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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 Nov 1, 2012, 6:42 am
  #2221  
 
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Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
If you want to know how to get to the FCT it might not be a good idea to ask LH employees because they might repeat LH's official policy that the FCT is not for connecting passengers. There are some anecdotes in this thread.
I had this yesterday arriving in business at A gates (Schengen) and depart from Z69 (non-schengen). I was trying to figure out what is the best lounge and went into the new Aplus FCL asking them for any transport to the FCT. Answer. NO, you have to walk. There are no signs to get to the FCT (I guess on purpose). At least they need no gym in the FCT...walking in fresh air was healthy . So for connecting passengers you only have B FCL and the A FCL (schengen) which I find a bit funny for "LHs most valuable customers" who depart from Z.
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Old Nov 1, 2012, 7:19 am
  #2222  
 
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Originally Posted by HKG1111
I had this yesterday arriving in business at A gates (Schengen) and depart from Z69 (non-schengen). I was trying to figure out what is the best lounge and went into the new Aplus FCL asking them for any transport to the FCT. Answer. NO, you have to walk. There are no signs to get to the FCT (I guess on purpose). At least they need no gym in the FCT...walking in fresh air was healthy . So for connecting passengers you only have B FCL and the A FCL (schengen) which I find a bit funny for "LHs most valuable customers" who depart from Z.
The A FCL is in between A and Z - there really isn't much of a walk to the Z gates from there. You walked at least twice the distance to the FCT, who isn't designed as a connecting-lounge rather than a departing terminal.

So - while there is much crap at Lufthansa ongoing, the FCL/FCT situation certainly isn't!
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Old Nov 1, 2012, 12:59 pm
  #2223  
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Originally Posted by YuropFlyer
The A FCL is in between A and Z - there really isn't much of a walk to the Z gates from there. You walked at least twice the distance to the FCT, who isn't designed as a connecting-lounge rather than a departing terminal.
But the FCL A is in Schengen. If you arrive from Schengen you can go to the FCL A but you'll have to go through passport control after visiting the lounge to go upstairs to Z.

Have you actually been to the new Pier A+? It's 790 metre long and from the FCL A (via passport control) to Z69 is quite a trek!
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Old Nov 1, 2012, 3:27 pm
  #2224  
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Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
But the FCL A is in Schengen. If you arrive from Schengen you can go to the FCL A but you'll have to go through passport control after visiting the lounge to go upstairs to Z.

Have you actually been to the new Pier A+? It's 790 metre long and from the FCL A (via passport control) to Z69 is quite a trek!
FCT is in Schengen as well.
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Old Nov 1, 2012, 3:32 pm
  #2225  
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Originally Posted by TRAVELSIG
FCT is in Schengen as well.
True, but from the FCT you get driven to your flight departing from a Z gate. From the FCL A you have to go through passport control and walk.
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Old Nov 1, 2012, 3:56 pm
  #2226  
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Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
True, but from the FCT you get driven to your flight departing from a Z gate. From the FCL A you have to go through passport control and walk.
In the summer OK- in the winter- walking to FCT in Frankfurt? It is more than 800m anyway. Why not just fly through a warmer airport?
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Old Nov 2, 2012, 12:27 am
  #2227  
 
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F on the plane is great. The FCL is great. Getting between them is the problem. I spent a half an hour walking in the new terminal yesterday.
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Old Nov 2, 2012, 1:50 am
  #2228  
 
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Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
But the FCL A is in Schengen. If you arrive from Schengen you can go to the FCL A but you'll have to go through passport control after visiting the lounge to go upstairs to Z.

Have you actually been to the new Pier A+? It's 790 metre long and from the FCL A (via passport control) to Z69 is quite a trek!
Not yet. Tomorrow going to be my first visit

Originally Posted by TRAVELSIG
In the summer OK- in the winter- walking to FCT in Frankfurt? It is more than 800m anyway. Why not just fly through a warmer airport?
That would have been my answer. While the FCT isn't far away, I can't imagine you actually walk less to it, than from the FCL A to even the most far away Z gate.

Especially in winter, walking to the FCT if wearing "wrong" clothes (connecting from Florida to Singapore ) could be quite a challenge without freezing And we all know it's 9 month winter a year in Germany
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Old Nov 2, 2012, 1:52 am
  #2229  
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Originally Posted by TRAVELSIG
In the summer OK- in the winter- walking to FCT in Frankfurt? It is more than 800m anyway. Why not just fly through a warmer airport?
I doubt if it's more than 800m from the last exit of the main terminal to the FCT and most of it is covered in any case. The FCT is directly across from gate A/Z50 which is the gate closest to the atrium as you will see on this map and this plan. I'd avoid the FCL B so that I don't have to go through transfer security in B.

Yes, I'd happily consider flying through airports in the desert if the fare is the same or cheaper than the alternatives which involve transferring in colder airports.

Originally Posted by 5khours
F on the plane is great. The FCL is great. Getting between them is the problem. I spent a half an hour walking in the new terminal yesterday.
Especially since they are trying to hide the new FCL and send First Class passengers to the Business Lounge instead. I wonder if the sign has been corrected.



Even when you are in front of the FCL the entrance is not obvious compared to the Business Lounge next door.

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Old Nov 2, 2012, 1:58 am
  #2230  
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Originally Posted by YuropFlyer
While the FCT isn't far away, I can't imagine you actually walk less to it, than from the FCL A to even the most far away Z gate.
If you arrive in B as I usually do, it's longer to walk to a far away Z gate via the FCL A and passport control twice than to exit and walk to the FCT. @:-)
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Old Nov 3, 2012, 3:35 pm
  #2231  
 
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maybe answered somewhere in the thread, though I didn't see it in the first few or last few pages: What do you tell the passport control when they ask how long you're going to be in Germany and for what purpose? Or do they even ask? Is I'm just going to the FCT an acceptable answer?
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Old Nov 3, 2012, 6:59 pm
  #2232  
 
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Originally Posted by DC777Fan
maybe answered somewhere in the thread, though I didn't see it in the first few or last few pages: What do you tell the passport control when they ask how long you're going to be in Germany and for what purpose? Or do they even ask? Is I'm just going to the FCT an acceptable answer?
The passport control people in EU countries tend to not ask as many questions as those in the US or Canada.

I would say 90% of the time, if you show them either a US, Canadian or any other first world country passport, all they would do is compare it to your face, scan it in the computer, stamp it and wave you through without saying anything.

If my final destination is in the EU, if asked, I would tell them where I am going (eg. Paris), for how long etc. if asked. It dosen't really matter in this case as you are entering the EU and will have to go through passport control anyway.

If my final destination is outside the EU, I would just say "in transit to______" and show them my onward boarding pass/ticket if asked. It is not uncommon for passengers in transit to leave the airport. You are fine as long as you either don't require a visa to enter the Shengen zone or already have a Schengen transit visa.
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Old Nov 3, 2012, 8:59 pm
  #2233  
 
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Originally Posted by daniellam
The passport control people in EU countries tend to not ask as many questions as those in the US or Canada.

If my final destination is outside the EU, I would just say "in transit to______" and show them my onward boarding pass/ticket if asked. It is not uncommon for passengers in transit to leave the airport. You are fine as long as you either don't require a visa to enter the Shengen zone or already have a Schengen transit visa.
Thanks. I was a bit caught off guard by the UK agent who demanded to see my return itinerary and asked lots of questions about what I'm doing in the UK. I'm just going to go with "in transit to the States" and acting like it's completely normal--which judging by FT standards (dangerous),it is.
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Old Nov 4, 2012, 2:53 am
  #2234  
 
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Originally Posted by DC777Fan
Thanks. I was a bit caught off guard by the UK agent who demanded to see my return itinerary and asked lots of questions about what I'm doing in the UK. I'm just going to go with "in transit to the States" and acting like it's completely normal--which judging by FT standards (dangerous),it is.
Happened to me once, too. When asked I told the UK immigration I'm going to JNB in 2 hours and just going landside to have a pint with a friend I haven't seen in ages. Asked to see the onward BP and let me go, no drama. Just take it easy and tell the truth. Enjoy your stay!
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Old Nov 4, 2012, 5:52 am
  #2235  
 
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I have a very short question for the experts.

In early December I will arrive on a LX flight from ZRH (after a first class flight to ZRH) at around 3:30 p.m. (if everything goes according to plan). I am booked on a connecting flight in C to VIE that departs at 6:00 p.m.

Is this enough time to make it over to the FCT? How much time do I have to plan in from leaving the aircraft to a actually arriving at the FCT?
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