Flying business class on a Boeing 747 is becoming increasingly rare, which is exactly why we jumped at the chance to book Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class on the upper deck from Vancouver to Frankfurt. Not only were we finally getting to experience the iconic Queen of the Skies, but we were also getting to share that aviation milestone with our 7-year-old daughter.
So, is this aging business class product still worth it? Here’s everything you need to know about flying business class on Lufthansa’s 747-400!
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Review: Flying Lufthansa Business Class on the Boeing 747-400 Upper Deck from Vancouver to Frankfurt
Flight Overview
- Route: YVR to FRA (then to BKK on Thai Airways)
- Flight number: LH493
- Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
- Departure Time: 4:15pm
- Flight time: 9hr 45m
- Number of seats: 371 (67 business, 32 premium economy, and 272 economy)
- Our seats: 84A, 84C, 84H
Booking Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class
Before we get into our full review, let’s start off with how exactly we managed to book three business class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-400.
We typically only fly business class when Ryan and I are going on a special trip just the two of us. However, this year, we thought we’d try bringing our daughter on her first business class flight. I started searching business class award availability to see where we could find three seats.
When I saw six award seats available to Thailand, I got excited! Even better yet, I saw it was with Lufthansa on their 747, connecting to Thai Airways. I’ve always wanted to fly on a 747, especially on the upper deck, so finding three business class seats was amazing! I immediately booked it.
- Booking window: 83 days out
- Points redeemed: 87,500 miles per person (if YVR-FRA only, it’s normally 70,000 miles/person)
- Taxes and fees paid: CAD $165.17 per person
- Cash price at time of booking: CAD $8595.33 per person RT YVR-FRA only (one way cost was more expensive than roundtrip at $8824/person)
Lufthansa Business Class Baggage Allowance
Business class passengers are allowed two checked bags up to 32kg each.
In addition, business class passengers can bring two carry-on bags up to 8kg each and one personal item.
Lufthansa Business Class Check-in at YVR Airport
Our flight was set to depart at 4:15pm, but since we had to check out of our hotel at 12pm, we arrived at the airport early.
We got to the Lufthansa desks at 12:30pm, but they didn’t open until 12:45pm, exactly 3.5 hours before departure.
There was a dedicated line for Business Class passengers, and even though there were a few parties ahead of us, we were out of there in no more than five minutes! Once the check-in desks opened, the staff were very efficient, and we had probably our quickest check-in/bag drop experience ever.
Priority Security
When we were given our boarding passes, they let us know that we had access to priority security.
Upon arriving at the security checkpoint, they initially told us to go through the family lane but then when they saw the priority note on our boarding passes, moved us over to the Express Security/Nexus lane.
This lane brought us all the way to the front of the line, past all the other waiting passengers. The regular line wasn’t too long anyway, but we could see how this could save a lot of time during busier periods.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge at YVR: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
Once past security, we immediately saw the entrance to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. Since Lufthansa does not operate their own lounge at YVR, business class passengers instead get access to this lounge.
The International Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge is not very big, but it’s always pleasant and we’ve never had any issue finding seats. The food is decent as well. They may not have the biggest selection, but I always enjoy their made-to-order hot options.
This time I ordered the Gochujang Chicken on rice, which was surprisingly tasty and actually had some good spice to it!
When it got close to boarding time, an announcement was made in the lounge to let everyone on that flight know to make their way to the gate. Our flight was departing from gate 68 which was a bit of a walk from the lounge, so we appreciated the announcement.
Boarding Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class
When we arrived at the gate, it was already buzzing with excitement, with passengers crowding around the boarding group signs waiting for boarding to begin. We joined the Group 2 line, but from where we were standing, we couldn’t see the plane.
Not wanting to miss the chance to see the iconic Boeing 747-400 before departure, Ryan quickly took off in search of a window view. Thankfully, he was able to capture a few photos off the beautiful Queen of the Skies before boarding.
Once our boarding passes were scanned, we proceeded down the jet bridge where we got to enter through the forward business class door.
As soon as we stepped onboard, we were directed to the right and up the stairs to the upper deck – the moment we had been waiting for!
It was so exciting climbing those iconic steps and entering into what felt like our own very intimate cabin. We could immediately notice how much quieter it was up there.
As soon as we got to our seats, the crew welcomed us with some drinks and a bag of warm nuts. Our daughter made herself comfortable right away and dug in.
Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class Cabin
Lufthansa’s 747-400 business class is split across both decks, giving passengers a few very different seating experiences depending where you sit.
Upper Deck Cabin Layout
The entire upper deck is business class, with a total of 22 seats in a 2-2 configuration. At the very front is the door to the cockpit and a lavatory. In the rear is the galley and staircase leading down to the main deck.
As mentioned earlier, the upper deck is very quiet and feels much more private than the lower deck business class cabin. With fewer passengers and a smaller cabin, it almost feels like you’re flying on a private jet!
The only negatives we found on the upper deck are that the floor shakes whenever the flight attendants walked through, which occasionally disrupted my sleep, and the cabin temperature felt quite warm.
Lower Deck Cabin Layout
Business class on the lower deck is split into two cabins. The forward cabin sits in the nose of the plane and has a total of four rows, again in a 2-2 configuration, with the exception of one unique seat, 4D, which sits alone in the center aisle.
Behind the fourth row are two lavatories. Behind those are four more rows of business class seats but in a less desirable 2-3-2 configuration.
Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class Seat Map
Best Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class Seats
The 2-2 configuration is less than ideal for solo travelers, especially when the seats are in lay-flat bed mode. If you’re a solo traveler, then your only choice for a solo seat is 4D on the lower deck. Some people really love this unique seat as you have aisle access on both sides. But it also means you are quite exposed, and some say they feel on display to the rest of the cabin. So, you’ll have to weigh privacy versus space.
For couples, the 2-2 configuration works well, and even the row of 3 on the lower deck could work well for a family.
On the upper deck, the bulkhead seats in row 81 and row 84 are favourites. We chose row 84 since the emergency exits are in front of it so there was no one sitting immediately in front of us. However, the ledge above our TVs was used by the flight attendants as a staging area for drinks and snacks. We didn’t find this bothersome, but some people might.
An advantage to window seats on the upper deck is the extra storage compartment next to the window, which the aisle seat lacks.
On the lower deck, row 1 is unique because you are seated at the very front of the nose, even in front of the pilots. The curvature of the nose even allows you to see slightly forward out the window. It’s definitely a unique experience. However, these seats are also the most cramped due to the narrowing shape of the aircraft.
Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class Seat Review
Bedding
When we arrived at our seats, there was a plush pillow and duvet blanket waiting for us. There was no mattress pad given, but Ryan was later offered one before bedtime. I’m not sure why my daughter nor I weren’t offered one – perhaps it was an oversight by the crew. So, make sure to ask for one if you want one.
Legroom
We immediately noticed how spacious the seats were. The design is very open, which creates a roomy feeling, but also leaves very little privacy for those in the aisle seats.
There was tons of leg room – I couldn’t even reach the footrest unless I reclined my seat.
Storage
On the footrest was a pair of slippers waiting for me, with a small storage space underneath to store my bag. It’s quite a small space so if you have a larger backpack, you’ll need to store it in the overhead bin.
Next to the TV screen is a coat hook and an eyeglass holder (quite handy actually!)
Overall, there wasn’t much storage at my seat. Next to the footrest there was a small compartment that contained the amenity kit and a bottle of water, but no room to store anything else.
However, my daughter in the window seat had much more storage as there was a long side compartment next to the window where she could store all her things within easy reach. So, if storage is important to you, choose a window seat.
Center Console
The center console is quite large, giving you some separation from your seatmate. At the front is a spot to rest your drink, followed by the seat controls.
The next section opens up to reveal the tray table which pulls out and over your lap. It wasn’t the easiest tray table to get in and out, and even the flight attendant had trouble with it.
Inside this armrest is also where you’ll find the TV remote.
There’s also a slot for the headphones. Interestingly, the headphones are not replaced between passengers. Instead, you’re given disposable ear covers in your amenity kit to put on the headphones for hygiene.
On the front of the center console are two universal power outlets, which worked great to charge my phone and camera during the flight.
Armrest & Headrest
On the aisle side, there was an armrest that I could raise or lower, allowing a bit more space during sleep.
In the headrest there is a small reading light that came in handy.
Lay-Flat Bed
The seat was very comfortable as a seat. However, when turned into a lay-flat bed, it was not the best. While it’s always a luxury to be able to lay flat on a plane, this seat didn’t feel perfectly flat. I could feel a few dips where the seat folds and I just couldn’t get that comfortable whether on my side or on my back.
My daughter, on the other hand, slept perfectly.
As for Ryan who was in the aisle across from me, he was awoken when his seatmate had to climb over him in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. This is the major downside of this business class configuration.
At least Ryan had a mattress pad on his seat which he said helped make it a bit more comfortable. However, he said he could still feel the dips in the seat.
Video Tour
Coming soon!
Lufthansa Business Class Amenity Kit
The amenity kit was a navy blue pouch with the Lufthansa logo.
Inside were the usual business class amenities: socks, eye mask, ear plugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste by The Humble Co., L’Occitane hand cream and lip balm, a refreshing towel, a mint, and dispoable headphone covers.
Our daughter was given the same amenity kit but shortly before takeoff, the flight attendant came around and gave her a special kids amenity kit!
It came in a cool Lufthansa backpack and was filled with all kinds of kids amenities: socks, eye mask, lip balm, ear plugs, airplane-shaped toothbrush, toothpaste, vegan gummies, various activity books, and an airplane stuffy! She absolutely loved it.
Lufthansa Business Class Food
About 40 minutes after takeoff, dinner service began. We were given hot towels and our tables were set with white tablecloths.
Lufthansa Business Class Menu
Since our flight was departing from YVR, pre-ordering meals was not available on this route. However, on our return flight departing from Frankfurt, we were able to pre-select our mains ahead of time through Lufthansa, with a few additional meal options available that weren’t offered on the onboard menu.
For this flight, we simply chose our mains when the flight attendants came around with the meal carts.
For our daughter, though, we were able to request a children’s meal ahead of time.
Dinner Review
Appetizer
Our meal began with a drink and our first appetizer: a smoked salmon roll with cream cheese and dill. It was quite delicious.
As for our daughter, she received a small bowl of veggies with hummus.
Next, we had three appetizers to choose from:
- Herb Marinated Sliced Beef with Quinoa Lentil Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Seared Scallop and Smoked Salmon with Fennel Apple Grapefruit Slaw on a Bed of Spinach Leaves
- Maple Orange Roasted Squash and Pickled Yellow Beets with Maple Dijon Dressing and Goat Cheese Crumbles
Both Ryan and I went with the sliced beef, which turned out to be a good choice. It was quite tasty.
The FAs also came around with a bread basket. I went with the garlic bread which I was quite happy with. It was soft and warm.
Lastly, we were served a salad of mixed field greens with toasted almonds, shaved parmesan cheese and a side of dressing. I found it a bit surprising they served the dressing in a plastic to-go container – it didn’t feel very premium.
Our daughter’s kids appetizer was a huge cucumber and tomato salad and a full chicken breast. She enjoyed it and ate quite a bit, not realizing that it was just her appetizer.
Main
We had three options to choose from for our main:
- Garlic and Herb Roasted Chicken Thigh with Tomato Artichoke Sauce, Pan-Fried Gnocchi, Roasted Carrot Cubes, Sauteed Tuscan Kale and Balsamic Braised Pearl Onions
- Grilled Prawn with Indian Korma Sauce, Sauteed Spinach with Corn and Onion, Grilled Bell Pepper and Turmeric Basmati Rice
- Mixed Vegetable Tajine, Spiced Couscous and Roasted Squash Cubes topped with Toasted Almond Slices
I went with the chicken option and Ryan went with the prawns. When my main arrived, I was a bit surprised by how basic it was. It was just one chicken thigh and the flavour was a bit bland. It was good, but not special – more like something I could quickly make at home. The gnocchi and veggies were also not very exciting. Don’t get me wrong – nothing was bad, it just did not live up to the food on our last business class flights on Qatar and Emirates.
Ryan’s prawn dish looked more substantial and flavourful than mine, and he said it was pretty good.
As for Tahani, her main was actually bigger than mine! It was a huge bowl of vegetable pasta. She didn’t eat much of it as she was already quite full from her appies.
Dessert
Dessert ended up being my favourite part of the meal. We were given the choice of:
- Cheese plate
- Tiramisu Cake
- Fresh Fruit
I went with the Tiramisu Cake and it was delicious!
Tahani received a plain cheesecake but only took one bite as she had no room left.
The entire meal service took over 1.5 hours, and then they started turning down the lights.
Before bed, we were given one last treat: a box of Coppeneur artisan chocolates. Delicious!
Breakfast Review
After a few hours of sleep, the cabin lights were turned back on 2.5 hours before landing, signaling the start of breakfast service.
The breakfast menu had the following options:
- Cold specialties: Greek Yogurt with Pineapple, Honeydew Slices and Fresh Berries with Granola
- Gouda and Camembert Cheese
- Warm Specialty: Herb Scrambled Eggs and Grilled Canadian Bacon with Mornay Sauce, Shreded Cheddar Cheese, Creamed Spinach and O’Brien Potato Hash
- Assorted breads
When the flight attendant reached my seat, I was offered the egg dish. I asked if I could just have the cold option but he informed me that unfortunately there were none left. When I explained that I don’t eat eggs, he kindly went to go see what alternatives he could find.
Upon return, he brought me a few pieces of fruit and cheese (which I also can’t eat unfortunately), so I took the fruit and a croissant. I appreciated his effort, and as I wasn’t that hungry anyway, it wasn’t a big deal. It was just surprising, however, that they would run out of breakfast options in our small cabin.
Our daughter wasn’t given a kids option for breakfast, and she doesn’t eat eggs either, so she was also offered a croissant and fruit. The croisssants were very dry and flakey.
Overall, breakfast was unfortunately a letdown.
In-Flight Entertainment
The TV screens were a decent size but they looked quite dated, as did the remotes. Since it was an overnight flight, I wasn’t going to watch anything anyway, but had a quick glance at the options.
There was an alright selection of movies and TV shows, and some kids content as well. Our daughter tried to find something to watch but a lot of the shows were not in English, or they gave an error message when we tried to play them. She ended up just watching a show in German.
It seemed like the selection was limited compared to other airlines.
Lufthansa Business Class Wi-Fi
No free Wi-Fi was available. To purchase access for the entire flight, it was 25 Euros.
Lavatories
There is only one lavatory available to use on the upper deck. On the map, you’ll see two lavatories shown but the forward one is for crew only and was blocked off.
That means all 22 passengers on the upper deck were sharing a single bathroom, unless they wanted to go downstairs. As a result, there was a wait whenever I needed to use the bathroom, especially before bedtime.
The bathroom was an average-sized plane bathroom, and felt less spacious than other business class bathrooms I’ve been in. I unfortunately didn’t get any photos because, in my excitement to finally catch it unoccupied, I forgot to bring my phone with me.
That said, at least it was consistently clean, and the crew had stocked it with dental kits and other basic amenities for passengers to use.
Lufthansa Business Class Service Review
Honestly, the service was the highlight of this flight. The flight attendants were so kind!
I appreciated that the head purser personally came around at the start of the flight to introduce herself and ask if everything was okay. She also let us know our arrival time and that we would make our connection, which was a nice touch.
What impressed us most, though, was how thoughtful the crew was with our daughter. Without us even saying anything to them, they already knew it was her birthday. When we woke up in the morning, there was a surprise gift sitting at her seat so that it would be the first thing she saw when waking up on her birthday! So thoughtful.
They gave her special chocolates, another airplane stuffy, and a Lufthansa hat and badge!
Just before landing, we were each given a box of delicious Lindt chocolates to take home.
We Didn’t Expect This On Our Lufthansa Flight
Another very special occurence on this Lufthansa flight was getting to witness the Northern Lights from the sky! Just before bed, when the cabin lights were dimmed, we noticed that we could see the Northern Lights out the window.
The flight attendants said we were very lucky as it’s rare to see them so large like that. It was so impressive! What an amazing experience getting to see them from an airplane window.
Arrival at Frankfurt International Airport
The flight honestly flew by and we arrived at Frankfurt airport before we knew it. With the meal services being as long as they were, it felt like the flight was too short. But that’s always the issue with overnight flights.
Upon landing, we got to walk down the lovely staircase and exit with the rest of the business class cabin.
We took one last look at the beautiful 747, and went off in search of the Lufthansa business class lounge.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge
There are a number of Lufthansa lounges at Frankfurt airport, but since we were departing from Gate B46, we visited the Lufthansa Business Lounge (Non-Shengen) by gate B44.
The lounge is located on the 2nd floor so after having your boarding pass scanned, you can either walk up the stairs or take the elevator up.
This is a very spacious lounge with tons of seating that’s spread out. It’s also nice and bright with lots of windows.
Children’s Area
As soon as we entered the lounge, we noticed the huge kids play area! This is the best children’s space in a lounge we’ve ever seen. It was so thoughtfully designed.
From the LEGO pilot greeting kids as they arrive, to the comfy beanbag chairs, Nintendo Switches, and even a separate theatre area! Wow – our daughter could have spent hours here.
The front desk staff offered our daughter a toy and when she let them know it was her birthday, they gave her a huge armful of gifts! She was stocked with kids activities to keep her occupied for the entire trip.
Food
There’s a large selection of food to choose from. Salads, hot options, breads, desserts, candy, coffee, and alcoholic drinks.
I appreciated the traditional German pretzels, and the fact that they even had a kids menu!
They even had plastic kids plates and cups so you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
Bathroom and Showers
The bathroom was clean but fairly small with just three stalls. It was surprisingly basic for a business class lounge.
There were also showers available next to the bathroom, but I didn’t inquire about using them.
Final Thoughts – Is Lufthansa 747-400 Business Class worth it?
Getting to fly the iconic 747 is definitely a bucketlist aviation experience. Climbing those stairs and getting to sit on the upper deck is so fun – there’s no denying that.
However, the hard product is showing its age. There are much better business class seats out there, but at least it’s still a lay-flat bed which you can’t really complain about on a long-haul flight. The entertainment system is also noticeably dated with limited content selection.
And the food is sadly mediocre. I really don’t like to criticize catering, but it was just not great. Acceptable, yes. Business class-worthy? I’m not so sure.
The service, though, was wonderful, warm and professional. The novelty of the aircraft and the kindness of the crew really made up for the outdated hard product and uninspiring food.
Would I fly Lufthansa 747-400 business class again? Yes, if the price was decent. There’s no denying it’s a comfortable and fun way to get to Europe. Perhaps, though, I’d choose a daytime flight, and lower my food expecations next time. 🙂
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