Lufthansa has been a long-time flyer of Airbus widebodies to San Francisco, principally the A340-600 and A380-800, at least up until the COVID-19 Pandemic, and now the A350-900, with the A380 returning in December of last year. The big superjumbo is on a brief hiatus now, so service is once again exclusively operated by the A350. We’re once again flying in Lufthansa’s older business class, in the seats directly opposite the ones we came to Munich in from San Diego.
Server: Solo
Airline: Lufthansa
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Origin: Munich Airport, Erding and Freising, Germany (MUC)
Destination: San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California (SFO)
Flight Number: LH458
Route: EDDM-KSFO
Seat: 8A (Business)
Time En Route: 10 Hours 24 Minutes
Waiting to board our aircraft at a busy Terminal 2 Satellite. We’ve spent a lot of the day hanging around Lufthansa’s business lounge here, which, while certainly well-appointed, feels a bit sterile. Hopefully our flight will have a greater amount of warmth and welcoming to it, similar to the one we took over here.
Beginning our taxi to Runway 26R for departure. We’ve got a fuller flight today than the one from San Diego, although the seat next to ours is once again empty. The cabin crew seemed friendly when we boarded, which is a promising sign.
Golden Hour takeoff from Flughafen München “Franz Josef Strauss”. The Trent 1000 XWBs are making their usual growling roar as we make our way skyward.
Climbing over the German state of Bavaria, near Nuremberg. We’re going to be spending most of this flight in a state of perpetual sunset as we fly west. With our seat partially reclined and a good movie playing on the IFE screen, we’re ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy the roughly 10 hours and a half hours of flying ahead of us.
Approaching Iceland as the Sun temporarily slips below the horizon. In between movies, we had a noticeably better dinner than on the flight to Munich. Additionally, it was served with all the same promptness and friendliness, which helps show why Lufthansa has long been regarded as one of the best airlines in Europe.
We’ve caught up with the Sun by the time we reach the northern parts of the Canadian province of Manitoba. It’s been a delightfully smooth flight so far, with no bounces, bumps, shakes, or shimmies.
On final into SFO near Redwood City
Arriving at dusk on Runway 28L in Fog City. They even have a name for the fog here, being known as “Karl the Fog”. After this picture was taken, we gently rolled down much of the remaining runway to the turn-off by the F Gates.
Taxiing and ready to turn into an alleyway packed with United Airlines and Star Alliance member tails
Looking at our aircraft at Gate G2, next to a United 777-224ER, a Swiss International Airlines 777-300ER, and a Singapore Airlines A350-900. Overall, Lufthansa’s legacy A350 business class product is still a very good choice overall. The seating may be a bit dated, but it is by no means uncomfortable or rickety. The dining is hit-or-miss, admittedly, depending on the flight. However, the cabin service is top-notch in all regards. Definitely something to revisit!