Gate B47, Vienna. A crowd, a boarding process and that familiar distance between the promised experience and the one currently forming a queue.
I stayed loyal to the Lufthansa Group for years: formerly HON Circle, later Senator. Status has real attractions. It also becomes remarkably good at making you defend your own past decisions.
The small things accumulate
My departure was not caused by one disastrous flight. It grew from repeated frustrations: muddled boarding, long baggage waits and service that no longer consistently felt like the promise.
There were good flights and excellent staff too. This is not an indictment of everyone working a difficult shift. It is my account of a relationship that stopped making enough sense.
Experiences with Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air and ANA reminded me that alternatives exist. None is perfect on every route. All made the loyalty treadmill look less compulsory.
A destination, not a progress bar
One more flight to retain status can sound entirely rational if you have practised the argument long enough.
This time, I would rather choose a flight because it suits the journey. Current fares and benefits need checking when booking; this is a personal farewell, not a permanent buying guide.
It was almost worth the effort.
Almost.
I am choosing the destination again. The membership card may take a moment to adjust.
Edited and shortened from Batty’s original. Personal impressions reflect the visit described; details may change.