Flight Review: Luxair De Havilland Q400 Business Class – LUX-BUD

by Anthony Losanno

Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links below. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

Luxair De Havilland Q400

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Luxair is the flag carrier of Luxembourg and served as our ride between Luxembourg Airport (LUX) and Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) this morning. While you might have never heard of the airline (and I had not flown it before this morning), it provides flights to over 80 destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Anthony’s Take: Luxair is a boutique airline, but it offers friendly service and a nice Business Class experience, overall. I wish the planes had Wi-Fi and the ability to heat food, but it’s fine for short hops around Europe.

Luxair Booking

Booking

I booked the flights directly with Luxair. Business Class was around $583 per person. Luxair partners with Miles & More for mileage earning and redemptions. There are no other partners and it is not part of any airline alliance. I thought the fare was a bit expensive, but I wanted to try this new carrier and it was the only nonstop option between Luxembourg and Budapest.

Luxair

Boarding

The flight was on time and boarded about five minutes after what was written on the boarding pass. There were no announcements for boarding other than “we’re ready to board.” Everyone moved forward and there were no preboarding or group announcements. We walked outside and climbed the stairs. The aircraft was only about half full.

Luxair Seats

Seats

Business Class was designated as the first two rows of the plane. It had a small, moveable curtain to adjust cabin size as needed. We were the only two Business Class passengers and we had six seats for the two of us. Overhead bins were surprisingly able to hold our rollerboards.

Luxair Seats 2

This is European Business Class, which means that the seats are identical to those in Economy Class. You have one blocked next to you, so you’re essentially getting two seats for the price of one. There were no outlets. The seats reclined and had a tray table at each one. Both rows one and two are considered exit rows. They have plenty of legroom.

Luxair Flight 1

Individual air nozzles and lights are overhead.

Luxair Flight 2

There was also a QR code on the ceiling. I did not notice it until after we were in flight, but it looks like the carrier provides a selection of TV shows and movies through its Luxair Inflight Entertainment.

Luxair Flight 4

In-flight magazines are at every seat.

Luxair Meal

Food

No predeparture beverages or bottled water was offered. I had preordered the Luxembourg Delicacies special meal for both of us. Meals can be ordered up to 48 hours before departure. There are also Vegan, Gluten Free, Diabetic, and Fruit options (more here). This was accompanied by crackers with a welcome beverage and a box of chocolates after the meal.

Luxair Meal 2

A packaged towelette was provided before the meal.

Luxair Meal 3

Next, a choice of beverages and crackers. I had apple juice.

Luxair Meal 4

Our meals were brought out a few moments later.  While cold, it was tasty and looked surprisingly like the picture on the Luxair site.

Luxair Meal 5

Just before we landed, a flight attendant brought us each a mini box of chocolates.

Wi-Fi

Luxair only offers Wi-Fi on some of its Boeing aircraft. Its De Havilland Q400 aircraft are not equipped with it.

Service

The flight attendants were attentive and friendly during out two-hour flight. We had limited interactions aside from meal service, but I found them pleasant and efficient.

Luxair Lavatory 1

Luxair Lavatory 2

Lavatory

There is a lavatory at the front of the plane. It’s tiny, but functional and clean.

Luxair Flight 5

Overall Impression: We had a lovely flight with Luxair. It’s a boutique airline and I’m not sure when we’ll fly it again, but I recommend it if presented the opportunity.

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: The Platinum Card® from American Express is my go-to for booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year). The card has an annual fee of $695, but it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion Lounges) and taking advantage of all that the Fine Hotels & Resorts program offers. Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.

Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

User Generated Content Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.

1 comment

derek November 26, 2023 - 11:04 am

LX used to fly the 747SP nonstop Luxembourg to Johannesburg, South Africa and 737’s to major European cities.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Related Articles