After enduring two massive long-haul flights with Thai Airways all the way from Sydney to Copenhagen, I was operating entirely on caffeine and sheer willpower. Naturally, instead of doing the sensible thing (like checking into a hotel to sleep for three days), I decided the best way to recover was to immediately board a two-part European Business Class connection down to Budapest.
The routing took me from Copenhagen (CPH) to Budapest (BUD) via Lufthansa's massive hub in Frankfurt (FRA). Because 2026 marks Lufthansa's 100th anniversary, I was curious to see how a century of flying translates into the modern passenger experience.
100 Years: A Legacy of Staying Power
Lufthansa’s story officially began back in January 1926. It is hard to wrap your head around a company surviving for a century in an industry as incredibly volatile as aviation. Looking at the airline today, its longevity is less about flawless execution and more about an incredible capacity for persistence. They have weathered decades of shifting economic climates, global crises, and intense competition that grounded many of their original peers.
That resilience is still being tested today. The rollout of their new "Allegris" premium cabins has been a notoriously long, rocky road, held up by industry-wide supply chain bottlenecks and intense regulatory certification delays. Having to navigate a decade-long premium retrofit strategy while keeping a global network running smoothly is a massive hurdle. Yet, there is a certain grit in watching a century-old giant continuously adapt, push through the bureaucracy, and keep moving forward.
Fortunately, while their long-haul fleet works through those modernization growing pains, their short-haul European network remains a highly reliable workhorse.
Leg 1: Copenhagen (CPH) to Frankfurt (FRA)
Flight Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight No. | LH827 |
| Origin | Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) |
| Destination | Frankfurt am Main (FRA) |
| Aircraft | Airbus 320 (reg. D-AIZB) |
| Booking Class | Business Class |
| Seat | 1A |
| Flight Time | 1H 30M |
| Departure | 12:27 PM (2m late) |
| Arrival | 1:57 PM (2m late) |
| Date | May, 2026 |
| Cost | 15,000 Aeroplan points + taxes (CPH-FRA-BUD combined) |
The Ground Experience
Lufthansa operates out of Terminal 2 in Copenhagen. It was a remarkably quiet morning, and zipping through the priority check-in lane took only a few minutes. The check-in agent was friendly and efficient, quickly sending my bags on their way. I spent my downtime in the SAS Lounge—a wonderfully crisp, functional space, though I’ll save the full walkthrough for its own post.
Cabin and Comfort
Boarding our A320, the minimalist front bulkhead instantly set a clean, premium tone, complete with the classic Lufthansa Business Class plaque.
I had snagged bulkhead seat 1A, which offers excellent legroom for a quick European flight. European business class standardly just means a blocked middle seat, but because the cabin was mostly empty on this sector, I lucked out and had the entire row to myself.
Lufthansa is clearly wearing its milestone year with pride, featuring a subtle "100" anniversary logo stitched directly into the dark leather headrests.
Service and Dining
The crew on this first flight was fantastic. He was warm, observant, and quick with drink top-ups. Even though it was a short hop, the cold meal presentation was fresh and well-executed. The separate menu details card set expectations for what turned out to be a great quick lunch.
To drink, I tried the signature Lufthansa Ziegler Avionic aperitif, which is an excellent, refreshing step up from the usual standard bar options. The flight attendant noticed how much I liked it and kindly gifted me a second mini-bottle to take with me.
Touchdown in Frankfurt
As we started our descent, the crew handed out special 100th-anniversary chocolates. I grabbed one, and the flight attendant playfully dropped two more into my hand.
The real highlight, though, was looking out the window just before touchdown. Lufthansa mowed a massive "100 - Thank you for flying Lufthansa" graphic directly into the green fields along the approach path. It was a brilliant, creative welcome to their main hub.
Leg 2: Frankfurt (FRA) to Budapest (BUD)
Flight Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight No. | LH1340 |
| Origin | Frankfurt am Main (FRA) |
| Destination | Budapest Ferenc Liszt Intl. (BUD) |
| Aircraft | Airbus 320 (reg. D-AIQW) |
| Booking Class | Business Class |
| Seat | 2A |
| Flight Time | 1H 28M |
| Departure | 4:55 PM (On time) |
| Arrival | 6:23 PM (7m early) |
| Date | May, 2026 |
Boarding a Full Flight
After a smooth transit through Frankfurt airport, catching glimpses of the terminal and the aircraft out on the tarmac, it was time to board the final leg to Budapest.
Right next to the aircraft cabin door, I noticed a wonderful hand-drawn yellow poster celebrating the 100th anniversary. It turns out one of our flight crew members is an incredibly talented artist and sketched it herself! It was a lovely, personal touch that felt far more authentic than standard corporate branding.
The In-Flight Experience
For this leg, I was seated in 2A on a completely full A320. Unlike the empty cabin on the first flight, every single business class seat was occupied. Because the crew had their hands completely full, the service naturally felt a bit less attentive and more transactional than the previous flight. That said, it was completely understandable given the passenger load, and the crew remained perfectly polite and professional throughout.
Dinner is Served
Because this flight coincided with dinner time, the catering was notably more substantial. The tray featured a generous plate of medium-rare roast beef cold cuts served with a BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and grilled pineapple.
The star of the meal, however, was the dessert. Between the chocolate crunch cake on the first flight and this tangy lemon tartlet, Lufthansa is absolutely nailing their sweet options right now. Finishing off that tartlet actually made me wonder how impressive their future long-haul dining will look as they roll out their new FOX (Future Onboard Experience) catering program.
For drinks, I naturally ordered another Ziegler Avionic—don't judge me, it is genuinely addictive.
Arrival
The flight got the job done efficiently. We treated ourselves to some beautiful aerial views of the landscape before touching down slightly ahead of schedule in Budapest.
The Verdict
Lufthansa's European Business Class may not have the flashy, fully private seats of long-haul configurations, but it is a masterclass in consistency. Minor service pace variations aside, navigating their network during such a monumental milestone year felt reliable, comfortable, and punctuated by some genuinely fun anniversary surprises. Here is to the next 100 years!
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