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
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.
- 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.
The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ
#5026
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#5027
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#5028
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From non Schengen, B or C gates it’s anyone’s guess, for sure you would need to factor in a long transfer window, this is why only opening FCT is good for some & bad for others, how is a transfer lottery First Class or HON circle service
#5029
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Hi folks. This seems to be allowed based on the wiki but due to COVID restrictions, etc, wanted to confirm as I've never flown LH before.
I am flying SFO-FRA on an F award ticket next week. If I book a separate economy award ticket on LH936 FRA-LCY, can I use the FCT during my ~8hr connection?
I am flying SFO-FRA on an F award ticket next week. If I book a separate economy award ticket on LH936 FRA-LCY, can I use the FCT during my ~8hr connection?
Before, F lounges were accessible with inward F BP as an arrival lounge, however since they only operate the FCT currently, it’s not permissible to access the FCT as an arrival lounge, since you have a separate onward ticket, they could deny you FCT access but you could try, we are living in very interesting times & with ever changing rules....
B43 SEN lounge has First waiting area.... you should be permitted to use that but it’s not great ....
#5030
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
Hi folks. This seems to be allowed based on the wiki but due to COVID restrictions, etc, wanted to confirm as I've never flown LH before.
I am flying SFO-FRA on an F award ticket next week. If I book a separate economy award ticket on LH936 FRA-LCY, can I use the FCT during my ~8hr connection?
I am flying SFO-FRA on an F award ticket next week. If I book a separate economy award ticket on LH936 FRA-LCY, can I use the FCT during my ~8hr connection?
#5031
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London, Paris
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Posts: 2,001
I love that you're skipping that whole part of the walk we call "the terminal" in your analysis :P
Anyways, for 1 hour 45 minute connection it should still be enough time. But unless you're practically jogging or coming from Schengen, it's not 5 minutes.
Also, the image of the new LH F experience being someone running from Z gates to the FCT including outdoors in the rain makes me chortle.
#5032
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 877
I did this last week. Took about 15 minutes to get to the FCT and about 5 minutes to check in there. Was ORD-FRA F, FRA-MUC J. Had a nice 5 hr layover.
Bit bummed that there were no cigars. Apparently they have not had those for quite some time. The fix was to purchase at the Duty Free shop - which is currently closed at the FCT. So you need to purchase at the main terminal or bring your own. Didn't want one bad enough to got back to the main terminal.
Bit bummed that there were no cigars. Apparently they have not had those for quite some time. The fix was to purchase at the Duty Free shop - which is currently closed at the FCT. So you need to purchase at the main terminal or bring your own. Didn't want one bad enough to got back to the main terminal.
#5033
Suspended
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I did this last week. Took about 15 minutes to get to the FCT and about 5 minutes to check in there. Was ORD-FRA F, FRA-MUC J. Had a nice 5 hr layover.
Bit bummed that there were no cigars. Apparently they have not had those for quite some time. The fix was to purchase at the Duty Free shop - which is currently closed at the FCT. So you need to purchase at the main terminal or bring your own. Didn't want one bad enough to got back to the main terminal.
Bit bummed that there were no cigars. Apparently they have not had those for quite some time. The fix was to purchase at the Duty Free shop - which is currently closed at the FCT. So you need to purchase at the main terminal or bring your own. Didn't want one bad enough to got back to the main terminal.
#5034
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Filled it out a couple of days before departure.
#5035
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Yes, that’s in no way anything close to a First Class experience, clearly the intern who is coming up with these ‘improvements’ never tried it out
#5036
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Partner access
I will be departing in F to GRU while my partner will be departing to AMS (earlier than my GRU flight) on the same day, will I be able to guest in my partner even if we are departing on different flights?
Appears to be possible according to the LH website where it says partner needs to be on a LH group flight the same day, however the FAQ above states differently (have to be on the same flight)
Appears to be possible according to the LH website where it says partner needs to be on a LH group flight the same day, however the FAQ above states differently (have to be on the same flight)
#5038
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AMS, JFK/EWR/LGA
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Posts: 293
Thanks! This point on the FCT website may suggest differently though? https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/first-class-terminal
- You are welcome to bring a travelling companion with you into the First Class Terminal, as long as they are booked on the same flight as yourself with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines or SWISS. Life partners and spouses and children under 18 must have a valid boarding pass for a flight on the same day on which the inviting person is booked.
#5039
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vienna, Austria
Posts: 710
Thanks! This point on the FCT website may suggest differently though? https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/first-class-terminal
- You are welcome to bring a travelling companion with you into the First Class Terminal, as long as they are booked on the same flight as yourself with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines or SWISS. Life partners and spouses and children under 18 must have a valid boarding pass for a flight on the same day on which the inviting person is booked.
#5040
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London | Sydney
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Thanks! This point on the FCT website may suggest differently though? https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/first-class-terminal
- You are welcome to bring a travelling companion with you into the First Class Terminal, as long as they are booked on the same flight as yourself with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines or SWISS. Life partners and spouses and children under 18 must have a valid boarding pass for a flight on the same day on which the inviting person is booked.