Disclaimer: I am writing this review with the support of Mardiks PR, who provided one Condor business class Frankfurt to Miami ticket.
Condor is a German carrier specializing in leisure destinations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. I first learned about them years ago, being intrigued about their flight to Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territories.
Having been in the Düsseldorf area for a few days, I had to fly to Miami for some odds and ends. With the intention of stopping by Cologne’s famed cathedral on the way, I had to allow for enough time to get to Frankfurt am Airport (FRA), Condor’s hub.
After a couple of trains and a Flixbus, I finally made to to FRA Terminal 1.
Check-In
I cannot say that I’m a fan of Frankfurt’s airport, but it does have a couple of things going for it. One, there’s a supermarket. Two, that nostalgic Solari board (the ones with the flipping action):
Anyway, check-in for my 10-hour Condor business Frankfurt to Miami flight was all to the way towards the left of the departures hall, if your back is facing the terminal entrance.
After a two minute wait, a friendly agent from Cameroon helped with check-in. Thereafter, I went to get one of those U.S. document check stickers placed on the back of passports, upon being verified that “I was me.”
It’s never a treat flying to the United States.
Lounge
Following that, it was a short walk to security, where there was a separate queue for business class and Star Alliance Gold passengers.
The boarding gate and lounge were a bit of a distance from security; speaking of the lounge, Condor business class passengers can use the Lufthansa Business Lounge, on the second level close to gate B44.
Boarding & First Impressions
For my Condor business class Frankfurt to Miami flight, boarding was at Gate B43. It wasn’t particularly orderly — there were some folks doing document checks, some doing ticket scans, and others just milling about — so I wiled away a few minutes playing foosball.
Once passed the gate scrum, I was greeted by I believe Chief Purser Hoffman. Two flight attendants by the surnames of Lücke and Schmidt were attentive, pleasant, and overall quite professional. Come to think of it, the Condor business class crew was one of the better ones I’ve encountered in a long time.
This A330-900neo cabin seemed clean, the seat had ample space for shoes and placing some smaller items, and the tv screen, at 17.3″, was sufficiently-sized.
Amenity kits were distributed shortly after take-off.
The lavatory in my section was kept in good order throughout the flight. The only issue I had was the first time using it, when a mountain of paper towels was randomly placed atop the waste receptacle.
Within the lavatory were a couple of extra amenities such as mouthwash, hand cream, and moist towelettes.
Moving on, if videos are your bag, I made a short one around take-off time:
The Flight
It was a rather quiet flight, with minimal interruptions beyond meal service. A couple of times, FAs came around with drinks, but for the most part, it was a welcome change from Frankfurt Airport passenger traffic.
Whereas I had to use my computer for a few hours, I didn’t spend much time with the IFE (in-flight entertainment). Occasional searches of the movies and tv programs left me very disappointed. I like movies and music from the 1980s and earlier, but those choices were sorely lacking.
Yet there was one standout program for Avgeeks (hyperfans of aviation)– cockpit landing videos from airports around the world:
Even though the seat was a standard fully-flat bed, replete with a Condor comforter, I only dozed off for 30 minutes. Still, the 199 cm. (6’5″) bed was a treat for this definitely not 199 cm. passenger.
Food
Shall we have a peek at the menu?
Can’t say that I was terribly excited by Condor’s menu, moreover they’re not exactly known for their eats.
In fairness, there was an assortment of sweet, savory, and salty, and at least there were a couple of things either from Germany, or made with German ingredients.
What stood out to me were the porcini mushroom-marinated roast beef, salads (of all things), rosemary sheep’s cheese, and mango coconut tartlet. Nothing was bad, per se, rather the flavors in the other dishes seemed more pedestrian. (Yes, yes, I’m on a plane, so I should temper expectations)
And how about that Condor salt and pepper shaker?
A shame its plastic, but it makes for good fodder for my revamped Instagram page, which entirely focuses on worldwide condiments.
Landing
A smooth landing and early arrival was summarily ruined by the travesty that is Miami International Airport (MIA). Obviously, this has nothing to do with Condor, but wow. I’m familiar with the pathetic state of JFK Terminal 7, and ORD Terminal everything, but MIA, what a heap of rubbish.
Why would anyone believe this?
Final Thoughts
My Condor business class Frankfurt to Miami flight was better than expected. Having a helpful and approachable flight crew was a big part of that … as was lounge access in an otherwise displeasing Frankfurt Airport. On that note, perhaps the airline could develop its own lounge?
Anyway, kudos to Condor for a job well-done!
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