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

Im 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.

Im 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

Old Jul 22, 2018, 2:07 am
  #4366  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by chris63
Usually paid F forces the system to provide J on the feeder, was this an award tIcket ?
Exactly. Even on M&M awards I have never had a Y feeder. However, it does not seem to be too rare for Aeroplan award bookers.
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 2:22 am
  #4367  
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Originally Posted by worldclubber


Exactly. Even on M&M awards I have never had a Y feeder. However, it does not seem to be too rare for Aeroplan award bookers.
Yes, the agents have always been able to force the feeder into J on M&L awards 👍

OP could keep checking to see if the flight in question opens up to partner awards.
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 10:13 pm
  #4368  
 
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Originally Posted by chris63


Yes, the agents have always been able to force the feeder into J on M&L awards ��

OP could keep checking to see if the flight in question opens up to partner awards.
You guys are too good at guessing this.
But yes, this is an Aeroplan award.

The feeder flight is wide open in J if searching from UA. Seems like Aeroplan see reduced availability.

It's only a 1 hour hop, so no big deal.

It doesn't change any of the ground service in FRA for me, does it?
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 11:06 pm
  #4369  
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Originally Posted by pentiumvi
You guys are too good at guessing this.
But yes, this is an Aeroplan award.

The feeder flight is wide open in J if searching from UA. Seems like Aeroplan see reduced availability.

It's only a 1 hour hop, so no big deal.

It doesn't change any of the ground service in FRA for me, does it?
No change to F experience, just the 1 hour flight is in Y
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 11:11 pm
  #4370  
 
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Originally Posted by chris63


No change to F experience, just the 1 hour flight is in Y
First world problems
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 11:36 pm
  #4371  
 
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Originally Posted by pentiumvi
First world problems
Since the differences between the economy and business cabins on short-haul in Europe are fairly small, its probably even less than a first world problem. Enjoy!
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Old Jul 24, 2018, 9:19 am
  #4372  
 
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Hey all, just a quick question. I know stuff like this have been asked a million times so please no criticism, just making sure I understand rules properly as they hold right now:
Flying ORD-FRA-MUC-ATH. Segments are F, J, J. First time LH F

I understand I can use FCT/FCL in FRA and FCL in MUC during my connections correct? All segments same ticket. F segment arrives same day as the other two departures.

Thanks
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Old Jul 24, 2018, 1:21 pm
  #4373  
 
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Originally Posted by Ordfly
Hey all, just a quick question. I know stuff like this have been asked a million times so please no criticism, just making sure I understand rules properly as they hold right now:
Flying ORD-FRA-MUC-ATH. Segments are F, J, J. First time LH F

I understand I can use FCT/FCL in FRA and FCL in MUC during my connections correct? All segments same ticket. F segment arrives same day as the other two departures.

Thanks
Will work.
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Old Jul 25, 2018, 12:18 am
  #4374  
 
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Originally Posted by miamiflyer8
Will work.
Yep! Even without the connecting flight to ATH you (Ordfly) would be able to use F facilities at both FRA and MUC.
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Old Jul 25, 2018, 5:50 am
  #4375  
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Originally Posted by Ordfly
Hey all, just a quick question. I know stuff like this have been asked a million times so please no criticism, just making sure I understand rules properly as they hold right now:
Flying ORD-FRA-MUC-ATH. Segments are F, J, J. First time LH F

I understand I can use FCT/FCL in FRA and FCL in MUC during my connections correct? All segments same ticket. F segment arrives same day as the other two departures.

Thanks
Of course, its a F ticket, your fully entitled to use all F facilities on your trip.

Enjoy !
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Old Jul 26, 2018, 12:00 am
  #4376  
 
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I've never been through FRA, so pardon my ignorance.

But I'll be arriving at a Z gate, and departing at an A gate.
How should I plan my transit in order to try out both the FCL and FCT?

I assume whatever Z gate I arrive at, I'll be funneled towards customs/passport control (where is this)?

Do I then follow transfer signage and head to FCL A, and then afterwards, exit T1 and walk to FCT?

Thanks
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Old Jul 26, 2018, 12:31 am
  #4377  
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Originally Posted by pentiumvi
I've never been through FRA, so pardon my ignorance.

But I'll be arriving at a Z gate, and departing at an A gate.
How should I plan my transit in order to try out both the FCL and FCT?

I assume whatever Z gate I arrive at, I'll be funneled towards customs/passport control (where is this)?

Do I then follow transfer signage and head to FCL A, and then afterwards, exit T1 and walk to FCT?

Thanks
Just follow the signs when you arrive for A gates, you will be chanelled through transit security, depending on where you originated & passport control.

To go to FCT just head for A exit.
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Old Aug 4, 2018, 2:14 am
  #4378  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I've read through the thread (well the first few and last few pages) and still confused. Mainly because I've not transited FRA before so not sure of where I'm arriving/leaving. I am coming in on LH in F from US (so, non-Schengen) and departing on LH in J to Switzerland (so, Schengen). I have a three hour connection (early morning - roughly 6am to 9am). I think I arrive at Z and depart either A or B (looked back a few days and mainly B, but occasionally A).

Good to head to FCT? Or just stick with FCL? If it matters, it will be a Tuesday morning. I head straight to work on arrival, so will need a shower and some breakfast while at FRA.
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Old Aug 4, 2018, 2:32 am
  #4379  
 
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Originally Posted by frontenac551
I've read through the thread (well the first few and last few pages) and still confused. Mainly because I've not transited FRA before so not sure of where I'm arriving/leaving. I am coming in on LH in F from US (so, non-Schengen) and departing on LH in J to Switzerland (so, Schengen). I have a three hour connection (early morning - roughly 6am to 9am). I think I arrive at Z and depart either A or B (looked back a few days and mainly B, but occasionally A).

Good to head to FCT? Or just stick with FCL? If it matters, it will be a Tuesday morning. I head straight to work on arrival, so will need a shower and some breakfast while at FRA.
The FCL at A is what would be easiest, only passport control after Z arrival going into A. However, there are often queues at the FCL A showers during the morning hours so the FCT might be a good alternative. Id try FCL A first and if you have to wait for the showers just turn around and walk to the FCT. It will require an additional security check albeit a very civilized one and guarantee a car to your connecting flight, though if youre on LH to GVA you will have 90% chance of a car from FCL A IME.
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Old Aug 4, 2018, 2:53 am
  #4380  
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Originally Posted by frontenac551
I've read through the thread (well the first few and last few pages) and still confused. Mainly because I've not transited FRA before so not sure of where I'm arriving/leaving. I am coming in on LH in F from US (so, non-Schengen) and departing on LH in J to Switzerland (so, Schengen). I have a three hour connection (early morning - roughly 6am to 9am). I think I arrive at Z and depart either A or B (looked back a few days and mainly B, but occasionally A).

Good to head to FCT? Or just stick with FCL? If it matters, it will be a Tuesday morning. I head straight to work on arrival, so will need a shower and some breakfast while at FRA.
Just head to FCT, eliminates any possibility of problems in FRA.
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