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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 Feb 28, 2019, 1:48 am
  #4441  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
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I had an interesting experience this morning connecting from GVA. I was unable to complete a mobile boarding pass, and on arrival I found the reason why -- randomly assigned TSA selectee status. Just before landing the purser brought me a telex specifically directing me to go to the FCT rather than the normal lounge.

We arrived at an apron position, but even with the printed instruction the closest our driver would take us was baggage claim, presumably for the trivial customs experience of walking through the green gate. I did not find enhanced screening at the FCT to be substantially different from the normal screening at the FCT, which is already rather intense compared to what I'm used to. (Removing all electronics, liquids, shoes, belts, etc.) There was an added residue swab check.

This trip has made me really appreciate LH's ground services and lounges. I got to experience EY F with transfer in AUH, and EK F with transfer in DXB, and the LH service is far superior. I don't understand the fuss about the EK lounges -- the showers are cramped, the nap rooms are not very quiet or comfortable, and the food is just OK. (In air, though...) I guess my ideal airline would have LH ground services, lounges, and caviar service, EK's "Game Changer" suite and wine list, and EY's menu and in-flight chef... and also be inexpensive and with excellent award availability. ;-)
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 2:50 am
  #4442  
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Originally Posted by JeredF
I had an interesting experience this morning connecting from GVA. I was unable to complete a mobile boarding pass, and on arrival I found the reason why -- randomly assigned TSA selectee status. Just before landing the purser brought me a telex specifically directing me to go to the FCT rather than the normal lounge.

We arrived at an apron position, but even with the printed instruction the closest our driver would take us was baggage claim, presumably for the trivial customs experience of walking through the green gate. I did not find enhanced screening at the FCT to be substantially different from the normal screening at the FCT, which is already rather intense compared to what I'm used to. (Removing all electronics, liquids, shoes, belts, etc.) There was an added residue swab check.

This trip has made me really appreciate LH's ground services and lounges. I got to experience EY F with transfer in AUH, and EK F with transfer in DXB, and the LH service is far superior. I don't understand the fuss about the EK lounges -- the showers are cramped, the nap rooms are not very quiet or comfortable, and the food is just OK. (In air, though...) I guess my ideal airline would have LH ground services, lounges, and caviar service, EK's "Game Changer" suite and wine list, and EY's menu and in-flight chef... and also be inexpensive and with excellent award availability. ;-)
The FCT was never intended for connecting pax & it’s only permitted because of the mess in regular FRA security.

I like your wish list & would add my vote
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 3:26 am
  #4443  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by chris63
I like your wish list & would add my vote
Same here plus "let's have F on all long-haul services".
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 8:59 am
  #4444  
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Originally Posted by worldclubber
Same here plus "let's have F on all long-haul services".
Yes ! LX got that right ^
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 9:47 am
  #4445  
 
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Originally Posted by chris63
Yes ! LX got that right ^
And LH used to ...
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 8:24 pm
  #4446  
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Originally Posted by worldclubber
And LH used to ...
Many Moons ago ....

I used to love going down to CAI in F
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 11:46 pm
  #4447  
 
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Originally Posted by chris63
I used to love going down to CAI in F
I’m afraid that’s not going to come back ...
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 11:56 pm
  #4448  
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Originally Posted by worldclubber


I’m afraid that’s not going to come back ...
Sadly not, used to get op ups 80% of the time as HON
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 8:30 am
  #4449  
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
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Originally Posted by Itzitzitz

I asked the assistant if I could use the FCT and she pleasantly yelled "of course you can!". I didn't want to ask about the posted rules on the LH website, but based on her response it sounds as though the rules don't really have any weight (for now at least).
I was wondering if the assistant was waiting for you when you exited the aircraft at FRA. Also, ¿did s/he helped you with the immigration formalities? Thanks.
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 9:04 am
  #4450  
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Originally Posted by hbilbao
I was wondering if the assistant was waiting for you when you exited the aircraft at FRA. Also, ¿did s/he helped you with the immigration formalities? Thanks.
That won’t happen unless your on a direct ramp transfer & your about to miss your connection in F.

To use FCT for transfers you have to exit FRA yourself & go through the usual formalities & walk to FCT.

FCT is a departure terminal for F pax & HON.
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 12:01 pm
  #4451  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
For most pf the combinations arriving/departing gate the FCT is still the most convenient and fastest option.You need to walk a bit, but avoid the security zoo and sometimes even longer wals inside the terminal.
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 8:22 pm
  #4452  
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Originally Posted by Unterwegs
For most pf the combinations arriving/departing gate the FCT is still the most convenient and fastest option.You need to walk a bit, but avoid the security zoo and sometimes even longer wals inside the terminal.
Exactly & you know what’s going to happen, instead of playing the FRA lottery.....
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Old Mar 4, 2019, 1:49 am
  #4453  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by chris63
Exactly & you know what’s going to happen, instead of playing the FRA lottery.....
Unless one likes the apron view of the FCLs.

In some situations, the FCLs can even be a better alternative. For example, no immigration and no security check after Z arrival with the new bus to non-Schengen B. In this case, FCT means immigration at the terminal and security check at the FCT ...
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Old Mar 4, 2019, 2:07 am
  #4454  
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Originally Posted by worldclubber


Unless one likes the apron view of the FCLs.

In some situations, the FCLs can even be a better alternative. For example, no immigration and no security check after Z arrival with the new bus to non-Schengen B. In this case, FCT means immigration at the terminal and security check at the FCT ...
I don’t do buses
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Old Mar 4, 2019, 6:09 am
  #4455  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Posts: 5,734
Originally Posted by chris63
I don’t do buses
Hate buses, too. But on a windy and rainy day, it can be better than the walk to the FCT, which involves going landside and airside again.
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