Jul 29, 2013, 5:44 am
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:
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:
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
Im 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.
Im 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.
- 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
Im 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.
Im 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.
The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ
Jul 29, 2016, 11:46 pm
#3601
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,354
Bummer. Arrival changed to C13! Arriving from US, so I should in theory be able to connect without security controls, but I find the setup in C confusing so I hope I won't pick the wrong way and land somewhere that I'll need to go through security after all.
Distance-wise it's the same to walk/train to FCL A or to the FCT, don't care, it's just security I want to avoid
Distance-wise it's the same to walk/train to FCL A or to the FCT, don't care, it's just security I want to avoid
Jul 30, 2016, 3:59 am
#3602
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: 29,527
As far as I know there is no way to avoid security if arriving in C and connecting from A. In addition LH does not provide any First Class arrival service at their main hub airport.
Jul 30, 2016, 6:37 am
#3603
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,839
This is one of the most annoying things about LH at FRA. The arrival gate is determined by the aircraft's next destination and could change during the flight.
As far as I know there is no way to avoid security if arriving in C and connecting from A. In addition LH does not provide any First Class arrival service at their main hub airport.
As far as I know there is no way to avoid security if arriving in C and connecting from A. In addition LH does not provide any First Class arrival service at their main hub airport.
But other than that? The lounge is an "experience", and even security is "an experience"? Maybe I misunderstand the term experience, to me it sounds as if The lounge itself would be worth a detour or extra time, which personally I don't find. In the end it is an airport lounge with a design that could also be the lobby of a good hotel, the food is good but it's not as if it was a culinary experience, it has nice amenities but an airport shower is still an airport shower. And it is somewhat claustrophobic, with a view on the back of other ugly buildings (from the FCL one can at least see outside).
As a way to go through an airport it is absolutely fantastic and I am happy that I have the possibility to use it. But to change my travel plans (change routing, plan for longer connecting time) as some people do just to go to the FCT or to take more time to "experience" it or to walk longer just to get there instead of a more convenient FCL - thankfully I can get better food and nice interior design at home and in other places.
Jul 30, 2016, 7:02 am
#3604
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,646
As a way to go through an airport it is absolutely fantastic and I am happy that I have the possibility to use it. But to change my travel plans (change routing, plan for longer connecting time) as some people do just to go to the FCT or to take more time to "experience" it or to walk longer just to get there instead of a more convenient FCL - thankfully I can get better food and nice interior design at home and in other places.
Sure, most of us get better food and nice interior design at home, but you are transiting an airport and making a connection, for eff-sake. Except for the amazing Air France CDG experience where you are coddled during a connection and you get Alain Ducasse meals in the FCL, the FCT experience about as good as it gets in Europe.
Jul 30, 2016, 7:56 am
#3605
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
I find the drive to the lounge when I arrive from AMS for an F connection to be some added value. But I agree that in the end it's still a lounge, although a good one.
And sometimes the extra time spend there is nice when I'm off for a holiday and don't care to leave a few hours early and then have lunch in the FCT before the flight. But since food in F is also not that bad, no real need to spend much time in the lounge...
And sometimes the extra time spend there is nice when I'm off for a holiday and don't care to leave a few hours early and then have lunch in the FCT before the flight. But since food in F is also not that bad, no real need to spend much time in the lounge...
Jul 30, 2016, 4:17 pm
#3606
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,043
Maybe I am a party pooper but I find all this hype about the FCT and it being "an experience" where many people even take extra time just to stay there longer a mystery. Relative to a normal airport experience it is of course a zillion times better and I am happy to use it every time I start my trip in Frankfurt. And I am happy to do the extra walking when that will allow me to avoid long lines at security in the terminal.
But other than that? The lounge is an "experience", and even security is "an experience"? Maybe I misunderstand the term experience, to me it sounds as if The lounge itself would be worth a detour or extra time, which personally I don't find. ...
Under those circumstances it's hardly surprising that passengers are determined to savour the trappings that go with the first-class experience. And the FCL's uniqueness puts it firmly at the top of the those trappings.
It seems just a tad graceless for one over-familiar with luxury travel to deprecate the aspirations and enthusiasms of less fortunate travellers.
Jul 30, 2016, 4:21 pm
#3607
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The electrified part of North Carolina
Programs: UA GM, AA GM, DL GM
Posts: 4,157
I think you are being disingenuous. For many, first-class travel is a rare treat, an occasional highlight in a year of humdrum travel. Others might only experience uber-premium travel as a component of a special trip: an anniversary or honeymoon.
Under those circumstances it's hardly surprising that passengers are determined to savour the trappings that go with the first-class experience. And the FCL's uniqueness puts it firmly at the top of the those trappings.
It seems just a tad graceless for one over-familiar with luxury travel to deprecate the aspirations and enthusiasms of less fortunate travellers.
Under those circumstances it's hardly surprising that passengers are determined to savour the trappings that go with the first-class experience. And the FCL's uniqueness puts it firmly at the top of the those trappings.
It seems just a tad graceless for one over-familiar with luxury travel to deprecate the aspirations and enthusiasms of less fortunate travellers.
Jul 30, 2016, 5:01 pm
#3608
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
He would do everything to avoid extra security, but wouldn't walk 5 minutes
to have the most "human" security available... Some deep logic involved here.
Jul 30, 2016, 5:24 pm
#3609
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,839
- For an airport lounge and a way to pass through an airport, as an alternative to using overcrowded terminals it is absolutely top notch and I appreciate being able to use it.
- Compared to the FCLs in A and B and compared to other ways I could spend my time I fail to see what is so special about the FCT that it merits a longer walk or spending more time at the airport.
I also add that this is my personal preference and not a value judgement on those that think otherwise.
Sure, most of us get better food and nice interior design at home, but you are transiting an airport and making a connection, for eff-sake. Except for the amazing Air France CDG experience where you are coddled during a connection and you get Alain Ducasse meals in the FCL, the FCT experience about as good as it gets in Europe.
I think you are being disingenuous. For many, first-class travel is a rare treat, an occasional highlight in a year of humdrum travel. Others might only experience uber-premium travel as a component of a special trip: an anniversary or honeymoon.
Under those circumstances it's hardly surprising that passengers are determined to savour the trappings that go with the first-class experience. And the FCL's uniqueness puts it firmly at the top of the those trappings.
It seems just a tad graceless for one over-familiar with luxury travel to deprecate the aspirations and enthusiasms of less fortunate travellers.
Under those circumstances it's hardly surprising that passengers are determined to savour the trappings that go with the first-class experience. And the FCL's uniqueness puts it firmly at the top of the those trappings.
It seems just a tad graceless for one over-familiar with luxury travel to deprecate the aspirations and enthusiasms of less fortunate travellers.
- these are personal preferences, and obviously they are influenced by having been fortunate enough to have been through the FCT and FCLs many times, so I am fully aware that others who go there for the first time and for whom the trip is an event and "an experience" feel more elevated about it. I accept that and don't judge that. But I hope that I have the freedom to feel differently.
- my statement that I fail to see what is so extraordinary about it beyond being the most pleasant way to pass through an airport related to more than just the element of wanting to spend more time there. I also reacted to the systematic dismissal of the FCLs, which to me sounded as if the FCT was so far superior. For me it is not that far superior, the FCLs also are great, and for me they are absolutely good enough to not justify a sometimes longer walk to the FCT (depending on from where to where I need to go in FRA)
Apologies if I didn't post my entire "algorithm", which involves -amongst others - things like where I spend least time in security or can even avoid it (ceteris paribus, no security is better than FCT, FCT is better than in-terminal security), how much walking is involved (ceteris paribus, for connections between Z/A and Z/A I see no point going to the FCT when the FCL is so close. But I would go to the FCT for instance when transferring from C to A), how long lines are at immigration, as well as other points. Again, I had a question about functioning of the FCLs in A and B, not about the entire logic.
------------
Thank you again for all the information regarding the various walk/limo scenarios for FCL A and FCL B. Very much appreciated.
Last edited by San Gottardo; Jul 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm
Jul 31, 2016, 2:46 am
#3611
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,133
A car transfer from/to airplane is the biggest advantage of FCT. Security screening there beats by time any other line in terminal and the passport control is in FCT if needed. About spending the time there, I am sure every person has his/her own reasons. My last time there was 1:30, next could be around 5:30 if I will not rent a Porsche for 3 hrs.
Hopefully there will be Olympic 2016 duck.Already starting to think that the LH duck is a status symbol
Hopefully there will be Olympic 2016 duck.Already starting to think that the LH duck is a status symbol
Jul 31, 2016, 12:19 pm
#3612
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,839
It's a bit as if I tried to poke fun of you as a Ukrainian because I see you have "UA" in your username. Smiley or not, it would just be silly.
If from my handle you had made a remark like "From his handle I guess he prefers railway company lounges to the FCT" that might have been a (lame) joke, but at least "the mechanics" would have worked (difficult to explain wit to someone whose level of humour centres around national stereotypes). And again I would not have feel offended, especially with the smiley that you added.
BTW, German wrong as well. Keep on guessing if you like
A car transfer from/to airplane is the biggest advantage of FCT. Security screening there beats by time any other line in terminal and the passport control is in FCT if needed. About spending the time there, I am sure every person has his/her own reasons. My last time there was 1:30, next could be around 5:30 if I will not rent a Porsche for 3 hrs.
Hopefully there will be Olympic 2016 duck.Already starting to think that the LH duck is a status symbol
Hopefully there will be Olympic 2016 duck.Already starting to think that the LH duck is a status symbol
But let me ask it this way: when arriving in FRA and connecting to somewhere else, you never get dropped off at the FCT, only at the terminal building. So if you get picked up by limo from your apron posiiton of the incoming flight and dropped at transfer A, your connecting flight leaves from A28, will you walk all the way over to the FCT when you could easily go to the FCL in A, from where it would only be a short walk to A28 or in case this is a bus gate, you'd get a limo transfer? You may, I wouldn't, that's all I was saying. The bit of walking form the lounge to the gate does not justify the even longer walk and the security control - as relatively unobtrusive it may be - at the FCT.
Also: even though the FCT is a greater place to wait for a plane than the general departures hall of the airport or even the SEN lounges when connecting between two flights, would you take an earlier feeder flight to FRA only to spend more time in the FCT? All I was saying that I wouldn't. The FCT and the FCL are the least unpleasant way of something that I would like to minimize as much as possible, which is time spent at the airport waiting for a plane. For the time that I cannot avoid it, rather spend it in the FCL/FCT (either of which, depending on situation).
Or put differently: I can understand and share the feeling of relief when one can use the FCL/FCT relative to other places to wait for a plane. I can understand but personally do not share the hype of the FCT as a stand-alone experience which merits longer-than-necessary walks or longer-than-necessary time spent at the airport-
Last edited by San Gottardo; Jul 31, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Jul 31, 2016, 4:30 pm
#3614
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,839
Hehe, why not?
The Italian would explain why some readers' heads spin, the Swiss why I have no sense of humour?
Or maybe a Brit expatriated in Switzerland and hence the SBB and Eurostar cards?
Or a French working in banking in Germany since he often departs FRA as origin and apparently goes to London quite a bit from Paris on the Eurostar?
Or an American who transfers in FRA often from the US as indicated in the post because that gives him one-stop security, just as in Zurich, where he then transfers on to the train to Italy (over the Gottardo)?
My head is spinning, too, now
Whatever, this forum has been helpful in giving me the information that I needed, which I highly appreciate. ^ Let's leave it at that.
The Italian would explain why some readers' heads spin, the Swiss why I have no sense of humour?
Or maybe a Brit expatriated in Switzerland and hence the SBB and Eurostar cards?
Or a French working in banking in Germany since he often departs FRA as origin and apparently goes to London quite a bit from Paris on the Eurostar?
Or an American who transfers in FRA often from the US as indicated in the post because that gives him one-stop security, just as in Zurich, where he then transfers on to the train to Italy (over the Gottardo)?
My head is spinning, too, now
Whatever, this forum has been helpful in giving me the information that I needed, which I highly appreciate. ^ Let's leave it at that.
Jul 31, 2016, 6:56 pm
#3615
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,133
But let me ask it this way: when arriving in FRA and connecting to somewhere else, you never get dropped off at the FCT, only at the terminal building. So if you get picked up by limo from your apron posiiton of the incoming flight and dropped at transfer A, your connecting flight leaves from A28, will you walk all the way over to the FCT when you could easily go to the FCL in A, from where it would only be a short walk to A28 or in case this is a bus gate, you'd get a limo transfer? You may, I wouldn't, that's all I was saying. The bit of walking form the lounge to the gate does not justify the even longer walk and the security control - as relatively unobtrusive it may be - at the FCT.
Also: even though the FCT is a greater place to wait for a plane than the general departures hall of the airport or even the SEN lounges when connecting between two flights, would you take an earlier feeder flight to FRA only to spend more time in the FCT? All I was saying that I wouldn't. The FCT and the FCL are the least unpleasant way of something that I would like to minimize as much as possible, which is time spent at the airport waiting for a plane. For the time that I cannot avoid it, rather spend it in the FCL/FCT (either of which, depending on situation).
Or put differently: I can understand and share the feeling of relief when one can use the FCL/FCT relative to other places to wait for a plane. I can understand but personally do not share the hype of the FCT as a stand-alone experience which merits longer-than-necessary walks or longer-than-necessary time spent at the airport-