Community
Wiki Posts
Search
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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2022, 12:36 pm
  #5536  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,921
Long and unfortunate story...but 1) if you arrive at a gate as opposed to an apron position, no one will take you anywhere and 2) there are posts here and stories on all the blogs AD NASEUM about how to get from the terminal to the FCT. I'll leave it at that.
NYC1 is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2022, 1:00 pm
  #5537  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,421
Originally Posted by NYC1
Long and unfortunate story...but 1) if you arrive at a gate as opposed to an apron position, no one will take you anywhere and 2) there are posts here and stories on all the blogs AD NASEUM about how to get from the terminal to the FCT. I'll leave it at that.
one thing to add - that is also stated 100 times here at least… no matter where you arrive and how tight your connection is… nobody will ever take you to the FCT
chris63, athome, Global321 and 4 others like this.
daumueller is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2022, 1:16 pm
  #5538  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,646
Originally Posted by daumueller
one thing to add - that is also stated 100 times here at least… no matter where you arrive and how tight your connection is… nobody will ever take you to the FCT
Yes, so the bottom line is there is no F arrival service at FRA unless your fortunate enough to get an outside position ….. not very First Class & expecting all F pax to be avid FT follower's is unreasonable

FRA & FRAPORT is pants
EJJBHX likes this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2022, 1:27 pm
  #5539  
a7x
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 18
Yeah, I should have read the previous posts more carefully I vaguely remember someone in the most recent pages mentioning they were picked up and I guess that was the difference between apron vs gate. I knew it's a separate terminal and one needs to go there. The next flight was (if it was on time) in <90 minutes -- so that scared me too :/

It was definitely my bad. If my son wasn't being so hard on himself and us (not his fault, he was awake for 8 of the 10 hours) -- I would have tried harder or just exited the terminal. The overwhelming lines everywhere really scared me

In any case, hope someone else learns from my experience and books a longer connection!
chris63 and EJJBHX like this.
a7x is offline  
Old Nov 18, 2022, 7:52 am
  #5540  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 99
Given the upcoming disappointing changes to the onboard first class champagne does anyone know what the current offering is in the first class terminal. The last I can find see on here is Ruinart. Is that still the case and does anyone have any pictures of current wine/drink lists?

Cheers
pmramsay is offline  
Old Nov 18, 2022, 2:32 pm
  #5541  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NOC/LAX
Posts: 432
I didn’t take a wine list photo but It was Ruinart served on Wednesday.
pmramsay likes this.
hedur is offline  
Old Nov 18, 2022, 3:59 pm
  #5542  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 99
Originally Posted by hedur
I didn’t take a wine list photo but It was Ruinart served on Wednesday.
Good to know they are still serving Ruinart. Hopefully they don’t downgrade that as well! Thanks
pmramsay is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 1:15 am
  #5543  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,731
Current wine list




Ruinart was not available for a while until about two weeks ago due to „supply issues“. It is back now.

As I said elsewhere on the forum a few days ago, many of the wines do not belong on the list of a First Class Terminal/Lounge.
demue, chris63, MichielR and 3 others like this.
worldclubber is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 7:00 am
  #5544  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 99
Originally Posted by worldclubber
Current wine list


Ruinart was not available for a while until about two weeks ago due to „supply issues“. It is back now.

As I said elsewhere on the forum a few days ago, many of the wines do not belong on the list of a First Class Terminal/Lounge.
Just what I was looking for, thanks. Hopefully their wont be any supply issues in a few weeks time. Could be tempted into the Pol Roger as well!
pmramsay is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 7:07 am
  #5545  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,921
The “supply issues” are LH supplying its vendors more cash to buy quality products.
SFO777 and pdeut like this.
NYC1 is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 8:12 am
  #5546  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,646
Originally Posted by pmramsay
Just what I was looking for, thanks. Hopefully their wont be any supply issues in a few weeks time. Could be tempted into the Pol Roger as well!
For a NV the Pol Roger is very decent as is the Ruinart but in MUC it’s much better with Pommery Louise Cuvée
pmramsay, worldclubber and pdeut like this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 8:37 am
  #5547  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,731
Originally Posted by pmramsay
Just what I was looking for, thanks. Hopefully their wont be any supply issues in a few weeks time. Could be tempted into the Pol Roger as well!
Always happy to help.

The Pol Roger is actually pretty good. Why not give both a try.
pmramsay likes this.
worldclubber is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 8:41 am
  #5548  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,731
Originally Posted by chris63
For a NV the Pol Roger is very decent as is the Ruinart but in MUC it’s much better with Pommery Louise Cuvée
Unfortunately, I don't see Louise migrating to FRA any time soon.

MUC has the better champers, but FRA much better PA service, even at the FCL in A. The last time I was in MUC the LDs were not helpful and "borderline unfriendly" (well, at least one of them was and ordered the other two to follow her lead; one of whom was embarrassed).
pdeut likes this.

Last edited by worldclubber; Nov 19, 2022 at 8:52 am
worldclubber is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 8:51 pm
  #5549  
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
One member of my travel party is recovering from a broken foot and may not be able to walk the entire trek to the FCT. Does FRA offer wheelchair assistance or are we stuck going to the FCLs?
iluvdoco is offline  
Old Nov 19, 2022, 9:39 pm
  #5550  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,646
Originally Posted by iluvdoco
One member of my travel party is recovering from a broken foot and may not be able to walk the entire trek to the FCT. Does FRA offer wheelchair assistance or are we stuck going to the FCLs?
If you order the special assistance ( wheelchair ) that would take you to the exit, you could then take a Taxi to the FCT, otherwise it’s FCLA
iluvdoco likes this.
chris63 is offline  


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.