Appreciation

... The FCT is an architectural masterpiece, designed exclusively for First Class and HON Circle customers, and it’s more than just an airport terminal. It was conceived as a statement: a promise to elevate the service standard to an unprecedented level. The FCT had the feel of a boutique hotel, complete with its own restaurant, bar and dedicated security and passport control points. The real highlight, however, was the limousine service that took you straight to the aircraft. It was an unparalleled service, one that embodied Lufthansa’s love for detail and aspiration to provide a seamless travel experience to its customers. I can still clearly remember meeting the then-head of Lufthansa Passage, who played a key role in the development of HON Circle. His vision shaped one of the most coveted loyalty programmes in the aviation industry.

2004 also happened to mark a personal milestone for me. That year, my partner and I opened the Cocoon Club in Frankfurt, a visionary space in which music, design and fine dining merge, with two outstanding restaurants: Silk, which received a Michelin star, and Micro. The synergy between my world and the world of Lufthansa went far beyond the launch of the FCT. We organised Lufthansa Passage events in the Cocoon Club, and for two years, my partner, renowned chef Mario Lohninger, indulged Lufthansa Business and First Class passengers with his culinary creations. Some of my curated mix compilations also found their way into the Lufthansa inflight entertainment programme, as did my latest album, Catharsis, released in 2022.

HON Circle doesn’t revolve just around luxurious lounges and impeccable service; it’s also about the relationships you form along the way. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this programme is the personal touch: after a long-haul flight, especially one from a country with complicated entry requirements, it’s always a relief to be greeted by a friendly HON Circle employee, who accompanies you through passport control and ensures your luggage is ready and waiting for you. This doesn’t always happen, admittedly, but when it does, I can clearly see each time why loyalty is so important.

My travels take me all around the world, connecting with music lovers and fans in every corner of the globe. Being on tour is always exciting, but it’s no secret that life on the road takes its toll. In this respect, the HON Circle Service is a real blessing, one that helps alleviate the more stressful moments. Over the years, I’ve formed unique connections with many Lufthansa crew members, and I often invite them to my events, whether in San Francisco, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Bogotá or Mexico City. These connections have brought unexpected joy to my travels and have transformed routine flights into moments of comradery and shared experiences.

The Lufthansa crane symbolises wisdom, good fortune and loyalty, all values that are close to my heart. Loyalty pays off, and the HON Circle isn’t just a product. It’s also proof of the connections we form and the mutual understanding that fantastic service transcends luxury. It’s about human connections. That’s why I’m proud to call myself a 5-star HON Circle member."

... The memories of the past few years weighed heavily on my mind. The pandemic had turned our world upside down, and the airline industry, once a symbol of freedom and connection, had been grounded to a halt. Lufthansa, along with countless other airlines, faced insurmountable challenges. The news reports were filled with numbers—flights canceled, staff laid off, and a sense of uncertainty that cloaked the travel world. As I gazed out of the window at the clouds drifting by, I recalled hearing stories of the dedicated Lufthansa staff who, even amid chaos, fought to keep the spirit of travel alive. I thought about the flight attendants who smiled through their masks, the pilots who adjusted to new protocols, and the countless workers who managed logistics in the shadows. Their resilience inspired me, yet I couldn’t help but feel the weight of their struggles as if we all shared the burden of those dark days together. Every flight I took pre-pandemic had been filled with laughter, adventure, and the thrill of exploring new horizons. The sorrow of longing for those moments filled the cabin, each sentimental memory surfacing like waves pushing against the shore. I remembered my last flight before the world changed—people hurrying through terminals, excitement palpable in the air, the anticipation of arrival. But then, the abrupt stillness, the silence that followed the storm. The announcement from the captain jolted me back to reality. “Welcome aboard, everyone. We are thrilled to be flying once again.” A wave of relief washed over me. This wasn’t just a flight; it was a testament to resilience. The very act of flying represented hope—hope for the airline industry, hope for the staff who had endured so much, and hope for travelers like me who had dreamed of this moment. As we climbed higher into the sky, I took a moment to breathe. There was a sense of unity among my fellow passengers—each of us had our own journey, our own stories of loss, longing, and rediscovery. We were all there to reclaim our love for travel, to embrace the world again, and to connect not just with places, but with one another. With every mile we traveled, my heart began to feel lighter. I realized that while the shadows of the past were always there, they did not have to define our future. I looked around the cabin, and for the first time since the pandemic started, I saw smiles peeking out from behind masks, eyes shining with anticipation. It felt as if we were all part of a new beginning—a bittersweet symphony of emotions intertwining with hope and nostalgia. As we flew over the vast ocean, the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. In that moment, I felt gratitude wash over me—for the flight attendants who had worked tirelessly, for the pilots who steered us towards new horizons, and for the opportunity to fly again. The turbulence of the previous years had refined our spirits, and now we were ready to soar once more. Arriving at my destination, I disembarked with a sense of accomplishment. Despite the obstacles that had marred the journey, I felt reborn in this shared experience, surrounded by the resilient spirit of the Lufthansa family and my fellow travelers. I embraced the uncertainty of the future, knowing that the skies ahead would be filled with endless possibilities and stories waiting to be written."

... DRINK: I love to drink black tea with lemon when I fly, so much so that it’s become common knowledge and arrives automatically. It’s so kind of the crew to remember. What an unbelievable service. AT THE AIRPORT: I always smile to myself when I think of Chicago and how an HON staff member always accompanies me through security. Such a lovely man who knows everyone and everyone knows him. No one is cross, and he walks you through everything. What an incredible service. Thank you. CONTINUITY: it’s wonderful to have seen familiar faces time and again over the years, both on the ground and in the air: the face of SWISS is a smile, meeting colleagues again on the ground and in the air. It’s just great. CORONA: the time of the first lockdown was an unusual time to fly, as was the whole of 2020 and 2021. Quite often, the crew on board didn’t know what was going to happen, so we ended up helping each other out with what came next :-) FUNNY: I was on a flight where I knew some of the crew on board. We exchanged hellos, and then the pilot came over and greeted me, as well. At this point, the person beside me turned to me and asked: “Are you a VIP?” I grinned and said: “On no, I’m just a colleague.” As an HON, I feel like I’m one of the team, and I’m honoured to have had the chance to meet so many lovely people at SWISS."

... Some of my most cherished experiences are due to the hospitality shown time and again by every member of staff, from the on-board crew and lounge team to the hotline employees. Two moments stand out in particular. The first happened quite recently as I was boarding my return flight from Singapore, which was being manned by the same crew as on the way over. They gave me such a warm welcome, just like you would an old friend, that I genuinely felt like they were delighted to see me again. As an HON, you spend so many hours on a plane. So it’s wonderful to be greeted and looked after with such cordiality. It makes you feel truly at home, and often the aircraft really is like your second home. The second moment happened right after the coronavirus lockdowns. After landing in MUC and disembarking onto the tarmac, I was greeted by the lady from the limousine service, who said: "It’s so lovely to see you again after such a long time." That’s when you know you’re not just another number in the system, which is one of the ultimate forms of appreciation. In return, I’d like to show my appreciation for all the Star Alliance employees and thank them for their fantastic service and all the enjoyable hours we’ve spent together. I hope there are many more like these to come. See you soon."

... I’d like to share two truly lovely moments that I recently had the pleasure of experiencing. I happened to fall asleep on two separate occasions when I was on the short but very early flight from MUC to FRA. Both times the purser wanted to welcome me on board as an HON and both times encountered me in a state of slumber. Still eager to provide some form of greeting, however, they instead left me a lovely note. It’s wonderful when you’re really appreciated as a guest, and the pursers make the effort to write a few kind words on a napkin and hang it on the seat in front of you. I was truly delighted both times when I woke up and saw the messages. This is why I only fly with Lufthansa: because of the service and the people who provide it."

... Made a 10 minute connection once at Zurich (inbound on Swiss from Miami, and outbound on Lufthansa inbound from Denver, outbound to Zurich). Wonderful, and many thanks to all who made my life smoother and less stressful."

... Rather than a fancy dinner, it’s nice to keep it simple sometimes and tuck into a snack before settling down for a snooze. And when you have a crew who remembers you and your partialities from previous flights and proactively offers you a sausage, then everything feels just right. Thank you to all the crews who have kindly brought me Vienna sausages over the years. And thank you to everyone who has made up snacks for me, (e.g. steak sandwich, mini burger, etc.)."

... I originally thought, it was just about a friendly chat and not more behind it. But when I boarded the flight back to Germany she directly greeted me with a "Welcome back!" and on my seat was one of the refreshment towel packagings placed, which had a handwritten text on it "Welcome back" with my name on it. I never before and never after experienced this and I still have this packaging and really appreciate this."

... Over time, M. has come to meet my wife and my daughter, who lives in Boston. And we know all about (or, at least, we’ve heard all about) M.’s relatives in the USA and in her home country, Brazil. We’re all in awe of M.’s captivating personality. To be honest, the First Class Lounge in Boston is actually quite small and cramped, but M.’s presence makes each visit a positive, hospitable experience. The key message from my moment is: HON Circle membership creates real customer loyalty when the staff you meet on your travels are so remarkable."

... I was already nearly inside the lounge when he called over to me cheerily: “Excuse me, Mr K., the HON Circle Lounge is over there on the left.” I followed his direction, and just as he said, there was an inconspicuous sliding door discreetly recessed into the wall. I must have hurried along those endless Fraport corridors with my trolley suitcase countless times over the decades and spent what felt like years in various lounges, but I never once noticed that door. The door slid open gently, and behind it I was met by an extremely friendly hostess who greeted me like an old friend who’d finally returned for a visit. Even though we’d never met before. She smiled as she took my mobile phone to scan my boarding pass. “Ah, Munster-Osnabruck. How lovely. The aircraft is in a non-gate position. Your car will take you straight there around thirty minutes before take-off. We’ll call you when your driver is here. Enjoy your stay.” Oh, the joy of flying. I don’t have to queue for ages at the gate due to boarding delays, or wait on an overcrowded bus parked on the tarmac, with everyone squashed together like sardines in a can and melting in the heat, waiting for the flight attendant to give the driver the go-ahead to open the doors, only to then get swept along in a maelstrom of sweaty travellers and erratic trolley suitcases towards the aircraft, before finally having to elbow my way through the crowd at the steps to get on board. Nor do I have to brave the elements and stand in a similar crowd in the pouring rain or howling wind, shivering and willing the queue to finally move, and praying that there isn’t an amateur flyer holding everything up by confusing the departure gate with the seat number on their boarding pass. Instead, I take the lift directly from the lounge to the ground floor, where, in full view of the other passengers, I’m immediately driven to the aircraft in a Porsche Cayenne and can then take my time boarding the plane. In short, I no longer have to deal with all the banal problems associated with boarding. Instead, I’m shown into a lounge that is tastefully furnished and largely empty. Then I can choose between ordering a cocktail at the stylish bar, dining à la carte in the restaurant or retreating to the cigar lounge with a cognac. Everything is free of charge, although paid for indirectly by my employer, of course. They assigned me a role that’s turned me into a modern nomad, which now means covering the cost of my outrageously expensive flight tickets. But somehow, I think I’ve earned this level of comfort and convenience. What was it I once read in the Lufthansa welcome letter: “On average, a HON Circle Member spends every fourth day on board with us per year, which amounts to flying to the moon almost four times.” I found this a rather daunting introduction to the world of the HONs. At this point, I regret not being a smoker, as I imagine it would be quite cool to sink back into a leather armchair in the cigar lounge, swirl a glass of brandy, blow smoke rings into the air and reflect on the change of times. Instead, I think pragmatically and opt for a comfortable reading chair by the window, from where I can observe the airfield. I had already grown accustomed to being greeted personally by the purser when I was a Senator, a ritual that neither myself nor the purser enjoyed. But pursers have instructions to follow and I’m a polite person who knows that pursers have instructions to follow, and so I just smile and take everything in my stride. Once I became a HON, the whole thing reached a completely new dimension. Recently, my flight from Amsterdam to Frankfurt was delayed, and I was anxious that I might miss my connection to Übersee. Just before we landed, the purser came over with a mournful look on his face and handed me a printout of a message from head office: “Due to additional security checks related to travel in the USA, we are unable to offer Mr K. a direct transfer to his connecting flight. We apologise for the inconvenience.” That’s quite a lot of care and attention for such a large corporation. My tickets must bring in astronomical profits. Then everything got rather hectic, but in the end, I still managed to catch my flight. When I boarded the plane and mentioned my seat number, 1H, the flight attendant reacted with such delight, it was as if she’d been waiting just for me all morning: “Mr K., how lovely that you made it. I’m so sorry your flight this morning from Amsterdam was delayed. Is there anything in particular I do for you?” Other than her comment seeming somewhat suggestive, all the constant monitoring suddenly made me feel like the lead character in “The Circle”. It’s kind of suspicious that this status level is also called “HON Circle”. I recall another moment on a trip to Dallas: I was late arriving at the gate for my return flight and queued up behind the crowd of waiting passengers. A Lufthansa employee made their way along the lines, checking everyone’s boarding passes. Upon seeing the magic letters on my pass, he said: “Please follow me, Sir.” At the barrier, he handed me over to a colleague, who jumped for joy as though he’d just won the lottery and exclaimed: “We finally found you. We were starting to worry, as we couldn’t find you anywhere in the lounge.” I felt the urge to ask what dangers could possibly be lurking in an airport security area that might make him worry about me, but I refrained. Instead, I simply followed him. He led me past the twenty passengers in airport wheelchairs straight to the door of the plane. As my stopover had been a mere 48 hours, the plane was being manned by the same crew as on the way over. I had to endure a short wait, however, due to a maintenance procedure. The purser was fiddling with something in the doorway, but when he saw me, he bustled over and greeted me by name: “How lovely that you could join us again.” Slightly flustered, he then explained there was a technical problem. “It’s nothing dramatic, though,” he reassured me, before apologising several times for the wait I was still facing. When things finally got underway, he followed me like a shadow and helped me stow my bag as if I were an elderly lady. By now, I was starting to miss the anonymity of a normal traveller. Since becoming an HON, I like to use the Frankfurt Airport First Class Terminal that’s located in a separate building to the main terminal. The best thing about it is that the taxi ride to the lounge covers less than 30 metres, and it has its own passport and security checkpoints. I enjoy the refined atmosphere of the lounge as it reminds me of a high-end resort. The sense of exclusivity begins the moment you exit the taxi: a friendly woman greets you straight away with a smile and some light conversation, then asks for your passport and, after taking it, doesn’t hand it back at first. I was somewhat vexed by this on my first visit. As a traveller, my passport is my most sacred possession, and its loss would be deeply distressing. Of course, now I know that while I’m relaxing in the lounge, passport checks are carried out discreetly in the background. So when I step into the Cayenne, the customs officer simply gives my photo a quick glance to verify my identity and hands me back my passport. But first, the Lufthansa employee escorts me the short distance to the only security checkpoint in the world without queues or grumpy staff. I’m in her care, like unaccompanied minors usually are. She waits as I breeze through security and then leads me into the lounge, where, much to my annoyance, several people are already at the bar drinking whisky, even though it’s only seven in the morning. This compelled me to email the dedicated service centre to learn the actual details of the service provided to HON Circle Members. To my surprise, I received a call soon after, and the issue was promptly resolved. When I complained that I couldn’t find a HON hotline number on the website, I was told that one did exist, it just wasn’t listed anywhere, to ensure that only HONs would use it. I noted it down and began to ponder: the “Circle” part of the name… just the same as a book about total surveillance, hidden doors that lead to lounge temples, constant monitoring and secret phone numbers that are only passed on by word of mouth, a special bag tag as a recognition symbol: am I still an airline customer or have I joined a secret society?"

... The positive experiences I’ve had with HON Circle are beyond number and span every facet of the outstanding travel experience provided by the Lufthansa Group. The concept is truly exceptional and turns business travel into an enjoyable experience, from Lufthansa’s First Class limousine service and access to the Lufthansa First Class Lounges to the general experience on board Lufthansa Group planes. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to experience such an excellent concept. Thank you. The one slight improvement I’d welcome would be the option for HON Circle Members to use eVouchers or miles for upgrades. I think it often takes too long for an upgrade confirmation to arrive. I really hope that Lufthansa will continue with HON Circle. As a concept, it truly does foster customer loyalty. Thank you again for all the wonderful experiences I’ve had with Lufthansa HON Circle.

Best wishes from a highly contented friend of Lufthansa, H."

... The expression of the attitude towards the passenger comes mainly during business trips, when every minute means something to you. Pampering yourself in the lounge at the airport, where you can catch up on your emails, and driving to the plane are definitely the icing on the cake that your service offers. In addition to the wide selection, the friendly staff who welcome you both in the lounge and on the plane play a big role. I remember the situation (we were parked outside) when the flight attendant came to the gentleman next to me in a suit and tie (I was in jeans) and told him that a car was waiting for him outside. He said he wasn't expecting any cars and the stewardess jumped up and looked at the passenger list and realized she was wrong. She apologized and the lesson of the story is DON'T JUDGE A MAN BY THEIR CLOTHES."