Eurotrip 2013: Part 17 – Lufthansa Business AND New First Class FRA-IAD on Boeing 747-800

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This is the seventeenth and final post in a series about my 2013 trip to Ireland, Scotland and Great Britain. Part of the free plane tickets were funded by the 40,000 point sign up bonus of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

• Eurotrip 2013: Part 1 – How I am taking my Dad to Ireland, Scotland, and Wimbledon in London in Business Class for $137!
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 2 – Planning for Hotels in Europe for Maximum Miles
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 3 – The Orlando Star Alliance Gold Lounge and the first change of plans
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 4 – Layover in New York City
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 5 – The JFK Lufthansa Lounge
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 6 – Brussels Airlines JFK-BRU in their new Business Class
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 7 – 13 Hours in Brussels
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 8 – Two Days in Dublin
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 9 – Waterford, Kilkenny, the Butler Castle, and a bit of Blarney
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 10 – Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 11 – Galway and the Cliffs of Moher
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 12 – Belfast, the Ferry to Scotland and Train Travel
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 13 – Playing the St. Andrews Old Course, Aberdeen and the Drambuie Incident.
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 14 – Searching for the Loch Ness Monster, Eilean Donan Castle, and Turnberry Golf Course
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 15 – London and Wimbledon
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 16 – 22 Hours in Frankfurt
• Eurotrip 2013: Part 17 – Lufthansa Business AND New First Class FRA-AID on Boeing 747-800

After almost 3 weeks in Europe I was ready to sleep in my own bed, but there were a few more flights to make.  Since Lufthansa availability for partners opens up two weeks out, I had been checking online trying to get my Dad and I upgraded from Business Class to First Class.  We were booked on the massive 747-800 and while our seats were reserved in the upper deck Business Class, First Class for the first time was what I was really after.  With about one week left, I was able to snag one First Class seat for my Dad but another one never opened up for me!  Looking at the bright side, I would be able to review both the Business and First Class on the 747-800.

When we arrived at the Frankfurt airport, we went our separate ways as he went to the First Class Lounge and I to the Business Class lounge (we split up because I wanted some pictures of the First Class lounge as well).  The Business Class lounge was busy but spacious with tons of snacks, drinks, and other things to make you comfortable.

These chairs were motorized rocking chairs and played this soothing music through built in speakers in the headrest.  So relaxing! The bar was fully stocked with premium liquors, wine and champagne. Here are the pics from the First Class Lounge in Frankfurt.  Note that this is the First Class Lounge not the First Class Terminal.  My Dad didn’t want to walk over the the FCT so he missed out on the private driver to his plane, but he was quite happy with this lounge he said. There was sit down multi course dining available. A large selection of delectable desertsThere was also a good assortment of hot and cold dishes. You can see the cigar lounge at the back of this picture if you want a stogie while you wait for your flight.

After a few hours enjoying the lounge, it was time for the main event.  The 747-800 has two different Business Classes, one upstairs and one downstairs and the 8 First Class seats are located in the nose of the plane with the pilots above it. I was in the Upper Deck Business Class which was amazingly quiet and isolated from the rest of the passengers below.

For the first time I was able to take the stairs to the upper deck of a 747-800!

I had one of the side seats and luckily had no one next to me. That seat was reserved for my Dad but when he was upgraded it remained empty.They offered a somewhat standard Business Class amenity kit with products by Nivea, earplugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, a sleeping mask, and a stylish striped bag to hold it all.The Business Class menu looked quite tasty.

I started with the King Prawn Confit with Avocado and Bean Salad Here was the salad but I forgot to take a pic of the beef tenderloin I had!My Dad on the other hand was living it up in First Class downstairs at the very front of the plane. You can see a huge difference in the First Class seats right away.

I have to admit, I was a little jealous of my Dad’s first class experience, but he seemed ok leaving me slumming in Business Class 🙂Here I am with some of the great Lufthansa staff that took care of him.My Dad is 6’1″ so I am sure he appreciated all the room to stretch out
Caviar service is included in First Class It looks like he chose the fish entree.I am sure the cheese platter was his favorite part of the meal!
How happy does this guy look!?

After landing in Washington IAD airport, we spent a little time in the Lufthansa lounge there before taking our respective flights back to Fort Lauderdale and Nashville.

Overall this was an incredible trip and I am glad I was able to spend some time with my Dad galavanting around Europe.  I will treasure it always.