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Prologue:

Back to Cairo for a First Class "deal" which I believe and all things considered it’s not really a deal.
In September 2017 I snagged a ticket with LX and SQ in First for 3200€. Factoring the positioning flights to CAI (though I used my miles to get to CAI but then canceled and bought a TK flight), it's hardly a heck of a deal. Then why all the hassles ? It was the only way to fly SQ Suite and LX combined. I could have transferred my Amex points to SQ FFP but there was no way for me to fly LX with miles since I'm not a Miles and More member. With what happened to those booking LX F with Aeroplan when the tiny window opened "by mistake", it was safer to buy the ticket outright.

You'd think that's easy… because you can fly when you want… Well, not exactly..

In june (3 months prior to take off) I burned some of my Egyptair Miles to fly CDG-CAI on the 5th of sep that would leave me a good 6h transit before my LX flight.

However in july, I received a mail, saying that my schedule changed. I'm due to fly CAI-ZRH on the 5th at 2pm ! With an overnight stay at ZRH.

While I could change my MS flight to the 4th. I wanted to get alternatives.

Now when I made the booking, I used opodo.. And dealing with opodo was far from easy. After nearly 1h45 minutes I managed to get someone but only offered me to fly Business with TK…

With that issue, I tweeted LX asking one question : Do you provide accommodation in ZRH for the overnight transit?
I went to sleep. When I woke up at 5am, LX team replied. But it was not the reply I was expected. They changed my LX flight to LH !

The purpose of my ticket was to try LX new F lounge and their F on the 777. LH First can be easily booked with miles.
I called LX to deny their proposal.
It’s where things got nuts. LX told me to call Opodo… I supposed that LX took over my case.. I called opodo and reach an agent after 1h30 on hold. I simply asked the agent to put me back on my LX flight on the 5th and would deal with accommodation in ZRH on my own.. I was told impossible. What ? They told me they can only do CAI-ZRH-SIN on the 5th, meaning I would arrive in SIN one day before plus spending just few hours in the lounge. My wife flying from China is coming on the 7th with no way for her to arrive one day earlier. I eventually hanged up and called LX. I had one agent that simply said there is nothing I can do..

I waited a bit and called back. I finally managed to get a competent agent from their South African office who nailed my issue in 2 min.
He was quite surprised to hear what happened to me. I suggested to fly LH to ZRH and back to LX to SIN. After being on hold for 2 min, he told me, the ticket is now being issued and got the mail after 5 min. Well done buddy.
FYI LX will reimburse the accommodation if you face similar troubles. I would have expected LX to give voucher upon arrival in ZRH.

I'm quite satisfied with the new booking that will give me the opportunity to get both the FCT in FRA and the FCL in ZRH.

I arrived in the morning with TK prior to my 5am flight with LH and stayed in Le Meridien paid by my SPG points (only 3000 !).

My room where I spent the day resting before a restless night.

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I left the hotel at 2am to check in.

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I used to fast-track to clear security. It was empty.

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TK flight is again packed.

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Check-in was smooth and the agent wished me a lovely flight.

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The 3 BP

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My boarding pass for this flight.

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Back to MS lounge. And made my way to the lounge. Being a very maybe too much FF with MS the lounge remains a shame no matter what. I really hope that MS will one day uplift their game. FYI MS revamped their lounges in CAI.

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I quickly took a seat and did some work before heading to the gate.

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Nothing to write home about.

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Security is also done at the gate.

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Check the time... Boarding is about to start.

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What a great seat.... Skytrax gave a 5* to LH while downgraded TK to 3. What the F....

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I assigned myself to the first row on the right

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We took off while the sun is showing up slowly.

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I just took the tray for the report and tasted few bites of each. Fair meal.

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Getting closer

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Landing !

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Hum we parked at a remote stand but did not care much..

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I let you guess why..

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========== Cairo Intl Arpt (CAI) - ==========



Security/Immigration efficiency: 7/10
Access and parking: /10
Services and activities: /10
General cleanliness: 6/10

========== Egyptair Almeisan Lounge ==========



Staff Service: 7/10
Entertainment: /10
Business Center: /10
Food: 5/10
Lounge Design: 3/10
Spa and Bathroom: 2/10
Wifi: 6/10

========== Lufthansa - Airline ==========



Cabine comfort: 3/10
Crew: 8/10
Entertainment: 1/10
On-time performance: 9/10
Appetizer: 0/10
Starter: 0/10
Main Meal: 0/10
Main Meal-2: 0/10
Cheese: 0/10
Desserts: 0/10
Alcohols: 0/10
Mid-flight snack: 0/10
Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 7/10

========== Frankfurt Intl (FRA) - ==========



Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10
Access and parking: /10
Services and activities: /10
General cleanliness: 8/10

Summary:

BYOD : Bring you own device if you want to entertain yourself !
I was satisfied with the crew as well.

The seat should not be used for that flight.

16 Comments

  • Emile


    Sur ce trajet, LH fait de la peine, le petit dejeuner est bien mais avec l'heure, la seule envie c'est dormir. Merci de ce YTR.

    Reply
    Thomas
    Ah oui, pas le meilleur des vols.
  • GG_007


    Merci pour ce TR

    Qui prouve que quelle que soit la classe de voyage et quelle que soit la compagnie
    les services clients sont très aléatoires et clairement le point faible.

    "Je quitte l’hôtel vers 2h du mat"
    Pas très en forme semble-t-il

    Siège peu confortable pour le temps de vol : pas de codeshare MS possible ?

    "J'ai pris le plateau pour le TR et j'ai goûté. Pas mal. Mais pas vraiment faim."
    Quoi tu n'as même pas mangé le saumon ?
    Petit déjeuner classique l'omelette a l'air très sèche

    "L'avion n'est pas en porte mais pas très grave..."
    C'est même l'avantage de ne pas être en porte !
    Par contre tu vas être déposé au niveau des portes d'arrivée et pas au salon

    A bientôt pour la suite

    Reply
    Thomas
    Qui prouve que quelle que soit la classe de voyage et quelle que soit la compagnie
    les services clients sont très aléatoires et clairement le point faible => TK semble l'exemple parfait !
    Siège peu confortable pour le temps de vol : pas de codeshare MS possible ? => Non
    Quoi tu n'as même pas mangé le saumon ? => Si quand meme.
    Par contre tu vas être déposé au niveau des portes d'arrivée et pas au salon => Faut attendre la suite.

    MErci james.
  • Capoune


    Salut Thomas et merci pour ce TR.
    Putain quelle histoire ces vols! Bon au final tu obtiens satisfaction et c’est le principal mais pas vraiment ce qu’on peut attendre quand on est un pax F...
    En vol rein de bien bandant et une cabine pourrie avec Horaire pourri qui rendent le vol pénible. Le plateau a pas l’air trop mal.
    Hâte de lire la suite et ton petit tour en Porsche!
    La bise ?

    Reply
    Thomas
    Merci Seb, horaire a fuir et LH idem sur ce vol.
  • Casper


    Super Introduction pour commencer.
    Quel produit de merde par contre ! Finalement MS est bien ! Je ne vais pas me plaindre des agents AV.
    Merci pour ce TR et vivement la suite !

    Reply
    Thomas
    Merci Casper pour ton commentaire. La c'est effectivement un produit honteux pour ce genre de vols. La suite arrive ;)
  • jetsetpanda


    Hello Thomas,

    Wow, what a treatment for a F pax. You would think that LX would be more flexible in finding a solution to your flight problems. Fortunately you got a competent person at the end but this should not have happened.

    Waking up at that ungodly hour in the morning is just wrong. At least you were next to the airport terminal.

    There should be a better cabin for that route. At least you received an amenity kit and the food looked decent.

    Thanks for sharing this 5* experience.

    Reply
    Thomas
    Hi Adan,
    this should not have happened => I know but well all sorted at the end after hours on the phone...
    That's why I love Le Meridien so convenient. BA sends a 787 for spring and summer and an ex BMI product on their 321. AF sends either a 787 or a joon A340.
    Thanks for the comment Adan.
  • Flyera


    A trip to avoid just for the timing and also for the cabin. Thank you Thomas for the TR.

    Reply
    Thomas
    Thank you for the comment.
  • Abyssin27


    Merci de ce TR.
    Pas grand chose malheureusement à en retenir sauf ton récit très détaillé tellement la prestation LH est lamentable pour du 5* mais nous savons tous que ce classement est pour le moins très surprenant.
    Une fois encore tu apporte la preuve que le call center de LX est en dessous de tout ce que nous avions expérimenté à la même époque que toi!
    A très bientôt de te lire Thomas.

    Reply
    Thomas
    Merci Eric pour le com. Il ne faut pas faire attention au classement ST... C'est du pipeau ! Pour le call center, j'ai encore eu une expérience fascinante...
  • Vendredi13


    Et bien..Quelle intro ! Problème finalement résolu en 2 mn.. On croit rêver ! ... Mais bon : Ouf quand même !
    A bord, sympa la géovision (non je blague^^) Et ce siège mérite une note négative.

    Merci Thomas pour ce reportage fort distrayant (dsl^^)

    Reply
    Thomas
    Quand j'ai eu le mail pour le commentaire, j'ai pense a toi ! Bingo.
    Merci pour ton com' Tant mieux si tu as aimé l'intro ;) Enfoiré quand même !!! hahahah

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