INTRODUCTION
A few weeks before COVID-19 began to reshape the global travel landscape, I embarked on a transatlantic journey with Lufthansa, flying from Frankfurt to Toronto.
My primary motivation for choosing this flight was to experience Lufthansa’s A La Carte dining options, available for economy and premium economy class passengers.
These upgraded meal options, priced between €15 to €25, promised a more refined dining experience typically reserved for higher classes.
Before the pandemic, Lufthansa offered seven distinct meal choices, and I was eager to sample the Mediterranean Delights and Healthy Option meals I had pre-arranged.
Unfortunately, these meals are now discontinued, but here’s a detailed account of my experience, from the pre-flight lounge visit to the inflight meal service.
LUFTHANSA SENATOR LOUNGE
Before my flight, I visited the Lufthansa Senator Lounge at Frankfurt Airport. The lounge, while not particularly flashy, offered a decent selection of food and beverages.
It provided a comfortable and relaxing space to wait for my flight, setting the tone for the journey ahead.




INFLIGHT
Once onboard and about twenty minutes after takeoff, the inflight service commenced with hand-delivered snacks, followed by a beverage service from the cart.
The cabin crew, consisting of three members working in my section at the rear of the aircraft, demonstrated efficiency and attentiveness throughout the flight.


Fifty minutes after takeoff, my pre-ordered Mediterranean Delights meal was served. This meal included a garden salad with balsamic dressing, king prawns and artichokes on spaghetti in a tomato and basil sauce, and Tiramisu for dessert.




The presentation was impressive, resembling a business class meal with features such as a menu, proper cutlery, ceramic plates, a larger meal tray, and charming salt and pepper shakers.
The portion of prawns in the pasta dish was generous, making the €19.00 upgrade fee well worth it in my opinion


In contrast, the standard economy class meal options included a beef goulash or vegetarian pasta.
Here’s a look at the economy class meal tray without the main meal and a glimpse of what was served in premium economy.
After the main meal service, additional wine and water were offered, followed by tea and coffee.
The entire service took approximately two hours to complete, and the crew finished by providing bottled water in economy class, a thoughtful touch that isn’t always common.

SECOND SERVICE

For the second service, I enjoyed my Healthy Selection meal, which included a chickpea and matcha salad starter, a spicy red vegetable curry on quinoa, and a chia seed and mango mousse for dessert.

Priced at €15.00, this meal offered excellent value for the variety and quality provided. The spicy curry was flavorful and delicious, and the chia dessert was a delightful finish.
I thoroughly appreciated all the small touches that this meal concept offered.
CONCLUSION
Flying long haul with Lufthansa was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, especially with the addition of their A La Carte meal options.
The Mediterranean Delights and Healthy Selection meals elevated the economy class dining experience to a level akin to business class, complete with thoughtful touches like ceramic plates and proper cutlery.
The meals were well worth the upgrade fee, offering excellent value for money.
Overall, my journey with Lufthansa showcased their ability to provide a superior inflight dining experience, making the long haul flight both comfortable and memorable.