Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Jul 29, 2013, 5:44 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: supine
Do I have entitlement to access the First Class Terminal (FCT) in FRA?
- Yes, if you are departing from FRA on a flight operated by LH/LX/OS, and at least one of the following is true:
  • The class of service on your departing flight from FRA is F.
  • You have arrived on a confirmed F segment on LH or LX metal, on the same day, even if the ticket of that F segment is different from the ticket of the segment from FRA.
  • You will be departing on a confirmed F segment on LH or LX metal, on the same day from a connecting station, and the ticket of that F segment is the same ticket as the segment from FRA. Separate tickets means you are not entitled to FCT access.
  • You hold HON status.
  • You are invited as a guest by someone who meets the above criteria, and you meet the requirements of a guest as discussed later in this FAQ.


But the LH website contradicts the above:"Access to the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport is only possible with a confirmed same-day departing First Class flight on Lufthansa or SWISS. HON Circle Members may access the First Class Terminal with a same-day departing flight on Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian Airlines. Access to the First Class Terminal is not permitted for arriving passengers."

- The above has been on the web site for some time, and does not appear to be the actual policy, as many here attest from personal experience.

What are the opening times of the FCT?
- 0530 to 2200 daily

Where is it located?
- About 200 metres to the west of Terminal 1

If arriving in FRA on a LH operated flight in F, will I get a car transfer from the arriving flight?
- Ordinarily, no. However, if you hold HON status, you're arriving / departing from an apron position and your onward flight is operated by LH / LX / OS, LH aims to send a car to meet you from your arriving aircraft. See for more info. NB If you do get the car service on arrival, you will be driven to the main arrivals area and not the FCT, as this does not offer immigration and customs facilities for inbound passengers.

How do I get to the FCT in FRA?
- The First Class Terminal at Frankfurt is located close to Terminal 1. You can reach it by car via the access road to Terminal 1: the entrance to the First Class Terminal is off this road, approximately 200 metres before you get to Terminal 1. When arriving on public transport, the First Class Terminal is only a few minutes’ walk from Terminal 1.

Locations of Lufthansa lounges at Frankfurt Airport

The FCT is a departure terminal/lounge and is not meant for transfer pax. Transfer pax can use the FCLs located in the main terminal building which offer the same amenities as the FCT. There is no transfer or shuttle to the FCT. You can walk to the FCT, though.

If on departure level take the escalator down to arrival, walk out of the terminal and turn left. You will pass the bus shuttles to the airport hotels and taxis. Cross the street - whilst waking under the access road above to departures - you will see taxi divers' coffee shop to the right - and more taxis parked to your left. You will see the First Class Terminal across the street. Cross the street in front of the coffee shop, turn right and the First Class Terminal is on your left. Go through the automatic doors and take the elevator to the main reception area.

Pictorial guide may be found here.

If the FCT is not meant to be a transfer lounge then why do some people use it as such?
- Aside from the experience, there are practical reasons for you to consider using the FCT for a connection:
  • If you have a long layover, the FCT will be less crowded than the FCL B (but more crowded than the even newer FCL A by A13).
  • If your connection requires clearing passport controls, it is faster to do it at the FCT where you will surrender your passport upon admittance and get it back moments before you are driven to your plane. Presumably if immigration has questions they will deal with it while you are lounging in the FCT versus waiting until you depart for your plane. Note that permanent residents of the USA who are heading back to the USA from FRA or a connecting airport should also surrender their green card, but gently but firmly request it be returned quickly. The German immigration people don't need your green card, and LH only needs it to enter into the passenger record, so there is no reason why your personal assistant cannot return it to you soon after.
  • You do not have to waste time walking from the FCL to a gate position that is potentially more distant from the lounge than your arriving gate, or worse yet, is actually a bus to a plane parked at an apron position in the middle of the tarmac. You will leave the FCT after boarding starts and a driver will take you to the plane wherever it is.
  • If your plane is parked at a jetway, you will be whisked to the front of the line of pax boarding in the jetway, saving even more time.
  • If your connection requires going through security, you are guaranteed to have a much faster and gentler screening at the FCT than going through security in the main terminals, and if you are carrying valuables, the FCT checkpoint eliminates all angst about theft or forgetting them.


How many guests am I permitted in the FCT?
- One, assuming a lower cabin class and that they will be travelling on the same flight as you. If they also are confirmed to travel in F, they too will be entitled to a guest, meeting the same criteria
- Anyone with a confirmed segment in F is also entitled to bring in their spouse/partner and/or children, provided they are departing on the same flight, irrespective of the cabin class they are travelling in

I’m arriving on LH/LX/OS C and departing TG/SQ/etc. F, do I get in to the F terminal?
- No, but you will have access LH Senator (Star Alliance Gold) Lounges which are designated as First Class Lounges for Star Alliance carriers.

I'm arriving on TG/SQ/etc. F and departing on LH, Swiss, Austrian C do I get in to the FCT?
- Not unless you hold HON status, otherwise you will have access LH Business Lounges unlesss you hold Star Alliance Gold status and access to LH Senator (Star Alliance Gold) Lounges. Certain airlines (e.g. SQ) have arrangements for arriving F passengers to access LH Senator Lounges regardless of their status.

I’m arriving on any carrier in any cabin class and departing same day on LH/LX F do I get in to the FCT?
- Yes.

I'm arriving on LH / LX F and departing same day on another carrier in any cabin class, will I have access to the FCT?
- Yes, if your onward flight is operated by LH, Swiss or Austrian Airlines Group. Otherwise, you will only have access to the LH First Class Lounges or (if eligible) the lounge of the airline operating your onward flight.

What is the minimum connect time between flights in order to use the FCT?
- 90 mins is recommended, however some have observed that 60 mins is acceptable, while others still have got away with just 20 mins. Bear in mind, if in transit, that you will need to factor in the time between arrival and departure

Do I need to tip the staff in the FCT?
- According to LH policy, FCT staff are not allowed to accept gratuities.

What's the food like in the FCT?
- Well above the standard of anything you might expect from any airline in the air, a cut above lounge food of any other airline and equivalent to a smart restaurant in any major city

VAT Refund
- Yes, but there is a $75 trip fee and CC refund only.

Print Wikipost

The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 24, 2014, 7:04 pm
  #3016  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,512
Originally Posted by jasonvr
Look at the link in NewbieRunner's signature. It has a great series of photos to get you there easily (although, its quite easy to do)
Thanks for the plug.

I've added a couple of photos for the benefit of those arriving at a Z gate and exiting from A1 exit (closest to the FCT).
Walking to the FCT (version 2)
NewbieRunner is offline  
Old Jul 24, 2014, 8:44 pm
  #3017  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Originally Posted by LoveSQ
252KMPh is just WOW!
The Mrs and I had gone upto 215kmph in an S Class rental in Frankfurt a few years back. Just could not manage to go any higher than that.
Yeah, it was exhilarating! This past winter when we were in Germany I had a Passat wagon as a rental and that thing actually got to 200kph pretty easily, but not much more.

Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
Thanks for the plug.

I've added a couple of photos for the benefit of those arriving at a Z gate and exiting from A1 exit (closest to the FCT).
Walking to the FCT (version 2)
A plug is well deserved - how do you think I got the FCT the first time
jasonvr is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 2:07 am
  #3018  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Originally Posted by LoveSQ
252KMPh is just WOW!
The Mrs and I had gone upto 215kmph in an S Class rental in Frankfurt a few years back. Just could not manage to go any higher than that.
Well, it really depends - safety is highly compromised when you are driving at such speeds, due to reduced reaction time and other possible imbecilic drivers on the roads who might not be as attentive as they should be. (Well, it's really not a racing track, and it is indeed a public thoroughfare, shared by young/old/incompetents alike...)

I once was upgraded by Sixt at HAM some years ago to an awesome A6 turbo quattro Avant, where I reached 300 kmph (as per the speedometer - not sure if calibrated) at times (slightly downhill on this section back to HAM), but did not feel very safe going that fast, and continued at 270-280 kmph.

Only a double-lane on this stretch, at daybreak, only a few cars on the road, but *very* dangerous - as you never know if the car in the slow lane might simply pull out in front of you, with no shoulder to go to/space to react - you are basically dead meat if something should happen.

It was definitely a thrill, but my cautious side came into play and I had to tone it down, despite being slightly late for my flight!
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 3:19 am
  #3019  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,188
Originally Posted by SuperFlyBoy
I once was upgraded by Sixt at HAM some years ago to an awesome A6 turbo quattro Avant, where I reached 300 kmph (as per the speedometer - not sure if calibrated) at times (slightly downhill on this section back to HAM), but did not feel very safe going that fast, and continued at 270-280 kmph.
(...)
It was definitely a thrill, but my cautious side came into play and I had to tone it down, despite being slightly late for my flight!
Tone it down from 300 to 270-280? I could definitely have written that but I couldn't help laughing when reading it.
mmff is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 3:27 am
  #3020  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Originally Posted by mmff
Tone it down from 300 to 270-280? I could definitely have written that but I couldn't help laughing when reading it.
There is a threshold, after which, tires start losing grip and stability of the vehicle (drifting) - especially on curves on the highway (and fully optimal road surfaces not present) start becoming a safety risk.

It is really not a laughing matter - if you want to risk your life in doing so - go right ahead.
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 5:29 am
  #3021  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MIA and VRN
Programs: SEN LH Hyatt Globalist AA EXP
Posts: 612
Originally Posted by SuperFlyBoy
There is a threshold, after which, tires start losing grip and stability of the vehicle (drifting) - especially on curves on the highway (and fully optimal road surfaces not present) start becoming a safety risk.

It is really not a laughing matter - if you want to risk your life in doing so - go right ahead.
I am sure that the laughing is referred to the fact that 270-280 is still an extremely high speed and marginally less dangerous than 300!
afmiami is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 5:49 am
  #3022  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Originally Posted by afmiami
I am sure that the laughing is referred to the fact that 270-280 is still an extremely high speed and marginally less dangerous than 300!
Yes, but I also wanted to be clear on the facts and safety.

There was a clear difference - even with regard to reaction time from 260-280 to 300 - maybe I stated the first amount too high.
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 10:16 am
  #3023  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,188
Originally Posted by afmiami
I am sure that the laughing is referred to the fact that 270-280 is still an extremely high speed and marginally less dangerous than 300!
Indeed it was but I did not expect anyone to read too much into it, to be honest I laughed because I thought about the likely reaction of my SO to such a sentence. As I said, I could have been the one writing it.

Originally Posted by SuperFlyBoy
Yes, but I also wanted to be clear on the facts and safety.

There was a clear difference - even with regard to reaction time from 260-280 to 300 - maybe I stated the first amount too high.
No need for lecturing. I race on tracks (now only occasionally, unfortunately) and I am well aware of different reaction distances (time is the same) and tire wear management.

I believe I read in another thread (don't remember which one now) that you follow F1. Let me know if you happen to attend Monaco's GP next year, it'd be cool to meet another FTer over there.

Last edited by mmff; Jul 25, 2014 at 10:28 am
mmff is offline  
Old Jul 25, 2014, 2:52 pm
  #3024  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,405
Quick question on guests

Just booked my parents in LH F in next week. We (3 generations) are all booked FRA-PHL, 4 in C, 2 (parents) in F. What are the chances we are allowed in under the "all children" of the ticket holders?

Parents are 66, us 39, kids 16/4. (We have had both kids to the FCT past 3 years-and they will miss it if "nana/pappy" get in and they dont! )

Thoughts???

PS-I keep looking for F availability...seatmap (i KNOW its not a great indicator) just shows 2 booked seats on 340-600.

Last edited by PhillyPhlyer40; Jul 25, 2014 at 2:53 pm Reason: eta clairty on generations of kids!
PhillyPhlyer40 is offline  
Old Jul 26, 2014, 12:33 am
  #3025  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by PhillyPhlyer40
Just booked my parents in LH F in next week. We (3 generations) are all booked FRA-PHL, 4 in C, 2 (parents) in F. What are the chances we are allowed in under the "all children" of the ticket holders?

Parents are 66, us 39, kids 16/4. (We have had both kids to the FCT past 3 years-and they will miss it if "nana/pappy" get in and they dont! )

Thoughts???

PS-I keep looking for F availability...seatmap (i KNOW its not a great indicator) just shows 2 booked seats on 340-600.
Technically, I can see them saying no.

"One companion plus spouse / partner plus children under the age of 18"

So if I read the rules correctly, each parent could bring their above age 18 kid in under the companion rule, but, technically not the (grand) kids. But maybe you can argue the rule is vague. And if it was the grandparents traveling with the grand kids alone, I think it would be good. It is the getting 4 additional guests in that might be a problem.

If it was the son and parent, then I think it is easy. Spouse and kids get in with spouse. Parent gets in with the other parent.

However, I think if you show up as a group, you have a chance.

But sometimes, they are very strict.

Please report back if you are successful.
Global321 is offline  
Old Jul 26, 2014, 1:09 am
  #3026  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
Thanks for the plug.

I've added a couple of photos for the benefit of those arriving at a Z gate and exiting from A1 exit (closest to the FCT).
Walking to the FCT (version 2)
Thanks NewbieRunner, your photos were very helpful for my wife and I, as we had to walk from the Sheraton back to the FCT. Definitely would have been challenged to find it without your photos. My wife loved it, best quote after spending an hour in there was "whoever said money doesnt make life easier hasnt had the chance to visit this place"
stephem is offline  
Old Jul 26, 2014, 6:54 am
  #3027  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,724
^ Or as my grandma said: "When I was younger, I thought money was everything. Now that I'm old, I'm sure it is."
gojko88 is offline  
Old Jul 26, 2014, 7:02 am
  #3028  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Originally Posted by mmff
Indeed it was but I did not expect anyone to read too much into it, to be honest I laughed because I thought about the likely reaction of my SO to such a sentence. As I said, I could have been the one writing it.

No need for lecturing. I race on tracks (now only occasionally, unfortunately) and I am well aware of different reaction distances (time is the same) and tire wear management.

I believe I read in another thread (don't remember which one now) that you follow F1. Let me know if you happen to attend Monaco's GP next year, it'd be cool to meet another FTer over there.
No probs - just stating facts - as I said earlier.

Actually, I have absolutely *no* interest in being present at F1 races - I was a professional photographer and had to endure those high pitched noises without protection when assigned to cover them....

(I might want to try racing on tracks, though. (alone, due to risks involved))

Always easier to watch most sporting events on TV - except possibly tennis.

I think our posts on the Avis rental should be moved over to that thread... @:-)

Last edited by SuperFlyBoy; Jul 26, 2014 at 7:58 am
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Aug 3, 2014, 2:44 am
  #3029  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,982
Got 55min connection in FRA arriving Schengen (either A or 1B Bus gate looking at recent flight data) connecting to LH404 in F class to JFK. Does FCL B provide car ride to Z gates, or should I just rush to FCT or just walk straight to the Z gate without checking into any lounges. Can somebody help to optimize this for me?
LilZeppelin is offline  
Old Aug 3, 2014, 3:19 am
  #3030  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,512
Originally Posted by LilZeppelin
Got 55min connection in FRA arriving Schengen (either A or 1B Bus gate looking at recent flight data) connecting to LH404 in F class to JFK. Does FCL B provide car ride to Z gates, or should I just rush to FCT or just walk straight to the Z gate without checking into any lounges. Can somebody help to optimize this for me?
If you are arriving on LH you might be picked up by a limo. In that case asked to be dropped at an A bus gate and walk to the FCT. Yes, they will drive you from the FCL B to Z gates. If you are dropped at a B bus gate and know your way you can go through passport control into B non-Schengen and the FCL B is not far.
NewbieRunner is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.