Flying Lufthansa's A340-600 Economy Class - an honest review.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Visit highlandtitles.com and use my discount code TRAVEL25 to get a 25% discount on your purchase! Welcome aboard the rare Lufthansa Airbus A340-600, which I flew from Chicago to Frankfurt. This is an economy class review and what's more, the video includes a good look at the unique downstairs toilet on the A340-600. Not many of these about any more, so sit back and enjoy the video! Follow me on Twitter: @paul_winginit ¦ twitter.com/paul_winginit Follow me on Instagram/Threads: paul_winginit ¦ instagram.com/paul_winginit Merch store: wingin-it.teemill.com/collection/all-products/ I made a Bright Trip guide: www.brighttrip.com/europebytrain

[@e-trips]

I flew the A340-600 from Munich to Cape Town in January 2020. Amazing flight, had no idea about the toilets. Still to this day one of the biggest surprises I’ve encountered on a flight!

[@johnlastactor]

Goes for Dunkin' instead of back to the lounge. That's a man who travels a lot and doesn't need to worry about getting his 'worth' out of a lounge.

[@hockey1freak]

Also they dont always let you back in.

[@GWJUK]

@@hockey1freakwhich ones do that? Not happened to me yet.

[@HabaneroTi]

The desert selection was rather paltry, both lemon-based which can be a bit much.

[@johnlastactor]

@@hockey1freak I've always been let back in. Though guess it depends on whether it's a 3rd party lounge and how busy the lounge is.

[@Paul_Lucas]

@@hockey1freakyes they do!

[@bburkie55]

I think the Airbus a340-600 is a work of art that flies.

[@sarahfrith1984]

It’s a big old bird isn’t it, that takeoff roll seemed long!

[@paulsz6194]

I flew the A340-600 in 2016 from FRA to BKK. I think Qatar's last A340- 500 or -600 flew from DOH-BKK in 2019 , before being retired.

[@sebastianfloyd372]

@@sarahfrith1984my grandparents have been on a Lufthansa A340-600 from Toronto to Frankfurt

[@squaddingquads]

They always are, it's like the most relaxed, laid back rolls ​@@sarahfrith1984

[@jonnya245]

"piss dungeon" 🤣🤣😂🤣

[@ra5891]

And he said it with a straight face. Something a out the Brits. They can insult you and you feel like that was not so bad

[@calebcuthbert2420]

Was just about to comment this too. Best thing paul has said... ever

[@77smp]

My first ever flight was on an Airbus A340-300. It was brand new when I flew from London to JFK back in February '94. Got upgraded twice to fly Upper Class, not bad at 16!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Wow - jealous!

[@77smp]

@@Paul_Lucas Yes but I didn't appreciate it at the time. I was 16 and my first flight! It's been the harsh reality since then 😅

[@AnetaMihaylova-d6f]

​@@77smpwhat's the harsh reality ?

[@77smp]

@@AnetaMihaylova-d6f Ryanair...

[@AnetaMihaylova-d6f]

@@77smp or Boeing

[@DownieLive]

Gotta love the downstairs toilets! What a treat. Thanks for bringing us along, Paul!

[@cageordie]

It also has a pilot's rest area underneath the cockpit. One of my friends worked on flight planning software for Lufthansa, 20 is years ago, and used to fly to SFO after work on Friday to visit his girlfriend. Every week. One week the A346 was full, but he had cockpit access because his job involved chatting with pilots while in flight. So he got stuck in the crew rest area and slept for the entire 11 ish hours. I have always envied him that flight. United sucks. I have never flown on either, so I'd take the A346 because it is fading out, and then try the A359 another time.

[@meerkat1219]

I'm here because I was looking at Flightradar24 and saw a very long plane....which turned out to be an A340 so I wanted to check out the interior. Thank you, Paul, for a very informative video. I'm delighted to hear that you like visiting Chicago. I've lived here nearly all my life and I love it. Thanks for all your work making good video content for us!

[@severinjohn]

No individually adjustable air vents at the seats, but provided in the downstairs loo. I love it!

[@ScottLevick-n6p]

I think you mean piss dungeon lol😂

[@Simonfd777]

Airtours/Mytravel who became Thomas cook in U.K. had downstairs toilets like these fitted on their A330s back in early 2000s when delivered also.

[@happilyham6769]

Can confirm. I knew I had gone down stairs to go to the bathroom on an old AirBus before, but I've never been on an A340.

[@EthanPricco]

I haven’t flown on the A340, but earlier this year I flew Lufthansa in economy on the A350 from Munich to Chicago and it was probably the best long haul flight I’ve been on. I was very impressed with them. The seat was comfy, the crew were nice and the meals were pretty good.

[@davidmay1080]

I flew on a Lufthansa A340-600 from EWR to MUC a few years ago, the extra headroom in the downstairs toilets were a godsend for someone tall like me.

[@JP-oe4ry]

Normal people don't know the frigging airport codes. Just write the city

[@peterseaman9059]

@@JP-oe4ry Learn your airport codes! It's fun.

[@Jeffh737]

​@@JP-oe4ryI'm certain 99% of people watching this video aren't "normal people". Why go through the extra effort writing the city when most people here know them. And like Peter said, learn the codes! They are indeed fun. Especially when you find an ironic flight number- like Finnair's former AY666 to HEL!

[@gribbo78]

The word fun isn't one I would associate with airport codes !

[@hismajestysmen]

The 340-600 is still the most beautiful plane in the sky.

[@JW-mx3qg]

So funny to see the Flight attendant looking at you coming in the plane touching the fuselage skin 🤣 he was like, what are you doing here?!

[@BonniesMoToRanch]

As always a great video Paul! I always like your choice of music and style of presentation, it's really relaxing compared to others. The crew Rest is actually used on all flights, it very rarely happens that there isn't enough time for at least a half hour nap. On a 7 hour flight you'll get about an hour of rest time down there actually. Also, the galley for Economy used to be down where the bathrooms are now, this has been changed a few years ago. The -600 wasn't a popular aircraft to work on before this change. I only worked 2 flights on the -600 but I really enjoyed it, awesome aircraft!

[@jeadie2273]

I’ll be on this exact flight exactly a week from now. Looking forward to it and glad we don’t need to go to the international terminal at ohare for our connection. Great video. Good timing. 😂

[@williamthawley9251]

I can remember when you hit 100,000 subscribers and were going to switch to full time. your channel is still good and interesting, thanks

[@patriciafuchs5970]

I found this fascinating. Have always enjoyed your reviews.

[@paulineparsons9399]

You are a great blogger.....thankyou for your service..and thankyou for everything x

[@TigerOwO]

2-4-2 seats means every single row there's 1 seat less than 777(3-3-3 config), which means extra width per seat. When comes to increase capacity, airbus chose to stretch the aircraft, Boeing chose to squeeze one more person per row and sacrifice passenger comfort.

[@michaelthomad4376]

Thomas Cook Airlines used to have a longhaul aircraft with downstairs toilets! That was a really comfortable aircraft

[@bounded]

That’s where the crew rest module is on airlines that use the a340-600 for long haul. Spent many sleeps down there on a PVG, NRT, CPT, HKG, LAX, JNB, SYD trips as crew. Had to double check door was locked as passengers would attempt to open the door thinking it was a toilet.

[@tomcarr1358]

Good to have you back in the saddle at 34,000 ft.Objective and rational and appreciative of the plus points.

[@pandersonnike]

The United Lounge you went into used to be very big, but about 2/3s of the original space is now with the first-class lounge. I'm a little nostalgia for the old lounge since it had amazing views of the tarmac and planes coming and going. Now the main/larger regular lounge faces towards the Hilton and the road, so you don't get to see much anymore. (FYI, the United Lounge you were in are restricted for only Club Holders or Gold Members. Therefore, one time passes or credit card people are pushed to the main lounge.)

[@fromagebaton]

that piss dungeon saved my life a few years ago on a Munich-Charlotte flight. I was seated right behind the bulkhead and ALL of the bassinets (plugged into the bulkhead) were used by multiple screaming children. I discovered the bathroom and decided that it was much better to stand for hours rather than be serenaded in my seat. I've avoided bulkhead seats on long flights ever since

[@whatever8282828]

You know what? Taking a midnight snack donut on a long trip is more clever than I ever have done! The next time I do it I will think about you!

[@SamSaaS-uv5ik]

this is probably my favorite channel on KZbin. Love the comment about other KZbinrs

[@111Swissair]

I actually flew on an Airbus A340-500 many years ago from Bangkok to LAX and that was a lot of fun.

[@egpx]

Had the pleasure of flying in an aircraft with a ‘piss dungeon’ in 2019. It was a Thomas Cook A330 which, despite the space it saved being used to cram in more passengers, gave me a surprisingly decent flight from Manchester to Antigua and back. Sadly Thomas Cook went bust later that year and the same aircraft I’d flown in was scrapped the following year. I enjoyed your trip report Paul, nice to see you sampling steerage for a change!

[@johng1943]

Thomas Cook’s long haul fleet out of Manchester was surprisingly good. Did Manchester to Toronto on their 757s (which were configured in an all Premium Economy set up, but with no IFE at all) and it was possibly the best transatlantic flight I’ve ever taken.

[@johng1943]

Never heard of an onboard upgrade, are there any bargains doing it that way or is it just the same as upgrading pre flight?

[@egpx]

@@johng1943 I did that 757 trip too, only out of Glasgow. They were specially chartered by specialist travel agent Canadian Affair and the seat pitch was incredibly good. I think it ended when Canadian Affair was absorbed into the Air Transat group which was a shame.

[@johng1943]

@ They had really good fares too, we went to Toronto on the A330s too. Our last Thomas Cook flight we took was to Tenerife shortly before they went bust, the were good quality for a charter line.

[@egpx]

@@johng1943 I was less enamoured with Transat when I went with them to Vancouver but that was 20 years ago and I believe they refurbished their cabins a few years later. They now operate A321s across the pond and I would quite like to try them again.

[@deuter458624]

It’s so surreal how fast this year has flown by. 🤯 year end is swiftly approaching 😦

[@mrmullett1067]

Fascinating aircraft .. loved the down under dunny .. what a great idea!

[@scottyerkes1867]

Those downstairs toilets are really unique. The economy seat and meal were good. Thanks Paul.👍👍😀👌

[@stiffmysteruk88]

Great to see these aircraft still flying..my first flight to new York was on a virgin a340 many years ago

[@tammypearson4500]

Thank you for showing your takeoff! Looks like a great way to travel from the US to Frankfurt!

[@peterseaman9059]

Thanks for the great video - esp for showing economy class. I've gotta get a ride on the A340 before they retire this plane!

[@karlstriepe8050]

Flew that service from LA to Budapest 8 years ago! They really packed us in! But the downstairs toliets always had an open stall, so small mercies!

[@magnustan841]

Perfect timing as LH has just revealed it might be gone for good next year! Luckily I have a flight booked for next month and I can’t wait to descend into the depths of hell to go to the loo!

[@Mergatroid]

Love the A340-600! I was lucky to fly on one in 2018 or 2019 and experience the downstairs bathrooms. Such a fun and unique plane! I don’t think we’ll ever see anything like it again (for fairly obvious reasons). Love to see that they’re still flying! And even on the same route I took it on before (ORD - FRA). Definitely a novelty even if it’s old.

[@flyingdentist]

Lovely report Paul.I have flown on one of these Lufthansa birds a few years ago from Munich to Sao Paulo and was great although a bit outdated compared to newer planes.The downstairs toilet was pretty peculiar indeed

[@chat4783]

Been on it from South Korea to Frankfurt. It is an honour to fly such a rare gem.

[@asmelashpost5670]

I always love flying Lufthansa!!

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

A340-600 Is One Off My Favorite Air Craft.Great Video And Info

[@wotan10950]

Yes, I remember those downstairs lavs well. I couldn’t decide whether to sit or stand when flushing, so I stood. Good thing too, because that suction would’ve taken some important equipment. Then I cut my hand badly on a plastic-something going back upstairs. It wasn’t my favorite flight. Since it was Lufthansa, I was happy to get back on the 747 during the transfer at Frankfurt.

[@chrisazzaline7361]

Flew the A340 on the return from Munich to ORD in 2014. Was a great experience.

[@JP-oe4ry]

What I remember was the complementary germany beer in lovely glass bottles. Nice to see an airline hold values and traditions over 'environment footprint' and economics!

[@BarkingLondon]

Good vid, good too see the full longggg take off roll in full. A340-600 what an airliner.👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@studioxxswe]

Such a perfect 18 minutes, really great editing there Paul :) cheers. FYI: Not sure you've done a vid about it: traveling on an LH A380 also have some interesting uniqueness in the loo department

[@maximusate8951]

I flew on the A346 FRA-HKG this summer and had the same findings as you: beautiful plane with quirks, comfortable (although old) seats, pretty good food, good ife and service as well - even managed to get a cockpit visit at the end of the flight! Trip was very memorable as my first leg was YYZ-FRA on the 744 so I managed to get 2 quadjets in one trip before their imminent retirement! I will say that while Europeans seem to love hating on BA, AF, KL, LH etc they are still a cut above the North American airlines. My return was on a 10 year old AC 77W and the IFE especially felt even older than the two 20+ year old quajets, with bad food and a lengthy delay as well.

[@KarenAllison-b2i]

Well that’s a new one on me ‘piss dungeon’ 😂

[@d_revatron]

I live in Kirkwall which is situated in the Orkney Islands. LH’s A346 had been on my bucket list just for the downstairs loo! A couple of years ago I flew to MUC to position for the MUC-BOS flight operated by the 346. I work for an airline and am lucky enough to get non-rev privileges on many airlines including LH. When I stepped on board I got chatting to the crew as to where I was from and why I’d flown all the way to MUC for a flight to BOS. When I explained that I was an aviation nerd and came all this way just to be able to use a downstairs toilet on a passenger flight they thought I was crazy! The purser, a fellow aviation nerd, eventually found out why I was flying with them that day and offered me an upgrade (the sweets and chocolates also probably helped) and that was my first ever experience of business class. We had a great chat about different aircraft he’d flown, which ones were his favourite etc. A lovely chap. Half way through the flight I needed to use the toilets so headed to the back. I was stopped in the galley by the J crew asking what I needed? More wine? Snacks? When I told them I just wanted to use the downstairs toilet in Y they all just laughed. It was a great flight and one of my best aviation experiences. I also massively lucked out with the weather in Boston with it being 25c and clear blue skies the 3 days I was there.

[@tynovel]

It’s rare to see Lord Lucas fly on economy, but I enjoyed the review! Merry Christmas

[@cpritchett2098]

Thank you Paul for an entertaining and accurate review. Have taken Lufthansa's A340 from Newark to Frankfurt many times economy and business. Not the best but not the worst.

[@gabrielstevens3884]

Flew on the A340-600 from Madrid to London Heathrow back in 2018. I believe they still use long haul aircraft on 2 flights a day on that route.

[@alfrredd]

Yes but not using the A340 sadly.

[@gabrielstevens3884]

@alfrredd unfortunately iberia retired their fleet of a340s along with most airlines.

[@Calebs_Aviation]

What a great video Paul really enjoyed this one! I was supposed to fly this route last Christmas on Lufthansa’s B747-8 from ORD-FRA in Biz but due to requiring and now receiving a HEART TRANSPLANT 🫀 I put the flight off until this year when I was medically cleared to take my trip to Germany 🇩🇪 HOWEVER as cool as an A340 is I’d still prefer to fly on the more well known B747 as I’ll now be taking that aircraft in Lufthansa’s Upstairs Business Class from IAD-FRA on the B747-400. Still what a cool review as I rarely see you fly Economy for one thing and I really enjoyed this video! I’d also rather take the A350-900 at 3:11 over ANY A340 as it’s quieter, more environmentally conscious and more comfortable than the A340 especially if I was stuck in Economy and the LH A350 is on my bucket list. Additionally I enjoyed the music choice at 12:55 from the last time you flew American Airlines out of Chicago O’Hare to Miami I believe on the 777-200ER in their wired forward-backward Biz class… Correct me if I am wrong there. 😂 Cheers 🥂 mate! Caleb’s Aviation

[@charlesmoss8119]

I'm so lucky to see randomly painted 600s regularly - yep Hurn (Bournemouth if you must) has become a strange bastion of 600 operations and I truly think these are the most elegant airliner ever built!

[@acfbrown1]

I haven't been on the A340-600. I've been on the A340-300 with SWISS though in Business/First. I haven't flown long haul with Lufthansa but I'm flying back from Mumbai to Manchester via Munich in Business in January on the A350 which will be my first time on an A350.

[@peterfinn6098]

My favourite aircraft. The downstairs toilets were first customised for Airtours International, based out of Manchester, in the late 90s on their A330-200s. Those planes went to Thomas Cook eventually after JMC. I totally agree a out the lounges in the states, they are so bad and even expect tips at the bar when asking for your free drink voucher lol.

[@IsoscelesKramer]

I've flown the -600 many times between LAX and MUC. I appreciate it in all the same ways as you, also I can say that the Premium Economy is worth it just for the legroom! ☺

[@TravelSoGood]

I've never seen those loos before! So unusual but I love that they're bigger than usual as a result

[@kgaoletsaDNA0]

i loveeeeed this plane so much, especially the downstair Toilette

[@jf6395]

great takeoff shot

[@jeffreysmith5018]

Very cool. I missed those underground toilets on Swiss’s A340-300’s 😢

[@gmugrumbach]

I've sat in that exact seat! As a tall person, it was quite miserable for an overnight. As a Av-geek, it was a lot of fun :) Be sad when these -600's finally retire.

[@kazzicup]

Nice video, Paul. I too love Boston cream donuts. 🍩🍩🍩

[@counterfit5]

Do you also pair them with orange juice?

[@iPlayOnSpica]

It's not just about opening up space for a bigger galley, but also eliminating the rows of seats right in front of and/or behind the lavatories, which are highly undesirable to be seated in.

[@ph89787]

I flew Virgin Atlantic’s A340-600s between Sydney and Hong Kong in 2007 and again in 2009 up to London.

[@david57238]

Hi Paul, I also flew on the same airbus that you flew on and I flew from Munich airport to San Francisco on 340-800 the seeds were not so comfortable after a couple hours I had to stand up. I was in the aisle seat, but it was wonderful. The seats were new and I would say we should’ve upgraded.

[@TarrelScot]

I used to fly from LHR to Johannesburg regularly on one of these with SAA in Economy. I always tried to pick this flight rather than the alternative one on an A330. 34" leg-room, only two seats between window and aisle and whisper-quiet. Best long-haul economy experience I've had.

[@rohithamruthur]

4:05 correction - almost all international arrivals at ORD are T5 (not T3), that's the only terminal with CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) facilities. The only international arrivals that don't arrive at T5 are those that come from airports with US Preclearance such as Toronto-Pearson, Montreal, Dublin, etc. Many international airlines leave from T5 as well, but certain partners of Star Alliance (e.g. Lufthansa and ANA) or oneworld (e.g. JAL) leave from Terminals 1-3 along with United and AA.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Fantastic review Paul!😸

[@jameshealey6535]

If I remember correctly (fat chance) Monarch and/or Airtours used these Airbus A340-600 on flights to Goa

[@susanhobbins3744]

As a viewer I am not use to seeing you fly economy. Great video.Can't wait for the next video

[@ishtiaq2000]

Great Presentation. & good you shared Price, as without price it is an advertisement not a review. Looks like it is run of the mill quality and amenities. For food, if you paid little than lucky to get anything. Its a good idea to have gally downstairs specially on widebody long hauls; prevents noise, smell & unruly folks going in & out all the time.

[@danielschwarz6432]

Flew four times with Qatar Airways on the A340-600. What an amazing aircraft!Flew on LH longhaul from YYZ to FRA in economy on the 747 ten days ago. Very good service and very decent food.

[@jellothewhale425]

I lost it when you said "piss dungeon". Looks like a very solid flight.

[@kieronsmith002]

That's good Lufthansa A340 got a downstairs toilets and that flight doesn't look that busy. 8 hour flight from Chicago to Frankfurt and the price is not bad. About 2am every other night sometimes I do see Emirates A380 flying over Gorleston on flight radar 24 from US to Dubai. That's is a brilliant video Paul 🙂👍

[@112patte]

I was on a Thomas Cook A330 from Helsinki to Phuket, it had toilets downstairs too. Think it was 2015 or 2016, remember that there was 6 A330's fitted with that.

[@fraserhamilton8149]

The old MyTravel A330 had a downstairs toilet like this. Sure they transferred across into Thomas Cook afterwards, always remember flying on it to Cancun.

[@harshilpatel684]

Im surprised a project sunrise type project hasnt considered the idea of beds below deck, given limited cargo weight capacity, surely economy seats with the option of buying snug crew rest bunks for parts of the flight would work very well!

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + video!

[@ricardosam8050]

Awesome I will try and fly with Lufthansa next year to fort Launderdale , down stairs 😊😊😊😊😊😊 lov3 lov3 it. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@ivar_oslo-hr3mc]

I had downstairs toilet on a charterflight some time in the 90s. Can't remember any detsils, I wasnt very interested in planes at that time. But it was from Oslo to some place in south Europe.

[@susanhobbins3744]

That has to be a weird feeling going to the potty above the clouds.😂

[@shibainuinu]

Flew on an A330-200 of Thomas Cook which also had downstair toilets, a few months before the airline went bust. Think it was G-MDBD

[@cajmo8635]

I've literally just booked to fly Chicago to Frankfurt (to Dublin) on the A340 in Feburary to catch the plane! With the outbound via Toronto on a 747-400

[@Paul_Lucas]

Wow, enjoy the 747! Great choice 😎

[@martymcfly256]

As soon as you opened the toilet door, I thought it looked spacious, on par with 777 business class toilets. So much better than toilets on many new aircraft, where they are so narrow, you basically need to pull your pants down in the aisle and back in.

[@MrJazml4]

Would be nice to see both flights in one video sometime even if uneventful.

[@19markus61]

I have been flying these Airbus 340 several times, two features I really liked: 1. Only 2 seats on each side, 2. Downstairs toilets, would be nice to have this configuration again in the newer airplanes

[@jorgerivera198]

I miss Flying the A346, Specially from Virgin! That was my favorite thing, Downstairs lavatories, so convenient!!! we need that again

[@celobelomeu]

indeed a once and only be it fine experience in economy with Iberia to Sao Paulo, widest seat in its class and comfortable too! Sad it left the fleet, don't remember below deck lavs though.

[@ronald4life1]

Of important note is that the A340-400 doesn't have the downstairs bathroom.. only the 600+ variant

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I am wondering if they have alternative upstairs loos for disabled passengers? Or at least an elevator? Thank you for the video!

[@Paul_Lucas]

There are other bathrooms on the main level, further forward yes.

[@BeliaLastes]

I don't think that I could do economy because I don't like being that close to other people, rather do business class not that there aren't other people around just not cramped up and close and I prefer to get a cabin in the back. Thank you for your Vlog Paul 😊

[@johnfbm]

Wow I thought these aircraft were retired. I flew one once but that was years ago. Thanks for the review nice to see an aircraft that is rare rather than the same old stand-by 787's and 350's.

[@songfta]

Delays in delivery of A350 and B787 stock mean Lufthansa has had to de-mothball a bunch of old chestnuts - including the A340-300 and A340-600, the B747-400, and the A380 - just to keep up with customer demand.

[@xa613rzinfiniteflight8]

flew DLH A346 from ATL to FRA and back, definitely enjoyed it

[@longdonglarry]

LH offers a good economy product. Yes they had service issues during and after Covid, but it looks like those have been fixed.

[@thomasgray6041]

I once flew Thomas cook on one of their 330s which had the lower deck lavatory fitted

[@AlanBoorstein]

I used to fly on Cathay Pacific A340 between JFK & HKG. I loved that airplane.

[@johnmeharg2818]

I bought a plot for my daughter in law in New Zealand after watching that video. She's thrilled that a Maori is "Lady." Thanks Paul.