Jul 29, 2013, 5:44 am
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
Oct 29, 2021, 2:23 am
#5146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,698
In more than 10 years of using FCT I was never randomly swabbed, including my flights to USA.
Oct 29, 2021, 6:02 am
#5147
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,925
Oct 29, 2021, 6:05 am
#5148
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,925
this is enough reason to go to regular T1 esp now that FCL are open.
What is the point of being driven to the plane if you are spending 40 to 50 minutes waiting for the canine and can only sip the water that your PA brings you while waiting
They won't even let you have your phone, so you are literally staring into space
What is the point of being driven to the plane if you are spending 40 to 50 minutes waiting for the canine and can only sip the water that your PA brings you while waiting
They won't even let you have your phone, so you are literally staring into space
I’ve had my phone so it was not as bad as “staring into space” but a very annoying situation. The trick is to put your phone in the first tray so that it comes out first and you can grab it before sitting down for the shoe check and before they do the swabbing (when everything comes out of the x ray machine).
Oct 29, 2021, 6:07 am
#5149
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,925
My recollection is that this is more something that they’ve been doing at the FCT the last 2-4 years. And on all of my flights to the US during this period they’ve done it.
Oct 29, 2021, 6:24 am
#5150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,698
Interesting, because of course you don’t need to connect at FCT, could have been FCL B & it’s just the regular transit security, don’t know why they would be more thorough at FCT.
Oct 29, 2021, 3:38 pm
#5152
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,925
US flights and swabbing of your carry-on? That's what matters. I've never had issues when they didn't swab the carry-on.
Oct 29, 2021, 6:21 pm
#5153
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,769
Oct 31, 2021, 1:11 pm
#5154
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 42
What is the procedure re: COVID for a passenger transiting FRA from the US?
My itinerary will be: EWR-FRA-BCN. I'm a US citizen who is fully vaccinated with proof.
As I understand, as a transiting passenger, I will have to clear customs and enter Germany to access the FCT. Which would mean the same requirements COVID-wise as entering the country if I were staying for an extended time.
Am I understanding this correctly? So in this case, I will need to prepare the necessary documentation for the COVID procedures for both Germany and Spain?
My itinerary will be: EWR-FRA-BCN. I'm a US citizen who is fully vaccinated with proof.
As I understand, as a transiting passenger, I will have to clear customs and enter Germany to access the FCT. Which would mean the same requirements COVID-wise as entering the country if I were staying for an extended time.
Am I understanding this correctly? So in this case, I will need to prepare the necessary documentation for the COVID procedures for both Germany and Spain?
Oct 31, 2021, 2:08 pm
#5155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,698
What is the procedure re: COVID for a passenger transiting FRA from the US?
My itinerary will be: EWR-FRA-BCN. I'm a US citizen who is fully vaccinated with proof.
As I understand, as a transiting passenger, I will have to clear customs and enter Germany to access the FCT. Which would mean the same requirements COVID-wise as entering the country if I were staying for an extended time.
Am I understanding this correctly? So in this case, I will need to prepare the necessary documentation for the COVID procedures for both Germany and Spain?
My itinerary will be: EWR-FRA-BCN. I'm a US citizen who is fully vaccinated with proof.
As I understand, as a transiting passenger, I will have to clear customs and enter Germany to access the FCT. Which would mean the same requirements COVID-wise as entering the country if I were staying for an extended time.
Am I understanding this correctly? So in this case, I will need to prepare the necessary documentation for the COVID procedures for both Germany and Spain?
Oct 31, 2021, 2:27 pm
#5156
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 69
Recent FCT VAT Terrible Experience
Recently connected in FRA from VIE with departing flight to ORD (booked in F) on a 2 hour connection. As I had purchased some items eligible for VAT refund, I looked for the nearest station after arriving in FRA. After what seemed like a mile walk from my arriving gate, I came upon a Global Blue station and was told I needed to turn back because she couldn't process any VAT refund to passengers arriving from VIE. I was told I had to walk to another Global Blue station which was probably 20 minutes away. As I had planned on going to the FCT, I decided it was worth the 75 Euro charge to get the VAT processed at the FCT. After a short walk to FCT, was processed at security and was welcomed into the lounge. With only an hour left before my flight to ORD, I informed the lounge attendant that I wanted to pay the VAT processing fee and get my items inspected. She said they needed to bring in customs officers and it would take a few minutes. She took my 75 Euro in cash and said she would let me know when the customs office arrived. 20 minutes later, I was asked to go to a back room where 2 German police officers, a man and woman, were waiting. They asked for my receipts, which I promptly submitted....and then the circus started. Both officers stared at the receipts for the next 20 minutes as I was standing there, not able to figure out what to do with them. They kept talking to each other and looking at the receipts, seemingly clueless. As I really wanted to spend time in the lounge and eat something, I asked them what the problem was and why was it taking so long. They said, one of the receipts looks to be a duplicate and not an original so they cant approve one of the items (which cost 2500 Euros). I told them that was the only receipt I received from the store but they would have none of that. After another 10 minutes of back and forth, they said they can only approve one of the 2 receipts for a VAT refund. Needless to say, I was irate but realizing it was not a good idea to argue with German police, I said just give me the one refund and let me go on my way. I went back to the lounge thinking I had time to eat something, but 3 minutes later was informed I needed to head down to the waiting van to board the plane. After looking forward to spending time in the FCT, I ended up wasting time with clueless customs officers. LEt this serve as a warning to those who plan on getting VAT refunds at FRA...don't do it at the FCT!!!
Oct 31, 2021, 2:46 pm
#5157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,698
Recently connected in FRA from VIE with departing flight to ORD (booked in F) on a 2 hour connection. As I had purchased some items eligible for VAT refund, I looked for the nearest station after arriving in FRA. After what seemed like a mile walk from my arriving gate, I came upon a Global Blue station and was told I needed to turn back because she couldn't process any VAT refund to passengers arriving from VIE. I was told I had to walk to another Global Blue station which was probably 20 minutes away. As I had planned on going to the FCT, I decided it was worth the 75 Euro charge to get the VAT processed at the FCT. After a short walk to FCT, was processed at security and was welcomed into the lounge. With only an hour left before my flight to ORD, I informed the lounge attendant that I wanted to pay the VAT processing fee and get my items inspected. She said they needed to bring in customs officers and it would take a few minutes. She took my 75 Euro in cash and said she would let me know when the customs office arrived. 20 minutes later, I was asked to go to a back room where 2 German police officers, a man and woman, were waiting. They asked for my receipts, which I promptly submitted....and then the circus started. Both officers stared at the receipts for the next 20 minutes as I was standing there, not able to figure out what to do with them. They kept talking to each other and looking at the receipts, seemingly clueless. As I really wanted to spend time in the lounge and eat something, I asked them what the problem was and why was it taking so long. They said, one of the receipts looks to be a duplicate and not an original so they cant approve one of the items (which cost 2500 Euros). I told them that was the only receipt I received from the store but they would have none of that. After another 10 minutes of back and forth, they said they can only approve one of the 2 receipts for a VAT refund. Needless to say, I was irate but realizing it was not a good idea to argue with German police, I said just give me the one refund and let me go on my way. I went back to the lounge thinking I had time to eat something, but 3 minutes later was informed I needed to head down to the waiting van to board the plane. After looking forward to spending time in the FCT, I ended up wasting time with clueless customs officers. LEt this serve as a warning to those who plan on getting VAT refunds at FRA...don't do it at the FCT!!!
Thanks for your first post.
Yes, the FCT is a lounge that promises much more, Customs clearance, fast Security clearance, rapid Covid tests but as others have posted here, when those options go wrong they are some distance from the people that normally carry out those functions & then it can be a pain....end of the day it’s still FRA....
Oct 31, 2021, 3:13 pm
#5159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,698
The FCT staff always do their very best, all too often they are let down by other providers
Oct 31, 2021, 3:39 pm
#5160
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 69
I think I was more disappointed in not being able to spend time at the lounge than the 500 Euros that I lost due to their incompetence. I could tell the lounge attendant felt terrible but there was nothing she could do. Was a huge disappointment.