I recently flew with Lufthansa from London to Frankfurt and then on to Singapore. I avoid Lufthansa and Air France through their codeshare partners (United and Delta respectively) for similar problems with seat reservations I have had in the past, going back for many years. How a great airline became terrible in over 2 years.. LH is really the worst and I say this as a Miles and More Senator who is forced to fly both them and Austrian bc of their dominance in Central Europe. If they apply this to SEN, I will try hard to avoid LH wherever possible. SO ! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-81445496', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Airline and not on Lufthansa planes. Lufthansa seat selection - Air Travel Forum - Tripadvisor His background in political science and economics gives him unique insight into issues surrounding international travel and governmental regulations. Please note that the choice is limited under these conditions. You can also book a hotel or a rental car directly, or even take out travel insurance. Up until now, it has been possible to select a seat at the time of check-in when booking an Economy Light fare, from all remaining unoccupied economy seats. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. Authenticate using your booking code or ticket number (E.g. I am posting this out of frustration and to give others a heads up about booking this codeshare. If you buy a fare that won't allow you to select something in advance, then this of course means a much higher probability of a middle seat if the flight is quite busy. Apparently , without his patronage, the airline would be bankrupt and never be able to fly again. But that's not what is happening here. Seat changes may be made due to operational reasons of the airline. Well, if they want to follow the American model, I might just as well fly an American or whatever airline is cheapest. the United website and the Lufthansa website. Well with the substandard business class, increasingly frugal catering and poor service, soon passengers may decide to avoid Lufthansa itself. I had to check in, pick seats, and make amendments on two of the airlines with no problem. Theyve been getting meaner and meaner and meaner with basically everything. Confirmed reservation (no waiting list bookings) An already issued ticket; Flights operated by Lufthansa (Lufthansa flight number) Upgrades via lufthansa.com are only possible for all passengers travelling under one booking. Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Lufthansas Boeing 787 Business Class: Exactly As Expected. While Lufthansa uses the phrase "of course" while explaining the policy, the real reason behind the policy is obviously to boost revenues. As most Airlines around the globe have been charging this fee for a long time, I fully understand. You can pick seats by calling them at 800-645-3880. Seat reservation for Lufthansa flight booked on United (Can't remember whether I used my Lufthansa account or not.) You can then book or change your place here. This is the number that you can use to make a reservation with Lufthansa. My issue is this: Lufthansa HON Circle Members and Senators can reserve their seats in advance free of charge irrespective of their travel class. They have no noticeable disadvantages, even though they aren't ensuite. LH is also the preferred airline to fly in to and out of TEL AVIV by (Israeli) religious Jews. airlines - Seat selection when using online booking sites - Travel CarolGreat story. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-81445337', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airlines, via Brussels, inbound with LH via Frankfurt, only leg possible for seat reservations is Frankfurt > BHX, any reason why were unable to book seat selection for all legs? Last night, I noticed that my seats are missing again! I had been a loyal Lufthansa customer (even paying more to fly with them) until they some "genius" decided it was time to follow the "American model". Once you have the PNR for the operating airline (which you can get from the airline you booked through) you should be able to go to the operating airlines website, enter it, and pick your seats assuming your fare class allows it. Lufthansa: This is the worst airline booking experience ever - See 39,264 traveler reviews, 7,915 candid photos, and great deals for Lufthansa, at Tripadvisor. Please contact Lufthansa as soon as possible after your flight for any reimbursements. 4. Some People scream racism when they are not following instructions or rules. Lufthansa Miles & More Program Changes 2024, German Politicians No Longer Get Free Lufthansa Elite Status, Qatar Airways Wants To Buy Lufthansa Stake (But Probably Wont), Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners, Do include a carry-on, the standard food & beverage offerings in economy, and the ability to earn miles and status credits, Dont include seat assignments in advance or refunds; for a fee you can book advance seat assignments and get a checked bag. Meanwhile, on the Lufthansa, the ability to choose seats suddenly disappeared. Bear in mind that they are dealing with a high volume of requests and so cannot process refunds within the usual time limits. Free seat selection upon checkin for all passengers, free drinks and snacks on KLM/Air France and a free suitcase for Elites on all fares starting from Flyingblue Silver. Online seat selection is free of charge from 23 hours before your flight departure. Probably cannot pick seats because you are flying on Brussels (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Lufthansa Gets Punitive With Economy Light Seat Assignments. You are fluent in the German or English language. Multiple seat changes are permitted on the same leg of the trip. Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences! At least with the ULCCs, you can select a front row/exit row for 20, or other good seats for 5-12. #flyingwhilejewish. Thank you all for your replies. In the past when I have had the misfortune to fly Lufthansa in economy, I have been able to pay the seat fees in Euros by calling in. But very sorry to say my experience vey recently on my travel from Dallas to Mumbai via Frankfurt had been very pathetic. I don't know What happens if you can't produce an entry stamp? A refund for this reason is not possible. On austrian.com, brusselsairlines.com and lufthansa.com a seat reservation is only possible after the PNR has been created, not during the initial flight booking. The outbound flight featured such outrageously bad service and manners that I thought I was in an SNL skit about Nazi flight attendants. Lufthansa, leading the race to the bottom since becoming a "5-star" airline. For the time being I cant totally avoid LH or OS but I am starting to consider other options, even if it means a connection or inter-European flights. Book your preferred seat when booking your flight. You make changes to your journey but on your new flights, equivalent seats are no longer available, advance seat reservations on your new flights are free of charge, or these flights are not operated by Lufthansa, Lufthansa Regional or Austrian Airlines. A month before my flight I called to get the best seats I could with $150 in upgrade seating for two. A client support delegate will be glad to help you. Yes. 20% of the group can be cancelled free of charge up to . Lufthansa adds $35 seat amendment fee. Lack of transparency, kind of blackmailing. Lufthansa has lost its good reputation as it used to be. Fares that include a large carry-on usually come with some kind of a decent seat included, plus "priority" boarding. How and when can I reserve my preferred seat? Place your seat on hold and relax, we will inform you well in advance of the date of expiry of your 'on-hold' booking. And add to that the Ticket Service Charge of about 25 EUR LH is now adding for ticket purchases in their own website!!!!! LH have been going downhill ever since they got that 5* rating from Skytrax for their renderings of business class seats which dont exist, and then upped the pace of downhill acceleration after the latest government/public-funded bailout. An advance seat reservation only applies per flight segment. Others too. On neither leg did we have the seats I originally selected. They have adopted so much of cost cutting measures which reflects in their service quality, type of meals, cleanliness and upkeep of aircrafts, unfriendly Lufthansa has lost its good reputation as it used to be. So it doesn't affect your scenario at all. If you would like to change this seat, an amendment fee starting from EUR 25/CHF 35/USD 35 will be charged with effect from 21.6.2022. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. You check in for a flight operated by Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian Airlines. Oh, I would go as far as to say Lufthansa has fallen behind Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizzair on European flights. Have connected through MUC a few times from non -Schengen countries and no issues at all. I already hated this change. Our main flght attendant was funny ,seemed to enjoy his work and was professional. Lufthansa seat reservations are not possible on this flight All seats will convert into a bed that measures at least two metres long, which is great news for taller passengers. However, the dynamic changes in medium- or long-haul flights, where the importance of padded seats and hot meals is much more. Its funny that they chose seating, something that doesnt cost them a cent to allow you to choose from. If a flight itinerary is changed by Lufthansa, e.g. Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets & Airfare Deals | KAYAK (Easier said than done, my home airports are FRA and DUS.). You change your seat, but the new seat is cheaper or free of charge. Posted by MA Traveler (S.F Bay Area (Marin)) on 02/17/23 01:16 PM. In Economy Class, Lufthansa offers you the option of reserving a seat with extra legroom on almost all types of aircraft. I travel standby so always get last minute seat assignments after every paying passengers gets a crack at it (now including these Economy Lite passengers), and their automated system is set up to assign the BEST AVAILABLE seat at the time the actual seat assignment is given. Book your flights with Yatra.com and hold your seat for free. With the old policy, you could select any empty standard economy seat 24 hours before departure, when check-in opens. See more about our ethics policies here. Alternatively, you may use, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. This is not an ex-Philippine A350 and therefore has a 293-seat layout. In addition, you can enter passport and visa information, and enter details for the Secure Flight program. I haven't booked these yet, but I need to book flights from SFO -> Frankfurt -> Nairobi -> SFO. I think we will go back to our pre covid routine. When does the Skytrax rating get updated? Using your booking code you have access to all your flights. Never again. I will NOT be flying with you again. Sorry, it was such a hassle for you. If I book it all on United.com I get a really reasonable price, and can upgrade to economy plus for minimal $$$ on the United flight and cannot get seat assignments on the remaining flights. a change of aircraft type resulting in no equivalent seat being available on the new flight. seat 3A). Generally the 3 flights/day on the FRA-TLV routes are full. With other food airlines to choose from we will now avoid this airline. I tell him no, I dont think so, I've travelled for 50 years and this is not normal. Without the warning it took 1.5 hrs. You can book your preferred seat at the same time as the ticket purchase up to a year before departure, or at a later date up to 48 hours before departure at My . I guess those passengers either don't care or they don't feel the same about LH being racists :), But can you still get a kosher meal on request?! Lufthansa airline completely ignored all the information presented to them. The seat is reserved at least 52 hours before departure. aisle seat, window seat, seat with more legroom). Economy Light is Lufthansas version of the basic economy fares that we have with the major legacy carriers in the United States. The hopeful in me is praying that they oversold. Lufthansa Airlines1(844) 822-0538Ticket Reservation Number Normally fly delta or klm. I find it difficult to find this earth shattering news when you consider what British Airlines is doing for Business Class. https://www.lufthansa.com/de/de/Sitzplatzreservierung. Guests will have control of a heating/cooling system for the nearly one-meter-wide seats and access to wireless charging stations, full suite-width screens, shoulder sink-ins, and personal wardrobes. I wonder how much they paid to get this 5-star Skytraxx rating, which, quite frankly, has become a complete joke in the industry. As Lufthansa described this option up until now: Of course, all the remaining seats can still be selected free of charge once check-in for the relevant flight begins, usually from 23 hours before departure. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. I sat out strike day when all flights were cancelled. As Well of course Lufthansa is simply trying to get people to avoid buying the economy light fares and trade up. As I recall it worked out OK, I got an aisle seat and sat with my wife, but it was not in our originally assigned seats, but for the stress it caused us that was the last time I flew Delta to Europe, and I decided to never book directly with Air France, either. It is not possible to pre-select seats but in the past I have emailed Lufthansa and they have recorded a seat preference with my booking. For Friday, 17 February, the German union ver.di has called for a one-day strike at various airports in Germany. Book a flight and redeem miles | Miles & More Its funny that they chose seating, something that doesnt cost them a cent to allow you to choose from. Answered: So I just upgraded my flight with British airways from London to South Africa that leaves in 3 days and there is no seat available to select. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. I produced a letter signed by my doctor stating that I had breathing difficulties (COPD) and that I was exempt from wearing a mask. I produced a letter signed by my doctor stating that I had breathing difficulties (COPD) and that I was exempt from wearing a mask. Lufthansa also need to recognise the fact that some people have breathing difficulties. There are no operational reasons that would prevent a seat change. Most German I know prefer to fly Easyjet. Most people booking a Lite fare are short haul travellers, who wouldnt really mind a middle seat for an hour or two. Luft was my go to European airline but teutonic idiocy is obvious here. C) Why are you agents playing some ridiculous game of ping pong with sending customers back and forth to different gates ? In past i have travelled by Lufthansa many times when it was considered one of the best carriers. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-81445932', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airlines involved. Of course, you can choose the remaining seats free of charge as soon as check-in for the respective flight begins - usually 23 hours before departure. They position LH as premium, yet create these ridiculous light fares. When people book half a year before their cheap ass ticket and want to block all good seats for free. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. 6 years ago. Adios Lufthansa. Lufthansa is much more restrictive than United is when it comes to seat reservations in the economy cabin. From pampering, courteous airlines to extorting from paying pax, seen all in 7 decades. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. - I am looking into LH1153 on July 17th (748 PMI-FRA) and for C class, website says " Seat reservations are not possible on this flight." Is that a sign of overbooking? I also found out United and LOT dont talk to each other well.. Last fall I booked round trip SFO to Frankfurt via Lufthansa website, but was flying on United there and Air Canada returning. So, heads up. seat 3A). You have booked anEconomy Light fare on a continental flight. I had extra time so I waited for them to open. I've been flying with LH since 1982 and they have progressively become worse and worse. While people who decide short notice and pay way more have to sit on the leftover seats.I dont think so. True for all US to EU flights as well. Seat reservations after booking You can still reserve a seat even after you have booked your flight. Now, it is deteriorating in on line services and booking flights. Please note that passengers who have purchased an Economy Light fare on a continental route and have not made an advance seat reservation that is subject to a fee before checking in cannot change the seat offered to them at check-in without payment of a fee. Lufthansa seat reservations are not possible on this flight 7. Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels, LOT and Other Partners | Miles & More - LH seat reservation not possible. If you only want to purchase upgrades for some of the passengers travelling under one booking, please contact our Service Center. not inclined to argue with the German police as a foreigner! Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines. United/Lufthansa code share--can't reserve seats until departure Starting June 21st, the German carrier will charge a 25/$35 fee for anyone looking to change their seats in Economy Light. Lufthansa has been worse than Ryanair for a while already. As of June 1, 2022, Lufthansa will assign economy seats at the time of check-in when traveling on Economy Light fares. Our mileage bargains also offer you particularly attractive deals to selected destinations worldwide. Lufthansa,,, you need to get a grip and listen to what your customers are saying to you. If the fare code allows seat selection, either included or with a fee, then yes, 90% of the time, you can use the Reservation Number/Record Locator to look up the reservation on the airline's web site and also add it to you profile. She handed me my boarding pass with a smile and I looked down and didnt say anything but I wasnt business class. Now the system will automatically assign you a (probably middle) seat, and if you want to change it, youll have to pay. They have adopted so much of cost cutting measures which reflects in their service quality, type of meals, cleanliness and upkeep of aircrafts, unfriendly crew behaviour etc. You are willing to provide assistance in the unlikely event of an emergency. Payment flexibility Book now, pay later. I flew three airlines in my trip to Greece from California. They are operating in a very low level that is a significant liability to the Star Alliance. Help with Scoot booking 5:28 pm. Also bought my choice of seats. Well with the substandard business class, increasingly frugal catering and poor service, soon passengers may decide to avoid Lufthansa itself. I couldnt of course. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. I hope Im never forced to need that airline again. For Friday, 17 February, the German union ver.di has called for a one-day strike at various airports in Germany. I picked our seats and were given our boarding passes the next day at the airport. Notably, while Lufthansa has adopted the tactics of its competitors, the fees are drastically higher. Telephone our Service Center and book the seat of your choice on +43 5 1766 1000, Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 20:00. You can see the exact position of the seats on the seat maps. Lufthansa is no longer 5-Star airline!!! The economy class passengers are the worst affected. Hard to believe that. Almost all seats on the Lufthansa fleet have moveable armrests which make access to . Well, of course everyones favorite five-star European airline has a new policy: The Economy Light fare on European routes does not include any free advance seat reservations. United in Pdx did a fabulous job of getting my bags to Pdx and sending the over 80 miles to my house. But we were still in Premium Economy and had seats, so it wasn't really a problem. These agents are responding to their changing my PAID Seat assignments in front of the airplane by GAS LIGHTING ME back and forth between gates, seeing if I get tired waiting in multiple lines and will just take any seat. My bags were stuck in Frankfurt. But very sorry to say my experience vey recently on my travel from Dallas to Mumbai via Frankfurt had been very pathetic. Thanks Lufthansa. Never again! Won't respond to my refund requestwill have to do a chargeback now. Aegean also does this (though I was assigned window or aisle seats on all three flights I took with them back in March; I do have Star Gold with United though).