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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 Mar 14, 2022, 2:48 pm
  #5266  
 
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FCL A is not going to be open? Or alternatively FCL B but someone would need to confirm you can get a car from there.
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Old Mar 14, 2022, 3:07 pm
  #5267  
 
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Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
FCL A is not going to be open? Or alternatively FCL B but someone would need to confirm you can get a car from there.
FCL A closes at 2pm and I'm scheduled to land at 7pm. FCL B is still closed, but there is a separate F area in the senator lounge. No idea if they do the car service from B
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Old Mar 14, 2022, 4:29 pm
  #5268  
 
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Sorry to hear that. I have lost track of what is closed and what is open.

I don't think I would want to risk missing the flight. I'd rather fly into FRA and then call FCT to ask if it is worth leaving the secure area.
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Old Mar 14, 2022, 4:42 pm
  #5269  
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Originally Posted by nordboa
LH F hotline confirmed that the FCT is not affected by the strike, but she adviced against going there, both because it meant leaving the transit area and also because it's meant to be for pax departing from FRA. I'm not sure what to do, but it seems like a waste to use 2 hours in a Senator lounge when I am flying onwards in F. Any suggestions?
Surprisingly poor advice from FCL hotline, FCT is also for connecting pax currently, especially so because FCL B is closed & FCL A has limited hours, there are no F facilities, other than a waiting area & a slightly enhanced menu at the B SEN lounge. I would definitely head over to FCT in your situation
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Old Mar 14, 2022, 5:24 pm
  #5270  
 
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Originally Posted by chris63
Surprisingly poor advice from FCL hotline, FCT is also for connecting pax currently, especially so because FCL B is closed & FCL A has limited hours, there are no F facilities, other than a waiting area & a slightly enhanced menu at the B SEN lounge. I would definitely head over to FCT in your situation
It would be great to get first hand confirmation from someone tomorrow that the FCT is actually operating. I will be arriving on LH in F from MEX and have a connecting flight from the A gates in the early evening - would much rather take a shower/get some decent food in the FCT than wait in the SEN lounge, but don’t want to risk getting stuck in FRA.
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Old Mar 14, 2022, 9:06 pm
  #5271  
 
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Originally Posted by VirtuallyThere
It would be great to get first hand confirmation from someone tomorrow that the FCT is actually operating. I will be arriving on LH in F from MEX and have a connecting flight from the A gates in the early evening - would much rather take a shower/get some decent food in the FCT than wait in the SEN lounge, but don’t want to risk getting stuck in FRA.
If you exit airside and attempt to access the FCT only to find out that it is closed for some bizarre reason, I don't see how could you end up getting stuck in FRA. You'd just walk back to the main terminal, clear security there, and proceed to the SEN lounge.
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Old Mar 14, 2022, 9:12 pm
  #5272  
 
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Originally Posted by dkc192
If you exit airside and attempt to access the FCT only to find out that it is closed for some bizarre reason, I don't see how could you end up getting stuck in FRA. You'd just walk back to the main terminal, clear security there, and proceed to the SEN lounge.
There‘s not going to be a way to clear security at the main terminal tomorrow (March 15th) because of the strike … From the official airport website:
Airport Frankfurt Strike

Due to a strike by security staff at several German airports today, major disruptions and flight cancellations can also be expected at Frankfurt Airport. In particular, the security checkpoints outside the transit area will not be staffed throughout the day. Thus, for the duration of the strike, passengers departing locally from Frankfurt will not be able to use the security checkpoints to get to their flights. We therefore strongly advise all originating passengers from Frankfurt to avoid coming to the airport. Please contact your airline or travel operator as soon as possible for information on your flight.

Transfer processes for connecting passengers in the transit area will still largely be possible. Nevertheless, transfer passengers should also expect disruptions and delays due to the strike activities.

We kindly ask all affected passengers for their understanding.

Last edited by VirtuallyThere; Mar 14, 2022 at 9:25 pm Reason: Added quote from Fraport website
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 2:39 am
  #5273  
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Originally Posted by VirtuallyThere
There‘s not going to be a way to clear security at the main terminal tomorrow (March 15th) because of the strike … From the official airport website:
To make double sure, go to SEN B & ask the Staff to contact FCT
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 2:56 am
  #5274  
 
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Originally Posted by VirtuallyThere
It would be great to get first hand confirmation from someone tomorrow that the FCT is actually operating. I will be arriving on LH in F from MEX and have a connecting flight from the A gates in the early evening - would much rather take a shower/get some decent food in the FCT than wait in the SEN lounge, but don’t want to risk getting stuck in FRA.
FCT is open. Someone I know is there now. I called LH F hotline yesterday and they confirmed that it's open, but she gave me the standard answer that it's only for passengers departing fram FRA. I don't see how they would confirm this until you are at the reception though. I'm in a similat situatoin actually. Not sure if I'll risk it though
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 4:34 am
  #5275  
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Originally Posted by chris63
Surprisingly poor advice from FCL hotline, FCT is also for connecting pax currently, especially so because FCL B is closed & FCL A has limited hours, there are no F facilities, other than a waiting area & a slightly enhanced menu at the B SEN lounge. I would definitely head over to FCT in your situation
I wonder if the security presence at the FCT is a concession negotiated by LH for its local-origin passengers - one they wouldn't want to breach by encouraging transfer passengers to use the facility.

The B Senator lounge isn't hell-on-earth: there are are powerful but duck-free showers, and perfectly fine snack-type food: it should do even the most exacting Hon, at a pinch.
I'd avoid sitting in the lounge's roped-off area though .
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 5:36 am
  #5276  
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Originally Posted by IAN-UK
I wonder if the security presence at the FCT is a concession negotiated by LH for its local-origin passengers - one they wouldn't want to breach by encouraging transfer passengers to use the facility.

The B Senator lounge isn't hell-on-earth: there are are powerful but duck-free showers, and perfectly fine snack-type food: it should do even the most exacting Hon, at a pinch.
I'd avoid sitting in the lounge's roped-off area though .
The FCT uses the same security Staff, I have regularly seen them working at both the transit security points & inside FCT.

SEN B is ok, but no substitute for the FCL’s

Last edited by chris63; Mar 15, 2022 at 5:37 am Reason: Typo
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 7:30 am
  #5277  
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Originally Posted by chris63
The FCT uses the same security Staff, I have regularly seen them working at both the transit security points & inside FCT.
Sure, but it's likely within the business skills of Luthansa to make the case for very limited strike-breaking applied to its Frankfurt-origin F and Hon passengers. And not beyond the wit of the union to accept any benefits Lufthansa might offer for their concession ….

It looks as though such a deal has been struck, and LH might be unwilling to test its structure by encouraging transfer passenger to make the landside transit.


Originally Posted by chris63
SEN B is ok, but no substitute for the FCL’s
Absolutely: in the normal run of things, its would indeed be a poor substitute. But enforced under the extraordinary situation imposed by the strike, Senator B facilities for the FCT isn't the end of the world, and may well be Hobson's choice.
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 12:17 pm
  #5278  
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Originally Posted by IAN-UK
Sure, but it's likely within the business skills of Luthansa to make the case for very limited strike-breaking applied to its Frankfurt-origin F and Hon passengers. And not beyond the wit of the union to accept any benefits Lufthansa might offer for their concession ….

It looks as though such a deal has been struck, and LH might be unwilling to test its structure by encouraging transfer passenger to make the landside transit.




Absolutely: in the normal run of things, its would indeed be a poor substitute. But enforced under the extraordinary situation imposed by the strike, Senator B facilities for the FCT isn't the end of the world, and may well be Hobson's choice.
One might have thought the FCT to be a prime target, block LH best customers from flying…… & yes, SEN B is certainly better than nothing
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 12:26 pm
  #5279  
 
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Can confirm that the fct is open
no questions asked when I arrived
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Old Mar 15, 2022, 2:15 pm
  #5280  
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Originally Posted by nordboa
Can confirm that the fct is open
no questions asked when I arrived
As it should be, certainly the last place LH want closed
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