The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

Oct 4, 21, 11:45 pm - Wikipost

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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, even if the ticket of that F segment is different from the ticket of the segment from FRA. For example, if you were to fly FRA-MUC in Y or J, connecting on the same day to an ex-MUC flight in F on LH, you would be 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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Jun 24, 22, 6:08 am

#5416

Jaenks

Join Date: Jan 2011

Programs: OWE,*A G, Bonvoy LT TE, HHonors Diamond, WoH Globalist, ALL Platinum

Posts: 1,530

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC1

Pick up a random person in the terminal as an experiment in the name of science.

I rather tell at desk that "my friend" is arriving soon from other flight and leaving with other flight. Would be faster and avoids probable dissapoitment of selected terminal "friend".

chris63 likes this.

Jun 25, 22, 7:26 am

#5417

Inselhuepfer

Join Date: Sep 2016

Location: Cologne / London

Programs: BAEC Gold, Lufthansa Sen

Posts: 123

Hello,

Does anyone here know at what time the menus in the FCT change from breakfast to lunch? My flight departs at 13.40 and I wouldn't mind having an early lunch in the FCT Dining Room.

Thanks very much!

Jun 25, 22, 8:31 am

#5418

chris63

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV

Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.

Posts: 6,423

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inselhuepfer

Usually around 11.00

Jun 25, 22, 9:58 am

#5419

IAN-UK

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2000

Location: London

Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, LH, QR, TK

Posts: 15,286

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaenks

Took one for a team. Blueberries and strawberries-the Swedish-Fruits

I made diligent enquiries of a German friend who doubles as a food historian. She says <Swedish Fruit> was a GDR confection: and whatever form it then took, it's now close to the UK "summer fruits", available packed, maybe frozen*, in supermarkets. I'm guessing the name reflects the heavy berry content of Scandinavian summers.

* I'm not for one moment suggesting the FCT fruits had been at any time frozen

Jun 25, 22, 11:15 am

#5420

chris63

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV

Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.

Posts: 6,423

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAN-UK

* I'm not for one moment suggesting the FCT fruits had been at any time frozen

Very wise, they were handpicked & flown in specially by LH from ARN

Jun 25, 22, 1:58 pm

#5421

YYCCL3

Join Date: Aug 2014

Location: YYC-PRG/VIE

Posts: 1,770

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inselhuepfer

If your flight is on time, you'll most likely be driven to the plane at 1315. So you'll have plenty of time for lunch after they officially switch over from breakfast at 11. I've asked in the past for lunch / dinner items (hello schnitzel!) at 1030 and was obliged...

Jun 26, 22, 2:36 pm

#5422

sweetsleep

Join Date: Sep 2014

Location: Nashville,TN

Programs: AA Gold Elite

Posts: 489

Assuming my flight arrives from BUD on time at 08:15 in F, my connecting flight departs to the US at 10:30 in F. Do I have time to quickly visit the FCT since I do not need to go through any passport control since I am arriving from a Schengen country? Or should I just find the F lounge in the terminal?
Thanks for any advice.

Jun 26, 22, 2:39 pm

#5423

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 27,819

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetsleep

yeah, you will have an hour to enjoy in FCT. I would definitely make the trip.

chris63, SFO777, YYCCL3 and 1 others like this.

Jun 26, 22, 3:10 pm

#5424

sweetsleep

Join Date: Sep 2014

Location: Nashville,TN

Programs: AA Gold Elite

Posts: 489

Thank You!
I really want another one of those ducks! It has been a looooong time since I was there!

Jun 26, 22, 4:18 pm

#5425

Jaenks

Join Date: Jan 2011

Programs: OWE,*A G, Bonvoy LT TE, HHonors Diamond, WoH Globalist, ALL Platinum

Posts: 1,530

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetsleep

Thank You!
I really want another one of those ducks! It has been a looooong time since I was there!

FCT and FCL A had only black ducks on Monday. Better focus the visit during the World Cup in November-December to get something special or in September connecting through MUC for Oktoberfest ducks.