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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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The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

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Old Jul 28, 2016, 5:20 am
  #3586  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
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So not FCT when continuing in BIZ after FIRST?

Hi!

So LH is now following the policy on their website that after arriving LH First in FRA and continuing with them in BIZ you're NOT allowed into the FCT (but First Class Lounge)?

Any recent experiences?

Thx
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Old Jul 28, 2016, 6:17 am
  #3587  
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Originally Posted by hassanal
So LH is now following the policy on their website that after arriving LH First in FRA and continuing with them in BIZ you're NOT allowed into the FCT (but First Class Lounge)? Any recent experiences?
I haven't heard/read of any same day F passenger being denied entry to the FCT. Are you saying that you were not allowed in?
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Old Jul 28, 2016, 7:07 am
  #3588  
 
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Originally Posted by SFO777
I haven't heard/read of any same day F passenger being denied entry to the FCT. Are you saying that you were not allowed in?
Wasn't denied (yet).
LH's site says under Lounge Information - Passengers with LH First Class ticket, pretty clearly:

"Ankommende Fluggäste erhalten keinen Zugang zum First Class Terminal.
"

Translates as "arriving passengers DO NOT have access to FCT"
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Old Jul 28, 2016, 7:16 am
  #3589  
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Originally Posted by hassanal
Wasn't denied (yet).
LH's site says under Lounge Information - Passengers with LH First Class ticket, pretty clearly:
"Ankommende Fluggäste erhalten keinen Zugang zum First Class Terminal.
"
Translates as "arriving passengers DO NOT have access to FCT"
That language has been there for years. It means you can't use the FCT as an arrivals lounge without a same day connecting flight.
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Old Jul 28, 2016, 7:28 am
  #3590  
 
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Originally Posted by SFO777
That language has been there for years. It means you can't use the FCT as an arrivals lounge without a same day connecting flight.
That's great news
:-)
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 6:02 am
  #3591  
 
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Originally Posted by Big_Foot
I have a few hours to kill here soon, any great ideas
about specific single malts or anything else - rare and great -
to try? Anything good for lunch?

My wiener schnitzel was outstanding, better than ever.
Also enjoyed some amazing scotch. Silver ducks are back (no more soccer).
A great experience followed by a Mercedes ride to an EMPTY 747-8
F cabin! Couldn't be better.
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 8:07 am
  #3592  
 
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Surely this information is hidden somewhere, but I couldn't find it, nor by doing a search nor by reading through the Wikis in relevant-looking threads. If the info that I am looking for is somewhere, pls. Just point me toward it and don't feel compelled to answer.

Can someone summarise the walk vs. bus vs. limo rules for me from the various FCT/FCL

From the FCT

Schengen and non-Schengen, jetway and tarmac position: transfer by limousine

From FCL in A

Any jetway position in any terminal/concourse, Schengen or non-Schengen: walk
Tarmac position for Schengen flight departing A gates: limousine transfer
Tarmac position for Schengen flight departing B gates: ?? Limousine or walk??
Tarmac position for non-Schengen flight: ??

From FCL in B

Any jetway position for non-Schengen departure from B: walk
Any tarmac position for non-Schengen departure from B: limousine transfer
Any non-Schengen departure from C or Z gates, jetway or tarmac: limousine transfer
Any Schengen departure, jetway: walk
Any Schengen departure, tarmac: walk/bus ??

Is that correct?

I am trying to figure out the best option for the various scenarios I have. Tomorrow I arrive at Z 25 and will continue from B6 (Schengen) and wonder what the best option is to avoid security control and bus transfer if there is one. Probably go from Z through immigration by Z22 (where the old FCL A was), go to FCL A, and then walk to B6 if it's a jetway gate or be driven there by limousine if it's a Tarmac position and if they offer limousine for that situation (hence my questions above). I also have flights where I'll transfer from C to A (I typically just walk to the FCT, same distance but easier security control) and from C to Z (same, FCT).

Thanks
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 8:17 am
  #3593  
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
I am trying to figure out the best option for the various scenarios I have. Tomorrow I arrive at Z 25 and will continue from B6 (Schengen) and wonder what the best option is to avoid security control and bus transfer if there is one. Probably go from Z through immigration by Z22 (where the old FCL A was), go to FCL A, and then walk to B6 if it's a jetway gate or be driven there by limousine if it's a Tarmac position and if they offer limousine for that situation (hence my questions above). I also have flights where I'll transfer from C to A (I typically just walk to the FCT, same distance but easier security control) and from C to Z (same, FCT). Thanks
Sounds like you are overthinking this one. Other than if it is actively raining, I can't think of any scenario where it is not easier to just head for baggage claim, exit the terminal, turn left and walk to the FCT.

Why would you want to walk to the gate and endure the miserable scrum-like LH boarding process?
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 8:41 am
  #3594  
 
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Originally Posted by SFO777
Sounds like you are overthinking this one. Other than if it is actively raining, I can't think of any scenario where it is not easier to just head for baggage claim, exit the terminal, turn left and walk to the FCT.

Why would you want to walk to the gate and endure the miserable scrum-like LH boarding process?
Because I often have scenarios where my arrival gate is close to the lounge and my departure gate is close to the lounge and I always turn up rather late before doors closing when the bulk of people have boarded already. The FCT is nice but overrated when the alternative is a short in-terminal walk without security controls. It starts being an alternative when walks in the terminal are long or when security controls are involved, but other than that, no point.
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 11:35 am
  #3595  
 
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
Surely this information is hidden somewhere, but I couldn't find it, nor by doing a search nor by reading through the Wikis in relevant-looking threads. If the info that I am looking for is somewhere, pls. Just point me toward it and don't feel compelled to answer.

Can someone summarise the walk vs. bus vs. limo rules for me from the various FCT/FCL

From the FCT

Schengen and non-Schengen, jetway and tarmac position: transfer by limousine

From FCL in A

Any jetway position in any terminal/concourse, Schengen or non-Schengen: walk
Tarmac position for Schengen flight departing A gates: limousine transfer
Tarmac position for Schengen flight departing B gates: ?? Limousine or walk??
Tarmac position for non-Schengen flight: ??

From FCL in B

Any jetway position for non-Schengen departure from B: walk
Any tarmac position for non-Schengen departure from B: limousine transfer
Any non-Schengen departure from C or Z gates, jetway or tarmac: limousine transfer
Any Schengen departure, jetway: walk
Any Schengen departure, tarmac: walk/bus ??

Is that correct?

I am trying to figure out the best option for the various scenarios I have. Tomorrow I arrive at Z 25 and will continue from B6 (Schengen) and wonder what the best option is to avoid security control and bus transfer if there is one. Probably go from Z through immigration by Z22 (where the old FCL A was), go to FCL A, and then walk to B6 if it's a jetway gate or be driven there by limousine if it's a Tarmac position and if they offer limousine for that situation (hence my questions above). I also have flights where I'll transfer from C to A (I typically just walk to the FCT, same distance but easier security control) and from C to Z (same, FCT).

Thanks
The rule of thumb for FCL A and B is easier summarized as follows:

FCL A: limo for Schengen apron flights, regardless of A or B bus gate.

FCL B: limo for non-Schengen, non-B flights and non-Schengen B bus gates.

B6 is a Schengen bus gate, so a limo from FCL A is your best bet.
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 1:09 pm
  #3596  
 
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Originally Posted by MichielR
The rule of thumb for FCL A and B is easier summarized as follows:

FCL A: limo for Schengen apron flights, regardless of A or B bus gate.

FCL B: limo for non-Schengen, non-B flights and non-Schengen B bus gates.

B6 is a Schengen bus gate, so a limo from FCL A is your best bet.
Got it, thanks!

My gates have moved from arrival at Z52 and departure from Z50 (I assume a bus gate). No need to go to FCT, FCL A will be just what I need.

Thanks again for the very helpful information.
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 1:20 pm
  #3597  
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
My gates have moved from arrival at Z52 and departure from Z50 (I assume a bus gate). No need to go to FCT, FCL A will be just what I need.
Where is your destination? Z50 is a non-Schengen gate used either as a longhaul departure gate or a bus gate for a shorthaul non-Schengen flight. If your destination is within Schengen the (bus) departure gate should be A50 and not Z50.
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 3:52 pm
  #3598  
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
From FCL in A
Tarmac position for non-Schengen flight: ??
[...]
From FCL in B
Any Schengen departure, tarmac: walk/bus ??
Since there are, AFAIK, no immigration officers posted at FCL A or FCL B, both of these situations would require you to walk to immigration and exit/enter Schengen. Not possible to get a ride straight from the lounge to the aircraft in those cases.
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 4:13 pm
  #3599  
 
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Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
Where is your destination? Z50 is a non-Schengen gate used either as a longhaul departure gate or a bus gate for a shorthaul non-Schengen flight. If your destination is within Schengen the (bus) departure gate should be A50 and not Z50.
You're right, it is A50, I mis-typed. I also expect that to be a bus gate as the 50+ gates are the stands used for Lufthansa heavies.

Trouble is that now the arrival is planned to be B28. Makes it almost worthwhile to go to the FCT (which as a place I like a lot less than FCL A, just personal taste)
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Old Jul 29, 2016, 11:02 pm
  #3600  
 
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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
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