The Lufthansa 747-8 service between Frankfurt and Hong Kong is helping pave the way for the business class experience of tomorrow, discovers Nick Walton.

Check-In

My wife and I checked in at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International Airport, flying via Lufthansa’s primary hub of Frankfurt, on the way home to Hong Kong. Even if you hadn’t planned on flying via Frankfurt’s colossal airport, turning left on the new 747-8 makes it worth the deviation, as it benefits from a re-evaluation of business class by one of the world’s leading airlines.

Boarding

Lufthansa is one of the few airlines operating the new incarnation of the 747-8 – although other airlines, including Cathay Pacific, are eagerly awaiting their superjumbos to arrive. Used on routes like Frankfurt-Hong Kong, where there is high demand for premium seating, the 747-8 offers eight redesigned first class seats in the nose and a whopping 80 in business, including on the extended upper deck. Access to this upper deck, with its 32 new business class seats, is via a redesigned staircase which is much wider and easier to tackle with carry-on luggage.

Passengers were greeted on the evening flight with glasses of Duval Leroy Champagne, steamy hot face towels, and amenity kits that resembled beach bags in blue and white stripes. Despite the fact that we were going home to winter in Hong Kong, the Nivea sunscreen, post-sun relief, and lip balm were a nice touch.

The Seat

Lufthansa took the opportunity of the 747-8 to rethink the most important component to the business class offering – the seat. Unlike the business class product on the Airbus service between Hong Kong and Munich, which is still comfortable but very much about space efficiency, the new seat on the Queen of the Skies features a larger screen, ergonomic controls, and the ability to convert into a completely lie-flat 1.98-meter long bed – a relative rarity on European carriers.

With 32 seats on the upper deck in a 2-2 configuration and 60 seats on the main deck, upstairs is the place to be for a quiet journey in style. Each new-look seat – the product of a 2007 survey of top-tier travellers and extensive in-plane trials – features more space at shoulder level when in the lie-flat position, thanks to lowerable armrests, while materials like virgin wool and leather emphasise the cabin’s pedigree. Passengers access Lufthansa’s inflight entertainment through a 15-inch screen and can convert the seat from armchair to bed with the touch of a button.

Dining

In-flight dining also benefited from a shakeup with the launch of the 747-8. The airline has teamed up with some major names in hospitality, including Sea Cloud Cruises and The Ritz-Carlton Portman Shanghai to create a menu that appeals to all travellers. Appetizers included roasted duck breast with five-spice jelly; king prawns with avocado and bean salad; and grilled pineapple and glass noodle salad with peanut sauce.

A choice of mains – tenderloin of beef and braised beef cheek with chocolate chilli sauce; a ragout of pork in the “Shanghai-style” with sugar snap peas; and a monthly special of cod with bell pepper catsup and herb potato patties – was served with a mixed summer salad. White wine lovers had a choice of a 2012 Riesling from Weingut Neef-Emmich or a 2011 Estate Blanc from Paul Mas, while red lovers could choose from a 2008 Chateau La Roque de By or a 2010 Two Vines Shiraz from the US.

For travellers looking for a sleep aid, a monthly special included a Seaman’s Shot – a triple distilled vodka with natural herbs, menthol and eucalyptus.

Service

The meal service took quite a long time and many travellers opted to skip it and go straight to sleep, but when it did arrive, it was served by cheerful and efficient staff who were always quick to respond to any request. Throughout the flight we found the Lufthansa crew to be professional, intuitive and efficient.

Summary

Lufthansa’s 747-8 aircraft has not only allowed the airline to innovate the way we travel in business class, but also shake off its rather fuddy-duddy persona and compete with not only the best carriers in Europe but from across the globe.

Lufthansa business class from Frankfurt to Hong Kong return from US$3,240 per person. www.lufthansa.com

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