Lufthansa Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400 to Dubai

November in Germany usually means gray weather and cool temperatures. That's why we started looking for a sunny travel destination early and decided on Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. On November 3, 2017, we flew with Lufthansa in Economy Class from Frankfurt to Dubai on board a Boeing 747-400. In this review, we report on our experiences with flight LH630: boarding, the cabin and seat comfort, in-flight entertainment, catering, and service on the long-haul flight. How good is Lufthansa Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400 really?

Our connecting flight from Leipzig landed, as so often happens, on an apron stand at Frankfurt Airport. After disembarking, we waited for our stroller before taking a bus to Terminal 1A. From there, we made our way through the familiar connecting tunnel towards Departure Area B.

After passport control, where a small queue had formed, we first headed to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (Lounge review) on. At that time it was pleasantly empty, so we were able to bridge the waiting time until our onward flight in a peaceful atmosphere.

After about an hour we moved to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge (Lounge reviewIt was considerably busier there, but we still found a nice spot overlooking the apron. While our son stretched his legs, we enjoyed a cocktail or two in a relaxed atmosphere and prepared for our long-haul flight in Lufthansa Economy Class aboard a Boeing 747-400.

Even just looking out from the lounge, the anticipation was palpable: the "Queen of the Skies" is a special highlight for many aviation enthusiasts. Although we weren't traveling in Business or First Class this time, we were curious to see how the Economy product would perform on this classic long-haul aircraft.

Boarding LH630: Flying to Dubai on the Lufthansa Boeing 747-400

Shortly before the scheduled boarding time, we made our way to Gate B28 in Terminal 1, Area B of Frankfurt Airport. The gate was located at the far end of the terminal area, so we had to allow about ten minutes for the walk with our child and hand luggage.

Boarding for LH630 to Dubai hadn't started yet when we arrived. It finally began about 15 minutes late. Thanks to our son, we were one of the first families to board during pre-boarding – a welcome perk, especially on a long-haul flight in Lufthansa Economy Class.

Our compact travel buggy (gb Qbit, Link to Amazon*) We were able to hand it over directly at the gate. The so-called gate delivery procedure is particularly convenient on long-haul flights, as the stroller can be used until just before boarding. With a slight lingering uncertainty – whether it would actually be safely waiting for us at the aircraft in Dubai – we said goodbye to it and finally boarded the Boeing 747-400.

Even upon boarding the aircraft, it was noticeable: the "Queen of the Skies" still exudes a special atmosphere despite its age. We were now eager to see how Lufthansa's Economy Class would present itself in detail on this iconic long-haul aircraft.

What is the cabin and seat like in Lufthansa Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400?

Lufthansa's Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400 was divided into three separate cabins and comprised a total of 272 seats. The front Economy cabin consisted of only three rows (29–31) and was therefore significantly smaller and quieter than the two cabins behind it. These were separated from each other by the galley.

In most areas, the typical 3-4-3 seating configuration was installed, as is common on many long-haul aircraft. Only in the last five rows did the arrangement differ slightly. Overall, the cabin appears functional and efficiently designed, but offers little sense of space – especially on a fully booked flight.

During online check-in, we reserved three seats in row 30, the second row of the front economy cabin directly behind premium economy. This position proved to be a good choice: relatively quiet, close to the restrooms, yet without significant passenger traffic. We also checked in our approved child seat (Link to Amazon*) We attached it to the window seat. The crew readily provided a seatbelt extender. Our son fell asleep while we were still taxiing to the runway – an ideal start to a long-haul flight.

Visually, Lufthansa's Economy Class presents itself in classic shades of gray and blue. The cabin appears clean and tidy, but overall more functional than modern. The age of the Boeing 747-400 is particularly evident when compared to newer Lufthansa cabins.

The seats feature height-adjustable headrests with fold-down side elements for head support – a useful detail on night flights. However, the padding is a more critical point. It's relatively thin and can noticeably lose comfort on longer journeys. This is particularly noticeable on flights lasting several hours. A pillow, a thin blanket, and basic headphones were provided at each seat during boarding.

Another issue concerns the sensitivity of the seatbacks and screens: If the passenger behind uses the touchscreen intensively or moves the seatback significantly, it's quite noticeable. In our case, this meant that our sleeping son woke up again after about an hour – not ideal on a long-haul flight.

What is the in-flight entertainment like in Lufthansa Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400?

Each seat in Lufthansa's Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400 is equipped with its own in-flight entertainment monitor. The screen is a touchscreen and integrated directly into the seatback.

The entertainment selection was extensive and well-organized. In addition to current films, there were numerous series, documentaries, music channels, and children's programs to choose from. Navigating the menu was intuitive and without any noticeable delays. Headphones were already available on the seats during boarding. The provided models served their purpose, but their quality was rather basic. Those who value better sound should bring their own headphones. These connect via a standard 3.5 mm jack located on the side of the monitor.

Also practical: A USB port is integrated directly into the screen, allowing you to charge your smartphone or other mobile devices during the flight. This is a clear advantage, especially on longer journeys.

What food and drinks are available in Lufthansa Economy Class on the Boeing 747-400?

Approximately 90 minutes after takeoff from Frankfurt, the in-flight service began with the distribution of a hot lunch. A full meal is included on long-haul flights in Lufthansa Economy Class, as are soft drinks, beer, and wine.

We had pre-ordered a special children's meal online for our son. Special meals like this are available free of charge on Lufthansa flights of three hours or more. The children's meal was served before the regular meals, which is very convenient when traveling with a child. The tray consisted of a pasta salad, pasta with chicken, and a cake pop for dessert. It also included crayons and a small coloring book, which doubled as a child-friendly menu. A nice touch that kept him occupied, especially on longer flights. The main course was still very hot, so the dessert was a big hit.

Shortly after, the regular meals were served. The choices were chicken or pasta. We opted for the vegetarian option, which turned out to be ravioli in a mushroom sauce. The dish was decent and acceptable, though nothing particularly memorable. The portion size was appropriate for a long-haul flight. Since our son kept us very busy during the meal, I unfortunately wasn't able to take a picture.

Drinks were offered several times throughout the flight. In addition to soft drinks and juices, beer and wine were also available. Further snacks or a second hot meal depend on the flight time and route on Lufthansa flights.

The rest of the flight was uneventful. Our son showed great interest in the galley and kept wanting to peek into business class. The cabin crew was exceptionally friendly, took time for him, and patiently explained various onboard procedures. Especially on a long-haul flight with a child, attentive and relaxed service makes a significant difference.

Did you like this article? Then share it on social media! This way you'll be supporting our work. We also welcome your opinion in the Comments.