LH F service enhancement: Limo on arrival at FRA

[Keith009]

Yes, I mean an actual service enhancement...

I just received this email from LH:

Arrive in style:
the new limousine service at Frankfurt

Dear QF009,

From early November 2007 another exclusive benefit can be enjoyed by Lufthansa First Class customers at Frankfurt Airport: if your Lufthansa-, SWISS- or Austrian Airlines-operated feeder flight lands out on the apron, you will be met at the aircraft and taken straight to the terminal building by limousine or premium people carrier.

This very special service is also available for Lufthansa Business Jet feeder flights and for arrivals in Business or Economy Class, if you have booked an onward flight in Lufthansa First Class for the same day. The vehicles will be waiting for you directly behind the passenger buses and will take you to the bus arrival point at Terminal 1.

If you start your journey at Frankfurt as a First Class passenger on a flight operated by Lufthansa, you will enjoy our customary first class transport service on the ground: one of our exclusive vehicles will take you directly from the First Class Terminal to your aircraft.

And if your Lufthansa flight lands out on the apron, you and your fellow First Class passengers will be driven promptly to the bus arrival point at Terminal 1 in an exclusive bus. This will save you valuable time as the First Class bus is able to depart before the limousines and all other passenger buses.

Unfortunately, due to the current security restrictions, we are not able at the present time to drive you to another location, such as the First Class Lounges or the First Class Terminal.

I heard that the original plan was to ferry F pax all the way to the FCT but fraport would not allow it so this was the compromise.

 

[DBH]

Hi, QF009,

I read about this with a little nostalagia, as my Asian carrier used to do this for years. In fact it was the reason a lot of the southern "gift and homeware buyers" of some years ago switched to TG when the direct run was instigated from Melbourne. They were the days, we had those BMW's and Mercs laden with boxes and crates, picking up samples all the way to old DM airport.

It is a great idea and LH/Swiss will do well. I particularly love how they will deliver you direct to the plane. I am told the lounge is fantastic too, but it's not on a run that I can use, CDG is about my only European trip nowadays and that airport is enough to put you off travel to Europe for life.

Gulf or Emirates used to do it too, don't know of anyone else though.
regards

 

[Brettmcg]

premium people carrier

That's an oxymoron if I ever did see one.

 

[simongr]

I have always wondered why this is such a good service - I assume the benefit is that you dont have to walk to the gate?

 

[Dave Noble]

I have always wondered why this is such a good service - I assume the benefit is that you dont have to walk to the gate?

Having a car service to/from airport is a good thing; having a car from a lounge to an aircraft wouldn't really be something that would make me choose that airline over another

Dave

 

[NM]

At FRA, the LH First Class Terminal (yes, its basically its own terminal, not just a lounge) can take some time to get from the FLounge to the departure gate. So the limo service is offered to ensure passengers can maximise their time and experience in the FLounge rather than need to transfer to a different terminal to board their flight.

 

[Keith009]

There are also FCLs in the main terminal for connecting pax who don't wish to walk all the way to the FCT. They have the same facilities, right down to rubber duckies and bathtubs, except the FCLs do not have limo transfers. Pax connecting to/from LH F to/from another LH flight can still access the FCT, though most choose to stay in the FCLs as the FCT can be a fair walk (unless you're sad like me).

I have always wondered why this is such a good service - I assume the benefit is that you dont have to walk to the gate?

Or more like, especially if you're ex-FRA, you don't have to walk anywhere. The FCT is totally seperate from the rest of FRA and it's a terminal built just for LH F pax. If departing ex-FRA don't even bother looking for an F check in desk at the regular terminal - you'd just drive up to the FCT itself. It's really just a big first class lounge with facilities for security, immigration etc. Even has its own duty free shop. You'd get your own PA upon arrival who'd handle all the formalities for you from the moment you arrive outside.

Even if you remove the limo service (*touch wood*), the FCT and FCLs themselves are some of the best lounges in the world, much like the QF Flounges with restaurants, an extensive drinks list, PAs etc, except *Gs aren't allowed to enter. You'd have to be flying LH F (or connecting to LX F at ZRH) to gain access to either the FCT or the FCL, or be LH HON - other *A F pax are exiled to the SEN lounges.

I agree that the limo service to/from the aircraft itself in isolation wouldn't be that much to shout about - but it's the combination of everything I've mentioned above, plus some of the most customer-oriented airline staff in the world that makes the LH F ground experience so good.

I've written a TR about my FCT experience:
My end of year almost-RTW - Page 5 - SQTalk [the 2nd post on that page onwards]

"If this is your first time here Mr QF009, the biggest decisions you'd have to make this evening are what you'd like to eat or drink, and whether you want a Merc or a Porsche Cayeene."

 

[simongr]

I think whole experience would be amazing (not sure about onboard product - no knowledge of LH at all). I am just trying to think as to why the limo innovation was devised - initially in my mind it was just from gate to aircraft rather than from terminal to AC - somewhere like HKG that would be great if departing from Gate 66 - would save a walk to the Pier.

 

[Keith009]

The only let down about the onboard experience would be the dated seats (think AA coffins). They're completely lie flat and very comfy, but you'd be sitting next to a stranger (2-2 config on the upper deck) on a 744. You get 1-2-1 on airbuses. Other than that the service onboard is excellent; I'd say the menu is more imaginative than SQ F. Plus they're also one of the few airlines left doing a full caviar service.

Having said all that I managed to get a mixed class LH F/TG C ticket for the same cost as SQ C return to Europe; so totally a no brainer.

edited to add - just to clarify, the limo service used to be only terminal to aircraft. this service enhancement is to add a limo service from aircraft to terminal, so now you have limo service both ways. Though i think it kinda defeats the point for connecting pax not to be ferried all the way to the FCT as you'd be faced with a long walk or have to settle for the FCL in the main terminal anyway.

 

[NM]

I would like to spend an extended time in the LH FCT just so I can work my way through their very extensive scotch list :mrgreen: .

 

[alect]

I have always wondered why this is such a good service - I assume the benefit is that you dont have to walk to the gate?

It's not just the car service to the gate. The driver then walks you straight through the gate (irrespective of any lines, including premium cabins) and often you enter the gate area beyond the gate, walks you upstairs, introduces you to the CSD/FA's, and stowes your luggage. No waiting, no hassles, you don't even have to carry your carryon. Most of the things comprising the service are surely not necessities (ie we can all do without) but they sure as h*ll make the whole experience hassle free, and very pleasant indeed.