Danube Trip: Chicago to Brussels
Danube Trip: Brussels Adventures and Getting to Prague
Danube Trip: Marriott Courtyard Prague
Danube Trip: Prague, Czech Republic
Danube Trip: Boscolo, Autograph Collection
Danube Trip: Prague to Nuremberg
Danube Trip: Viking River Cruise Boats – the Njord and the Bestla
Danube Trip: Nuremberg, Germany
Danube Trip: Weltenburg Abbey and Danube Narrows
Danube Trip: Regensburg, Germany
Danube Trip: Passau, Germany
Danube Trip: Wachau Valley and Göttweig Abbey
Danube Trip: Vienna, Austria
Danube Trip: Budapest, Hungary
Danube Trip: Hilton Budapest (Castle District)
Danube Trip: Budapest to Chicago
My return flight left Budapest at 6:30 AM. I had booked this leg of the trip using my Miles & More points, hoping that shortly before I left Budapest, Lufthansa would open up space and I’d be able to fly first class via Frankfurt. But the space never opened up so I had to “settle” for business class. Poor me.
My friend and I shared a taxi to the airport even though she was returning on Turkish Airlines and her flight was nearly three hours later. Sure enough, when we arrived she couldn’t even check her bags as no one was at the Turkish counter that early. So we said our goodbyes and I headed through security to the lounge.
The lounge I was directed to was very small and nearly full. It did have free wi-fi but didn’t even have its own restrooms. It was a contract lounge, not a Lufthansa lounge and while it was better than sitting the terminal and had some free beverages, I was completely under-whelmed.
Eventually though we boarded our flight for the relatively short flight to Frankfurt, which was very uneventful. Like many intra-Europe flights, business class was simply economy with blocked middle seats and nice service. We did get an edible, if unremarkable breakfast. Before long we were in Frankfurt where I was able to enjoy the lounge for a couple of hours.
When I got to the gate, I admit I was surprised. Where was the German efficiency I so appreciate? With Frankfurt being a Lufthansa hub, there are naturally a lot of people with elite status who are not flying in First or Business class. So they hover around, waiting for priority boarding to be called instead of queuing up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen priority boarding be so chaotic, though my experience is not that widespread. At any rate, eventually I boarded through door 1L and found my seat.
LH 430
Frankfurt (FRA) – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Depart 10:40 AM
Arrive 2:10 PM
Duration: 9h 30m
Boeing 747-8
Seat 6D (Business Class)
As I was traveling solo for this leg I selected a seat in the middle section so I wouldn’t have to worry about climbing over anyone or being climbed over. Waiting for me at my seat was a blanket and this pillow. I loved the color scheme.
LH 430 Business Class Seat
2B Traveling 
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