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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.

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The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

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Old Aug 17, 2023, 5:04 am
  #5866  
 
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Originally Posted by UndercoverOscarMunoz
Is FCT access allowed if arriving in F and connecting onwards on Eurowings Discover in J?
If it's in one ticket, the answer should be yes. Otherwise: no.
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Old Aug 17, 2023, 4:45 pm
  #5867  
bil
 
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Originally Posted by chris63
If you go to FCT or FCLB yes, from FCLA you need to walk & there is passport control.
thank you! Other than enjoying the drive to the plane what other parts of the F experience at the FCT should I not miss? Any special champagne or meal I should order?

many thanks for the information!

bil
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Old Aug 17, 2023, 8:33 pm
  #5868  
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Originally Posted by bil
thank you! Other than enjoying the drive to the plane what other parts of the F experience at the FCT should I not miss? Any special champagne or meal I should order?

many thanks for the information!

bil
Many things, all here in this thread & the change to Kaefer thread, enjoy
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Old Aug 18, 2023, 6:44 pm
  #5869  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Thank you flyertalk moderators and members!!

Didn’t know where to post this, but this thread was just as good as any….

I wanted to THANK the moderators and the members here for all the advice provided. I’ve learned so much, but most importantly, I had such a fluid and wonderful experience with my first First Class international trip on Lufthansa and visiting the First Class Terminal in FRA. My experience with the Lufthansa staff was excellent from LAX all the way to my final destination in CPH and I felt really giddy with all the attention and being pampered. I don’t mean to romanticize the experience but it did feel legendary riding in that Porsche from the FCT to the plane! I couldn’t wait to let everyone know how the experience went. Anyway…Happy Traveling all! More traveling for me on the way soon.

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Old Aug 21, 2023, 11:32 am
  #5870  
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Flying EWR-FRA-SIN in F later this week with 15 hours or so in FRA. Going into the city during the day but should be back at FRA by about 5pm (9:55pm departure to SIN).

Is it feasible to go through regular security and to FCL A first, plop down there for a while and grab some food and a few drinks. Then exit back outside and around to the FCT until boarding and for car transfer?

I realize this involves clearing security twice, but I have time and enjoy walking around during long trips.

It's been years since I've flown LH F and didn't get to use FCT at the time, so would like to check it out, but not sure I fancy spending all 5 hours in there.
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Old Aug 21, 2023, 11:52 am
  #5871  
 
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Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Flying EWR-FRA-SIN in F later this week with 15 hours or so in FRA. Going into the city during the day but should be back at FRA by about 5pm (9:55pm departure to SIN).

Is it feasible to go through regular security and to FCL A first, plop down there for a while and grab some food and a few drinks. Then exit back outside and around to the FCT until boarding and for car transfer?

I realize this involves clearing security twice, but I have time and enjoy walking around during long trips.

It's been years since I've flown LH F and didn't get to use FCT at the time, so would like to check it out, but not sure I fancy spending all 5 hours in there.
FCL/A and FCT are identical in terms of (poor) service that they have started providing. I would go straight to the Terminal. You won’t be missing anything in the Lounge that you otherwise would get in the Terminal. If you want to lounge hop, then sure. Another alternative is FCL/B if SIN flight departs from B gates. It seems to be a much quieter place. The only real advantage of the Terminal is to be driven to the gate and then be dropped off inside the actual bridge. Based on my recent experience in Frankfurt, gate agents don’t enforce priority boarding and F/HON need to fight through the herds of other pax who have conquered boarding area in advance. When asking gate agents for priority boarding, the response is a shoulder shrug and “I don’t care” attitude
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Old Aug 21, 2023, 12:23 pm
  #5872  
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Originally Posted by olm022
FCL/A and FCT are identical in terms of (poor) service that they have started providing. I would go straight to the Terminal. You won’t be missing anything in the Lounge that you otherwise would get in the Terminal. If you want to lounge hop, then sure. Another alternative is FCL/B if SIN flight departs from B gates. It seems to be a much quieter place. The only real advantage of the Terminal is to be driven to the gate and then be dropped off inside the actual bridge. Based on my recent experience in Frankfurt, gate agents don’t enforce priority boarding and F/HON need to fight through the herds of other pax who have conquered boarding area in advance. When asking gate agents for priority boarding, the response is a shoulder shrug and “I don’t care” attitude
There is a slight difference and that's the view. FCT does not really have a view. However I would also not go through the trouble of lounge hopping. Security in the regular terminal could be busy too, maybe not so much in the evening but still. The smoothest experience will for sure be to have the Taxi from the city drop you off at FCT and then being driven to the plane. Fly Lufthansa, Drive Porsche.
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Old Aug 21, 2023, 12:23 pm
  #5873  
 
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Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Flying EWR-FRA-SIN in F later this week with 15 hours or so in FRA. Going into the city during the day but should be back at FRA by about 5pm (9:55pm departure to SIN).

Is it feasible to go through regular security and to FCL A first, plop down there for a while and grab some food and a few drinks. Then exit back outside and around to the FCT until boarding and for car transfer?

I realize this involves clearing security twice, but I have time and enjoy walking around during long trips.

It's been years since I've flown LH F and didn't get to use FCT at the time, so would like to check it out, but not sure I fancy spending all 5 hours in there.
totally feasible. Would agree that 5h (which will actually be closer to 4h on your schedule) for FCT alone could be long. Alternatively, upon arrival, have a shower and nice breakfast in the FCL and then head to town and then return around 7pm for a nice long dinner. Would visit both places if only to get the complete picture.
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Last edited by Jensens; Aug 21, 2023 at 12:38 pm
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Old Aug 21, 2023, 8:56 pm
  #5874  
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Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Flying EWR-FRA-SIN in F later this week with 15 hours or so in FRA. Going into the city during the day but should be back at FRA by about 5pm (9:55pm departure to SIN).

Is it feasible to go through regular security and to FCL A first, plop down there for a while and grab some food and a few drinks. Then exit back outside and around to the FCT until boarding and for car transfer?

I realize this involves clearing security twice, but I have time and enjoy walking around during long trips.

It's been years since I've flown LH F and didn't get to use FCT at the time, so would like to check it out, but not sure I fancy spending all 5 hours in there.
Perfectly feasible, FCLA has nice views, and you can request a Duck from both lounges
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Old Aug 21, 2023, 8:58 pm
  #5875  
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Originally Posted by CheckInPeach
. Fly Lufthansa, Drive Porsche.
No guarantee, could be a VW van.
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Old Aug 22, 2023, 4:19 am
  #5876  
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Originally Posted by chris63
Perfectly feasible, FCLA has nice views, and you can request a Duck from both lounges
Thanks everyone, yea I get that the food and bar offering is basically the same, but the nicer views from FCL A and the chance to stretch the legs a bit is why I'm thinking of splitting time.
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Old Aug 22, 2023, 5:18 am
  #5877  
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Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Thanks everyone, yea I get that the food and bar offering is basically the same, but the nicer views from FCL A and the chance to stretch the legs a bit is why I'm thinking of splitting time.
FCLA is also opposite Heinman Duty free & the outlet in FCT remains closed, prices in Singapore are horrendous….
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Old Aug 22, 2023, 11:44 am
  #5878  
 
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Can I assume you can check in at the main terminal and then just walk to the FCT with boarding pass. Coming from the Hilton at the airport so will save some walking with the luggage
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Old Aug 22, 2023, 12:02 pm
  #5879  
 
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I have to disagree with people talking about the nice view from FCLA. Yes it's better than no planes in sight from FCT, but still all you see from FCLA is the end of one apron. That's no comparison to for example Panorama lounge, Business lounge at A26 or Bistro lounge at C gates which all offer large windows with unlimited view over two runways pretty much always in use.
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Old Aug 22, 2023, 12:03 pm
  #5880  
 
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Originally Posted by wtcmor
Can I assume you can check in at the main terminal and then just walk to the FCT with boarding pass?
Yes, you can.

Just make sure you walk to the FCT at arrivals level, the departure level has no footpath between them.
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