| Lufthansa | Frankfurt (FRA) → Naples (NAP) | A320-200 | Economy Class | 20/07/2021 | |
| Lufthansa | Naples (NAP) → Frankfurt (FRA) | A320neo | Economy Class | 01/08/2021 | Current review |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt (FRA) → Naples (NAP) | A320-200 | Economy Class | 20/07/2021 | |
| Lufthansa | Naples (NAP) → Frankfurt (FRA) | A320neo | Economy Class | 01/08/2021 | Current review |
Hello everyone!
For this new Flight review, I take you from Naples to Frankfurt on board an Airbus A320neo of the German national airline Lufthansa.
We arrived at Naples-Capodichino International Airport an hour and a half before the scheduled flight time. Once we arrived at the terminal, we went through an initial security check as well as a temperature check. Then, via the Lufthansa app and the airport notice boards, we made our way to the check-in desks for Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian flights.
It was busy this morning. Indeed, we waited almost half an hour, maybe 45 minutes. I think that this wait was due to the verification of tests and vaccinations as well as the verification of entry passes to Germany required by Lufthansa. After the long wait, a lady checked our luggage and gave us our boarding passes.
We now have thirty minutes until the gate closes, time to have breakfast (a croissant so that we don't feel too out of place when we get home).
After this little snack, we headed to the security checkpoint where a "human disinfectant" was disinfecting us.
The gates were very well signposted, and the staff was available.
We arrived at our gate, number 6, where the queue was also very long. Everyone wanted to go home that day. Thanks to Lufthansa's group boarding system, we didn't have to wait very long!
Naples Airport has no jetways, so all boarding and deboarding are done by bus.
So, we arrived at our plane: a beautiful brand new 9-month-old A320-271N. Registered D-AIJC, it was dressed in the new livery and black mask (see photos taken while waiting for the outbound flight). We boarded the aircraft from the front.
A stewardess and the chief purser greeted us with a smile and disinfectant wipes. I got to see the new Lufthansa cabin for the first time, with new, more ergonomic seats. After boarding, we waited for twenty minutes on the tarmac for some reason.
So, I took the opportunity to have a look around the seat.
The new seats have a more modern and sleeker look, still in the Lufthansa grey tones.
Each seat has a tray table, smaller than in the A320ceo. I think the airline has adapted them to their new in-flight service, which I'll describe in more detail later.
There were also two storage compartments on the seat back: one for the menu, the safety instructions, and the bag for people who are ill on the plane, and a second one for our personal belongings. Of course, there was a large overhead compartment for our luggage.
A USB 3.1 port and Type-C (I did my research) were available for all passengers in the row and on the plane.
The legroom, meanwhile, was more than enough for me.
At 7:06 am, 20 minutes late, our plane lines up and takes off from runway 28. This departure is very impressive because immediately after the rotation, the pilot makes a left turn to avoid hitting the mountain in front of the runway. As my last hotel was located on this mountain, I was able to watch this manoeuvre from the inside as well as the outside. We then flew over Naples and its bay to make a second right turn this time, heading north.
And it was a take-off with a view of Vesuvius if you, please!
As on the outbound flight, Lufthansa no longer offers meals on board (I deduce the reason for the smaller tray tables). A bottle of water was distributed to all passengers after take-off.
A bar of chocolate was also distributed to all passengers upon deboarding.
One thing that surprised me was that Wi-Fi was not available on this flight. This seemed strange for a new aircraft, whereas older A320ceo are equipped with it. After asking around, I understood why: the planes are configured in a dense way with a large number of seats, and adding a Satcom to the fuselage at the back of the plane would create problems with weight distribution in the aircraft, and even result in too much weight at take-off. This is a problem faced by many airlines, so few have Wi-Fi on their A320neo/A321neo. However, Lufthansa has been working for two years on a solution that would allow Wi-Fi to be introduced on board in a different way. To be continued...
After flying over the Serenissima and the cloudy Alps, we began our descent into Europe's third-largest airport. The descent was quite turbulent and shaking.
We went through at least three layers of clouds before we saw the German ground.
The landing went very well on runway 25C of the airport.
We then waited for 15 minutes in an airport waiting area to get a parking position, which may seem strange in Covid weather but is reassuring for our pilots and airlines.
On landing, as usual, I asked to visit the cockpit.
The pilots welcomed me with open arms even though the captain was busy preparing for the next flight to Barcelona. The co-pilot was very friendly. I spoke to him almost 10 minutes after the last passenger had left the plane. I also got to sit in his seat and touch the controls for the first time.
So, I got out of the plane with the co-pilot to make sure the gate was still open and went back to my favorite airport: Flughafen Rhein-Main von Frankfurt am Main (yes, you learn German with me).
Everything was well indicated! The luggage carpets, the exit, the connections, etc. With our delay (with good cause if you will), we arrived at the baggage carousels where only our luggage remained. We exited the airport where my father was waiting for us!
If one day you have the opportunity to go through Frankfurt, do not hesitate, I advise!
This flight was, in my opinion, perfect. It met all my expectations and was just like Lufthansa.
The airport staff and the crew were always smiling, and always there when you needed them!
The crew was very friendly and serious. Through the curtain between Economy and Business Class, you could see the purser sitting next to the passengers and having a chat.
Both airports were very clean, and the services were not too much!
In short, a trip as we like.
I was just disappointed by the weather on arrival which contrasted with the beautiful Italian weather! I hope you enjoyed this Flight review, and we'll see you soon for a new review.
Léo :)
