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 Aug 2, 2023, 3:11 pm
  #5851  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: VS Gold
Posts: 1,178
I’ve done that many times. Arrived LH F depart LH J or Y. No problem going to FCT. Even when my Y segment was a separate paid booking.

However I’ve decided that I prefer the FCL. The FCT is a little sterile and there’s no view of anything. And it’s a hike.

Afaik the facilities and menu are the same.

Plus if you get bored you can wander around duty free etc.

Though I guess the FCT limo thing is worth doing once or twice if you’ve never done it!
maxmin is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2023, 3:13 pm
  #5852  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 85
Originally Posted by maxmin
I’ve done that many times. Arrived LH F depart LH J or Y. No problem going to FCT. Even when my Y segment was a separate paid booking.
Connecting to LH J or Y is fine. The primary question is if departing 4Y is fine as non-HON Circle. Mine is all one ticket.
UndercoverOscarMunoz is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2023, 3:40 pm
  #5853  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,065
4Y does not have F on its own flights, therefore "first class ticket on Eurowings Discover" can only mean a through ticket with incoming F.
Fabo.sk is offline  
Old Aug 2, 2023, 8:07 pm
  #5854  
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 UndercoverOscarMunoz
Connecting to LH J or Y is fine. The primary question is if departing 4Y is fine as non-HON Circle. Mine is all one ticket.
Yes, no problem on 4Y
chris63 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2023, 5:08 am
  #5855  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, SQ PPS Solitaire
Posts: 3,599
I returned to our beloved First Class Terminal last Saturday and visited the FCL in MUC on the same day as well.

My verdict remains the very same. Kaefer can't do First Class and Gate Gourmet just beats them in every single category: service, food, drinks. You name it, MUC does it better. Differences are not subtle but very in your face. Very disappointing for a brand like Kaefer to f*** it up so much and disappointing for Lufthansa to turn a blind eye on the inconsistencies.
athome likes this.
SMK77 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2023, 8:43 am
  #5856  
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 SMK77

My verdict remains the very same. Kaefer can't do First Class and Gate Gourmet just beats them in every single category: service, food, drinks. You name it, MUC does it better. Differences are not subtle but very in your face. Very disappointing for a brand like Kaefer to f*** it up so much and disappointing for Lufthansa to turn a blind eye on the inconsistencies.
Nothing new, been like that for a VERY long time , even pre the change to Kaefer
SMK77, athome and FlyerLX like this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2023, 11:44 am
  #5857  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 173
Can you share examples? Have an upcoming flight where I'm deciding between routing via MUC or FRA in F.
fmpacheco is online now  
Old Aug 8, 2023, 11:55 am
  #5858  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1,506
Originally Posted by fmpacheco
Can you share examples? Have an upcoming flight where I'm deciding between routing via MUC or FRA in F.
Plenty of info in FRA FCT & FCL catering moves from Do&Co to Käfer [merged feedback]

TLDR: route via MUC
chris63 likes this.
supine is online now  
Old Aug 8, 2023, 8:15 pm
  #5859  
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 fmpacheco
Can you share examples? Have an upcoming flight where I'm deciding between routing via MUC or FRA in F.
Have a look through the MUC FCL thread, lots of detail & photographic evidence, MUC FCL is on an entirely different level to the FCL at FRA, just like the airport itself, MUC is a pleasure to transit, FRA always a pain.
kyushuman and frenchkiki like this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Aug 16, 2023, 6:35 pm
  #5860  
bil
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 222
Hi,

I have an upcoming F flight from FRA expected to depart from gate Z66. Should I expect a car transfer?

Thanks!
bil is offline  
Old Aug 16, 2023, 8:10 pm
  #5861  
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 bil
Hi,

I have an upcoming F flight from FRA expected to depart from gate Z66. Should I expect a car transfer?

Thanks!
If you go to FCT or FCLB yes, from FCLA you need to walk & there is passport control.
chris63 is offline  
Old Aug 16, 2023, 8:28 pm
  #5862  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, SQ PPS Solitaire
Posts: 3,599
I was driven to FCL B and then driven from there to the plane. Totally forgot about the lounge. I like the way the layout very much and no need to go to FCT.
SMK77 is offline  
Old Aug 16, 2023, 8:42 pm
  #5863  
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 SMK77
I was driven to FCL B and then driven from there to the plane. Totally forgot about the lounge. I like the way the layout very much and no need to go to FCT.
I remember a very pleasant Meal we enjoyed together at FCLB in 2010
hugolover likes this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Aug 16, 2023, 11:59 pm
  #5864  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, SQ PPS Solitaire
Posts: 3,599
Originally Posted by chris63
I remember a very pleasant Meal we enjoyed together at FCLB in 2010
If memory serves me well, that dinner was on 24 May 2010 and we were celebrating the successful minting of our first Cessna HON.
hugolover likes this.
SMK77 is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2023, 12:42 am
  #5865  
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 SMK77
If memory serves me well, that dinner was on 24 May 2010 and we were celebrating the successful minting of our first Cessna HON.
Indeed, those were the days
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.