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.

Print Wikipost

The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

Old Jun 20, 2022, 1:03 pm
  #5371  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,368
Wait? Is that a Swedish specialty?
Fredrik74 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 12:53 am
  #5372  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,575
Originally Posted by Fredrik74
Wait? Is that a Swedish specialty?
You ought to know ?
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 7:54 am
  #5373  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,898
Originally Posted by SuperFlyBoy
No pretzels.

Sit-down dining? I didn't see that.

Have to approach coffee bar to get any coffee...

Fridges were stocked with minimal juices/refreshments...

Maybe because this was Schengen-side?? No idea really...
This is unfortunately a completely atypical experience. The ZRH FCL in A has been great, especially with the lounge in E being open so that it’s not mobbed. So it’s too bad you didn’t have a good experience.
NYC1 is online now  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 7:59 am
  #5374  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Originally Posted by chris63
FCL A has a sit down dining area, opposite the bar near the kitchen with full table service & a Menu.
Great - will check next time...

Originally Posted by stargold
Indeed - quite hard to miss, actually. You have to walk past it in order to get to the limo.
Was a bit tired, really wasn't too hungry - was very hot in there, so just wanted to chill...sat down with some bottled orange juice...

Originally Posted by IAN-UK
My excursions into F-territory are rare, so I'm more interested in locating the fabulous SEN lounge
I actually rate the standard FRA SEN lounge fare quite highly - maybe I'm easy to please in that sense...

Of course the FCLs and FCT are a step above...

Originally Posted by cfischer
are you sure you went to the F lounge? Not the 'Alpine' lounge?
This is where the escort took me - if there were more pix available online then I can verify, but one goes down an elevator after being escorted to a "lobby" area...then down to a smallish lounge which has an overview of the terminal below, brown wood paneling...

Originally Posted by NYC1
This is unfortunately a completely atypical experience. The ZRH FCL in A has been great, especially with the lounge in E being open so that it’s not mobbed. So it’s too bad you didn’t have a good experience.
I didn't really care much - only an hour and I had an awesome experience on board the LX F flight - so that was the highlight of the trip - also the Helvetic flight lead was incredible - *great* attitude!
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 9:37 am
  #5375  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 7,995
Originally Posted by SuperFlyBoy
This is where the escort took me - if there were more pix available online then I can verify, but one goes down an elevator after being escorted to a "lobby" area...then down to a smallish lounge which has an overview of the terminal below, brown wood paneling...
Sounds like FCL A. I'm not a huge fan either.
Fabo.sk is online now  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 10:04 am
  #5376  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,575
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
Sounds like FCL A. I'm not a huge fan either.
It’s nowhere near as nice as FCL E but it’s way better than any SEN lounge
theKrafty1tar likes this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 11:20 am
  #5377  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,368
Originally Posted by chris63
You ought to know ?
Yeah, and I don't see what's so Swedish about it. I'd say it is the go-to mix but is it unique to Sweden?
Fredrik74 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 12:19 pm
  #5378  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,005
Originally Posted by chris63
Has any SEN lounge ever been described as fabulous ?

Fabulous in the sense of

no basis in reality; mythical
e.g. a senator lounge superior in any material way to the. first-class lounges
IAN-UK is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 1:25 pm
  #5379  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,575
Originally Posted by IAN-UK
Fabulous in the sense of

no basis in reality; mythical
e.g. a senator lounge superior in any material way to the. first-class lounges
Indeed, they were never fabulous in reality
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 1:28 pm
  #5380  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,575
Originally Posted by Fredrik74
Yeah, and I don't see what's so Swedish about it. I'd say it is the go-to mix but is it unique to Sweden?
Clearly not unique to Sweden then, anyway your Country gets a mention & it does look nice 😊
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 3:28 am
  #5381  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 75
Question from a new HON:

is there a way to purchase entrance for a second guest? Traveling will be in Economy/Business for a European flight, so except me, no one holds status.

First guest would be my wife, second a friend. Doable to get them both in?
Sunriser is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 3:43 am
  #5382  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 7,995
Originally Posted by chris63
It’s nowhere near as nice as FCL E but it’s way better than any SEN lounge
Food and wine wise, yes, but for general ambiance (and the whisky bar) I prefer SEN E to FCL A. Of course if you are deciding between FCL A and SEN E, then you can just go to FCL E and get the best of both worlds.

Originally Posted by Sunriser
Question from a new HON:

is there a way to purchase entrance for a second guest? Traveling will be in Economy/Business for a European flight, so except me, no one holds status.

First guest would be my wife, second a friend. Doable to get them both in?
That should be possible, as spouse and children get access in addition to the companion. If it was two friends, it would not be possible. Of course as long as all three of you are on the same flight.
Access can be bought to Business and SEN lounges for extra guests. I don't believe it's an option for any FCL in LH group system.
Fabo.sk is online now  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 3:58 am
  #5383  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 75
Thanks. you sure I can bring in my wife (plus kids) plus an additional guest?
Sunriser is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 4:45 am
  #5384  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,575
Originally Posted by Sunriser
Thanks. you sure I can bring in my wife (plus kids) plus an additional guest?
If your on the same flight, you can guest your life partner & all children of yours under 18 years of age & a guest, then you need to pay for additional guests & it’s circa 130 EUR last time I enquired
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 5:01 am
  #5385  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 75
Sorry, I am confused now

so free is:

wife + Children under 18
1 additional guest

charge of 130 Euro for further additional guests..

did I get that right?
Sunriser is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.