I think everyone’s favourite aircraft is still the Jumbo Jet, the 747, which was introduced in 1970 by Boeing. It revolutionised air travel. It looked beautiful and enhanced the romance and excitement of air travel. Am I right? It has been my firm favourite since I first boarded it as a child for a journey from Hong Kong to Sydney with the first user of the 747: Pan Am.(Photo by Eduard Marmet from Wikipedia)

Fast-forward 53 years, and today only three airlines regularly fly the 747 as a passenger aircraft: Air China, Korean Air, and Lufthansa. Time felt like it is running out to fly one, so I was determined to fly my 100th journey aboard the Queen of the Skies, specifically a 747-8, the last model of the 747 series:

Summary:

• Rating: 78%
• Route: Mexico to Frankfurt, 9562km in 10 hours 8 minutes
• Airline: Lufthansa, who I rate at 94% after 21 flights with them
• Plane: Boeing 747-8, D-ABYN, Niedersachsen
• Business Class Upper Deck, 87A Window
• Fare Paid: 69,000 Lifemiles and $US135. Lufthansa’s cheapest price on this route is $US3,415
• Highlights: Attentive service, Comfortable flat bed and good sleep.
• What Could Have Been Better: Dated seat, terrible boarding

Booking (Frequent Flier ticket): 7/10

Lufthansa often releases unsold premium cabin award seats, especially in business and first class, closer to the departure date—sometimes as late as one week before the flight! If you’re flexible with your travel dates and can monitor seat availability frequently in the weeks leading up to your trip, you might have better luck snagging these released award seats. In my case, they released four business class frequent flyer seats nine days before my flight date. You can imagine how quickly I grabbed one of those seats.

Another challenge is that when booking through partner airlines, you cannot always select seats directly on Lufthansa until closer to departure, often at check-in. This can result in limited seating availability, making it harder to secure preferred seats. I wanted a preferred seat (upstairs in the cabin, which always feels like you’re on a private plane). The previous time I used LifeMiles with Lufthansa, reserving a seat was surprisingly easy. This time, however, the Lufthansa website told me that online seat selection was impossible, and I had to call their call centre. I tried to reserve a seat on the Avianca website with no success either.

When I called Lufthansa, the agent offered me the option to reserve my preferred seat—for $600 USD! My workaround? I called Avianca and gave them my booking reference. With two taps of a keyboard, I had my seat for free. I then waited with bated breath, even to the boarding gate, to see if Lufthansa would give away that seat to someone else—which they didn’t!

Check-In: 10/10 for the actual check-in

Navigating through Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Terminal 1 was an adventure in itself. There was a distinct lack of signage indicating where Lufthansa check-in was located. I basically stumbled upon it by accident.

With my Star Alliance Gold membership, I could access the First Class check-in. As I walked up toward the counter, an older gentleman pushed in front of me and began an animated conversation with the First Class check-in agent. It quickly became clear that he wasn’t a First Class or Gold passenger or even flying Lufthansa! Like me, he had struggled to find the correct check-in area for his airline. He chose this moment to share his life story with the agent.

After a few minutes, one of the Business Class agents called me forward, allowing me to miss the ending of the older gentleman’s story. It was an amusing moment in what had already been a somewhat chaotic start at MEX, but at least I managed to get checked in without any further delays!

My check-in agent had an exceptionally warm manner, which made the process much more enjoyable. I always appreciate when an agent takes the time to clearly explain lounge access, gate locations, and where to find security checkpoints—details that can make navigating an airport less stressful.

During our interaction, I mentioned how sad I was to be leaving Mexico, and we shared a light conversation about our favourite Mexican dishes. At the same time, she efficiently worked through the check-in process. It was a pleasant and personal touch that made the experience memorable, reinforcing how small gestures can elevate service beyond just the technicalities of travel.

Security at Mexico City International Airport was a bit chaotic. There was no priority queue, which made it a bit frustrating, especially as many of the passengers ahead of me were unsure about what to do. I couldn’t help but think (again): Airports, please provide clear instructions and pictograms for people while they’re waiting in line! This would make the whole process smoother and faster for everyone involved.

Additionally, I wasn’t convinced about how thorough the screening process was compared to other recent airport experiences. It felt rushed and underdone. While I managed to get through without any major issues, the overall setup could use some efficiency and clarity improvements.

Lounge: 9/10

After navigating security, I made my way to Lounge 19 by Grand Lounge Elite in Terminal 1, where Lufthansa directs its passengers. You can access this lounge if you have a Priority Pass membership, making it a convenient stopover for frequent travellers.

A fun quirk of the space is its space-themed décor, complete with a lunar capsule in the seating area.

The lounge offers a variety of food options, either from a buffet or via a QR code menu. Since I hadn’t eaten before arriving at the airport, I appreciated the meal options available. I indulged in some beef tacos and a dessert, which made for a satisfying way to start my red-eye flight.

Overall, Lounge 19 by Grand Lounge Elite provides a pleasant pre-flight experience. The staff’s warm, hardworking, and helpful nature elevated the experience. Despite some older equipment, their attentive service and tasty food made it a memorable stop before my flight.

Boarding – Score: 5/10

The boarding process was quite chaotic, with the various boarding lines cutting across each other. I initially waited behind the group lined up for Boarding Group Two. This was fine until they stopped moving. After asking them if everything was okay, I realised they were in the wrong line. I then maneuvered around them and cut through several other intertwined lines to rejoin my correct line. It is not the end of the world, but the airline could have better organised that.

The Cabin: 7/10

Despiite being over a decade old, the cabin felt light, bright, and spacious. The Boeing 747-8 incorporates the Boeing Sky Interior design, which is also used on the 787 Dreamliner with features like their adjustable LED mood lighting, a more rounded design in the side walls and larger overhead bins allowing more luggage space. The oval window surrounds are wider, which lets in more natural light and creates an illusion that the windows are bigger.

Lufthansa’s 747-8 has four classes aboard, split across the plane’s two levels:

• First Class (downstairs) has just eight seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. This provides all passengers with direct aisle access and a high level of privacy. The seats have a pitch (distance between rows) of 82″ and are 31″ wide.
• Business Class (downstairs) has 48 seats which are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. Pictured below ina. quick snap/ They have a pitch of 64″ and width of 20″. Although more spacious than the economy, passengers in window seats must step over their neighbours to access the aisle (more on this later)

• Business Class (upstairs) with 32 seats in a 2-2 configuration. Same pitch and with but the upper deck has a more intimate feel. You forget that you’re in a giant metal bird weighing 442 tonnes and instead feel like you’re in a small private jet. I have always enjoyed it every time I’ve managed to snag a seat up there. I did notice that the 747-8’s extra length adds approximately 5.6 meters and two rows of business class seats to the cabin compared to the previous 747-400s I had been on. However, the lack of direct aisle access for half the passengers remains a downside, something I’ll come back to when I discuss the seat.

• Premium Economy (downstairs) has 32 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, offering more 38 inches of pitch and a seat width of 19″; more comfort than standard economy but without the full lie-flat seat experience of business class.
• Economy Class (downstairs) has 244 seats (pitch 31-33″ and width of 17″ in a 3-4-3 configuration, providing the standard service and space expected in the economy cabin.

The upstairs Business cabin was already full. Later, I discovered that many passengers were Lufthansa elites, so they had boarded in Group One. Because Lufthansa can be really strict about photos on board, especially with other passengers, I minimised taking photos in this cabin.

Customer Service: 9/10

My neighbour was already seated. I greeted him in German, Spanish, and English to see which language he used. Turned out he was a Mexican living in Germany for business. For the rest of the flight, we mostly used Spanish with a little German if and when we spoke. It was clear he was not the chatty type, so we didn’t talk much during the flight!

A bag of mixed nuts had been placed on my divider, and my neighbour had his welcome drink in hand when I arrived. None of the cabin crew noticed I had arrived, and they walked right past with their trays full of welcome drinks! I sometimes wonder if I should make a big announcement or quietly introduce myself to one of the flight attendants. This situation has happened before, once when I was on an Etihad flight. How would you handle it?

The crew’s proactive service remained exceptional throughout the flight. I was impressed.

The purser introduced himself to the Lufthansa elite passengers, which was most of the cabin, including my neighbour, but not to me (Star Alliance Gold) or a few others. He reassured those passengers that they could reach out for any assistance, a nice personal touch—though it would have been nice to be included in that offer!

It feels strange when Lufthansa recognises only its premium passengers, like HON Circle or Senators, while overlooking others who hold high status within Star Alliance, such as Star Alliance Gold members. In contrast, other Star Alliance airlines, like ANA, welcome all elite members equally, regardless of their status within ANA or a partner airline. This creates a more inclusive experience for frequent flyers across the alliance.

Other airlines, like TAP and United, tend to ignore elite passengers altogether, choosing not to single out anyone for special recognition in the cabin. This inconsistency in how Star Alliance members are treated across airlines can be bemusing or frustrating for passengers who expect a certain standard of recognition and service based on their elite status within the alliance. One World also has this inconsistency.

The Seat: 7/10

I have only sat beside someone I didn’t know on a long-haul business flight once in the last seven years. All my regular carriers offer single-seat configurations. Below left to right: Qantas, TAP, Finnair. And I am not even mentioning Qatar’s excellent Q suites.

There were three things I found particularly annoying about this seat.

The first is that each seat has a slight tilt toward its neighbour, making it easy for legs and feet to come into contact—ideal for couples but not at all useful for my reticent neighbour and I. The foot divider is too shallow, short, narrow, and rigid enough to separate your feet from your seatmate’s adequately. This means that when both passengers are fully reclined, it’s quite easy for feet to make contact unintentionally. It sounds trivial, but this foot issue detracts from the overall comfort and sense of separation, especially for solo passengers.

The second is the unavoidable lack of privacy between the seats. There are no dividers between the pair of seats.

And the third is that when the bed was fully extended, getting to the bathroom meant stepping over my seat companion. I had chosen the emergency exit, thinking there might be a little more room to manoeuvre—I was wrong. I managed to answer a mid-flight nature call without waking him, though I had to hold my breath and carefully balance myself. I’m fairly flexible and fit, but I imagine other passengers might find this nearly impossible, forcing them to wake their neighbour. For 2024, this setup just does not feel great. Have I made my point clear yet?

The seat controls offer basic positions such as upright, lounge, and lie-flat, and a tray table that folds out.

Each window seat has a large storage compartment built into the side wall. I absolutely love it. It’s always been one of the best features of the upstairs 747 cabin.

Under the armrest, there’s a tray table, a handheld remote for the IFE, and a storage compartment for the headphones.

The seat reclines into a fully flat bed, measuring 78 inches (198 cm) in length, which was perfect for me. Although Lufthansa provides a cushioned mattress topper for added comfort, it is relatively thin. You also receive a plush sea-blue blanket and a soft pillow. The bed is surprisingly comfortable, and I managed five hours of sleep, which was a surprise to me.

The Lufthansa crew also gave a pyjama top but no matching bottom (why?). I had brought my Qantas pyjamas, so I mixed and matched them with the Lufthansa top—that worked well. While some people change before take-off, I wait until we’re in the air, as I don’t really want to wear my pyjamas if there’s an emergency evacuation or if the plane has to return to the gate for any reason!

On the upper deck of the Lufthansa 747-8, there are three restrooms for the 32 passengers, ensuring there is never a queue.

While the bathrooms aren’t large or luxurious, they were kept clean throughout the flight. Amenities in one restroom included masks and earplugs. In the other lavatory were moist towelettes and combs.

Each passenger received an amenity kit stored inside the small pop-out container below the seat in front. Inside the kit was a standard offering: socks, an eye mask, earplugs, a dental kit, and lip balm and lotion—nothing too exciting, to be honest!

In-Flight Entertainment: 8/10

There are two universal power plugs located between the two seats. Interestingly, there was also a US power outlet next to my seat that looked more suited for vacuum cleaners; however, it worked perfectly for charging my laptop.

The 15-inch IFE screen, though smaller than some, is entirely functional. It can be tilted out a few degrees to face you directly, but watching it while lying down was difficult. However, the touchscreen was responsive, and the entertainment options were vast, with 222 films and 188 TV series available.

The headphones were perfectly fine.

There was Wi-Fi on board, but I didn’t purchase it due to past experiences with poor connectivity and what I think are pricey Wi-Fi options:

• Messaging Wi-Fi for the entire flight at 100 kbps for 5 euros
• Premium Wi-Fi for two hours at 4 Mbps for 15 euros
• Premium Wi-Fi for the entire flight at 4 Mbps for 25 euros

Meals: 9/10

About 30 minutes after takeoff, two flight attendants walked around to take orders. I chose the tortillas with shrimp and guacamole to start. The appetisers were brought out on a tray with a green salad, salt and pepper vinaigrette, and a very hard serve of butter. As per usual with Lufthansa, a very generous bread offering was available. I was very happy with the starters.

I chose the grilled tenderloin. I could have chosen Red Snapper or Quinoa dish. It was cooked nicely and the vegetables were okay.(ie not brilliant).

I chose an underwhelming raspberry “Pie” with a red berry sauce. That looked more like a dribble than an accompaniment- and yes, I had started to tackle it before I took this photo!). I regretted not choosing the cheese plate. The dessert wine was superb. The coffee was not superb.

Breakfast

I woke up just in time for breakfast. I chose a very delicious crepe with cream cheese, a shred of turkey breast, and the smallest shred of plantain I have ever been served. Could you not have added two more centimetres to it? It was beautifully cooked, though. There was also a very small fruit salad and generous bread options available. I eschewed the coffee after the previous evening’s experience!

Descent & Final Thoughts Final Reflections

As we began our descent into Frankfurt, I enjoyed the views of the surrounding German countryside. We smoothly ended and parked next to a Thai Airways plane bound for Bangkok. Interestingly, I flew from Europe to Bangkok the following week, too (but with Finnair).

The Boeing 747 will always hold a special place in my heart. It was more than just a mode of transportation; it was a faithful companion that connected me to the world. It facilitated countless experiences and inspired a deep appreciation for aviation. On top of that, I’ve always appreciated Lufthansa, but the business-class seats on the 747 are outdated. While the meal and service were good, in 2024, passengers expect more in terms of comfort and dining from a premium product. Until Lufthansa renovates its business class cabins, other options offer a better overall experience for travellers. As I was travelling on points I had nothing to complain about, but if i was shelling out a few thousand Euro, I would want better.

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