Lufthansa Airlines

[editor]

Got this press release in the e-mail this morning.

FWIW, it's great that Houston is getting A380 service. I flew Lufthansa a couple of months ago ORD-FRA-TXL-FRA-LHR. It's OK. I expected a lot more from a European airline and a flag carrier. It was about the same level of service as Delta. But maybe the A380 is a better experience.

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Lufthansa Announces Houston as the First Destination in Texas for Airline’s A380 Service

HOUSTON, Dec 7, 2011—The Houston Airport System announces it will welcome its first double-deck A380 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on August 1, 2012, when Lufthansa upgrades the aircraft on its Houston to Frankfurt service. Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport will be Lufthansa’s fourth A380 market served in the United States.

The A380 is the largest passenger jet in the world, with 63 percent more cabin space than the next largest aircraft, the Boeing 747-400. The new jet will carry up to 526 passengers, with eight seats in First Class and 98 in Business Class, both located on the upper deck, and 420 seats in Economy on the lower deck. In addition to its size, the A380 boasts other impressive achievements. It is significantly quieter in flight, more spacious throughout, and offers reduced fuel consumption and lower emission levels.

“As the gateway to Texas’ energy capital, Bush Intercontinental welcomes the A380 as a symbol of Houston’s significant role as an international hub,” said Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System. “I believe the new aircraft is a game changer and is an excellent fit for transatlantic flights between Houston and Germany as Lufthansa expands its service.”

The new A380 service will operate from Terminal D. Over the next several months, the Houston Airport System will be renovating Terminal D and in anticipation of the A380, making accommodations to handle the extra-large aircraft.

Lufthansa will be the first airline to operate this aircraft in Texas. As a member of Star Alliance, customers flying on Lufthansa can connect to flights on United Airlines, which operates its largest hub in Houston with more than 500 daily flights.

“We commend the Houston Airport System management for their decision to invest significantly in order to make the airport A380-ready. Houston makes perfect sense as the fourth-largest U.S. city to experience Lufthansa’s A380 flagship aircraft and premium service,” said Jürgen Siebenrock, Vice President The Americas. “Lufthansa’s new A380 service also improves capacity between Houston’s prevalent oil and energy business and the airline’s over 35 other oil and energy destinations worldwide.”

Houston, as a major center for the oil industry, is the most international city in Texas. With more than 40 million passengers annually, Bush Intercontinental is a major hub for the Star Alliance system. More than half of all passengers who fly into Houston’s Intercontinental Airport are connecting to other international and domestic destinations.

“The addition of the A380 ensures that international traffic will be able to grow in Houston,” adds Diaz. “We expect to see more choices for travelers who are flying to Africa and the Middle East as they enjoy this new aircraft.”

[Hartmann]

Got this press release in the e-mail this morning.

FWIW, it's great that Houston is getting A380 service. I flew Lufthansa a couple of months ago ORD-FRA-TXL-FRA-LHR. It's OK. I expected a lot more from a European airline and a flag carrier. It was about the same level of service as Delta. But maybe the A380 is a better experience.

This should make Terminal D boarding interesting. It will be fun to watch the gate renovations unfold.

I like Lufthansa in First across the ocean and for the intra-European network.

[urban909]

Here is an animation of the (soon-to-be) modified gate at terminal D:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4QoD16q-bc&feature=player_embedded

[TheNiche]

I'm looking at this photo of the economy class on Wikipedia, and it looks horribly institutional. Reminds me of waiting to get called on at some random government office, or something like that. And with such a density of passengers per compartment, the odds of a crying baby within earshot or someone that's gassy or that's become ill that is within smelling distance go way up.

I think I'm going to stick with the Gulfstream 5. Yeah, that's what I'll do...

[Pleak]

The double-decker jet bridge for the A380 was installed yesterday at Terminal D. They have a few more things to get ready by the first flight to IAH on August 1.

http://www.chron.com/business/article/A-tall-work-order-for-2-deck-German-jetliner-3668550.php

[Fringe]

The photos above suggest you will be traveling in style if your first class or business class but for the rest of us I doubt if it's any different from other airlines.

[LTAWACS]

The photos above suggest you will be traveling in style if your first class or business class but for the rest of us I doubt if it's any different from other airlines.

This is true. As long as one gets there in one piece is what most travellers think I'm sure.

[Houston19514]

A380 lands at Bush Intercontinental for the first time Wednesday afternoon, August 1:

http://www.fly2houston.com/A380Party

[mfastx]

Can't wait.

[Slick Vik]

I think I'm going to stick with the Gulfstream 5. Yeah, that's what I'll do...

Good for you

[LTAWACS]

I'm looking at this photo of the economy class on Wikipedia, and it looks horribly institutional. Reminds me of waiting to get called on at some random government office, or something like that. And with such a density of passengers per compartment, the odds of a crying baby within earshot or someone that's gassy or that's become ill that is within smelling distance go way up.

I think I'm going to stick with the Gulfstream 5. Yeah, that's what I'll do...

Dont they have the G6 out now? You know, like that rap song?

[gto250us]

Only $17,458 round trip in First Class. That is $13.86 for each minute.

I'll take two, Please.

[Andrew Broadfoot]

I'm looking at this photo of the economy class on Wikipedia, and it looks horribly institutional. Reminds me of waiting to get called on at some random government office, or something like that. And with such a density of passengers per compartment, the odds of a crying baby within earshot or someone that's gassy or that's become ill that is within smelling distance go way up.

I think I'm going to stick with the Gulfstream 5. Yeah, that's what I'll do...

While not quite the G5 (or the G6), the G4 is not a bad little jet for being slightly outdated. Plenty of room to stretch out even for my fat ass!

Love the oval windows!

Plus the pullout jumpseat is a plus for those city views on final and those last second runway changes...

Now on the other hand, the A380 is an entirely different beast.

Economy left a lot to be desired (This is not Lufthansa)

Here you can see where my knees are. I'm 6'5"

If you have the means to splurge, you could quite possibly escape the screaming babies and vomit laden neighbors. This is business class...

And for just a little more (yeah right!), you can go all the way to first class and receive your own suite complete with lay flat bed and closing doors. Both business and first are upstairs...

And with the last two choices you can enjoy a stand up shower and cavernous lavatory...

While the G4 doesn't quite have the legs to reach FRA, the G5 does. However, The cost of first class on Lufty would be a drop in the bucket comported to the G5.

[Ross]

I understnad the G550 is worth every penny of the $50 million+ it costs.

[Andrew Broadfoot]

I understnad the G550 is worth every penny of the $50 million+ it costs.

You can get a nice G5 for under 30 mil these days.

http://www.controller.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&catid=3&Manu=GULFSTREAM&Mdltxt=V&mdlx=exact&setype=1

The G550 can be had for around 34 mil and up.

[new major on the block]

Maybe ill snap a few pics and upload them when i get back to work on fri. Until then ill get back to working on my golf game

[frheard]

This is the best pic I got.

[Andrew Broadfoot]

Nice shot!

[new major on the block]

Well not the best quality but closer than you can normally get

[Nate99]

Thanks for the pics major.

I sat outside at the In-N-Out that is just outside the fence at LAX and watched one of Quantas' A380 come in. The thing looks like an office building coming out of the sky.

[mfastx]

I flew KLM a few days ago out of IAH and saw the A380 first hand. It was incredible. Unfortunately no pics, I didn't want to take my eyes off it to get my phone haha.

Thanks to previous posters for posting pics!

[TonyM]

Thanks for the pics major.

I sat outside at the In-N-Out that is just outside the fence at LAX and watched one of Quantas' A380 come in. The thing looks like an office building coming out of the sky.

I hear ya, watched a Singapore A380 come into LAX, it looks unreal just floating there - same with the 747 too. It's incredible that these beasts fly like they do.

[ricco67]

I can relate, I was passing ellington when I saw the giant guppy taking off. THAT was unreal looking. I can't edit to take a peek at the A380. Maybe I can get a food shot from one of the garages.

[OkieEric]

I took this route on the 3rd, just a couple of days after they started the service. I actually didn't realize I was going to be on it until I was in Frankfurt about to take off. Anyway, flying in a giant plane is both cool and a bit unnerving, but to be honest the interior wasn't all that great, at least in business class. Kind of the typical Lufthansa set up with no completely flat seats and the same old entertainment system. I thought maybe Lufthansa had ordered some new planes, but if they did we got rotated some older ones because you could definitely see the wear and tear. They did have some cool outside cameras that you could watch, like one up on the tail that looked down over the plane. Pretty nice view on take off and landing

[new major on the block]

And a few more if anyone is interested

[KinkaidAlum]

I saw it last Saturday as our little ER4 taxied by. Quite the impressive line up at IAB that day with Lufthansa's 380, Taca's E90, Singapore's 773, and the 777s of Emirates and Qatar.

[Andrew Broadfoot]

And a few more if anyone is interested

Never seen a golf cart under D before. Is that Menzies' or LH's?

[new major on the block]

Never seen a golf cart under D before. Is that Menzies' or LH's?

I believe they came from the continental hanger, they were infront of me while it taxied by. Continental runs alot of golf carts on the ramp.

[Andrew Broadfoot]

That makes sense. Although I wouldn't want to drive all the way across that taxiway and over to D from the mx hangars on a golf cart. It would be my luck that the charge would run out.

[wxman]

I flew into IAH yesterday and saw the A380 sitting at Terminal E. To be honest---I wasn't THAT impressed. The KLM 747 sitting next to it looked bigger and more impressive in my opinion. Maybe it was just the angle I was looking at them. Anybody else get kind of a 'let down' feeling when looking at it?