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
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.
- 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.
The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ
Jun 9, 2009, 3:18 pm
#76
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: A Sight For Roll Eyes
Programs: :enrolleyes:+, :drôleyes:
Posts: 5,461
That's right!
Jun 10, 2009, 12:47 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
Just wanted to thank you guys for the comments. I think you've swayed me from trying to bring the family out to the FCT, instead we'll hang at the FCL.
I may end up dropping them there and heading out to the FCT just to check it out, purely for the novelty of it. However if I do that, I'll be going it alone.
Thanks again.
I may end up dropping them there and heading out to the FCT just to check it out, purely for the novelty of it. However if I do that, I'll be going it alone.
Thanks again.
Jul 29, 2009, 1:48 am
#79
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Global Services 1MM,, AA Exec Plat. Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 606
Not sure what policies have been implemented over the past few months, so I have a couple of questions, thanks in advance!
1) For an ORD-FRA-DUB itinerary in LH F, am I entitled to use the FCT (connection will be 4 hours) or is LH only allowing FCL access?
2) I will likely have an accommpanying passenger in C or Y, can they access the FCT or FCL with me?
Thanks!
1) For an ORD-FRA-DUB itinerary in LH F, am I entitled to use the FCT (connection will be 4 hours) or is LH only allowing FCL access?
2) I will likely have an accommpanying passenger in C or Y, can they access the FCT or FCL with me?
Thanks!
Jul 29, 2009, 2:02 am
#80
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,555
If in transit, I prefer the B lounge over FCT as they tend to let you stay a bit longer and board a bit later (if you getting a limousine to outside position/C gate etc).
Jul 29, 2009, 2:56 am
#81
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: bmi diamond club lifetime gold, ba silver
Posts: 118
We are flying on reward tickets, arriving terminal 1 FRA from Edinburgh at 16.50 (LH C class as only 2 class cabin), departing 21.55 to SIN in LH F class (not sure which terminal but I think also terminal 1).
Therefore we have 5 hour layover (later EDI flight would have only given us about 40 minutes which was too tight). I have requested wheelchair and board assist for my mother, who has some mobility problems following a knee replacement and cannot walk too far.
Which lounge (or should we go to FCT) would we be best advised to go to in FRA? I am assuming, from what LH told me when booking board assist, she will get assistance in getting to lounge/FCT from incoming flight and from lounge to outbound SIN flight.
From reading various posts I initially thought FCT would be best but now wondering if one of the FCL's might be better option. I would appreciate any advice
Therefore we have 5 hour layover (later EDI flight would have only given us about 40 minutes which was too tight). I have requested wheelchair and board assist for my mother, who has some mobility problems following a knee replacement and cannot walk too far.
Which lounge (or should we go to FCT) would we be best advised to go to in FRA? I am assuming, from what LH told me when booking board assist, she will get assistance in getting to lounge/FCT from incoming flight and from lounge to outbound SIN flight.
From reading various posts I initially thought FCT would be best but now wondering if one of the FCL's might be better option. I would appreciate any advice
Jul 29, 2009, 3:47 am
#82
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The old Europe
Programs: LH, AF, AB, SQ
Posts: 206
With a Wheelchair I'd certainly stay in the airport terminal. Keeps your life more comfortable.
The walk to the FCT is too long and tricky. Upside down the curbs all the time. If you are just for yourself, "young" and ready for a walk I would certainly have done it for a five hours break but here: no. Except they drive you over the apron straight to the FCT. And that's unlikely.
The walk to the FCT is too long and tricky. Upside down the curbs all the time. If you are just for yourself, "young" and ready for a walk I would certainly have done it for a five hours break but here: no. Except they drive you over the apron straight to the FCT. And that's unlikely.
Jul 29, 2009, 4:17 am
#83
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX HON Circle
Posts: 3,244
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (SymbianOS/9.2; U; Series60/3.1 NokiaE51-1/100.34.20; Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 ) AppleWebKit/413 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/413)
1) FCL only.
2) yes, you can bring a guest into the FCL if one of the following criteria is matched: he is on the same departing flight, fra-dub, or if he joins you on the ord-fra only and stops in FRA.
So in your case: a clear YES!
Enjoy the trip.
Originally Posted by globetraveler
Not sure what policies have been implemented over the past few months, so I have a couple of questions, thanks in advance!
1) For an ORD-FRA-DUB itinerary in LH F, am I entitled to use the FCT (connection will be 4 hours) or is LH only allowing FCL access?
2) I will likely have an accommpanying passenger in C or Y, can they access the FCT or FCL with me?
Thanks!
1) For an ORD-FRA-DUB itinerary in LH F, am I entitled to use the FCT (connection will be 4 hours) or is LH only allowing FCL access?
2) I will likely have an accommpanying passenger in C or Y, can they access the FCT or FCL with me?
Thanks!
2) yes, you can bring a guest into the FCL if one of the following criteria is matched: he is on the same departing flight, fra-dub, or if he joins you on the ord-fra only and stops in FRA.
So in your case: a clear YES!
Enjoy the trip.
Last edited by f4freeJunior; Jul 29, 2009 at 4:22 am
Jul 29, 2009, 5:08 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: FRA
Programs: LH, Avis, Hyatt, ...
Posts: 4,213
2) Must be on same departure flight FRA-DUB. IIRC even FCL can't be used as arrivals lounge for non-F companions of F pax.
Aug 4, 2009, 3:44 pm
#85
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, BA Gold, SQ TPP
Posts: 1,487
Does same-day ticket in LH/LX F get FCL/FCT access?
Do you have to be arriving or departing in F to get FCL/FCT access?
I'm thinking about situations like the following
JFK-ZRH in F
ZRH-FRA in C
FRA-LHR in C
or
FRA-MUC in C
MUC-SIN in F
Is there FCL/FCT access at FRA in these cases?
I'm thinking about situations like the following
JFK-ZRH in F
ZRH-FRA in C
FRA-LHR in C
or
FRA-MUC in C
MUC-SIN in F
Is there FCL/FCT access at FRA in these cases?
Aug 4, 2009, 5:02 pm
#86
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: FMO, YVR
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 430
The JFK-ZRH-FRA-LHR should be also fine, but I can't guarantee you that. I was going YVR-FRA-ZRH-LHR a few month ago. FCT access in FRA was no problem and I even got into the F lounge in ZRH. However later on they said, that they should have not granted me access.
Aug 4, 2009, 11:01 pm
#88
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: FMO, YVR
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 430
I have been in the FCL B when it opened for the first time and later went to the FCT. Had a little bit longer layover in FRA. First FCT and then FCL B would be kinda stupid.
If you really wanna go out of your way with lounge hopping you can also make it to FCL A on your way
If you really wanna go out of your way with lounge hopping you can also make it to FCL A on your way
Aug 4, 2009, 11:13 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: Too many...and an Amanjunkie
Posts: 1,667
Aug 5, 2009, 1:37 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505