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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 May 9, 2018, 5:22 am
  #4261  
 
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Perfect. Fingers crossed I get this on Saturday too..!
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Old May 9, 2018, 5:39 am
  #4262  
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Originally Posted by worldclubber


I thought the options were FCL B or FCT, because of the car shuttle, and out of these two I would take the FCL.

The taxi thing was just to tease you, sorry. But in fact, the only means of transportation you can observe from the FCT are taxis, ideally from the relax chairs facing east.

Last week I had a „dedicated“ PA at the FCL, he checked me in, took care of everything, came back with passport and boarding passes and came to get me when my shuttle was ready. It does not get much more dedicated than that.


Yes, the car makes life easier & a view is of benefit, I just try to avoid transit security & therefore head to FCT, easier for you coming in from MUC

In FCT now & your quite correct that from the far corner relaxing area in FCT there is a good view of Frankfurt taxis, however the length of the terminal faces the LH buildings & Lufthansa Leo’s, crew busses, which are transportation.

Was in FCLB earlier & the Staff there confirmed that they are not dedicated PA’s as in the FCT where they take sole charge off you for the entire time your at FCT, an exception can be VVIP which they clearly noted in your case.
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Old May 9, 2018, 5:45 am
  #4263  
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Originally Posted by vantage03
Perfect. Fingers crossed I get this on Saturday too..!
It was a perfect arrival & very unexpected after all the hassles of previous Months, if you do get an outside position on Saturday, suggest you check with the driver that He/She is aware of this change. IME not all drivers are fully up to speed with the complexity of FRA.
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Old May 9, 2018, 12:44 pm
  #4264  
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Question Enough time and access to the FCT?

My wife and I will be arriving ORD-FRA in F next month at 1:50 pm and can depart FRA-DUB in J at either 4:05 pm or 9:40 pm. It looks like all the flights arrive in and depart from Terminal 1 We've been through FRA and the FCT before, and I've taken other flights through FRA before, but I still get confused going through the airport. So, a few questions about the transit and the lounge access:

1. If we opt for the 4:05 pm departure, about how much time (if any) would we have for enjoying the FCT?
2. Are any of the FCLs more convenient for this transit?
3. I know this has been asked and answered many times, but I'll check anyway. These are award tickets. Am I correct in assuming that we'll get FCT/FCL access?
4. Am I also correct in assuming that for the onward flight to DUB we will not get car service to the plane?

Thanks for any help.
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Old May 9, 2018, 1:48 pm
  #4265  
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Originally Posted by Thunderroad
1. If we opt for the 4:05 pm departure, about how much time (if any) would we have for enjoying the FCT?
You will get at least one hour, 1.5 hr if you are lucky.

2. Are any of the FCLs more convenient for this transit?
No.

3. I know this has been asked and answered many times, but I'll check anyway. These are award tickets. Am I correct in assuming that we'll get FCT/FCL access?
Yes. There's no difference between an award and a revenue ticket as far as the service you receive is concerned.

4. Am I also correct in assuming that for the onward flight to DUB we will not get car service to the plane?
You will be driven to the plane. There is no other way to board a flight from the FCT.
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Old May 9, 2018, 1:50 pm
  #4266  
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Thanks for the quick and very useful reply, NR!
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Old May 9, 2018, 1:52 pm
  #4267  
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Originally Posted by Thunderroad
My wife and I will be arriving ORD-FRA in F next month at 1:50 pm and can depart FRA-DUB in J at either 4:05 pm or 9:40 pm. It looks like all the flights arrive in and depart from Terminal 1 We've been through FRA and the FCT before, and I've taken other flights through FRA before, but I still get confused going through the airport. So, a few questions about the transit and the lounge access:

1. If we opt for the 4:05 pm departure, about how much time (if any) would we have for enjoying the FCT?
2. Are any of the FCLs more convenient for this transit?
3. I know this has been asked and answered many times, but I'll check anyway. These are award tickets. Am I correct in assuming that we'll get FCT/FCL access?
4. Am I also correct in assuming that for the onward flight to DUB we will not get car service to the plane?

Thanks for any help.
1. Should be 30 minutes from arrival to walk to FCT.
2. FCLB if you arrive close to it at B gates.
3. Award tickets make no difference.
4. If it’s all one ticket they will drive you to the plane from FCT & from FCLB to your DUB flight, unless DUB departs from a B jet bridge & in that case you need to walk from the BFCL.
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Old May 9, 2018, 1:57 pm
  #4268  
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And thanks very much for this info, chris!
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Old May 9, 2018, 2:05 pm
  #4269  
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Originally Posted by chris63
In FCT now & your quite correct that from the far corner relaxing area in FCT there is a good view of Frankfurt taxis, however the length of the terminal faces the LH buildings & Lufthansa Leo’s, crew busses, which are transportation.
Not forgetting the view of the back of Pier A/Z.

It's interesting that the FCT is directly opposite gate A/Z50 which is the gate closest to the central atrium. This photo was taken through the window opposite gate Z50.

chris63 likes this.
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Old May 9, 2018, 2:09 pm
  #4270  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
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Originally Posted by chris63
2. FCLB if you arrive close to it at B gates.
But you'll have to clear transfer security.
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Old May 9, 2018, 2:20 pm
  #4271  
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Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
But you'll have to clear transfer security.
Good to know. Thanks again.
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Old May 13, 2018, 4:46 pm
  #4272  
 
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Not directly on topic but what's the best lounge available at LHR before connecting to an F flight out of FRA? I assume I am ineligible for the United Global First lounge or for the SQ F lounge and that they won't be near the departure gate. Does the Senator Lounge have any special accommodations for F passengers?
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Old May 13, 2018, 11:54 pm
  #4273  
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Originally Posted by CappuccinoAddict
Not directly on topic but what's the best lounge available at LHR before connecting to an F flight out of FRA? I assume I am ineligible for the United Global First lounge or for the SQ F lounge and that they won't be near the departure gate. Does the Senator Lounge have any special accommodations for F passengers?
On a LH F ticket I would have thought you can go to either UA F or SQ F, since you have a *A F ticket.

I certainly use SQF & UAF at other stations with my F BP on LX & LH

Last edited by chris63; May 13, 2018 at 11:55 pm Reason: Typo
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Old May 14, 2018, 1:34 am
  #4274  
 
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Originally Posted by CappuccinoAddict
Does the Senator Lounge have any special accommodations for F passengers?
All *G pax are created equal in this case.
Meaning: Nothing special for HON/F-class
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Old May 14, 2018, 1:53 am
  #4275  
 
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Originally Posted by zara

All *G pax are created equal in this case.
Meaning: Nothing special for HON/F-class
HON, SEN and F get access on arrival which *G doesn't.
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