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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 Nov 17, 2021, 11:15 am
  #5191  
 
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"The First Lounge in area E and Lounge in area D will not be open until spring 2022 in Zurich. Please see the following link for more details: https://www.swiss.com/ch/en/fly/airp...lounges-zurich.



The same applies to the First Class Lounge in area B in Frankfurt where the First Class Lounge in area A is open along with the First Class Terminal. Further lounge details are available on the following link https://www.lufthansa.com./us/en/lounges"

You have your answers.
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Old Nov 17, 2021, 3:10 pm
  #5192  
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Originally Posted by sophialite
"The First Lounge in area E and Lounge in area D will not be open until spring 2022 in Zurich. Please see the following link for more details: https://www.swiss.com/ch/en/fly/airp...lounges-zurich.



The same applies to the First Class Lounge in area B in Frankfurt where the First Class Lounge in area A is open along with the First Class Terminal. Further lounge details are available on the following link https://www.lufthansa.com./us/en/lounges"

You have your answers.
Your links are not providing those specific details in my search, however, I’m not surprised by the schedule you suggest, talking to the FCL Staff & other LH group personnel, indeed, given the rapidly worsening Pandemic situation in Europe, even the current lounge situation is not a given...
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Old Nov 17, 2021, 5:18 pm
  #5193  
 
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Right. I don’t see that statement. Not doubting it but just not seeing it. Also, considering the fares to ZRH from NY, I don’t really appreciate it but that’s a separate issue.
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Old Nov 17, 2021, 11:59 pm
  #5194  
 
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Originally Posted by chris63
Your links are not providing those specific details in my search, however, I’m not surprised by the schedule you suggest, talking to the FCL Staff & other LH group personnel, indeed, given the rapidly worsening Pandemic situation in Europe, even the current lounge situation is not a given...
German state and federal leaders are meeting today, I think, to discuss potential national restrictions. Let’s see what that results in…
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Old Nov 22, 2021, 11:35 am
  #5195  
 
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Pardon that this might be repetitive/obvious to some, but just to be safe:

If I arrive LH F from EWR at 07:30, and depart LH J to ARN (Stockholm) at 21:30, would I be allowed in to the FCT despite the very long layover? All under a single Aeroplan booking (same ticket and PNR).

For those saying it's not worth it, my plan is to come in, have breakfast, then go to the city for some time, and finally come back in the evening for some pre-flight scotch.

Side question: alternatively I could go to the F lounge in A upon arrival. But apparently I have to pick up a checked bag in FRA so I'm thinking to pick up the bag, then go straight to FCT. Or would it normally be OK to not pick up the checked bags for an hour or so while I shower/have breakfast in the FCLA?
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Old Nov 22, 2021, 11:42 am
  #5196  
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Originally Posted by SEA737
Pardon that this might be repetitive/obvious to some, but just to be safe:

If I arrive LH F from EWR at 07:30, and depart LH J to ARN (Stockholm) at 21:30, would I be allowed in to the FCT despite the very long layover? All under a single Aeroplan booking (same ticket and PNR).

For those saying it's not worth it, my plan is to come in, have breakfast, then go to the city for some time, and finally come back in the evening for some pre-flight scotch.

Side question: alternatively I could go to the F lounge in A upon arrival. But apparently I have to pick up a checked bag in FRA so I'm thinking to pick up the bag, then go straight to FCT. Or would it normally be OK to not pick up the checked bags for an hour or so while I shower/have breakfast in the FCLA?
On a single ticket, your fine doing either, if you do go first to FCL A, tell the PA at the entrance about your checked bag. Or you could have your bag checked through to ARN
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Old Nov 22, 2021, 1:00 pm
  #5197  
 
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Originally Posted by SEA737
Pardon that this might be repetitive/obvious to some, but just to be safe:

If I arrive LH F from EWR at 07:30, and depart LH J to ARN (Stockholm) at 21:30, would I be allowed in to the FCT despite the very long layover? All under a single Aeroplan booking (same ticket and PNR).

For those saying it's not worth it, my plan is to come in, have breakfast, then go to the city for some time, and finally come back in the evening for some pre-flight scotch.

Side question: alternatively I could go to the F lounge in A upon arrival. But apparently I have to pick up a checked bag in FRA so I'm thinking to pick up the bag, then go straight to FCT. Or would it normally be OK to not pick up the checked bags for an hour or so while I shower/have breakfast in the FCLA?
If it’s the same ticket and PNR I don’t see any reason why you have to take out the luggage in FRA. When checking in in EWR, they should be able to send it all the way through to ARN.
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Old Nov 22, 2021, 3:15 pm
  #5198  
 
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Originally Posted by Kleffen
If it’s the same ticket and PNR I don’t see any reason why you have to take out the luggage in FRA. When checking in in EWR, they should be able to send it all the way through to ARN.
I have a companion that had a feeder UA flight (same ticket too) and for whatever reason United only checked it in to FRA.
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Old Nov 22, 2021, 3:44 pm
  #5199  
 
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Originally Posted by SEA737
I have a companion that had a feeder UA flight (same ticket too) and for whatever reason United only checked it in to FRA.
That's annoying, but like Chris63 said, if you decide to first go to the FCL A, tell the agents at the lounge entrance about the bag.
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Old Nov 23, 2021, 2:10 am
  #5200  
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Originally Posted by SEA737
I have a companion that had a feeder UA flight (same ticket too) and for whatever reason United only checked it in to FRA.
Thats a mistake by the UA agent, the LH agents at EWR will be fully aware it’s normal on LH group for your bags to be checked through to your final destination.
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Old Nov 23, 2021, 2:39 am
  #5201  
 
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Originally Posted by SEA737
I have a companion that had a feeder UA flight (same ticket too) and for whatever reason United only checked it in to FRA.
Many agents in the US are only familiar with the rules for arrival in the US, and there you have to collect your bags at the first airport you touch US soil. That's different in Europe.
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Old Nov 23, 2021, 3:25 am
  #5202  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
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And UAs system doesn't like connections >8h because US airports don't have a baggage storage system.
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Old Dec 2, 2021, 6:41 am
  #5203  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Originally Posted by SEA737
Pardon that this might be repetitive/obvious to some, but just to be safe:
If I arrive LH F from EWR at 07:30, and depart LH J to ARN (Stockholm) at 21:30, would I be allowed in to the FCT despite the very long layover? All under a single Aeroplan booking (same ticket and PNR).
For those saying it's not worth it, my plan is to come in, have breakfast, then go to the city for some time, and finally come back in the evening for some pre-flight scotch.
Side question: alternatively I could go to the F lounge in A upon arrival. But apparently I have to pick up a checked bag in FRA so I'm thinking to pick up the bag, then go straight to FCT. Or would it normally be OK to not pick up the checked bags for an hour or so while I shower/have breakfast in the FCLA?
FCL A is currently open until 14:00, so better to check-in your bag to ARN in dedicated Terminal 1 F area, then go to FCT and then to the city. I have done it previously but with hand luggage which I left in FCT while went to shopping. Last week I asked specificly to check-in my bag only unitl FRA, since I returned in following day.
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Old Dec 2, 2021, 6:50 am
  #5204  
 
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Got brand new Panamera Turbo S for transfer. What a waiste of resource! Speed was between 18-30km/h.
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Old Dec 2, 2021, 7:10 am
  #5205  
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Originally Posted by Jaenks
Got brand new Panamera Turbo S for transfer. What a waiste of resource! Speed was between 18-30km/h.
That’s a first, someone complaining they got a Porsche transfer.
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