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

Old Sep 21, 2010, 7:46 am
  #781  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,130
The charm of the FCL wears off after the 2nd or 3rd visit. If you are not hungry, are done with the shower, collected your duckie, got your suit pressed and had a few snacks at the buffet, the FCT/L gets boring. Don't get me wrong, it beats the 'athmosphere' of the SEN lounge, but I wouldn't spend more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours in there.
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2010, 7:56 am
  #782  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The charm of the FCL wears off after the 2nd or 3rd visit. If you are not hungry, are done with the shower, collected your duckie, got your suit pressed and had a few snacks at the buffet, the FCT/L gets boring. Don't get me wrong, it beats the 'athmosphere' of the SEN lounge, but I wouldn't spend more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours in there.
+1

I have the same opinion.

I guess getting into the car and all that is "fun", but I prefer to walk to my gate for the exercise. The only problem with this is the blo*dy security at FRA sometimes!
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2010, 8:01 am
  #783  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 2,949
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The charm of the FCL wears off after the 2nd or 3rd visit. If you are not hungry, are done with the shower, collected your duckie, got your suit pressed and had a few snacks at the buffet, the FCT/L gets boring. Don't get me wrong, it beats the 'athmosphere' of the SEN lounge, but I wouldn't spend more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours in there.
Agreed.

However, if you're game to taste through their excellent selection of Scotch, Cognac and Tequila, then it may take an additional hour or two.
macabus is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2010, 8:10 am
  #784  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,130
Originally Posted by macabus
However, if you're game to taste through their excellent selection of Scotch, Cognac and Tequila, then it may take an additional hour or two.
Or a liver or two. Last night I had vodka, white wine, red wine and some other stuff on the flight to FRA. I had absolutely no interest whatsoever to have anything remotely alcoholic in the FCL after landing
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2010, 8:56 am
  #785  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,510
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Or a liver or two. Last night I had vodka, white wine, red wine and some other stuff on the flight to FRA. I had absolutely no interest whatsoever to have anything remotely alcoholic in the FCL after landing
Anything to do with the fact it was 7:30 in the morning?
NewbieRunner is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2010, 5:56 pm
  #786  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,809
Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
Anything to do with the fact it was 7:30 in the morning?
Go to the day room and take a nap then head back to the FCT or FCL and repeat with the drinking
Jimgotkp is offline  
Old Sep 21, 2010, 6:02 pm
  #787  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
Lightbulb Here is an Idea

Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
Anything to do with the fact it was 7:30 in the morning?
Champagne works anytime of the day... ^


SunLover
SunLover is offline  
Old Sep 24, 2010, 2:11 pm
  #788  
Ari
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The charm of the FCL wears off after the 2nd or 3rd visit. If you are not hungry, are done with the shower, collected your duckie, got your suit pressed and had a few snacks at the buffet, the FCT/L gets boring. Don't get me wrong, it beats the 'athmosphere' of the SEN lounge, but I wouldn't spend more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours in there.
I wouldn't go there early just to spend time, but when I am forced to have a 4-hour connection, the FCT/FCLs don't bore me. I can sample a from a bottle of alcohol I haven't tasted yet or take a nap or use the computer or go to the spa or have a good meal; the novelty wears off for sure, but I can't say it is boring. The SEN lounge is boring!
Ari is online now  
Old Oct 5, 2010, 4:21 am
  #789  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, SN Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche, BA, QF, AF
Posts: 6,856
Originally Posted by mamb0
I wanted to show you on google maps but am surprised they have old footage of the area where it is not included.
Originally Posted by uiucsb
Maybe I'm being overly anal, but I can't seem to figure out which building on a satellite map is the FCT. Does anyone have the GPS coordinate for it? Thanks for the help!
The FCT is not on Google Maps Satellite View, nor on Bing Maps Aerial View. However, it is included in the Bing Maps Birds eye view. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to provide a direct link to the bird's eye view. To see the FCT, go here:

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.asp...style=a&lvl=19

The FCT has been built on the parking lot (the map is roughly centred over where the FCT entrance is situated now). Now pan to the right a bit so that you are over the main terminal building. You can now activate bird's eye view. Turn the viewing direction 180°, and you can see the FCT (you may have to move a bit again so the FCT comes back into view). It is a square building with a half-round extension to the North of it, which is used as drop-off zone.

As orientation, here is the Map from Lufthansa again:



If you orient yourself using this map, you should be easily able to find the FCT in the bird's eye view.

Alternatively, maybe someone knows how to provide a direct link to the bird's eye view.

GPS coordinates: 50.049945 (North), 8.564320 (East)
SmilingBoy is offline  
Old Oct 5, 2010, 5:09 am
  #790  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,130
Over at the VFT forum someone posted how the FCT looks like when the morning batch of maximisers have been there:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/3...95e409.jpg?v=0
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Oct 5, 2010, 5:40 am
  #791  
Hyatt Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: BKK, CDG, TLS
Programs: QR G, A3 G, EK G, IHG Amb, GHA Black, WOH LT something
Posts: 1,306
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Over at the VFT forum someone posted how the FCT looks like when the morning batch of maximisers have been there:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/3...95e409.jpg?v=0
lol thks for the laugh oliver!
synd is offline  
Old Oct 5, 2010, 8:30 am
  #792  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Over at the VFT forum someone posted how the FCT looks like when the morning batch of maximisers have been there:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/3...95e409.jpg?v=0
^
johndeere19 is offline  
Old Oct 5, 2010, 4:43 pm
  #793  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,751
So, I have read about 10 pages of the thread, including the first page.

Really, looking for your advice and some counsel, please.

Travel is ZRH-FRA-DEN. Segment 1 is C, Segment 2 is F
Looking just at today's flights - it appears the first flight arrived gate A34 the departure to the US from A41.

We have 3+ hours connection.

I would love to try the FCT, but it seems convoluted to go back and forth for the lounge when there is a FCL in the A pier.

My travel companion has some mobility limitations. Not wheelchair bound, but excessive walking is a problem.

Would we benefit by asking for Special Assistance? Would they meet us by car on arrival into FRA and take us to the FCT?

Any other tips?

Last edited by SFO 1K; Oct 6, 2010 at 12:40 pm
SFO 1K is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2010, 12:28 pm
  #794  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 635
Will I have access to the FCT in FRA (I think so based on the access T&C)?

Here is my itinerary:

10:25am April 11 FRA - ZRH on LX Biz

12:50pm April 11 ZRH - YUL on LX First (A333)


Because I am flying on LX first class with a same day departure, I should have access to the First Class Terminal in FRA in the morning before my flight to ZRH correct?

Thanks.
globaltrotter is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2010, 12:41 pm
  #795  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 2,949
Originally Posted by globaltrotter
Will I have access to the FCT in FRA (I think so based on the access T&C)?

Here is my itinerary:

10:25am April 11 FRA - ZRH on LX Biz

12:50pm April 11 ZRH - YUL on LX First (A333)


Because I am flying on LX first class with a same day departure, I should have access to the First Class Terminal in FRA in the morning before my flight to ZRH correct?

Thanks.
Yes, you should have access to the FCT.
macabus is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

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.