BEN SAYS: Lufthansa CityLine offers a pretty good business class experience on the Embraer 190. Each passenger gets an aisle and window, and there was a tasty snack and friendly service. In the interest of full disclosure, OMAAT earns a referral bonus for anyone that’s approved through some of the below links. These are the best publicly available offers (terms apply) that we have found for each product or service. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, hotel chain, or product manufacturer/service provider, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Please check out our advertiser policy for further details about our partners, and thanks for your support!

After an amazing week in Sylt, it was time to head to Germany. I wanted to check out the business class experience on the City Line Embraer 190. A lot of people don't know that Lufthansa CityLine is a wholly owned subsidiary.

How I booked our Lufthansa business class tickets

Air Canada Aeroplan points were used to book the flights to Dusseldorf.

The LH Sylt leaves at 10:35AM and arrives at 11:45AM.

The flight from Frankfurt to Dusseldorf leaves at 1:45PM and arrives at 3:05PM.

In taxes and fees, the cost was $58.84 per person. The economy would have cost more Aeroplan points.

There are frequent trains between the two cities, and it's a really short flight to get there. We were able to include the connection at no extra cost and I was curious to check out one of the shortest flights.

Aeroplan points are easy to get, as the program partners with several credit card companies. The Aeroplan® Credit Card is a pretty lucrative card in the US.

Lufthansa business class check-in & boarding

I reviewed the airport lounge. The check-in experience at Sylt Airport was quick and easy.

Lufthansa check-in counter Sylt Airport

We boarded at 10:00AM from gate two.

Lufthansa departure gate Sylt Airport

Business class passengers were invited to the airport. There is no need to take a bus since the planes are parked close to each other.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 Sylt Airport

Lufthansa E190 business class cabin & seats

The 190s have 100 seats spread across 25 rows. Business class in Europe consists of economy seats with a blocked middle one. Business class tickets give you a pair of two seats because the Embraer 190 doesn't have middle seats.

Depending on demand, the size of the cabin can be changed. There were four rows of seats on this flight.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class seats

The legroom and seat width on the E190 were good.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class seats

In economy class, the Embraer 190 is a nice ride.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 economy class cabin

I don't understand how a tray is placed on a business class seat on a jet with three seats per row. I couldn't sit in the window seat on the E190 because of the pattern of seat blocking.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class blocked seat
Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class blocked seat

There were magazine pockets and a tray table in the seat backs.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class view
Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class tray table

The overhead console had a couple of things.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class overhead console

The overhead bins on the plane were large enough to hold carry-ons.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class overhead bins

There wasn't a curtain between the economy and business on the jet. The last row had a partition above the head rest.

The front of the cabin had a bathroom.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class lavatory

It was very comfortable. Four seats per row gives you an aisle and a window to yourself. The planes did not have power or wi-fi, but they did operate short flights.

Lufthansa departure from Sylt

The main cabin door closed at 10:30AM with five of the eight seats occupied. A safety demonstration was preformed after the door was closed. The captain informed us of our flight time of one hour after he welcomed us.

Lufthansa Embraer 190 business class cabin

We returned at 10:40AM.

Pushing back Sylt Airport

A taxi took us to the runway. It was a long distance to runway 32 from the ground.

Taxiing Sylt Airport
Taking off Sylt Airport

We had our last views of Sylt and the North Sea.

View after takeoff from Sylt Airport
View after takeoff from Sylt Airport
View after takeoff from Sylt Airport

Lufthansa business class snack service

The inflight service began after the seatbelt sign was turned off. The flight attendant in business class was very nice and gave us drinks. I had a cup of coffee and a glass of water.

Lufthansa business class drinks

Shortly after that, a snack was brought out. The cuisine from a different German city is highlighted on each flight. The menu was from a city in Germany.

Lufthansa business class snack service

If you don't know what you're eating, it could be difficult to figure it out. There was a chicken salad with black walnuts. There was a warm roll with that.

There was a dessert with chocolate coffee brownies.

Lufthansa business class menu

The flight attendant gave out drinks and chocolates before the flight.

Lufthansa business class chocolate

Lufthansa arrival in Frankfurt

The captain said we would be landing in about 25 minutes after we began our descent. Beautiful views on approach.

View approaching Frankfurt
View approaching Frankfurt
View approaching Frankfurt
View approaching Frankfurt
Final approach to Frankfurt Airport

After touching down at the airport, we had a taxi that took us to our remote stand, where we parked next to the A320 and City Line Embraer 190.

Taxiing Frankfurt Airport
Arrival stand Frankfurt Airport

The bus took us to the terminal. This was a long journey. We were punished with a long bus ride after we got a short taxi on the plane.

Remote stand bus Frankfurt Airport
Lufthansa Embraer 190 Frankfurt Airport
Lufthansa Embraer 190 Frankfurt Airport

I don't think it's a bad idea for the person who booked the airportVIP service to be picked up.

VIP service Frankfurt Airport

Our summer travel took a turn for the worse when we connected to Dusseldorf.

Bottom line

In business class, you can get two seats to yourself, and it's a nice experience. The jet is comfortable and has good legroom. The flight had good service and a snack.

It would be great if the E190s had power outlets and/or wi-fi, but that's not a big deal on flights this short.

What was it like to fly with the City Line?

Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder