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:
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:
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.
- 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.
The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ
#4486
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CH / NL
Programs: LX HON, FB Platinum for life, Sixt/Hilton Diamond
Posts: 189
Coming in from BRU to FRA and heading to BLR, had to wait 20 minutes before the driver left the remote parking space. No drop-off at the FCL, but a normal bus drop-off without any instructions where to go. Location of FCL is not always logical, if your flight leaves from another part of FRA so I was glad I found the location of FCL on this forum. (Had to pass passport check again within the normal terminal building.) Pretty weird for a FC experience? Also in the lounge, no flexibility to board a bit later or earlier (earlier preferred, cause I just love to get settled in the plane).
Was I expecting too much, or?
Was I expecting too much, or?
#4487
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,904
For the most part, yes.
What was the reason for "had to wait 20 minutes before the driver left the remote parking space"? If I understand what you are saying correctly, this has never happened to me. Go down the stairs, bag in trunk, off we go.
What was the reason for "had to wait 20 minutes before the driver left the remote parking space"? If I understand what you are saying correctly, this has never happened to me. Go down the stairs, bag in trunk, off we go.
#4488
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,601
Coming in from BRU to FRA and heading to BLR, had to wait 20 minutes before the driver left the remote parking space. No drop-off at the FCL, but a normal bus drop-off without any instructions where to go. Location of FCL is not always logical, if your flight leaves from another part of FRA so I was glad I found the location of FCL on this forum. (Had to pass passport check again within the normal terminal building.) Pretty weird for a FC experience? Also in the lounge, no flexibility to board a bit later or earlier (earlier preferred, cause I just love to get settled in the plane).
Was I expecting too much, or?
Was I expecting too much, or?
If you didn’t know where to go there are two options: ask the driver or look at the map in the little brochure that is always available in the seat back folder.
In terms of expecting too much, LH can’t drop you off at the FCL as airport regulations don’t allow for this.
The lounge runs a tight schedule in terms of limo/minivan transfers and monitor boarding times. I doubt that they could accommodate individual passengers’ requests, especially because that could mean three cars if there are three passengers with different preferences.
Good you prepared and hope you enjoyed the FCL nevertheless.
#4490
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,414
The long wait is strange. I have had to wait for passengers that didn’t show (took the bus by mistake?) but 20 min is not normal. That said it is better to wait in a car than stand in the bus for 20 Minutes.
If you didn’t know where to go there are two options: ask the driver or look at the map in the little brochure that is always available in the seat back folder.
In terms of expecting too much, LH can’t drop you off at the FCL as airport regulations don’t allow for this.
The lounge runs a tight schedule in terms of limo/minivan transfers and monitor boarding times. I doubt that they could accommodate individual passengers’ requests, especially because that could mean three cars if there are three passengers with different preferences.
Good you prepared and hope you enjoyed the FCL nevertheless.
#4491
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,414
which can end up with a ridiculously high number of cars... especially back when they parked US flights at T2S before it was ready. One car per FC guest plus one per HON...
#4492
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,601
Departure is is a different situation.
#4493
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,626
It's probably part of the reason why they stoped the A380 arrival pick-up again. Drivers said the resources were overstretched.
#4494
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CH / NL
Programs: LX HON, FB Platinum for life, Sixt/Hilton Diamond
Posts: 189
Not in my case... had to wait for 2 other guests, not sure why as they were just standing next to the plane for 20 minutes. And the bus would have been nicer and faster... all doors were open, including the back to load the luggage into the Porsche. Not nice with 8 degrees ;-)
#4495
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,414
Not in my case... had to wait for 2 other guests, not sure why as they were just standing next to the plane for 20 minutes. And the bus would have been nicer and faster... all doors were open, including the back to load the luggage into the Porsche. Not nice with 8 degrees ;-)
#4496
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CH / NL
Programs: LX HON, FB Platinum for life, Sixt/Hilton Diamond
Posts: 189
#4497
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BOS & BRU
Programs: LH SEN, HH Gold, SPG platinum
Posts: 159
Champagne in F lounge
Hello
I haven't been to FRA FCT in a long time. I have a nice 2h30 layover coming up on Monday evening at FCT. What to expect in terms of champagne/wine? Is there a menu or some good champagne to be enjoyed?
Thanks
Cedos
I haven't been to FRA FCT in a long time. I have a nice 2h30 layover coming up on Monday evening at FCT. What to expect in terms of champagne/wine? Is there a menu or some good champagne to be enjoyed?
Thanks
Cedos
#4498
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,601
#4500
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, Etihad Bronze
Posts: 51