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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 May 23, 2017, 2:45 pm
  #3766  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
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Originally Posted by worldclubber
There is tons of shopping, the usual airport stores.

But, consider this: You can go shopping any day of the year but not so frequently enjoy the FCT or the FCLs (which I do like as well, maybe even better than the FCT, as they have an apron view as opposed to the FCT).
Thanks Worldclubber. The shopping is really more for the wife's sake with a 5 hour layover. Me? Well I'll be found in either the FCL or FCT for the whole 5 hours!

Good tip on the apron views, didn't know that!
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Old May 23, 2017, 3:06 pm
  #3767  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by tridentnyc
Thanks Worldclubber. The shopping is really more for the wife's sake with a 5 hour layover. Me? Well I'll be found in either the FCL or FCT for the whole 5 hours!

Good tip on the apron views, didn't know that!
The FCT is only overlooking the fairly shabby taxi rank, which is why I like to also spend some time in the FCL. Catering is essentially the same. Enjoy!
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Old May 23, 2017, 3:25 pm
  #3768  
 
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Originally Posted by worldclubber
The FCT is only overlooking the fairly shabby taxi rank, which is why I like to also spend some time in the FCL. Catering is essentially the same. Enjoy!
So in your opinion, other than the PA and guarenteed ride to the plane, what are the main benefits of the FCT over the FCL? Doesn't sound like much.

Thanks again!
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Old May 23, 2017, 3:31 pm
  #3769  
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Originally Posted by tridentnyc
So in your opinion, other than the PA and guarenteed ride to the plane, what are the main benefits of the FCT over the FCL? Doesn't sound like much.
You are guaranteed a ride to the plane from the FCL B if it's departing to a non-Schengen destination from Z, C or a remote stand. The main benefits of the FCT are for passengers originating in FRA.
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Old May 24, 2017, 12:29 am
  #3770  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by tridentnyc
So in your opinion, other than the PA and guarenteed ride to the plane, what are the main benefits of the FCT over the FCL? Doesn't sound like much.

Thanks again!
NewbieRunner summed it up perfectly: The main advantages of the FCT are for pax originating in FRA (among other things because of the very friendly and efficient security check with wait times under 60 seconds), everything else is for the most part just "FCT-hype". Amenities of the FCLs and the FCT, including the catering and for many flights the the limo ride, are pretty much identical. The FCT is a bit more "roomy" and may have a slightly better spirits selection, but in return does not have a view. If you have time for it, check out both and decide for yourself, it is definitely an experience worthwhile. Enjoy!
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Old May 24, 2017, 1:54 am
  #3771  
 
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Originally Posted by tridentnyc
My wife and I are both on M&M awards in F traveling from ATH-FRA-EWR, with a five hour layover. I just want to make sure I have all this right and would love any further tips, yes I have scoured the thread top to bottom!
I know it's not for everyone but if you like cars here's what I would suggest, tridentnyc:

-Upon arrival go to FCL A for a first meal
-Then go to the Avis counter to pick up your Porsche 911 (3hrs for 99 euros)
-Drive on a few stretches of Autobahn where there is no speed limit (for 1h max)
-Drive to the FCT and hand over the keys to the valet
-Experience the FCT and have your second meal there
-Enjoy the limo ride to your plane

I did this twice (links to trip reports in my signature) and will do it again as it really is a fun experience (ideally the layover is >5hrs so that you can drive the car for a full 3hrs)
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Old May 24, 2017, 3:10 am
  #3772  
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Originally Posted by klausa
I'm not sure if there are any bathtubs in FCL A, so if a bath at an airport is on your bucket list, I'd suggest heading to FCT A bit earlier.
Each FCL has at least one bathroom with a bathtub AFAIK.
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Old May 24, 2017, 3:19 am
  #3773  
 
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Originally Posted by tridentnyc
Hi all,

Long time lurker to this thread and will FINALLY be flying LH F after being foiled last November during the pilot's strike. My wife and I are both on M&M awards in F traveling from ATH-FRA-EWR, with a five hour layover. I just want to make sure I have all this right and would love any further tips, yes I have scoured the thread top to bottom!

Here is what we plan on doing, any and all input, critiques, head smacks are welcome!

1. Arrive from ATH (Shengen) and visit the A FCL, relax, catch a shower or a bath, grab some food, maybe do some shopping and leave after approx 2.5 hours.

2. Head to passport control and then exit T1 and make the short walk over to the FCT, where we will relax for approx 2 hrs until we are whisked away to our waiting 748!

Now, is there any reason to try and get a visit in to the B FCL? From what I understand they are all identical except for the spa in B and neither of us will want any spa treatments. Also, do all the lounges provide a PA or is it just the FCT that does?

Lastly, I do want to avoid any unnecessary "processing" (immigration/security) more than is necessary to get in the absolutely necessary FCT visit, so is visiting A FCL then FCT the best way to go about this? I'll have the Mrs. with me, it's the end of our 10 year wedding anniversary trip, so I'd like to keep the moving around and hassle to a minimum as much as possible.

Again, all comments and critiques are most welcome! Thanks everyone!
The FCL A and FCT look basically the same. Same furniture, same design, same menu. If I were you I'd stick to FCL A if you want to reduce walking, as you'll be arriving from Schengen and departing from the A/Z pier (i.e. upstairs from the FCL A). If your incoming flight from ATH arrives at an open stand, you'll be driven to the terminal building by a limo or minibus that is reserved for F pax and HONs.

If you want to absolutely experience the limo ride from the terminal to the EWR-bound plane, then you'll have to walk to the FCT. That is the only reason I can think of to go there. Some people also say that security control there is "an event", and it indeed is as fast, efficient, and friendly as you could imagine. But then that compares to no security control at all when you use FCL A.

It all comes down to personal preferences.

And BTW: in five hours you could even go and visit one or two highlights of the city of Frankfurt, the airport is really super close to the city (15-20 minutes depending on where you go). Frankfurt isn't Paris or Rome, but unless you have visited already extensively, it probably is more interesting than spending five hours in what in the end are still only airport lounges (very luxurious and fantastic ones though!). And best is: if you do the excursion to Frankfurt city, you can then come back and let the taxi drop you straight at the FCT, you can tour the facilities (doesn't take more than a couple of minutes), and be driven to the EWR plane by your limo. You still have 8 hours to relax then, arguably in a more comfortable way than in the lounge. I've had stops of 3 hours at Frankfurt before: took a taxi for 15 minutes to the museums quai, visited a great exhibition of modern art, another 15 minutes back to the FCT. Spend 30 minutes in the FCT which is ample, was driven to the plane - and that way got the best of all.

Enjoy your trip!
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Old May 24, 2017, 10:23 am
  #3774  
 
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
Spend 30 minutes in the FCT which is ample, was driven to the plane - and that way got the best of all.
No offense, but 30 minutes for the FCT including security, dinner and drinks, and a shower/bath (as outlined in the wish list by the OP) is very little time for somebody who is looking forward to experiencing the LH First Class ground services.
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Old May 24, 2017, 1:07 pm
  #3775  
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So I'll likely be doing the reverse on Saturday (arrive Z, depart A next flight). Coming in on Int'l F on LH. Pretty sure no car pick-up unless I'm at a bus gate, correct?

Only have a 1:05 layover so wouldn't mind the added time.

And if leaving from A - unless I arrive like an hour early and can sprint out to the FCT - I should just do the A FCL and suck up the queue vs. doing the tunnel to B to guarantee a ride to my connecting flight, correct?

Thanks.
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Old May 24, 2017, 1:47 pm
  #3776  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Originally Posted by worldclubber
No offense, but 30 minutes for the FCT including security, dinner and drinks, and a shower/bath (as outlined in the wish list by the OP) is very little time for somebody who is looking forward to experiencing the LH First Class ground services.
+1

If you have not enjoyed the FCT/FCL before - or it is a rare treat - 5 hours is not too long to take it all in. A bath, dinner, casual drinks and some quiet is a nice break at the end of a long trip or the start of one.

And while I enjoy Frankfurt, taking a cab, touring a museum, grabbing a meal and heading back to the airport seems like a lot of work for a 5-6 hour layover, especially when I can enjoy the FCT/FCL and some quiet work time. But, to each their own.
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Old May 24, 2017, 1:55 pm
  #3777  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,776
Originally Posted by UA-NYC
So I'll likely be doing the reverse on Saturday (arrive Z, depart A next flight). Coming in on Int'l F on LH. Pretty sure no car pick-up unless I'm at a bus gate, correct?

Only have a 1:05 layover so wouldn't mind the added time.

And if leaving from A - unless I arrive like an hour early and can sprint out to the FCT - I should just do the A FCL and suck up the queue vs. doing the tunnel to B to guarantee a ride to my connecting flight, correct?

Thanks.
Arrival at Z-gates means no pick-up indeed. But note you do not get a car from FCL B to your A gate departure, so there is no point as you will have to walk and pass through immigration and then walk some more for A gates, so FCL A is then better. If arriving a little early, as transatlantic arrivals often do, I would simply walk to the FCT.
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Old May 24, 2017, 6:55 pm
  #3778  
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Originally Posted by view
Arrival at Z-gates means no pick-up indeed. But note you do not get a car from FCL B to your A gate departure, so there is no point as you will have to walk and pass through immigration and then walk some more for A gates, so FCL A is then better. If arriving a little early, as transatlantic arrivals often do, I would simply walk to the FCT.
Thanks much - FCL A it most likely is then.
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Old May 24, 2017, 8:03 pm
  #3779  
 
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Originally Posted by UA-NYC
Thanks much - FCL A it most likely is then.
In your situation, that makes the most sense.
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Old May 24, 2017, 9:24 pm
  #3780  
 
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Originally Posted by worldclubber
No offense, but 30 minutes for the FCT including security, dinner and drinks, and a shower/bath (as outlined in the wish list by the OP) is very little time for somebody who is looking forward to experiencing the LH First Class ground services.
Oh absolutely no offense taken. But as written in my post, to each his own personal preferences.

I just pointed out that there are attractive alternatives to spending five hours in airport lounges in a city like Frankfurt. The LH First Class ground service is great, I use whenever I can. But personally I take a shower in the morning and maybe after a long trip, i.e. when I need one. But I don't start taking showers in the middle of the day only because there is a lounge that has them. Same with dinner/drinks. Sure, if I am hungry I very much prefer dining in the FCL/FCT than in an overcrowded takeaway somewhere else in the airport. But when I travel afterwards, at lunch time, for 8 hours in First Class to EWR where there will be plenty of very good food, why have a meal that otherwise I would not have only because it is offered in a lounge? And even if the OP wanted to get his shower (maybe he didn't want to do it before his very early 6h25 departure from Athens), five hours is still enough to visit a bit of Frankfurt, get some fresh air, move legs a bit, even do some shopping (arguably more choice than at an airport), come back 90 minutes before departure directly to the FCT, do all the showering/bathing/eating, and then be driven to his flight with the limo.

Don't get me wrong, the lounges are absolutely fantastic and I would love all lounges that I use to be like this. And when leaving from Frankfurt having the FCT where one has about 30 meters from car/taxi through zero-wait security to a great lounge is just fabulous. So, compared to any other travel experience this is the top best class in the world. But once compared to all the other things one can do in five hours in a city like Frankfurt I personally would not dedicate five hours to spending time inside, in an airport lounge, but mix things a bit, even for a first timer who wants to experience what the LH ground service is like.

But I got flamed before for suggesting that the FCT/FCL are great lounges which should be used whenever traveling through FRA, but to center one's time planning around maximising time in a lounge is something that personally I had trouble grasping. But as said, to each his own. I am not judging, just pointing out alternatives.
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