NewbieRunner

The MCT from LH to LH involving intercontinental flights at FRA is usually 1 hour. 55 minutes might not be a legal connection. What time do you actually arrive and what time does the MAN flight depart? I can't see any 55 minutes connection from SFO-FRA to FRA-MAN on lufthansa.com.

RossUK666

Thanks for the response Newbie Runner (And I am working my way through the other long, long - but informative - thread about FRA )

I will arrive on UA900 (LH9053) at 09:45 and will depart on UA 9042 at 10:40. Departing flight is operated by BMI and is probably LH942. Only booked it yesterday (For August travel) and they moved the FRA-MAN to depart 10 mins earlier.

From what I've read (and I may be wrong!) I will arrive at Terminal 1 pier A, scuttle along through the tunnel to pier B, go through a security point (Is this just a passport check or baggage scan as well?) then make my way to the departure gate. Hopefully my wife will keep up with me Does that seem about right?

We're in C so that should help in being early off the plane.

NewbieRunner

The tunnel between A and B is in the Schengen area of the airport. Arriving from the US and departing to the UK there's no need to go through passport control to enter Schengen. If you arrive at a Z gate (non-Schengen level of Pier A), take the Skyline train from the middle of Pier A for one stop to B/C and follow the signs for your departure gate in B. You may have to re-clear security for your carry-ons thanks to the layout of FRA but no need to clear passport control. If your flight arrives at an apron position you will be brought to international arrivals B, and you just need to go up the escalator or elevator to the departure level (and go through security). There will be passport check before boarding any UK-bound flight because the UK insists you must be elibigle to enter the country before boarding your flight.

However, with any luck the new Pier A-Plus might be open by the time of your travel in August and all these may have changed. The FRA-MAN flight might be operated by LH rather than BMI if the sale of BMI goes ahead before August (which is likely). I think it's too early to start speculating the exact practicalities of the transfer at this stage. The good news is LH sells this connection on their website, so it is a legal connection. Assuming you are travelling on one PNR, the worst that can happen is you will be put on the next flight to MAN either directly or indirectly should you miss the connection.

RossUK666

Thanks once again for your informative response NewbieRunner ^

I phoned United who confirmed that it was a valid connection pairing. I stressed that if I missed the connection I didn't want them to say "Well MCT is 60 mins". Let's hope I don't need to find out what to do if you're stuck in FRA for six hours

NewbieRunner

I'm inclined to trust LH more on this occasion since LH will have to find you an alternative way of getting to MAN if you miss the connection.

In the past we've heard of cases when United came up with impossibly short connections at FRA especially with award bookings. I usually check lufthansa.com to see if they sell the connection on their website. If they do, you can usually assume that they will look after you in case of any misconnect.

For what to do if you are stuck in FRA for 6 hours do a search for "FRA layover" in this forum.

zrs70

Two separate tickets. Inbound from EWR. Outbound to LHR. Summer travel. I appreciate insights from others!

docbert

IMHO, 90 minutes is never enough at any airport in the world when you're on separate tickets. There's just too much chance of an in-bound flight being delayed, regardless of how long it takes to get through the airport.

Technically the minimum connection time for FRA is 45 minutes (which most people that have been there will tell you is insane). For UA->BA you'll need to go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, which basically means one end of the airport to the other. If your inbound is on time, you'll be fine. If the inbound is a bit late, and you get bused from the plane to the terminal, then you'll be cutting it very fine...

bsmnsr

Last time I transited FRA on UA, we were bussed which added an additional 20 minutes + we had to go through X-ray screening upon arrival at the terminal. So, anticipate at least 45 minutes for that goat rope...

nycvisitor

Considering you need to clear passport control, collect your bags and check-in for the next flight, 90 minutes is definitely not recommended. I'd leave myself 2.5h, when on separate tickets.

GRB051111

Would he really need to clear immigration? LHR isn't in the Schengen area.

But I'd agree with the above that 1:30 is not enough.

nycvisitor

Only if he needs to re-check the bags with BA.

MarkedMan

The last time I did this I didn't have a choice. Going to the train for T2 I had to clear passport control. On the good side T2 has security controls at the gate, so once you are through passport control it's kind of a breeze. UA will usually through check your bags in the US, which should help as well. 1.5 hours is only ever enough without delays, of course, so the question for you is not "is it enough" - it is if you aren't late - but are you willing to take the chance of a small delay + busing to terminal messing up your connection?

sosafan

I would think they would interline your bags, but I would try to find out.

davidsfo

I'd appreciate on info/recommendation....I'm traveling in F to Barcelona from SFO via FRA (UA) and LH C (FRA to BCN.) Returning from Madrid (LH) to UA in FRA. When I get to FRA (both to/from), do I need clear an immigration check point, or can I go directly to a lounge? I see that I'm can get into certain LH lounges (Business, Senator, Welcome, Tower), which is best for 3 hour layover? Any help would be appreciated.

bsmnsr

I cannot speak to immigration, but you'll have to go through Security screening. The Senator lounge is very nice.