Lufthansa serves up captains by candlelight

Updated to include comment from Lufthansa...

Dining with the ship's captain is considered a VIP treat for the ocean cruising sort. But wouldn't it be nice to have a little chat with your aircraft captain before tucking into a four-course meal? (Especially if he's good looking...and single, ahem, but I digress).

Never let it be said that Lufthansa is taking tips from Carnival Cruise Lines, but the carrier has just unveiled the new "Captain's Dinner programme". Through 30 November, first class passengers on select Germany-USA flights "will be personally greeted by the captain before the four-course menu is served in a candlelight atmosphere".

Hmmm. Am I being overly security-conscious here when I question whether a carrier should broadcast - even vaguely - when a captain is leaving the cockpit?

A Lufthansa spokeswoman clarifies: "The captain does not come out and greet the First Class guests for a period during the flight, but rather while they are still on the ground shortly before take-off."

And just to be totally clear, although we all rather assumed this, the candlelight comes from LED-powered candles - not actual fire!

In any case, dinner sounds pretty good - a lobster appetizer, lemon sherbet with champagne, a main course of grilled beef filet with fresh truffle, green asparagus spears, carrots and au gratin potatoes, and a selection of desserts.

Check out what the hand shakeable folks up front get to enjoy on Luftie.