German efficiency but no personality. (Lufthansa)

Member Name: h27gooner

Product:	Lufthansa
Date:	04/08/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good price

Disadvantages: Poor check in facilities at LHR

I flew with my family from Heathrow to Frankfurt last week.

Firstly, the on-line check-in is not perticularly user friendly. Once you have found the correct area of the website (which is not immediately obvious) you then are presented with 2 boxes for entering your details. It gives you a number of options such as the card number or booking reference but you need to click the drop down menu to choose. Again, this wasn't immediately obvious. Then, unlike BA's online check in, it doesn't automatically bring up all the names on your booking - only the lead passenger - so you have to identify each one individually. Finally, you can only do this a maximum of 23 hours before departure. So, this process is a bit clunky.

The check-in area is in Terminal 1. It is tucked away from the main hall and is not a large area. There are a number of check in machines and about 8 desks put over for baggage drop. Due to the areas size we found unwieldy queues and were stood in one for about 20 mins just to drop off our bags.

On boarding the aircraft we had the usual greeting and they gave my 2 kids a small activity pack which they quite liked. The aircraft seats were comfortable and clean with decent leg room (I'm 6'3"). The flight attendants were pleasant and announcements were made in both german and english. We got a free cheese sandwich which wasn't all that but filled a hole and a small bounty bar. They also serve free drinks and I had a bottle of Warsteiner which was nice and cold!

As the flight had been delayed due to air traffic control, there were a number of passengers due to miss their connections. The attendants made arrangements and announced the changes over the PA as well as picking the individuals out on arrival. The plane was met by Lufthansa ground staff who escorted those people to their onward flights.

All in all, the price was good (£110 pp return), the website leaves a bit to be desired, the check-in area was cramped and slightly chaotic, the on-board staff were pleasant and efficient rather than gushing, the food was basic but the beer was good and the aircraft was comfortable and clean.

Summary: A cheap way to get to Germany on a scheduled airline.