Tuesday 20 November 2012

Trip Report #1: Lufthansa A380 First class Frankfurt to Tokyo

Trip Report #1: North America to Asia, The Long Way: Lufthansa A380 First class Frankfurt to Tokyo


Introduction
Lufthansa B747-8 First Class Washington to Frankfurt
Lufthansa First Class Lounge & Terminal in Frankfurt
Lufthansa A380 First class Frankfurt to Tokyo
ANA Business Class Tokyo to Hong Kong + Lounge in NRT
Thai Airways New B747 First Class Bangkok to Tokyo
Cathay Pacific Business Class Tokyo to Hong Kong

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Lufthansa 710
Frankfurt( FRA) - Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Departure: Aug-23  13:25
Arrival: Aug-24       08:35
Aircraft: A380
Seat: 2A 


I was dead tired at this point, so I decided to sleep right after take off instead of having the meal service.

Again PJs were handed out along with the amenity kit. At that point I made my meal choices to be reserved for after I wake up.   
The two lavatories on Lufthansa's A380 first class are absolutely massive! Remember all the struggles moving around in an airplane's lavatory? Well take a look at this:



 
 The lavatory is so massive that I can't even capture it with one single photo.

 The design and layout of the first class onboard A380 is very similar to the B747-8
Here are a few shots of the first class cabin.

 Another A380
 The automatic two-screen window shades:
 Nice Screen:

 No champagne for now as I want to get some solid sleep
 The load today is 6/8.

 
I requested turndown service immediately after takeoff and I was able to sleep for over 6 hours.




I asked for meal service shortly after waking up.
Here is the menu for today.

Thomas Bühner
Juli / August

Amuse Bouche
Cannelloni of Prawn with Cauliflower and Vanilla Mash

Vorspeisen
Grilled Scallops with Quartet of Pumpkin
Gently cooked Guinea Fowl, Orange and Chicory Confit, Basil Vinaigrette
Tomato Salad 2012 with marinated Pineapple

Salat und Suppe
Arugula Salad, Frisée and Radicchio with Brown Mushrooms, Fennel and Carrot Julienne presented with your Choice of Yogurt and Dill or Sundried Tomato Dressing
Gazpacho of Beetroot, Pistachio Oil 

Hauptgänge
Saddle of Reindeer, Curry flavored Lentils and Aniseed Plums
Parsley crusted Turbot, Swiss Chard and Tandoori Potato Cream
Orecchiette Pasta with Eggplant Caviar, Parmesan Cheese Sauce and Pumpkin Seed Oil
LHClassics
Im Monat Juli
Fried Pork Sausages on creamy Sauerkraut with Potato Mash 
Im Monat August
Veal Balls presented with Caper Sauce, Sugar Snap Peas and buttered Rice

Käse und 
Coulommiers, Bleu d’Auvergne, Pont l’Evêque, Banon Goat Cheese wrapped in Chestnut Leaf, Rahmberg Cheese, Tomato Chutney, 
Grapes, Cherry Tomatoes and Pecan Nuts
Green Shiso Sorbet on Lychee Fruits, Raspberry and Hibiscus Tea
Soft-centered Bar of Chocolate, spiced Pineapple and Olive Ice Cream
 
Express Menu / Dreamer’s Delight
kalt
North Sea Shrimp with Seaweed Sand and marinated Cucumber
Grilled Water Melon with Pecorino Cheese Dip
King Prawn with Duet of green Asparagus

warm
Medium rare Tenderloin of Veal with Pilzerde, a dried Mushrooms, Nuts and Pumpernickel Crumble, Herb Mushrooms and Jerusalem Artichoke Mash

Käse
Bleu d’Auvergne, Pont l’Evêque, Rahmberg Cheese, Grapes, Cherry Tomato and Pecan Nuts

Frische Früchte
(Figs, Red Grapes, Orange, Grapefruit)
Fresh Fruit

Main cabin lights are off now, and everyone else is sleeping.
 Winelist & menu:
 I missed you, Champagne:


 Like the "first class" butter:
 Table is set, in comes the caviar! I mean A LOT OF caviar!!

 Yummmmmm
The two female FAs serving first class today are absolutely fantastic! They even offered me a 2nd round of caviar! 

So here it is, Caviar ROUND TWO!!!
 Up next, Japanese style starters. They are very refreshing.


 Soooooooo good!
 Switching to some 2005 Astrales for the main course:
 My choice was the reindeer. It was actually quite dry and fairly disappointing. It's pretty much the only negative I have for this flight.

 almost done:
 I tried both dessert options on boarding today's flight:


 Finishing off the meal with a bang -- the Monthly Proposal from Lufthansa First class Service.


Unlike the B747-8, there are no overhead bins in first class cabin, but you get your own locker.
 My locker, 2A:
 Lufthansa logo in the gallery.
 Another shot of the lavatory. It never gets old.
 I was able to sleep another couple of hours after the meal. (I'm getting fat! I know! lol) And we are now less than an hour away from Tokyo.
Beautiful sunrise.
 Since I am still quite full, I opt to skip breakfast. I just had some fruit and morning tea.






 The A380 has this cool tail camera which overlooks the plane:
 It was a very nice morning, and I was able to spot the famous Fuji Mountian while we were approaching NRT.

 I took a series of shots of the live tail camera during landing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy:

 You can see the runway now:
 Annnnnnnd....
 Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome to Tokyo:
 We parked next to an ANA plane, which I happened to be my ride to Hong Kong as I later found out.
On my next update, I will be covering ANA Business Class Tokyo to Hong Kong + the ANA business class Lounge in NRT.