Good grief. Who books a 5:55 a.m. flight?

We did, apparently. I’m not sure what I was thinking, except that we’d get a nice long layover in the Business Class lounge in Frankfurt.

Actually, I’m not sure we were given any better options, so we started our day at 3 a.m. with quick showers and getting onto the airport 24-hour shuttle from the Clayton Airport Hotel.

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Manchester Airport at 3:30 a.m. was already absolutely packed, and having a fast-track pass through security only meant turning over our small carry-bags sooner and then waiting while mine got pulled aside for extra inspection anyway. I was positive that I’d removed every possible offending item (tweezers, manicure scissors, metal hair powder tin) that could set off the scanners, but fully 50% of cases were being diverted for hand inspection. The security officer suggested that they might have the scanners set too fast, which meant they weren’t getting a good enough look. That’s interesting, since Vancouver has the same new scanners and they’ve proven so efficient that very few items get pulled, and when they do the officers know the exact location of any offending item.

The poor gent three ahead of me in the line had his precise packing completely undone, and every container and zipped bag opened, with nothing found. After waiting my turn for an exactly timed (on a screen) 8 minutes and 6 seconds, I was very pleased to be told “it’s all fine, luv”.

Our first flight (on an Airbus320) was just over 90 minutes, Manchester to Frankfurt, in the usual European commuter business class configuration of 2 people in a row of 3 seats, with the centre one left empty. Service met the high standard we’ve come to expect from Lufthansa’s business class, and the cold European style breakfast was delicious (and our coffees came with a hazelnut truffle).

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Upon arrival in Frankfurt it was a shuttle ride to get to our gate, and then 3-1/2 hours in the lounge. We’d been alerted that there would be customs/immigration to clear even though we were just transiting through, but that wasn’t the case.

The lounge was roomy, comfortable, and full of breakfast treats.

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Nearer noon the breakfast offerings were replaced with soups, a curry, a hearty German chicken fricassee, and a selection of different desserts. Flying business class has certainly meant that we’ve eaten well on travel days.

Shortly after that it was time to board our 10 hour flight back to BC.

This was the first time for us flying on a jet with an upstairs! When I found out that would be our plane, I was like a little kid excited about a new toy, and immediately booked our seats on the upper level. These planes don’t have bars upstairs, like the Qatar, Virgin, and Emirates jumbo airbus jets; instead there is a cabin of 22 seats with their own WC and galley.

It’s a huge plane, and Lufthansa is the largest remaining operator of the passenger version, with 8 active aircraft flying long-haul routes out of Frankfurt. This was our last chance to fly in one; they are scheduled to be retired by 2027. The aircraft will remain a workhorse for cargo operators around the world though.

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Once on board, our Lufthansa experience began with salted almonds and aperitifs.

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As we took off, there was quite a view out the windows.

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Then it was time to peruse the menu, and the entertainment system. Choosing to watch Bugonia, for which Emma Stone garnered an Oscar nomination (spoiler alert: really weird) was easier than choosing menu options, because everything looked good.

There were preprandial drinks offered. Of course.

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Ted had a main and we both chose the cheese platter and port for dessert.

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My favourite part of the food service was the German tradition of cake & coffee offered mid flight.

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As if that wasn’t enough, there was curry wurst (only for Ted) on the pre-landing menu, which included a small dessert of a blackberry macaron, a cream filled profiterole, and berries.

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In between all that eating we also managed a few hours sleep.

Arrival in Vancouver reminded us of how much we love “our” airport. It was a fast, efficient homecoming.

Our first ever experience with a Star Alliance RTW ticket is over: 7 trips, comprised of 16 individual flights. It was terrific value for business class seats, and the customer service throughout was stellar.

Would we do it again? ABSOLUTELY!