Review: Lufthansa First Class Boeing 747 (Johannesburg to Frankfurt)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Early July, I enjoyed one of my best holidays ever, an ultra-luxe safari in Botswana with Wilderness, Africa’s award-winning, leading eco-tourism company. My exact itinerary with Wilderness in Botswana can be found here (this site also allows you to book the same trip). You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Lufthansa Boeing 747 Business Class (Frankfurt to Johannesburg)
Review: Wilderness Jao Camp (Okavango Delta)
Review: Wilderness Vumbura Plains (Okavango Delta)
Review: Wilderness DumaTau (Linyanti Wildlife Reserve)
Review: Lufthansa Boeing 747 First Class (Johannesburg to Frankfurt)

Today: Review of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 First Class (Johannesburg to Frankfurt)

For my return trip from Southern Africa, I flew in First Class on board a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 from Johannesburg to Frankfurt (after Lufthansa accepted my online bid for an upgrade from Business to First Class). At the time when this First Class product was introduced, almost two decades ago, Lufthansa choose for open seats, based on passenger feedback. But nowadays, Lufthansa’s First Class product feels dated, especially when compared with the newer and visually more striking First Class products of the Middle East airlines. Nonetheless, a Lufthansa First Class flight still delivers, with flawless service, great food, comfortable bedding and access to the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. And flying in Lufthansa’s First Class on board the iconic Boeing 747 remains one of the most sought-after experiences in the skies for aviation enthusiasts. FYI, Lufthansa will soon introduce a new First Class cabin with fully enclosed suites on its newly delivered A350 aircraft.

Have you ever flown in Lufthansa’s First Class cabin? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

Trip: Johannesburg (JNB) to Frankfurt (FRA)
Airline: Lufthansa
Aircraft type: Boeing 747-8
Aircraft registration number: D-ABYA (built in 2012)
On time departure: Yes (7:30 pm)
On time arrival: Yes (5:30 am)
Distance: 5400 miles (8690 km)
Flight time: 10 hours
Seat: 2K (lower deck)
Class: First Class

In this review (more information & photos below my YouTube video):

1. COST OF MY TICKET

I paid 2575 euros for my round trip Business Class ticket from Frankfurt (Germany) to Maun (Botswana) via Johannesburg (South Africa). The Frankfurt-Johannesburg leg was operated by a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 while the connecting flight from Johannesburg to Maun was operated by an Airlink Embraer 135.

For the return leg (Johannesburg to Frankfurt), Lufthansa allowed me to place a bid for a cabin upgrade from Business Class to First Class. Solely for the purpose of this blog review, I placed a bid of 1000 euros (which was the minimum bid). One day prior to my scheduled departure, Lufthansa let me know by email that my upgrade bid was accepted (and only charged my credit card at that time).

2. AIRPORT LOUNGE

At Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, Lufthansa’s First Class passengers have access to South African Airways’ flagship lounge. The SSA Platinum Lounge reopened early 2024 following an extensive renovation and is only open to First Class passengers and top-tier members of South African Airways’ frequent flyer program.

The sublime lounge – which is one of the best lounges I’ve ever visited – boasts contemporary design furniture and fittings as well as a carefully curated local art collection. At the center of the lounge is a magnificent bar area, while an impressive buffet (with beautifully presented hot and cold dishes) is located in the corner of the lounge. Guests have the option to be seated with a view over the airport ramp or work in one of the focus booths or simply relax in a quiet zone. The lounge also features conference rooms for business meetings and quite zones with sleeping pods.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS LOUNGE AT JOHANNESBURG O.R. TAMBO AIRPORT

3. FIRST CLASS CABIN

Lufthansa’s First Class cabin is located in the nose of the Boeing 747 on the lower deck. The small and intimate cabin feels airy and spacious because it does not have overhead bins and lacks completely enclosed suites like the ones you find on the A380s of Emirates and Etihad Airways.

The First Class cabin features 8 seats, with 3 seats on each side of the cabin and one pairs of seats in the center (row 3). The four seats on the side are ideal for solo travelers, while the two seats in the middle (row 3) are perfect for travel companions. A small wet bar (with water, Champagne, and orange juice) is located in front of the two center seats, which is used by the flight attendants to store the wine and small plates during the extensive meal service (more on that below). There are also several private lockers in the cabin’s front (each passenger is assigned one locker upon boarding).

The cabin’s clear lines and muted colors – soft yellow panels contrasting with dark brown seat covers – create a feel of understated luxury. The decor is not as opulent as on Emirates nor as refined as on Qatar Airways, but it feels warm, relaxing, and above all, very German. A small vase with a single red rose is attached to each seat wall, adding a classy touch to the soft and creamy colored space.

Click here for the seat map of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8.

LUFTHANSA FIRST CLASS BOEING 747 — LUFTHANSA BOEING 747 FIRST CLASS CABIN

4. FIRST CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

As already mentioned, Lufthansa’s First Class seat doesn’t feature a closed suite design which is now standard for most First Class products. This was a well-balanced choice though of Lufthansa, based on customer feedback. While visually less striking and impressive as enclosed suites, I prefer an ‘open seat’ over an enclosed suite as I don’ like being ‘locked up’ for hours in a small, sometimes claustrophobic box. And Lufthansa’s ‘old’ First Class seat combines the best of both worlds, since you can raise a partition to transform the seat in a semi-suite with complete privacy if that’s your preferred seat configuration.

The seat is comfortable in all positions and features generous dimensions with a width of 31 inches (78 cm) and a pitch of 90 inches (230 cm). One arm rest holds the seat controls as well as the control for the privacy screen, while the other arm rest holds the handset for the inflight entertainment system, a USB port and two universal adapters.

The window side of each window seat (or the central side of the two middle seats) features two storage boxes, a cabinet with the inflight magazines and the safety briefing, and a small fixed table (for drinks & snacks); it also holds a very large tray table which need be pulled out for any use. In front of the seat is a large retractable ottoman, which can be positioned to create the ideal footrest and doubles as a storage box. A 17 inch entertainment screen is fixed above the ottoman, which is on the small side considering some airlines now offer 30 inch TV screens.

Upon request, the flight attendants turn the seat into a fully flat-bed with a length of 81 inches (205 cm). The bed is covered with a comfortable mattress topper and temperature-regulating duvet, and dressed with Fleuresse cotton sheets, a throw, and a thick pillow. The bed(ding) is superb and I was able to sleep for a couple of hours during the flight.

What are the best First Class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8? Click here for the seat map of Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8.

Solo travelers should go fo the window seats, while companions should choose the two middle seats.

What are the worst First Class seats on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8?

There are no bad seats in Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8First Class cabin.

5. FIRST CLASS AMENITIES & BEDDING

Lufthansa’s First Class passengers receive the following amenities on longhaul flights:

An amenity kit which is presented as a marine blue bag. The bag contains the essential items for longhaul travel (e.g. eye mask, ear plugs, a comb, shoe horn, toothbrush, and toothpaste) and Augustinus Bader toiletries (face cream and body cream)
Superb bedding, including a mattress topper, temperature-regulating duvet, Fleuresse cotton sheets, a throw, and a thick pillow.
Bose noise-cancelling headphones (collected by the crew prior to landing).
Porsche Design-branded pajamas, with top and bottom separately packed.
A pair of slippers.

6. FIRST CLASS MEALS

During this flight, a dinner was served (after takeoff) as well as a breakfast (90 minutes prior to landing)

I choose the following selection from the menu:

Appetizer: caviar traditional garnishes
Trio of starters:
- Chili and lemon flavored prawn with lemon & olive oil dressing accompanied by tomato onion and coriander sambai
- Grilled zucchini roll filled with goat cheese, moutbal and kalamate olive
- Mixed field greens, bell pepper julienne, grilled asparagus, cocktail tomato and olive, presented with delicate dressing
Main course: grilled beef filet enhanced by chimichurri, garlic and herb polenta, butternut pumkin and baby marrow
Dessert Apple crumble tart

Two hours prior to touchdown, breakfast was served, which included:

Fresh fruit, mixed berry compote with strawberry
Muesli with yoghurt or milk
Smoked salmon trout
Peppered kassler and smoked beef
Brie and cheddar cheese
Scrambled eggs
A selection of breads and rolls, croissant, Danish pastry

7. ENTERTAINMENT

Lufthansa’s Boeing 747 inflight entertainment is controlled by either touching the screen directly or by a handheld remote, but unfortunately, scrolling with the handset through the selection of movies and TV shows is very slow. The program itself has a dated layout, but nonetheless it offers a large choice with more than 100 films in up to eight different languages. Hollywood blockbusters, new German and European productions and films from Japan, China, India and many other countries cater for all tastes. There are also 200 TV programs available as well as a big choice of entertainment content for families and children. In addition, you can follow the latest news via the live TV channels CNN and Euronews, as well as sports highlights via Sports 24. The audio section features a large selection of CDs, audio books, playlists and podcasts from around the world. Bose noise-cancelling headphones are provided to guarantee the best sound quality. Lufthansa’s B747s are also equipped with a belly and nose cameras, whose broadcasts are directly streamed on the TVs.

8. ONBOARD INTERNET

In 2004, Lufthansa was the first airline to offer inflight internet to its passengers on international flights. What is pretty much the norm these days, was a ground breaking change at the time. Lufthansa offers onboard internet via Deutsche Telekom. Lufthansa’s First Class passengers get a voucher for complimentary WiFi.

9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: The two Lufthansa Fitst Class flight attendants on this particular flight were awesome, efficient and superfriendly. As I have mentioned before, I always feel safe when in Lufthansa’s experienced hands.

# LAVATORY: there are two lavatories for the First Class passengers, both of them located at the aft of the cabin. Both lavatories come with a window and are stocked with toiletries & shaving kits.