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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.

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Old Sep 14, 2017, 7:28 am
  #3901  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Colorado, US
Programs: LH Senator BA Silver
Posts: 162
(Sorry, just realized I posted this FRA question in a MUC thread but cannot delete?) I'm flying PRG>FRA>JNB in First (Biz on the European leg) with about 3.5 hours to spare during my time in FRA. I'd love to have a proper menu service dinner as the departure to JNB is late enough that I'll want to sleep straight away. Any suggestions if I should walk to the FCT or dine at the FCL? I've been to both, but never dinner in the FCL - only the FCT which I quite liked. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

Last edited by wfiring12; Sep 14, 2017 at 7:45 am
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Old Sep 14, 2017, 8:20 am
  #3902  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
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Originally Posted by wfiring12
(Sorry, just realized I posted this FRA question in a MUC thread but cannot delete?) I'm flying PRG>FRA>JNB in First (Biz on the European leg) with about 3.5 hours to spare during my time in FRA. I'd love to have a proper menu service dinner as the departure to JNB is late enough that I'll want to sleep straight away. Any suggestions if I should walk to the FCT or dine at the FCL? I've been to both, but never dinner in the FCL - only the FCT which I quite liked. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
They should have exactly the same menu/food in the FCL and the FCT. You will be driven to your flight from the FCL B assuming it departs from a Z gate. On arrival from PRG use the transfer tunnel to B and go through passport control at the end.
NewbieRunner is offline  
Old Sep 15, 2017, 8:00 pm
  #3903  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 83
Hello guys ...

PVG-MUC-FRA-HEL (all same PNR) F-BC/ Two Pax

i have a long layover in FRA, my two friends are arriving the same day in FRA but in Economy and leaving with me on the same flight to HEL in Economy, i don't think it's any problem to use FCT because we are all leaving on the same flights, right?

And if i arrive first (two hours before them) at FCT, i don't think there will be any problem, right?
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Old Sep 15, 2017, 10:07 pm
  #3904  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 5
Looking for FORMAL confirmation

Originally Posted by Pandux
Hello guys ...

PVG-MUC-FRA-HEL (all same PNR) F-BC/ Two Pax

i have a long layover in FRA, my two friends are arriving the same day in FRA but in Economy and leaving with me on the same flight to HEL in Economy, i don't think it's any problem to use FCT because we are all leaving on the same flights, right?

And if i arrive first (two hours before them) at FCT, i don't think there will be any problem, right?


Hi, there. long time reader/first time poster.
I have a question that i have looked for an answer to EXTENSIVELY to no avail. Even getting mixed answers from LH.

Wife and I are flying from LAX/FRA on Tuesday. I'm in F, she's in J (Reason being, some d-bag travel agent is holding seats, not my fault and shes ok with this). From there we are in J to IST the same day we land.

So, question is: From what i read in "practical" experience is I can definitely enter and that i can bring her into the FCT since i flew in on F and she is on both flights. From what LH tells me is standard NO, since she doesn't have an F ticket. Does anybody have FORMAL confirmation that we can access the FCT during my 6hr layover? Basically, something i can reference/cite that German people will accept to get me into FCT. It will be my first and probably only time to experience so want to make it worth while!

Thanks for any input!
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Old Sep 16, 2017, 1:18 am
  #3905  
 
Join Date: May 2015
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Originally Posted by justlizz
Hi, there. long time reader/first time poster.
I have a question that i have looked for an answer to EXTENSIVELY to no avail. Even getting mixed answers from LH.

Wife and I are flying from LAX/FRA on Tuesday. I'm in F, she's in J (Reason being, some d-bag travel agent is holding seats, not my fault and shes ok with this). From there we are in J to IST the same day we land.

So, question is: From what i read in "practical" experience is I can definitely enter and that i can bring her into the FCT since i flew in on F and she is on both flights. From what LH tells me is standard NO, since she doesn't have an F ticket. Does anybody have FORMAL confirmation that we can access the FCT during my 6hr layover? Basically, something i can reference/cite that German people will accept to get me into FCT. It will be my first and probably only time to experience so want to make it worth while!

Thanks for any input!
Welcome to FlyerTalk and the LH forums!

Since you have an arriving F ticket, it entitles you to one guest plus your immediate family traveling on the same flight going into the FCT.

It says the following on the LH site.

"To access the First Class Terminal and the First Class Lounges travelling companions must present a valid boarding pass for the same flight as the passenger who invited them. Life partners, spouses and children under 18 years must present a valid boarding pass for a flight departing on the same day as the passenger who invited them."
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Old Sep 16, 2017, 1:52 am
  #3906  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Posts: 3,420
Originally Posted by Pandux
Hello guys ...

PVG-MUC-FRA-HEL (all same PNR) F-BC/ Two Pax

i have a long layover in FRA, my two friends are arriving the same day in FRA but in Economy and leaving with me on the same flight to HEL in Economy, i don't think it's any problem to use FCT because we are all leaving on the same flights, right?

And if i arrive first (two hours before them) at FCT, i don't think there will be any problem, right?
if I read it correctly, there are two of you in F and two in Y?

then you can guest them in. By the rules, you have to arrive at the same time. Why don't you wait at the FCL and then head over with them once they arrive?
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Old Sep 16, 2017, 3:57 am
  #3907  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 83
Originally Posted by daumueller
if I read it correctly, there are two of you in F and two in Y?

then you can guest them in. By the rules, you have to arrive at the same time. Why don't you wait at the FCL and then head over with them once they arrive?

Yes thanks, two arriving from PVG-MUC-FRA-HEL, F and the others two in Y PVG-FRA-HEL, actually we are going to the city and then around 3:30pm going back and their flight arrives at 6:50 pm then the flight to HEL 9:20pm they will just have about 2h30 to join us. ( this is why) i might speak with the staff to see if they can allow it.
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Old Sep 16, 2017, 10:33 am
  #3908  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,141
I've done SIN-FRA-ZRH-TXL in F/C/C and had friend join do TXL-FRA-ZRH-TXL in Y/Y/Y and I had no problem guesting him into FCL A/FCT/FCL E.

Both of you asking questions about guest access will be fine.
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Old Oct 15, 2017, 8:18 am
  #3909  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 46
2h50 in Frankfurt...enough time for FCT?

So I'm planning a 1st class trip from London which gives me a layover of 2h50 between my flights. Assuming my flight arrives from LHR on time, does this give me enough time to experience the first class terminal and is it easy to get to? Thanks in advance.
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Old Oct 15, 2017, 8:24 am
  #3910  
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Originally Posted by trb10
So I'm planning a 1st class trip from London which gives me a layover of 2h50 between my flights. Assuming my flight arrives from LHR on time, does this give me enough time to experience the first class terminal and is it easy to get to? Thanks in advance.
Of course you will have enough time. Go through passport control, leave the terminal on the arrival (lower) level and turn left. Check the pictorial guide in my signature.
NewbieRunner is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2017, 8:49 am
  #3911  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 46
Thank you for the info, much appreciated.
trb10 is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2017, 10:00 am
  #3912  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,724
It depends on what you define as "experience".

Some people schedule their flights half a day apart so they can do the Porsche rental, have a bath with a rubber duck and drink their bodyweight in champagne and expensive whisky. If that's what you are after, 2h50 is pobably not enough. It is, however, plenty of time to get there (15 minutes max), have a meal and enjoy the limo ride to the plane.

Last edited by worldclubber; Oct 15, 2017 at 4:07 pm
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Old Oct 15, 2017, 10:31 am
  #3913  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
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Posts: 8,658
Just to let you know: FCL B at FRA offers the same experience as the FCT but with a better view
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Old Oct 25, 2017, 9:17 pm
  #3914  
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May have found the first way to actually be directed to the FCT by LH staff.

Got the dreaded SSSS on my boarding pass but only for my FRA - IAD flight which was in F.

They apparently called the crew on my inbound flight who told me while waiting for the car at the remote gate that I should head to the FCT because it would make my life easier. Then the driver of the car dropped me off by FCL A and told me to connect with them. They saw my boarding pass and further directed me to the FCT rather than going through security and immigration in the regular terminal.

Walked over to FCT and as promised it much less painful than your typical SSSS experience. Only difference from standard security was a patdown and close scrutinization of my loafers.

Apart from that it was my first time in the FCT and it was great. Incredibly friendly staff including the woman who welcomed me, brought me through security with the SSSS and handed me off to the driver upon departure. Got a couple ducks my niece will love and had a nice time trying 5-6 different scotches.
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Old Oct 26, 2017, 10:09 am
  #3915  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by Duke787
May have found the first way to actually be directed to the FCT by LH staff.

Got the dreaded SSSS on my boarding pass but only for my FRA - IAD flight which was in F.

They apparently called the crew on my inbound flight who told me while waiting for the car at the remote gate that I should head to the FCT because it would make my life easier. Then the driver of the car dropped me off by FCL A and told me to connect with them. They saw my boarding pass and further directed me to the FCT rather than going through security and immigration in the regular terminal.

Walked over to FCT and as promised it much less painful than your typical SSSS experience. Only difference from standard security was a patdown and close scrutinization of my loafers.

Apart from that it was my first time in the FCT and it was great. Incredibly friendly staff including the woman who welcomed me, brought me through security with the SSSS and handed me off to the driver upon departure. Got a couple ducks my niece will love and had a nice time trying 5-6 different scotches.
The patdown and shoe thing is normal for all USA bound passengers.
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