Review: Lufthansa Airbus A350 Business Class (YUL-MUC)
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Foreword
This flight is the story of a great contest of circumstances.
I had to meet friends in Barcelona from Montreal.
Having not taken tickets long in advance, and the rates being rather high in this summer, I had chosen to entrust my destiny to Aeroplan points!
Thus, 6 days before departure, economy tickets on United were released.
This flight suited me perfectly because it had the advantage:
- to introduce me to a new device (United’s B787-10)
- to get me through Newark
For anyone, United+Newark seems to rhyme with “problems.”
For me, travelling exceptionally alone (without Audrey and the children), and being #avgeek, it seemed fun especially as it would have allowed me to do new reviews on United’s economy class and its new device.
In addition, the rate paid was very attractive: 30,000 miles + $111 (United does not charge surcharge on Aeroplan).
But that was without the weather problems that the North American East Coast experienced that day.
After an hour and a half delay, my flight from Montreal to New York ended up leaving the door… to park an extra hour on the tarmac.
Then to get back to the door – actually we were disembarked by bus in torrential rain – simply being… cancelled.
Seeing this cancellation arrive (and thus the impossibility of catching my connection in New York to Barcelona), I decided to use the time on the tarmac, armed with Expertflyer, to analyze my options:
- Air Canada side
- Aeroplan side
Finally, after a good negotiation, I managed – on the Aeroplan side – to get rebooked – free of charge (except for the mile supplement – 55,000 miles instead of 30,000) on this Lufthansa business class flight between Montreal and Munich!
The options offered by Air Canada did not suit me because I would have arrived too late on Barcelona.
So I still had to get out of the cross-border zone, to go back to international security side and go to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge….
… in time to attend the milesoquestions on the Facebook Group!
Travelling in business class gives you free access to the Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge… where there is a shower.
Very enjoyable after all these changes and waiting hours that afternoon!
Review on Lufthansa’s A350
Arriving at the boarding gate, the colours of the sky are beautiful at the end of the “stormy” day in Montreal.
The Airbus A350 – a brand-new aircraft for Montreal-Trudeau – is unveiling in its best profile!
In front of him is one of the 3 daily flights to Paris Charles De Gaulle, a Boeing 777: we always appreciate the beautiful colours!
The business cabin
I board the first passengers and discover a new business class cabin.
Unlike the major industry trend of allowing ALL passengers to access the corridor directly (via a 1-2-1 configuration), Lufthansa has maintained a 2-2-2 configuration….
As a result, the passenger seated on the side of the windows must step over the passenger seated next to the corridor.
Not very practical, and rather incomprehensible for a company like Lufthansa on a brand-new plane.
The business cabin is separated by:
- a main cabin consisting of 6 rows of 6 seats (36 passengers)
- a secondary cabin consisting of 2 rows of 6 seats (or 12 passengers)
Here’s a view of the main cabin in flight:
To have less traffic and less noise, I advise you to favour a seat in the “mini-cabin”.
The business class seat
My first seat tonight will be 8G.
It is located in the back row of the business class, in the “mini-cabin”.
Here’s a view of the seats ahead, the 7D/G.
A partition separates the feet from each passenger.
You can see that there is a little more room at the feet for the seats in row 7.
The seat offers several positions and a massage function.
And here it is in a 180-degree reclining version.
Electrical sockets are located between the two seats.
Several storage spaces are available here and there.
My Away bag finds its place under the foot division.
However, you will notice that there is more space under my other seat, the 7D.
My Away suitcase fits perfectly into the luggage compartment.
Accessories
For business class, Lufthansa offers a large pillow as well as a particularly nice blanket.
At each business class seat, a bottle of water and a travel kit await passengers.
Inside, the usual contents (toothbrush, hairbrush, socks, night mask).
An audio headset – with an active ambient noise reducer – is particularly effective.
The multimedia system
As you can see from the popular milesopedia coaster, the screen size is very large, which is very nice.
This system is tactile (or accessible with the remote control) and is composed of a very large catalog of films and series.
In addition, it offers live cameras from outside the aircraft.
Toilet
Short passage through the toilets before takeoff with a young parent reflex to locate the toilets with a change table… even when travelling alone!
Some care products are available.
On-board service
During boarding, the flight attendants will regularly come to serve us cold drinks (orange juice / champagne…).
Enough to inaugurate the first use of coasters with the new logo!
Also during boarding, orders will be taken for dinner served tonight.
Here’s the menu:
About 45 minutes after take-off, the meal service begins.
I chose the option:
- Quinoa salad
- Rigatonis, alfredo sauce
- Cheese
And you end up with a sweet touch with maple syrup ice cream (Bilboquet).
After 4 good hours of sleep, we are close to arrival.
Breakfast will be served to those who are awake (you can choose to sleep a little more if you wish).
The #avgeek in me will spend the end of the flight contemplating the outside views offered on the screen of my seat.
Bottom line
A very good flight on Lufthansa that allowed me to arrive rested in Europe.
I probably wouldn’t have chosen to initially travel in business class on Lufthansa – too many carrier surcharges – but circumstances have worked in my favour here.
However, passengers travelling frequently for business class work between North America and Europe have access to better products than this one, such as on Air France and its new business class offered on some devices.
And those using points and miles should prefer to travel with Swiss via Zurich or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, both offering equivalent products… without any carrier surcharge!
Otherwise, Air Canada’s business class is a step above, in my opinion, what Lufthansa offers here.
Cards to earn Aeroplan points
Here are 3 cards that make it easy to get Aeroplan points:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $799 | |||
| $250 |
