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
Dec 22, 2021, 9:24 am
#5222
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 109
Perhaps the LH agents at EWR can recheck your bag further.
I once had an AC feeder in Y to LH out of ORD in F. AC checked the bag with no priority tag. When I collected it after a connecting flight from FRA, it has been tagged as F/Hon.
It surprised me as the bag was checked all the way through. Someone must have specifically done this (a nice touch). So it suggests maybe your bag can be dealt with/redirected in transit.
Jan 6, 2022, 7:04 am
#5223
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 138
I thought you'd get F lounge access in ZRH as you have a same-day same-ticket F flight onwards from FRA?
Jan 6, 2022, 7:45 am
#5224
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
Yes, this is same-day + same-ticket and you’ll get access to the FCL in ZRH (and of course FRA).
Jan 6, 2022, 8:01 am
#5225
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
Jan 8, 2022, 11:03 am
#5226
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA
Posts: 384
Went recently. Duty Free shop still closed. Tax back: the customs agent will still come and do tax-free for ~110 euro, but I found out that this is per party, so even if the customs agent comes out for one person, you can't just piggyback onto someone else, every party pays the 110. Also, the main T1 customs people won't stamp it if it's in hand-luggage, you have to give them the tagged bag to check. So, if you want European tax back and don't want to pay 110, check a bag in the main T1. (my tax back amount was minimal, and I didn't want to check my bag, so not worth paying).
Many more offerings in the dining room for self-service, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, veggies, the usual sliced cheese/meat plates, juices, muesli, cake/dessert -- obviously, in addition to the menu you can order through the staff. They were still giving out the red Santa duck (would have much preferred the duck driving the Porsche!). Breakfast menu overall same as prior. Lunch had a good steak and an excellent Tom Kha soup.
The bathtub shower room is now functional! (it was out of service for quite a while). Smoking room now has a self-serve drink bar with water and basic drinks. House champagne was Ruinart, the rosé champagne was Moet. Did a whisky tasting per usual. Is there a menu with all the whiskies/liquors or even all the wines or waters? The bartender pouring for me didn't drink alcohol, and so she kept trying to give me basic stuff like Glenfiddich... it would have been nice to have a menu to see what the most rare ones were, rather than having to squint at the liquor wall.
Overall, great, familiar experience!
Many more offerings in the dining room for self-service, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, veggies, the usual sliced cheese/meat plates, juices, muesli, cake/dessert -- obviously, in addition to the menu you can order through the staff. They were still giving out the red Santa duck (would have much preferred the duck driving the Porsche!). Breakfast menu overall same as prior. Lunch had a good steak and an excellent Tom Kha soup.
The bathtub shower room is now functional! (it was out of service for quite a while). Smoking room now has a self-serve drink bar with water and basic drinks. House champagne was Ruinart, the rosé champagne was Moet. Did a whisky tasting per usual. Is there a menu with all the whiskies/liquors or even all the wines or waters? The bartender pouring for me didn't drink alcohol, and so she kept trying to give me basic stuff like Glenfiddich... it would have been nice to have a menu to see what the most rare ones were, rather than having to squint at the liquor wall.
Overall, great, familiar experience!
Jan 8, 2022, 12:56 pm
#5227
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
Went recently. Duty Free shop still closed. Tax back: the customs agent will still come and do tax-free for ~110 euro, but I found out that this is per party, so even if the customs agent comes out for one person, you can't just piggyback onto someone else, every party pays the 110. Also, the main T1 customs people won't stamp it if it's in hand-luggage, you have to give them the tagged bag to check. So, if you want European tax back and don't want to pay 110, check a bag in the main T1. (my tax back amount was minimal, and I didn't want to check my bag, so not worth paying).
Many more offerings in the dining room for self-service, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, veggies, the usual sliced cheese/meat plates, juices, muesli, cake/dessert -- obviously, in addition to the menu you can order through the staff. They were still giving out the red Santa duck (would have much preferred the duck driving the Porsche!). Breakfast menu overall same as prior. Lunch had a good steak and an excellent Tom Kha soup.
The bathtub shower room is now functional! (it was out of service for quite a while). Smoking room now has a self-serve drink bar with water and basic drinks. House champagne was Ruinart, the rosé champagne was Moet. Did a whisky tasting per usual. Is there a menu with all the whiskies/liquors or even all the wines or waters? The bartender pouring for me didn't drink alcohol, and so she kept trying to give me basic stuff like Glenfiddich... it would have been nice to have a menu to see what the most rare ones were, rather than having to squint at the liquor wall.
Overall, great, familiar experience!
Many more offerings in the dining room for self-service, scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, veggies, the usual sliced cheese/meat plates, juices, muesli, cake/dessert -- obviously, in addition to the menu you can order through the staff. They were still giving out the red Santa duck (would have much preferred the duck driving the Porsche!). Breakfast menu overall same as prior. Lunch had a good steak and an excellent Tom Kha soup.
The bathtub shower room is now functional! (it was out of service for quite a while). Smoking room now has a self-serve drink bar with water and basic drinks. House champagne was Ruinart, the rosé champagne was Moet. Did a whisky tasting per usual. Is there a menu with all the whiskies/liquors or even all the wines or waters? The bartender pouring for me didn't drink alcohol, and so she kept trying to give me basic stuff like Glenfiddich... it would have been nice to have a menu to see what the most rare ones were, rather than having to squint at the liquor wall.
Overall, great, familiar experience!
On the VAT, you got to give it to them, trying to squeeze another 110 euro when they’re already there…
If you’re already in T1 air side, there’s another customs place where you can do the VAT stamping even though it’s in your hand luggage (which it obviously is since you’re air side) and then you get out of the terminal and walk to the FCT. If you’re land side then I wouldn’t recommend that since you’ll have to go through security and passport control just for that.
Drinks menu: yes, there’s an extensive one which makes choosing easier if you’re not sure what they have/what you want and/or want to “maximize”. There’s also a list of all the waters. It’s just a matter of finding the lists. They’re not always handy for whatever reason.
Jan 8, 2022, 6:27 pm
#5229
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA
Posts: 384
A couple points:
On the VAT, you got to give it to them, trying to squeeze another 110 euro when they’re already there…
If you’re already in T1 air side, there’s another customs place where you can do the VAT stamping even though it’s in your hand luggage (which it obviously is since you’re air side) and then you get out of the terminal and walk to the FCT. If you’re land side then I wouldn’t recommend that since you’ll have to go through security and passport control just for that.
Drinks menu: yes, there’s an extensive one which makes choosing easier if you’re not sure what they have/what you want and/or want to “maximize”. There’s also a list of all the waters. It’s just a matter of finding the lists. They’re not always handy for whatever reason.
On the VAT, you got to give it to them, trying to squeeze another 110 euro when they’re already there…
If you’re already in T1 air side, there’s another customs place where you can do the VAT stamping even though it’s in your hand luggage (which it obviously is since you’re air side) and then you get out of the terminal and walk to the FCT. If you’re land side then I wouldn’t recommend that since you’ll have to go through security and passport control just for that.
Drinks menu: yes, there’s an extensive one which makes choosing easier if you’re not sure what they have/what you want and/or want to “maximize”. There’s also a list of all the waters. It’s just a matter of finding the lists. They’re not always handy for whatever reason.
I was actually landside when they declined -- honestly, the customs guy had no idea about anything, let alone the existence of the FCT, and had to ask his colleague, and they just kept talking back and forth in German about the "VIP terminal"... very little faith in those people, even though they work at the airport!
So, I was actually thinking of going airside in T1, but the above people told me once I went airside, I couldn't exit? Barring the ethics of going airside and technically exiting the EU just to get the VAT stamp at airside customs, how difficult is it in practice to return landside "back into Germany" (I assume through border control again), just to get to the FCT after I've received the relevant stamp? I may try to do this next time just to try to prove a point, even though it's just $10-20.
I suppose I can say "I had no idea the FCT was landside and I deserve to go there", but if there's no easy mechanism to abort and exit the terminal once I've gone through security, then there's no point. For example, at T5 LHR after security, I wanted to go landside to sort out something at the ticket counter, but they said someone from the BA customer service station had to accompany me back... and there was a long line, the whole process would have taken > 1 hour.
Jan 9, 2022, 1:53 am
#5230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
Thank you on both points!
I was actually landside when they declined -- honestly, the customs guy had no idea about anything, let alone the existence of the FCT, and had to ask his colleague, and they just kept talking back and forth in German about the "VIP terminal"... very little faith in those people, even though they work at the airport!
So, I was actually thinking of going airside in T1, but the above people told me once I went airside, I couldn't exit? Barring the ethics of going airside and technically exiting the EU just to get the VAT stamp at airside customs, how difficult is it in practice to return landside "back into Germany" (I assume through border control again), just to get to the FCT after I've received the relevant stamp? I may try to do this next time just to try to prove a point, even though it's just $10-20.
I suppose I can say "I had no idea the FCT was landside and I deserve to go there", but if there's no easy mechanism to abort and exit the terminal once I've gone through security, then there's no point. For example, at T5 LHR after security, I wanted to go landside to sort out something at the ticket counter, but they said someone from the BA customer service station had to accompany me back... and there was a long line, the whole process would have taken > 1 hour.
I was actually landside when they declined -- honestly, the customs guy had no idea about anything, let alone the existence of the FCT, and had to ask his colleague, and they just kept talking back and forth in German about the "VIP terminal"... very little faith in those people, even though they work at the airport!
So, I was actually thinking of going airside in T1, but the above people told me once I went airside, I couldn't exit? Barring the ethics of going airside and technically exiting the EU just to get the VAT stamp at airside customs, how difficult is it in practice to return landside "back into Germany" (I assume through border control again), just to get to the FCT after I've received the relevant stamp? I may try to do this next time just to try to prove a point, even though it's just $10-20.
I suppose I can say "I had no idea the FCT was landside and I deserve to go there", but if there's no easy mechanism to abort and exit the terminal once I've gone through security, then there's no point. For example, at T5 LHR after security, I wanted to go landside to sort out something at the ticket counter, but they said someone from the BA customer service station had to accompany me back... and there was a long line, the whole process would have taken > 1 hour.
Customs officers at FRA tend to make tax refund as challenging as possible, it’s not in their employers interest for you to get the refund
Jan 9, 2022, 7:52 am
#5231
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
To your question about how easy it is to “get back to Germany” from the air side customs stamping office, it’s easy, quick and no one cares. I know what you’re referring to re T5 at LHR and it’s nothing like that at FRA.
Jan 9, 2022, 9:04 am
#5232
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: BCN, LH SEN***, FB Silver, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 149
Heads up lounge access rules have changed again since yesterday. I was turned away trying to enter a SEN lounge which is no big loss in these times. But it would be a huge disappointment if you end up missing a visit to FCT/FCL.
Double vaccinated is no longer enough!
Double vaccinated is no longer enough!
*** FFP2 or medical mask obligatory. For access, please provide a negative Covid test (max 24h) and either a proof of vaccination or recovery (2G+). No test necessary for guests with 3rd vaccination (booster). ***
Jan 9, 2022, 9:43 am
#5233
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Heads up lounge access rules have changed again since yesterday. I was turned away trying to enter a SEN lounge which is no big loss in these times. But it would be a huge disappointment if you end up missing a visit to FCT/FCL.
Double vaccinated is no longer enough!
Double vaccinated is no longer enough!
Jan 9, 2022, 10:14 am
#5235
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,641
Heads up lounge access rules have changed again since yesterday. I was turned away trying to enter a SEN lounge which is no big loss in these times. But it would be a huge disappointment if you end up missing a visit to FCT/FCL.
Double vaccinated is no longer enough!
Double vaccinated is no longer enough!