Amount of time needed in advance of flight to US out of Frankfurt
Oct 21, 2014, 1:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 178
Amount of time needed in advance of flight to US out of Frankfurt
I'm trying to schedule a return trip to the US tomorrow. For my ideal departure time, I would only be able to make it to the airport one hour in advance. Is this enough time to board a Lufthansa or United flight on a Wednesday afternoon at the Frankfurt airport? If not, what would be the minimum amount of time you would allot? I have Star Alliance Gold status (through United 1K), my ticket will be business class, and will not be checking any bags.
Oct 21, 2014, 1:55 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
I'm trying to schedule a return trip to the US tomorrow. For my ideal departure time, I would only be able to make it to the airport one hour in advance. Is this enough time to board a Lufthansa or United flight on a Wednesday afternoon at the Frankfurt airport? If not, what would be the minimum amount of time you would allot? I have Star Alliance Gold status (through United 1K), my ticket will be business class, and will not be checking any bags.
They normally start boarding 40 minutes (or more) before departure on long-haul flights.
I would want 1.5 hours at a minimum to allow for delays getting to the airport. If you like to live dangerously, you might make it arriving an hour before. I would assume that for United, you would need even longer.
Oct 22, 2014, 12:06 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
If you can upgrade to F and use the FCT 1 our is plenty.
Oct 22, 2014, 8:37 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PMI
Programs: BA,LH,CX,EK SPG,IC mainly and a few others
Posts: 1,862
I have missed a flight with 60 min between flights. Huge lines in security, passport control, then another security check by the time I was at the gate B7 the gate had closed.
Oct 22, 2014, 11:01 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Programs: UA 2MM/GS; SPG Lifetime Plat; MHC Lifetime; Tar Heel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 12,152
Do not do it.
Even when booked in LH F -- but I did not board via the lounges -- it has taken me over an hour during a hectic day just to get thru security. It was a total cluster for passengers, even those trying to get thru the expedited line for F/C pax.
Even when booked in LH F -- but I did not board via the lounges -- it has taken me over an hour during a hectic day just to get thru security. It was a total cluster for passengers, even those trying to get thru the expedited line for F/C pax.
Oct 23, 2014, 12:01 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
While everyone here has negative impressions on FRA I do not think it is actually that bad - it's indisputably a large airport, but there are many more that are a lot worse. I have done sixty minutes to the US on numerous occasions and have yet to miss a flight. I even did 65 minutes Airail to Air Canada with baggage to check with no issues - even made it to the gate before boarding started.
Having status helps of course - and being aware where you need to go in FRA is a must to minimize times to find your way around. But barring any irregularities or some days with exceptional traffic (e.g. first day of summer vacation) the 60 minutes can be done with time to spare...
Greetings - Dirk
Having status helps of course - and being aware where you need to go in FRA is a must to minimize times to find your way around. But barring any irregularities or some days with exceptional traffic (e.g. first day of summer vacation) the 60 minutes can be done with time to spare...
Greetings - Dirk
Oct 23, 2014, 5:30 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, DUS
Programs: Mattiott Lifetime Titanium Elite, LH SEN, IB Emerald, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 564
While everyone here has negative impressions on FRA I do not think it is actually that bad - it's indisputably a large airport, but there are many more that are a lot worse. I have done sixty minutes to the US on numerous occasions and have yet to miss a flight. I even did 65 minutes Airail to Air Canada with baggage to check with no issues - even made it to the gate before boarding started.
Having status helps of course - and being aware where you need to go in FRA is a must to minimize times to find your way around. But barring any irregularities or some days with exceptional traffic (e.g. first day of summer vacation) the 60 minutes can be done with time to spare...
Greetings - Dirk
Having status helps of course - and being aware where you need to go in FRA is a must to minimize times to find your way around. But barring any irregularities or some days with exceptional traffic (e.g. first day of summer vacation) the 60 minutes can be done with time to spare...
Greetings - Dirk
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