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
Im 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.
Im 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
Im 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.
Im 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
#4396
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, BLR, LHR, SIN and a few others
Programs: UA 1K 1.01 MM
Posts: 1,245
Not used the FCL/FCT in FRA before, I am booked BLR-FRA in F (O) and then FRA-EWR on LH (UA Codeshare) in P. I have bout 4 hours at FRA, do I need to call to arrange to be picked up from the plane etc, or is that automatically arranged for F pax? Any others tips to optimize the experience ?
#4398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,734
Not used the FCL/FCT in FRA before, I am booked BLR-FRA in F (O) and then FRA-EWR on LH (UA Codeshare) in P. I have bout 4 hours at FRA, do I need to call to arrange to be picked up from the plane etc, or is that automatically arranged for F pax? Any others tips to optimize the experience ?
if you want to be driven to your connecting flight go to FCLB , if they are seperate tickets.
You will not be picked up from your inbound flight unless it arrives at an outside position, very unlikely.
There are lots of threads on FCT & FCLs at FRA , searching here is a good idea
#4399
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, BLR, LHR, SIN and a few others
Programs: UA 1K 1.01 MM
Posts: 1,245
On one ticket you can use the FCT but if seperate you are only entitled to use a FCL are an arrival lounge, in this case show your F BP.
if you want to be driven to your connecting flight go to FCLB , if they are seperate tickets.
You will not be picked up from your inbound flight unless it arrives at an outside position, very unlikely.
There are lots of threads on FCT & FCLs at FRA , searching here is a good idea
It is all one ticket on UA stock, google flights just gave me LH flight number on the BLR-FRA and UA codeshare on the FRA-EWR, both on LH metal. I was just wondering if it was like TK and TG first where I was met at the aircraft and taken by golf cart alone to immigration and in in the case of TK booked into the airport hotel for my long layover, but it sounds like it is less personal with LH.
#4400
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,734
thanks, search is a bit harder on mobile, but I do try.
It is all one ticket on UA stock, google flights just gave me LH flight number on the BLR-FRA and UA codeshare on the FRA-EWR, both on LH metal. I was just wondering if it was like TK and TG first where I was met at the aircraft and taken by golf cart alone to immigration and in in the case of TK booked into the airport hotel for my long layover, but it sounds like it is less personal with LH.
You did not specify UA ticket & O class on LH is award ticket, P Class is lowest J bucket.
TK dont have F
TG golf cart is only for far away gates in BKK from FCL or immigration
LH is entirely different & most people use mobile these days for searching
#4401
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, BLR, LHR, SIN and a few others
Programs: UA 1K 1.01 MM
Posts: 1,245
The below was part of an award flight in 2010, but you still get all the same service
It was a hybrid flight as the aircraft was wet leased from Jet, but part of the cabin crew was TK as was the ground staff:
Brisbane to Bangkok
---------------------------------------
Flight 1 - Sunday, February 28, 2010
Status :confirmed
Departure :23:59 - Brisbane, Australia - Brisbane, terminal I
Arrival :06:20+1day(s) - Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International
Airline :Thai Airways Intl TG452
Duration :9:21
Fare type :First
Aircraft :Airbus Industrie A340-600
Baggage :40 kilogram(s) per traveller
Meal :information not available
Last check in:information not available
---------------------------------------
Bangkok to Istanbul
---------------------------------------
Flight 1 - Monday, March 01, 2010
Status :confirmed
Departure :23:45 - Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International
Arrival :05:30+1day(s) - Istanbul, Turkey - Ataturk, terminal I
Airline :Turkish Airlines TK061
Duration :10:45
Fare type :First
Aircraft :Boeing 777-300ER
Baggage :40 kilogram(s) per traveller
Meal :information not available
Last check in:information not available
The TG leg was not as good as the TG A380 F Suite, but the ground service I received in BKK and IST is the best I have ever had.
This review has a link with some pictures of the F suite, many of the items were TK branded including the leather slippers and Silk PJs if i recall right:
My Turkish Airlines First Class suites review
Last edited by tht; Aug 28, 2018 at 12:52 pm
#4402
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 467
I've read through the thread (well the first few and last few pages) and still confused. Mainly because I've not transited FRA before so not sure of where I'm arriving/leaving. I am coming in on LH in F from US (so, non-Schengen) and departing on LH in J to Switzerland (so, Schengen). I have a three hour connection (early morning - roughly 6am to 9am). I think I arrive at Z and depart either A or B (looked back a few days and mainly B, but occasionally A).
Good to head to FCT? Or just stick with FCL? If it matters, it will be a Tuesday morning. I head straight to work on arrival, so will need a shower and some breakfast while at FRA.
Good to head to FCT? Or just stick with FCL? If it matters, it will be a Tuesday morning. I head straight to work on arrival, so will need a shower and some breakfast while at FRA.
I ended up just using FCL A. It was almost empty while I was there (maybe five people at its busiest). When I checked in, I was told that, since my flight was departing from a bus gate, they'd be providing a car for me. My shower room (which was one that also had a bath tub) had a duck in it (which I took). Since the car and duck seemed to be two selling points for the FCT, it didn't seem worth leaving the FCL.
#4403
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,826
Quoting myself to follow-up, since people were so kind to provide suggestions (and because it may be helpful to others).
I ended up just using FCL A. It was almost empty while I was there (maybe five people at its busiest). When I checked in, I was told that, since my flight was departing from a bus gate, they'd be providing a car for me. My shower room (which was one that also had a bath tub) had a duck in it (which I took). Since the car and duck seemed to be two selling points for the FCT, it didn't seem worth leaving the FCL.
I ended up just using FCL A. It was almost empty while I was there (maybe five people at its busiest). When I checked in, I was told that, since my flight was departing from a bus gate, they'd be providing a car for me. My shower room (which was one that also had a bath tub) had a duck in it (which I took). Since the car and duck seemed to be two selling points for the FCT, it didn't seem worth leaving the FCL.
#4404
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,734
#4406
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,734
#4407
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YUL, YYZ
Programs: SPG gold, Marriott Plat, *A Gold
Posts: 19
Hello all, just would like your opinion of my best option.
Will be flying LH FCO-FRA in J connecting to FRA-IAD in F on same ticket. From what I can see, I will be arrinving FRA at A gates and departing from Z gates. I have a 4 hour connection time.
I've been to the FCT twice but not yet to the FCL so I would like to try one of them out.
Assuming I arrive at an A gate, I wonder what would be my best option:
1) Go directly to FCL A. Enjoy my time there. Then go to transit immigration (...wait in line...non-EU passport...), then on my way to Z gates.
2) Go directly fo FCL A. Enjoy my time. Exit Terminal 1, go to FCT and request an immediate car transfer to my flight.
3) Go to FCL B (using the connecting tunnel and through transit immigration?). Enjoy my time. Get a car transfer to my flight at Z gates.
What do you guys think?
(BTW I don't really need a car transfer but would really want to bring back a rubber duck )
Will be flying LH FCO-FRA in J connecting to FRA-IAD in F on same ticket. From what I can see, I will be arrinving FRA at A gates and departing from Z gates. I have a 4 hour connection time.
I've been to the FCT twice but not yet to the FCL so I would like to try one of them out.
Assuming I arrive at an A gate, I wonder what would be my best option:
1) Go directly to FCL A. Enjoy my time there. Then go to transit immigration (...wait in line...non-EU passport...), then on my way to Z gates.
2) Go directly fo FCL A. Enjoy my time. Exit Terminal 1, go to FCT and request an immediate car transfer to my flight.
3) Go to FCL B (using the connecting tunnel and through transit immigration?). Enjoy my time. Get a car transfer to my flight at Z gates.
What do you guys think?
(BTW I don't really need a car transfer but would really want to bring back a rubber duck )
#4408
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,734
Hello all, just would like your opinion of my best option.
Will be flying LH FCO-FRA in J connecting to FRA-IAD in F on same ticket. From what I can see, I will be arrinving FRA at A gates and departing from Z gates. I have a 4 hour connection time.
I've been to the FCT twice but not yet to the FCL so I would like to try one of them out.
Assuming I arrive at an A gate, I wonder what would be my best option:
1) Go directly to FCL A. Enjoy my time there. Then go to transit immigration (...wait in line...non-EU passport...), then on my way to Z gates.
2) Go directly fo FCL A. Enjoy my time. Exit Terminal 1, go to FCT and request an immediate car transfer to my flight.
3) Go to FCL B (using the connecting tunnel and through transit immigration?). Enjoy my time. Get a car transfer to my flight at Z gates.
What do you guys think?
(BTW I don't really need a car transfer but would really want to bring back a rubber duck )
Will be flying LH FCO-FRA in J connecting to FRA-IAD in F on same ticket. From what I can see, I will be arrinving FRA at A gates and departing from Z gates. I have a 4 hour connection time.
I've been to the FCT twice but not yet to the FCL so I would like to try one of them out.
Assuming I arrive at an A gate, I wonder what would be my best option:
1) Go directly to FCL A. Enjoy my time there. Then go to transit immigration (...wait in line...non-EU passport...), then on my way to Z gates.
2) Go directly fo FCL A. Enjoy my time. Exit Terminal 1, go to FCT and request an immediate car transfer to my flight.
3) Go to FCL B (using the connecting tunnel and through transit immigration?). Enjoy my time. Get a car transfer to my flight at Z gates.
What do you guys think?
(BTW I don't really need a car transfer but would really want to bring back a rubber duck )
I would then go to FCLB to see the other FCL its quite easy from FCLA down the tunnel , only passport control , & then get driven to your flight, not necessary but nice.
#4410
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,685
Assuming your child is in F (or for HON on the same or a linked PNR) and as CHD in the booking, the car seat will be arranged.
Safety first as you should expect from LH.