Flight review: Lufthansa Business Class Frankfurt to Tokyo Haneda 747-800 (Lower Deck)

Review of an 14-hour day flight from Tokyo Haneda to Frankfurt, in Lufthansa business class in their 747-800 on the lower deck.

You can also have a look on our Lufthansa 747-800 upper deck review here:

Check-in and Boarding

Check-in was completed at the dedicated Business Class counter at Haneda Airport, with no wait time.

Although we originally reserved seats for three on the upper deck, we were informed at check-in that our row was out of service due to issues with the seat electronics. Since no alternative seating was available on the upper deck, we had to move to the lower deck of the 747, which unfortunately doesn’t offer the same level of space or comfort.

Boarding was very efficient, we waited just a minute before heading towards the plane.

Flight

Due to Russian airspace restrictions, the flight routed over Alaska and the North Pole, offering unique views but extending the journey by over two hours due to the longer range.

Seat

The seat provided on this Lufthansa flight is their standard offering, which, while serviceable for sleeping, leaves much to be desired in terms of comfort and privacy, particularly for longer journeys. The footrest, in particular, remains an ongoing flaw. When in use, it positions your legs in such a way that even the slightest stretch or adjustment risks encroaching on your neighbour’s personal space. Unless you are actively mindful of your movements, it is all too easy to inadvertently bump into the person seated next to you, making the overall experience feel cramped and intrusive.

Privacy, unfortunately, is virtually non-existent in this configuration. The layout does little to provide any meaningful separation between passengers. One feels constantly aware of and exposed to the presence of others.

Additionally, the storage space for personal belongings is extremely limited. There are few designated areas to keep basic items like a book, headphones, or a water bottle within easy reach, leading to inconvenience throughout the flight.

Food & Drinks

The food served during the flight was, as has often been the case in the past, of a very high standard. Lufthansa appears to maintain a consistent level of quality when it comes to their in-flight catering, and this particular experience was no exception. Passengers were presented with a well-thought-out menu that offered a choice between locally inspired dishes and more internationally familiar cuisine.

Presentation was clean and appetizing, and the portion sizes were reasonable. The accompanying bread, salad, and dessert rounded out the meal nicely, and there were also appropriate beverage pairings available, including wine, soft drinks, and coffee or tea.

During the night, you could get some snacks and drinks from the galley.

Amenities

The amenity kit has not changed since some time now and is about average. Bathrooms are tiny for an intercontinental flight. Bedding is okay, however nothing spectacular to expect here.

Entertainment

The in-flight entertainment system, while functional, clearly shows signs of age and could benefit from a much-needed update. One of the most noticeable drawbacks is the positioning of the screen, which is mounted at a considerable distance from the passenger. This makes it somewhat difficult to fully engage with the content. The screen’s size and resolution are also not up to modern standards.

Moreover, the system’s responsiveness leaves much to be desired. Navigating through the menus often feels sluggish, with noticeable delays between input and response. Touch controls may require multiple attempts to register commands.

Content selection was reasonably broad, with a decent variety of films, series, and music, but the overall experience is hindered by the outdated hardware and software.

Service

During our previous flights with Lufthansa, we consistently experienced a very high standard of service. The cabin crew had always been attentive, and genuinely committed to ensuring passenger comfort. Unfortunately, this particular flight was an exception, and the level of service we encountered was the worst we have experienced on any flight operated by the Lufthansa Group.

The flight attendant assigned to our section of the cabin appeared noticeably unmotivated and disengaged from the very beginning of the flight. There was a marked lack of initiative or attentiveness; she never came by to offer refills or to check whether passengers were comfortable or in need of anything.

Instead, it was up to us to actively seek out basic services, which, under normal circumstances, would typically be offered without prompting (like asking for a glass of simple water).

Even more disappointing was the attitude displayed when faced with requests. The flight attendant reacted in a visibly annoyed. She rolled her eyes when we asked for something as simple as a glass of water.

Such treatment stood in stark contrast to the experiences we had before and frankly, left a very negative impression. We understand that everyone can have an off day, but passengers should never feel like an imposition when requesting basic in-flight services.

Bottom Line

Considering the outdated seat and the unacceptable service encountered on this flight, we can say that it was a very bad experience.

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