily run you in the $150 range. Even when no traffic - which was not the case with me - it can break $100.