LondonAkis
First-Class-Member
23 July 2004, FRA-AMS, LH4680 C-Class, Seat 7F.
Frankfurt was boiling; 31 degrees, cloudy and humid. I arrived at Terminal 1 at 16:00hrs. The airport was getting seriously busy with all kinds of travellers escaping either for the weekend or for a good summer break. Check-in was in a dedicated Business & First Class area where procedures are supposed to be a lot quicker. Well, I still had to queue up behind a good number of passengers ahead of me and although there were 10 desks, LH C-Class was busy. Once at the front of the queue, things were done quickly. What really impressed me is the dedicated fast-track security check for premium passengers. That was actually quicker than you would expect.
Once inside the transit area, I did all necessary shopping and then followed signs to the Business Class Lounge. I walked and I walked and I walked. It felt like I had been walking for miles. I was ready to give up when I finally saw the entrance to the lounge. I showed my boarding pass on the desk and then politely asked if there was a place where I could store my suit carrier. The receptionist responded in German that I can use one of the lockers behind me but I needed a key. “So, do you have a key for me?” I asked. Again in German, she explained I would have to leave my boarding pass with her for guaranty. I thought I will not upset myself because someone stupidly feels chauvinistic today and went along with the procedure. The lounge looked fancy but in terms of human traffic was equally hectic as outside. I had to stand for a while until I found the perfect seat; there it was an armchair with a table, in front of the window and within the smoking zone. The Star Alliance lounge looks out to the central concourse of Terminal 1 (Concourse B) and the viewing gallery above it. So most of the planes in sight were LH biggies. 744, 343, AB6 etc. A lot of remarkable viewings – too many to remember – but the AZ ER7 was there, a Korean Air 744, an Aeroflot 320 and a QR AB6.
I forgot myself in there so in a bit of a panic I went to the reception to check boarding time for my flight. The same receptionist asked me in German for my boarding pass. “You have it as a guaranty, remember?”. She looks in her drawer, picks up my boarding pass, checks her computer and then with a big smile she explains that I don’t have to board for another 30’ as my flight is delayed – in German! “I’m sorry, is this the Germans-only zone of the airport or are you just being rude? I don’t speak German.” I said in a firm tone. She went bright red and then repeated her poem in fluent English! I am not the stupid Englishman expecting everyone in the world to speak my language, I can get by in 4+1 different ones, but I would expect employees at Frankfurt Airport (the 2nd busiest international airport in Europe) to be making some sort of an effort at least. Typical German mentality? I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
Finally, I made my way to the gate A40 at the very end of the concourse, almost in the Cargo Terminal. I could have walked to Amsterdam by now. Once inside the aircraft I felt quite lucky to have a seat empty between myself and the lady on 7D, she was huge and scary. Despite the efforts of the stewardess, she could not bring down the hand rest…I wonder whether she actually bought the extra space or was just upgraded!
The A320 was ready to leave almost immediately and we took off from the right parallel runway, seeing the full length of the commercial side at Frankfurt Airport. I am not sure whether it is an LH standard, but there are no screens showing the safety videos and other promotional stuff. A bit of shaky climb but after the first 10’ we stabilised on a calm flight path to AMS. With nothing to see below other than clouds, I just read all magazines/newspapers available on board. The crew polite and swift, served a cold meal in a rush as the pilot was announcing that he would speed up to arrive in AMS as close to schedule as possible. 75’ later we had already landed at Schiphol Airport, no time-saving there. Flying in from Southeast, we did an almost 90 Degree turn left to get on a northbound flightpath. The view of the runway ahead was a pure treat. Schiphol looked very busy and very good. Some might not agree, but the KLM blue makes planes look even better. We docked in a gate on Concourse E next to an AF 320 and a DM 737. AMS is my favourite airport on the continent, but my tired legs could have done without the long walk to the luggage reclaim area. But, as expected, my suitcase was already rolling. 7/10 for the long walks and waiting times, otherwise a pleasant flight.
Frankfurt was boiling; 31 degrees, cloudy and humid. I arrived at Terminal 1 at 16:00hrs. The airport was getting seriously busy with all kinds of travellers escaping either for the weekend or for a good summer break. Check-in was in a dedicated Business & First Class area where procedures are supposed to be a lot quicker. Well, I still had to queue up behind a good number of passengers ahead of me and although there were 10 desks, LH C-Class was busy. Once at the front of the queue, things were done quickly. What really impressed me is the dedicated fast-track security check for premium passengers. That was actually quicker than you would expect.
Once inside the transit area, I did all necessary shopping and then followed signs to the Business Class Lounge. I walked and I walked and I walked. It felt like I had been walking for miles. I was ready to give up when I finally saw the entrance to the lounge. I showed my boarding pass on the desk and then politely asked if there was a place where I could store my suit carrier. The receptionist responded in German that I can use one of the lockers behind me but I needed a key. “So, do you have a key for me?” I asked. Again in German, she explained I would have to leave my boarding pass with her for guaranty. I thought I will not upset myself because someone stupidly feels chauvinistic today and went along with the procedure. The lounge looked fancy but in terms of human traffic was equally hectic as outside. I had to stand for a while until I found the perfect seat; there it was an armchair with a table, in front of the window and within the smoking zone. The Star Alliance lounge looks out to the central concourse of Terminal 1 (Concourse B) and the viewing gallery above it. So most of the planes in sight were LH biggies. 744, 343, AB6 etc. A lot of remarkable viewings – too many to remember – but the AZ ER7 was there, a Korean Air 744, an Aeroflot 320 and a QR AB6.
I forgot myself in there so in a bit of a panic I went to the reception to check boarding time for my flight. The same receptionist asked me in German for my boarding pass. “You have it as a guaranty, remember?”. She looks in her drawer, picks up my boarding pass, checks her computer and then with a big smile she explains that I don’t have to board for another 30’ as my flight is delayed – in German! “I’m sorry, is this the Germans-only zone of the airport or are you just being rude? I don’t speak German.” I said in a firm tone. She went bright red and then repeated her poem in fluent English! I am not the stupid Englishman expecting everyone in the world to speak my language, I can get by in 4+1 different ones, but I would expect employees at Frankfurt Airport (the 2nd busiest international airport in Europe) to be making some sort of an effort at least. Typical German mentality? I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
Finally, I made my way to the gate A40 at the very end of the concourse, almost in the Cargo Terminal. I could have walked to Amsterdam by now. Once inside the aircraft I felt quite lucky to have a seat empty between myself and the lady on 7D, she was huge and scary. Despite the efforts of the stewardess, she could not bring down the hand rest…I wonder whether she actually bought the extra space or was just upgraded!
The A320 was ready to leave almost immediately and we took off from the right parallel runway, seeing the full length of the commercial side at Frankfurt Airport. I am not sure whether it is an LH standard, but there are no screens showing the safety videos and other promotional stuff. A bit of shaky climb but after the first 10’ we stabilised on a calm flight path to AMS. With nothing to see below other than clouds, I just read all magazines/newspapers available on board. The crew polite and swift, served a cold meal in a rush as the pilot was announcing that he would speed up to arrive in AMS as close to schedule as possible. 75’ later we had already landed at Schiphol Airport, no time-saving there. Flying in from Southeast, we did an almost 90 Degree turn left to get on a northbound flightpath. The view of the runway ahead was a pure treat. Schiphol looked very busy and very good. Some might not agree, but the KLM blue makes planes look even better. We docked in a gate on Concourse E next to an AF 320 and a DM 737. AMS is my favourite airport on the continent, but my tired legs could have done without the long walk to the luggage reclaim area. But, as expected, my suitcase was already rolling. 7/10 for the long walks and waiting times, otherwise a pleasant flight.