Lufthansa Business Class 747-400 Review – FRA to YYZ Upper Deck

Booking Lufthansa Business Class – Lisbon to Toronto

This was my first time flying Lufthansa Business Class on a journey that started in Lisbon (LIS), connected through Frankfurt (FRA), and continued to Toronto (YYZ). The long-haul segment from FRA to YYZ was operated by the iconic Boeing 747-400, an aircraft type that is increasingly rare and always special to experience. Having previously flown Lufthansa First Class from FRA to IAD, I was curious to see how the airline’s Business Class product compared, particularly on the 747’s upper deck.

Lufthansa 747-8 (via Lufthansa)

The LIS-FRA-YYZ itinerary was booked for 70,000 Aeroplan points plus $112 CAD in taxes and fees, which represented excellent value for a one-way transatlantic Business Class redemption.

Lufthansa Business Class – Lisbon to Frankfurt

The journey began with a very early 5:00 a.m. departure from Lisbon. While the flight itself was comfortable, I would caution travellers against such an early departure time from Lisbon Airport, as amenities are extremely limited during those hours.

One unexpected highlight of the morning was the ride to the airport, an Uber from the Moxy Lisboa Oriente hotel (review), which cost under €4, which was easily the cheapest airport transfer I’ve ever had.

The first segment was a short 2.5-hour flight from Lisbon to Frankfurt on an Airbus A320-200. Boarding was efficient, with passengers transported by bus to the aircraft, a process that took about five minutes.

LH Business Class, intra-Europe

The Business Class seat was a grey leather recliner with generous legroom, and the middle seat was blocked to provide additional personal space. Shortly after takeoff, the crew began breakfast service with a hot towel. Breakfast options included scrambled eggs or pancakes. I chose the scrambled eggs, which were served with tomato salsa, sliced meats and cheeses, and a bowl of muesli with prunes, dried apricots, and dried banana. Coffee, tea, and juices were offered, and before landing, a small chocolate bonbon was distributed.

Coppeneur Chocolate

The four-hour layover in Frankfurt was spent at the redesigned Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, which is well worth visiting and deserving of its own standalone review – coming soon.

Lufthansa Business Class 747-400 from Frankfurt to Toronto

The long-haul segment from Frankfurt Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport was operated by the Boeing 747-400, a true aviation classic. Boarding began on time, and upon entering the aircraft, I was informed that my seat was located upstairs on the upper deck. At the seat, a blue blanket and pillow were already placed, with the amenity kit positioned near the footrest. Within minutes of settling in, I was offered warm nuts and a glass of Taittinger champagne, setting a very positive tone for the flight.

Business Class Seat

I selected seat 81H, a bulkhead aisle seat located at the very front of the upper deck, directly behind the cockpit. I was fortunate on this flight, as the window seat beside me remained empty, allowing unobstructed views during both takeoff and landing.

Lufthansa Business Class 747-400

The seat featured multiple controls on the right-hand side that allowed it to convert into a fully flat bed. The tray table required an initial push before pulling it out, and the same compartment housed the entertainment remote. Noise-cancelling headphones were stored in a dedicated compartment to the right of my knees. A grey footwell was positioned beneath the screen, with an additional storage compartment to the left that contained a bottle of water and the amenity kit. Charging ports were located at the front of the console.

Seat 81H

While the personal storage around the seat was somewhat limited, the dedicated overhead bin for the upper-deck seat provided more than enough room for all my belongings. Once in lie-flat mode, the seat offered ample space to stretch out, and the footwell was wide enough to sleep comfortably. Overall, the seat itself presented no real issues.

Seat Controls

Lufthansa Business Class Headsets

Amenity Kit

The amenity kit included a toothbrush, toothpaste, mint, earplugs, and L’Occitane branded hand cream and lip balm. These items were packaged in a reusable shopping-style bag with the Lufthansa logo.

Lufthansa Business Class Amenity Kit

This was the weakest element of the experience. Compared to the airline’s First Class amenity kits, which are significantly more premium, this kit felt underwhelming for Business Class. The reusable bag lacked the durability and appeal of a leather or faux-leather pouch and felt closer to what might be expected in Economy. For travellers who collect amenity kits, this one ranks at the bottom of my Business Class experiences.

Meals

Both lunch and a light meal before landing were served on this flight. The meal service began with an amuse-bouche of cheese, sundried tomatoes, and olives, paired with a German Riesling.

The appetizer course featured smoked duck breast with grilled celeriac, parsnip, and pecans, served alongside German bread. Alternative options included tuna or a vegetarian dish. A beetroot, celery, and hazelnut salad followed.

Appetizer Course

For the main course, I chose the fried pike perch with butter sauce, potato, and spinach. Beef and vegetarian options were also available. Dessert consisted of a chocolate hazelnut cake with cherry compote, accompanied by a cheese plate, with fresh fruit offered as an alternative.

Main Course

Dessert Course

Lufthansa Business Class Cheese Plate

Before landing, a light dinner was served, consisting of smoked salmon filet with mustard and dill sauce, rice cream, and cucumber salad, with a vegetarian option available. Dessert was a chocolate mousse with yellow fruit compote. As the aircraft began its descent into Toronto, a small box of chocolates was distributed.

Dinner Course

Overall, the meals exceeded expectations in both quality and variety.

Snack cart

Service

Two Business Class crew members attended to the upper-deck cabin, and the level of service was consistently attentive and polished throughout the flight. The experience closely mirrored the level of care I previously received in Lufthansa First Class, which speaks volumes about the crew’s professionalism.

The in-flight entertainment system offered a strong selection of current movies, making it easy to stay entertained over the 7.5-hour flight.

Takeaway

The upper-deck Business Class cabin on the Boeing 747-400 felt reminiscent of Lufthansa First Class, with its spacious ceiling and well-designed layout. The service was outstanding, the food was better than expected, and the seat provided a comfortable and restful experience. Attentive, genuine service from the crew significantly enhanced the overall journey.

The only real drawback was the amenity kit, which fell short of expectations for a Business Class product. Despite this, the overall experience earns a strong 8/10. Redeeming 70,000 Aeroplan points for a one-way Business Class flight from Frankfurt to Toronto represents excellent value. Availability can be challenging, so award availability tools are helpful when searching for Lufthansa Business Class award space.

Safe travels 😊