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 Jun 17, 2015, 8:27 pm
  #3286  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: AS, UA, AA, Hyatt Globalist, and Marriott Silver
Posts: 278
Excited for FCT!

Hi all,

Wife and I are flying home (YVR) in July in LH J and F. We fly ARN/FRA in J (overnight), then FRA/MUC in J, then MUC/YVR in F. Haven't flown LH in F and excited for both that opportunity as well as a visit to the FCT.

Just to ease my mind as I know reading the thread, we should have access to the FCT the day we fly FRA/MUC/YVR? Just making sure nothing has changed.

Any tips/pointers/suggestions for us to maximize our experience in the FCT and on LH F? We fly out of FRA at 12:15 and then have a bit over 2 hours in MUC. Suggestions for lounge to visit in MUC?

Thanks and appreciate your wisdom!
Jed33d is offline  
Old Jun 18, 2015, 2:50 am
  #3287  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,270
Originally Posted by Jed33d
Hi all,

Wife and I are flying home (YVR) in July in LH J and F. We fly ARN/FRA in J (overnight), then FRA/MUC in J, then MUC/YVR in F. Haven't flown LH in F and excited for both that opportunity as well as a visit to the FCT.

Just to ease my mind as I know reading the thread, we should have access to the FCT the day we fly FRA/MUC/YVR? Just making sure nothing has changed.

Any tips/pointers/suggestions for us to maximize our experience in the FCT and on LH F? We fly out of FRA at 12:15 and then have a bit over 2 hours in MUC. Suggestions for lounge to visit in MUC?

Thanks and appreciate your wisdom!
Access to FCT: yes (show your F boarding pass for that day)
Maximise:
- go there at opening time
- drink coffee
- take a shower / bath and grab a ducky
- have breakfast
- smoke in the cigar lounge
- take another shower and change cloth to get the cigar "stinky" off
- time for a second breakfast
- relax with a few cocktails and some sweets
- take the limo to your flight
Did I forget something????

Lounge in MUC: FCL
- access FCL (entrance near gate 24 on level G (level you will arrive from FRA))
- have a few drinks
- have lunch
- smoke in the cigar lounge
- take a shower / bath and grab a ducky
- passport control in the lounge and leave the lounge to go to your departure gate
Did I forget something????
PetzLUX is offline  
Old Jun 18, 2015, 3:17 am
  #3288  
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: 29,513
Originally Posted by PetzLUX
Did I forget something????
Yes, a link to this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufth...ce-thread.html
NewbieRunner is online now  
Old Jun 18, 2015, 2:17 pm
  #3289  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: AS, UA, AA, Hyatt Globalist, and Marriott Silver
Posts: 278
LOL! I'll be the cleanest person in the first class cabin! And, if based on the other linked thread, I try all 83 scotches, probably the drunkest!! Thanks for the insights!
Jed33d is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2015, 1:19 pm
  #3290  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,913
Few questions from a newbie:

1. What time does the buffet/restaurant transfer over to lunch items?

2. What is the time usually prior to departure you are driven to the plane?

3. Are the items listed on the menu just shows whats on the buffet or is it a la carte selections?

4. Can you request the type of car you are driven to the plane on?

5. What are the signature/famous food items at the FCL? Schnitzel?

Last edited by ASUDan130; Jul 4, 2015 at 1:42 pm
ASUDan130 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2015, 1:49 pm
  #3291  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Originally Posted by ASUDan130
Few questions from a newby:

1. What time does the buffet/restaurant transfer over to lunch items?

2. What is the time usually prior to departure you are driven to the plane?

3. Are the items listed on the menu just shows whats on the buffet or is it a la carte selections?

4. Can you request the type of car you are driven to the plane on?
1. 11AM although the FCT/FCLs operate on your body time so you can order from any of the la carte menus.



2. Usually between T-30 and T-20 minutes before flight.

3. The menu shows both buffet and a la carte options.





4. You can always request although IMO, it would seem just a little cringe-worthy or tacky to so do.
SFO777 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2015, 2:25 pm
  #3292  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Originally Posted by SFO777
4. You can always request although IMO, it would seem just a little cringe-worthy or tacky to so do.
Also, if others are heading to your flight, I'm guessing they just put everyone in a Cayenne. Do they have anything Porsche other than a Cayenne or a Panamera anyway for the plane transfer? I've had Cayennes on both of my visits. It isn't as though Mercedes is a slouch either, and might be preferable for some in terms of being a passenger.
TheBOSman is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2015, 2:40 pm
  #3293  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,270
The all new FRA F/HON Terminal FCT FAQs

5. I can recommend the Tom ka gai and the Wiener Schnitzel at FCT.
And for some occasions they do have some specials which may be pretty interesting.
PetzLUX is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2015, 5:22 pm
  #3294  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,913
Thanks for the info! So the buffet is completely changed over from breakfast to lunch at 11 AM that sounds about right. What are the peak busy times in the lounge? Seems like early morning from 7-10 AM? Also, I noticed on various trip reports there are seasonal a la carte items. Best food looks like its over the Holidays. The goose dish sounds amazing! How long do they keep those seasonal menus up for? I am guessing through New Years? Also, I noticed on various reports on F class that the cabin is usually pretty empty. Is that pretty standard? My only thinking Is that because awards are so tough to get?

Last edited by ASUDan130; Jul 4, 2015 at 6:38 pm
ASUDan130 is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2015, 12:47 am
  #3295  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Originally Posted by ASUDan130
I noticed on various reports on F class that the cabin is usually pretty empty. Is that pretty standard? My only thinking Is that because awards are so tough to get?
I've heard that some passengers use those traditional travel instruments - cash-paid tickets

More seriously, there's a delicate balance in filling an eight-seat cabin with paying passengers on (usually) flexible tickets while avoiding the risks of over-booking. Hence limited award availability.


And Lufthansa eschews the practice of upgrading status members to take up spare capacity in premium cabins.
IAN-UK is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2015, 6:15 am
  #3296  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
The goose I had in the air was great, I am sure it was even better on the ground.

Even after a few trips the most "exciting" part is still that lead up to being driven to the plane when you think "Certainly we must be going by now, have they forgotten about me??" only to then find the PA comes over with a smile and brings you down.

I'm sure it's route dependent but I've always flown FRA-JFK and it's been a pretty full cabin with usually 3-4 people leaving from the FCT so they have always put us in the MB van. Arriving from PRG once there were 3 of us and they sent a S55 and I got to ride shotgun with the driver. I wouldn't imagine requesting a specific car or a "private" transfer unless perhaps it was a regular few times a month HON who the staff is chummy with.
JVPhoto is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2015, 7:58 am
  #3297  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
What care you get for your ride seems to be totally random. Twice I was in a group of 4/3 people and got the MB van. Twice I was solo and got the Porsche Cayenne. Once I was in a large group - probably 6 people heading to PVG. They split us up into 2 different cars, 3 each in S-Class sedans (the second one left later as a HON wanted to finish his phone call.)

My favourite items on the FCT menu tends to be the Wiener Schnitzel and the pasta dishes which are always cooked to my liking. I'm also impartial to the special menu items which once included a salmon tartare on a crispy potato pancake (easily among the best dish I've ever had within a 10 km radius of an airport and in the sky.)
tng11 is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2015, 5:35 pm
  #3298  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
My experience leaving for JFK or EWR has been usually with two other passengers and usually with the S-Class and some times the Cayenne.
NYC1 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2015, 11:17 am
  #3299  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Originally Posted by IAN-UK
I've heard that some passengers use those traditional travel instruments - cash-paid tickets
Who are these strange people?
TheBOSman is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2015, 2:28 pm
  #3300  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: Non-status paid F/J (best value for $$$)
Posts: 4,124
Originally Posted by TheBOSman
Who are these strange people?
Me sometimes

Sometimes it is just impossible to get an F award seat on the flight/date you want. Eg. When you need to travel on fixed dates as you have to be somewhere on a certain date.

Also, paying for a ticket in advance (LH does offer "A" fares in most markets that are less than their "F" fares but with advance purchase and other restrictions) gives me peace of mind as I won't have to worry about gambling whether awards would be available when I want to travel.
daniellam 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.