LH 419 Washington (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA) on February 12, 2010

Lufthansa LH 419 Washington (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA) on February 11, 2010, Economy class

I have flown Lufthansa a number of times over the years, and I believe that this was actually the first time I have ever flown in long-haul Economy on this airline!  Click here to see the report of the last time I was on this very flight in Business Class.

Lufthansa Boeing 747-400 at Frankfurt Airport

The plane was a Boeing 747-400.  I am not sure how old it was, but I was surprised to notice that the film was shown on an old-fashioned screen in the center of the plane.  I was in a bulkhead seat, and there was an empty seat between me and another passenger in the window seat.  Quite comfortable although I did get the sense that we were flying on a very old piece of equipment!

I think I was already tired when I boarded this flight!  This was the first day that flights were open after the huge snow storm, and I wondered whether I would leave at all.

My usual strategy for making my way to Washnigton Dulles is to rent a car the day before in this area, usually at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and then I return the car at the airport in Washington the next day.  This is usually the cheapest way — particularly on weekends — and you can leave when you like!  But the Budget rental car location was closed, and, in the end I used Columbia Airport Shuttle, which worked out just fine.

Lufthansa’s flight (LH 419) leaves at 5:40.  So, under normal circumstance, I would have left the house at about 1:40.  This would safely get me to IAD by 2:40, three hours before my departure time.  (I am not one of those travelers who likes to arrive at the last minute!)  But February 11th 2010 was not a normal day.  Most of the local roads near where we live were still covered with snow, and I thought extra time was a good idea.  So I ordered my shuttle for 12:15.  And, as usual Columbia Airport Shuttle arrived on time.

I was expecting Dulles airport to be very overcrowded, and in the line waiting to check in, I chatted with other travelers.  One person was very frustrated.  This was her third attempt to get back home to her native Croatia, via Vienna on Austrian Airlines.  What I was really thinking about was the possibility of being bumped!  After all, this was Thursday, and there had been no flights on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Unfortunately, there seemed to be plenty of room on the plane.

Checking in was quick, efficient, and I was especially impressed by the fact that they offered soft drinks and snacks at the check in counter.

As expected, the plane was delayed and departure was rescheduled for 8:00 pm because the plane was late coming in from Frankfurt.  This, of course, was completely expected, and the news was announced in a timely way causing me no distress whatsoever.  I am often baffled when I watch people on the news on television weeping because their planes are late!  The joy of traveling is something to do with dealing cheerfully with the unexpected!

When we finally boarded, getting on the plane was quick and efficient, and the friendly flight attendant were helping all the passengers to put their bags in the overhead locker.

Flight 419 from Washington to Frankfurt on 11 February, 2010

Not long after take off, the attendants served drinks.  (Alcoholic drinks are free on Lufthansa.)  I had a scotch whisky and soda before dinner, and a very pleasant Riesling-based sparkling wine with my dinner.

Economy class dinner on Lufthana LH 419 on February 11, 2010

I did not have high expectations for the dinner, but it was actually rather tasty.  There was a nice appetizer course (top left of picture) consisting of large shrimps served over a bed of salad.  The main course was chicken served over a mixture of mashed potatoes and scallions with green beans.  The pudding looked dreadful, but it was actually very good — chocolate mousse with a fresh strawberry on the side.  The only minor complaint was the rubbery dyed cheese and the very artificial tasting “Naturally fresh” salad dressing.

Then it was resting time.  Before landing in Frankfurt, we were served a forgettable light breakfast with surprisingly good coffee.

Frankfurt Airport was suffering from delays too because of snow.  We were put in a holding pattern and eventually landed several hours later than the scheduled time.  I was delighted to fly at all on this very difficult day, and the Lufthansa crew provided us with excellent service.