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 Jul 2, 2023, 3:22 am
  #5821  
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 539
First time in the LH FCT this morning, so while I can’t compare it to pre-Covid, I find myself very impressed by the attention to detail from the LH staff.

Unfortunately the contract staff are not quite as polished - and regrettably one of them unlocked the bathroom door (with a key) as I sat in the bath. I’ve made the LH staff aware and will pass it as written feedback after my flight.

Fortunately it hasn’t detracted too much from an otherwise excellent morning.
chris63 and IndyHoosier like this.
BA850 is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2023, 3:25 am
  #5822  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
Originally Posted by BA850
First time in the LH FCT this morning, so while I can’t compare it to pre-Covid, I find myself very impressed by the attention to detail from the LH staff.

Unfortunately the contract staff are not quite as polished - and regrettably one of them unlocked the bathroom door (with a key) as I sat in the bath. I’ve made the LH staff aware and will pass it as written feedback after my flight.

Fortunately it hasn’t detracted too much from an otherwise excellent morning.
Glad too hear that you like your stay, as it shows that things are getting back to normal (gradually).

Makes me consider to route an upcoming flight through FRA again, instead of ZRH.
BA850 likes this.
worldclubber is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2023, 5:19 am
  #5823  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,661
Originally Posted by BA850
Unfortunately the contract staff are not quite as polished - and regrettably one of them unlocked the bathroom door (with a key) as I sat in the bath. I’ve made the LH staff aware and will pass it as written feedback after my flight.
.
This is quite shocking & not the first recent report, they need occupied signs on the doors
IndyHoosier, BA850 and pdeut like this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2023, 5:25 am
  #5824  
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by chris63
This is quite shocking & not the first recent report, they need occupied signs on the doors
They have such signs on some doors (directly opposite the cigar lounge), but not Kabine 1, which is the full bathroom. I actually went back to double check afterwards whether I should have hung out a sign, but there is no attachment on the door.

Anyway, apart from that I am one satisfied customer so far.

BA850 is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2023, 6:29 am
  #5825  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
Originally Posted by BA850
They have such signs on some doors (directly opposite the cigar lounge), but not Kabine 1, which is the full bathroom. I actually went back to double check afterwards whether I should have hung out a sign, but there is no attachment on the door.

Anyway, apart from that I am one satisfied customer so far.

Sans the bathroom incident, it sounds like a stay the way things should be. Enjoy!
BA850 likes this.
worldclubber is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2023, 11:43 pm
  #5826  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
Slightly off topic, but I have a 5 hour layover in FRA this week. Just lucked out with an F award ticket from US, so can use the lounge. Would folks recommend FCT rather than FCL at moment (I know I have to clear customs and then reclear security).
aa4ever is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2023, 11:55 pm
  #5827  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
Originally Posted by aa4ever
Slightly off topic, but I have a 5 hour layover in FRA this week. Just lucked out with an F award ticket from US, so can use the lounge. Would folks recommend FCT rather than FCL at moment (I know I have to clear customs and then reclear security).
Personally I would to this. Security in the FCT is easy. Walking to the FCT takes longer than to the FCL, but then you don't need to walk from the FCL to the gate.
Unterwegs is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2023, 12:27 am
  #5828  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
Originally Posted by aa4ever
Slightly off topic, but I have a 5 hour layover in FRA this week. Just lucked out with an F award ticket from US, so can use the lounge. Would folks recommend FCT rather than FCL at moment (I know I have to clear customs and then reclear security).
It depends on your preferences, particularly tarmac/runway view (FCL) vs. no view (FCT). If you haven’t been to either and are airside already anyway, it may make sense to check out the FCL or both on a 5h layover, they are only a 7-8 minute walk apart. F&B are the same.

Particularly on a longer layover, I like a bit of an airport view with my bubbles and get bored in the FCT. Different story when I check in at FRA, Then straight to the FCT is a no-brainer.
worldclubber is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2023, 12:33 am
  #5829  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
Thanks, I love this idea and I will have only a briefcase so easy to walk! Logistically how would I do this? Do I clear customs and go towards A, then can exit A via baggage claim? Haven't been to FRA in years, and want to make sure I don't get accidentally trapped in FCL if I want to try FCT.
aa4ever is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2023, 1:32 am
  #5830  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Get landside in T1A, get to the ground level, out the doors, turn left and walk past the taxi rank.
DCAhome likes this.
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2023, 2:23 am
  #5831  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1,506
Originally Posted by aa4ever
Thanks, I love this idea and I will have only a briefcase so easy to walk! Logistically how would I do this? Do I clear customs and go towards A, then can exit A via baggage claim? Haven't been to FRA in years, and want to make sure I don't get accidentally trapped in FCL if I want to try FCT.
When you arrive just follow the signs for A, go down one level and through passport control. Then make your way to FCL A.

When you are ready to switch to the FCT, follow the signs for baggage claim, exit the terminal on the arrivals level, turn left and walk to the FCT. There is a side door with a lift to take you up. Do not try to walk on the departures level, the road has no sidewalk.
chris63, worldclubber and DCAhome like this.
supine is offline  
Old Jul 7, 2023, 6:18 am
  #5832  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
Originally Posted by supine
When you arrive just follow the signs for A, go down one level and through passport control. Then make your way to FCL A.

When you are ready to switch to the FCT, follow the signs for baggage claim, exit the terminal on the arrivals level, turn left and walk to the FCT. There is a side door with a lift to take you up. Do not try to walk on the departures level, the road has no sidewalk.
thank you!! This is super helpful!
aa4ever is offline  
Old Jul 7, 2023, 6:26 am
  #5833  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
Originally Posted by aa4ever
thank you!! This is super helpful!
Definitely do FCT if your first flight doesn’t squeeze your layover. It’s easy to get to and fun. Staff were super pleasant when I went on 5 July (not that FCL aren’t either !)
chris63 and worldclubber like this.
seanp7 is offline  
Old Jul 7, 2023, 3:50 pm
  #5834  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
Originally Posted by seanp7
Definitely do FCT if your first flight doesn’t squeeze your layover. It’s easy to get to and fun. Staff were super pleasant when I went on 5 July (not that FCL aren’t either !)
On a longer layover, I find the FCLs even more fun.
worldclubber is offline  
Old Jul 10, 2023, 1:28 am
  #5835  
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
Programs: Accor ALL, KrisFlyer, Miles & More, ITA Volare, China Airlines Dynasty
Posts: 9
Care to elaborate?
zapres 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.