Lufthansa introduces the Dreamliner (finally)

[BRE]

This seems to be the most appropriate subforum to post this, going by its name, except most people post about airports. If there's a more appropriate one, please move - thanks.

While I was aware they've had Boeing aircraft on Swiss and Austrian long haul and they'd ordered some for LH, I wasn't really aware they had some Dreamliners on order, too, which makes them rather late for the party. Well, I just received my customer newsletter that set me straight. So they've received the first of 32 Dreamliners, which will be commuting between FRA and MUC thrice daily from today, and will be used between FRA and EWR from December.

Even if the advertise the great comfort, I am not looking forward, having flown in a Dreamliner only once on ANA. That was before the battery issues, going to Japan on a LH A380 and going back on the Dreamliner, it was a night and day difference in comfort. The next trip was a few months later, after the grounding, we didn't know if we were going to get a flight back at all until the night before, when we were notified that they'd dug out an old 772 that had been used for domestic routes.

So, with LH's obsession about reliability and safety, how did they make sure they incur none of the quality issues the program has been plagued with?

[DaveReidUK]

Lufthansa's 787s are the ones that were ordered by Hainan Airlines, but never delivered.

Their interior apparently still shows traces of the previous intended owner:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/512x384/hna_lh_787_955f67c15f05aaa4fd15713b325c9f794c7c25f0.jpg

[Less Hair]

The first five are rush ordered Hainan/Vistara configured aircraft needed due to late 777-9 deliveries that only get repainted and slightly cabin refurbished. The next batch delivery from 2023 is LH's own configuration with a new, different LH business class.

[BRE]

Thanks, didn't know that. Suppose Hainan bowed out because they have lost business with Zero-Covid?

Those 787-9 are a lot smaller than the delayed 777-9. So why did LH apparently order another 27 on top? There should also be plenty of options in the Airbus world (A332, A330neo, A35x) that are either the size as the 787-9 or even closer to the 777-9.

[pax britanica]

Having also done a trip that was 787 out and A380 back there is no comparison at all .the 380 is far far more comfortable airplane from a pax point of view. I certainly wouldn't want to try out the 78s prodigious range if I had the 380 as an alternative .

Of course the airline has an impact in my case both were BA but the Club class on the 78 is too cramped and noisier than the 380.

LH do have a pretty diverse fleet dont they 747-800 as well as 380 being one example but maybe they like to get the best possible' fit' on a route rather than look for savings due to commonal;ity

PB

[Wycombe]

LH do have a pretty diverse fleet dont they 747-800 as well as 380

....as well as some 747-400s back in passenger service, and some A340-600's too alongside the -300's that soldier on, and (as mentioned) the 380 that they have said they are bringing back, although don't think they've re-entered service just yet.

Was wondering whether some of the 787-9's ordered might be for Austrian, who have some pretty ageing 767's and 777's?

[Less Hair]

That first batch of five is rumoured to be moved to other group airlines after LH's own configured Dreamliners arrive. Edelweiss might be a candidate? However until the 777-9 is delivered LH will need many long range seats.

[PAXboy]

I've only had four sectors on hte 789, all with VS on the LHR-JNB route. I won't bore you with the problems of their decision not to allow pax to look out of the windows at times of their own choice ...

The supposed benefits of the lower cabin altitude? I could not sense any change and I've been on that route for nearly 62 years.

My last, and next, run to JNB are on 380s by choice. The 777s are noisy.

[Mr Mac]

PAXoy
We have agreed on this before, 380 is by far the best travel experience long haul, and I do not rate the 787, and as you say 777 is very noisy. I quite like the 350, and my short haul chariots are invariably the smaller Airbus offerings.
Cheers
Mr Mac

[BRE]

I think the A359 comes very close to the A380 experience, especially in terms of cabin noise. Of course, it can't offer the visual spaciousness of the A380.

The A330 and A340 aren't half bad either, and in coach, I prefer the 2-4-2 layout - much better chance of having the seat next to you empty if you choose an outer or inner aisle seat. In terms of cabin noise, I feel the newer A330 have become quiter, whereas the A343 may be slow, but it is less noisy than the A346.