Flying Lufthansa Long-Haul (AKA United, Step Up Your Game)

Adapted from my trip review I wrote in Flyertalk

Firstly, I'm not one of those people who fly all the time, whether it be for work or pleasure. Nor do I generally fly premium cabins or have access to lounges. However, I have flown some and have achieved some low-level elite status (that doesn't really get me much), and now I understand the system much better thanks to places like Flyertalk. (I'm also not quite as smitten and exited when I do occasionally fly domestic first class on US-based airlines, unlike my other flight review, which was my first time in any premium cabin.)

This flight, as part of my trip to Norway, was a lot of firsts, which I will be highlighting. Beginning with: first long-haul flight on Lufthansa!

 Airbus 330-300 (Click to Enlarge)

After making my way to the south satellite at SEA for the first time, I noticed how crowded it was. The crowd was similar to that of large airports, though it may be due a lot of flights in the terminal being international (and thus using larger planes) that was probably a little too small.

The plane was a different one than was originally booked, with the originally-booked Airbus 340-300 (no first class, old business class configuration) being swapped for an Airbus 330-300 (new first class, new business class configuration). For me it didn't matter, though I did end up with Lufthansa's new economy seat.

Before boarding, the passengers acted like how I had only typically seen for United flights: they lined up at the gate well before boarding (aka gate lice). I never really understood gate lice, and I can't seem to rationalize the overhead bin argument, especially on a non-US-based carrier that lets you check bags anywhere.

Is that the entire plane? (Click to Enlarge)

Interestingly, after boarding for premium cabins, Lufthands Sen/HON Circle, and Star Alliance Gold, they called boarding for Star Alliance Silver, which I have never seen a Star Alliance carrier ever do (and United lets credit card holders who don't know what they're doing board with elites...). Let me tell you it felt good walking past everyone and boarding without having to stand there and wait. On the jetbridge there were stacks of English and German newspapers, and I grabbed a New York Times international edition as light reading for the 10 hour and 30 minute flight (note that United doesn't really do newspapers).

The Lufthansa A333 splits the economy cabin into two sections separated by the lavatories. I was seated in the front section, which consisted of 4 rows in a 2-4-2 configuration.

Mini cabin from behind (Click to Enlarge)

The economy section featured Lufthansa's new long-haul seats with the new recline in which your seat slides forward in addition to the back reclining a little less to prevent the "ninja recline" battles that we have seen in the news recently. The seat itself is comfortable enough (much more than United's new slimline seats) and features a very nice HD touchscreen entertainment system that's very responsive and has a lot of content (unlike United's unresponsive non-HD system that sometimes results in the person behind you punching their screen while you're trying to sleep). (Also, while United's entertainment options are more than it's other US-based competitors, Lufthansa seems to offer just as much and has a much more expanded international selection that is available on all flights, instead of United having Asian movies only available on flights to/from Asia).

Enough legroom (Click to Enlarge)

That HD screen! (Click to Enlarge) 

Those movies! (Click to Enlarge)

The meal service began about an hour after take-off, and began with a beverage service. Note the gin and tonic in economy that would actually cost you money on United (even on international flights).

Cheers to not flying United (Click to Enlarge)

Before the food rolled around, there was also a hot (disposable) towel passed to all the passengers.

Decently thick and a nice touch (Click to Enlarge)

Being faced with the age-old question "Chicken or pasta?", I elected to have the chicken for lunch. The meal was more than edible, and I might go as far to say as pretty decent. You might notice the headphone cable in the above image (and the USB charger in the towel image). It often did get in the way while my seatmate at the window wanted to go to the bathroom (probably my main complaint of the flight).

Lunch, with silverware, even if it's a metal spork (Click to Enlarge)

After the meal service I took a walk around the cabin and explored a little.

Behind the economy section (Click to Enlarge)

Rear galley (Click to Enlarge)

I seem to have trouble falling asleep on planes, as my PR for un-interrupted sleep has been 2 hours, so I spent the rest of my flight entertained by LH's entertainment system. As I tend not to go to movie theaters and watch newer releases on planes, I watched the 2nd installment of The Hobbit (which was kind of meh), followed by Beijing Love Story (《北京爱情故事》), which is a confusingly-constructed movie following the love story of 5 couples.Every half-hour or so, a flight attendant would pass through the aisle with water and OJ, which is standard enough. Interestingly, every once in a while a flight attendant from J would appear through the curtain with a tray of remaining cups of water and OJ, walk through the mini cabin, and return to J. United you got a long ways to go...About an hour or so before arriving in Frankfurt the breakfast service began with a coffee and something that looks at least comparable to the United "domestic F" red-eye "snack" or the Jeff McMuffin (remember this is Lufthansa economy). The tray at the top contained eggs, potatoes, and some greens. Since I don't eat eggs, I ate everything else on the plate and it was quite satisfactory.

Breakfast (Click to Enlarge)

Soon after breakfast cleared, we began our final descent in a rainy Frankfurt with an animated tail-cam (unlike an actual camera mounted on the tail of the Airbus A380).

"Tail-cam" (Click to Enlarge)

After flying long-haul with Lufthansa, I can see why people go out of their way to book away from United if there are other options present. The US-based carriers have set the bar so low they almost can't compete with full-service international carriers.