Consolidated FRA connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
Oct 2, 2017, 6:39 am
#692
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
The A and the Z gates are, for the most part, the same gates at different levels. If youre coming in from an intra- Schengen flight youll have to clear passport control and then clear US special security theater by the US departure gates. Well doable within 30 minutes givng you enough time to relax before boarding time.
Oct 2, 2017, 6:59 am
#693
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
I've made crazy tight connections at FRA many many times, sometimes arriving on remote pads, dumped by bus at the farthest reaches of C Concourse, then having to get to the farthest reaches of A concourse, in less than an hour. 90 minutes is an eternity. you'll be totally fine. FRA knows how to handle tight connections. Safe flying
Oct 2, 2017, 8:55 am
#695
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
Maybe I was doing something wrong but CLE-ORD-FRA-DXB and DXB-FRA-ORD-CLE last week I wound up clearing security in FRA going both directions [first INTL-INTL connections in FRA, previously had gone INTL-EU or EU-INTL]. FRA-DXB security was "grab a tray, walk through the metal detector, never really stop moving" while FRA-ORD security was worse than sitting on an LA freeway at rush hour.
Either way, though, to concur 90 minutes should be plenty.
Oct 2, 2017, 9:11 am
#696
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: 29,517
Bus/gate yes, but the security queue seems like it can be nearly as volatile.
Maybe I was doing something wrong but CLE-ORD-FRA-DXB and DXB-FRA-ORD-CLE last week I wound up clearing security in FRA going both directions [first INTL-INTL connections in FRA, previously had gone INTL-EU or EU-INTL]. FRA-DXB security was "grab a tray, walk through the metal detector, never really stop moving" while FRA-ORD security was worse than sitting on an LA freeway at rush hour.
Either way, though, to concur 90 minutes should be plenty.
Maybe I was doing something wrong but CLE-ORD-FRA-DXB and DXB-FRA-ORD-CLE last week I wound up clearing security in FRA going both directions [first INTL-INTL connections in FRA, previously had gone INTL-EU or EU-INTL]. FRA-DXB security was "grab a tray, walk through the metal detector, never really stop moving" while FRA-ORD security was worse than sitting on an LA freeway at rush hour.
Either way, though, to concur 90 minutes should be plenty.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Oct 2, 2017 at 9:56 am Reason: typo
Oct 2, 2017, 10:59 pm
#697
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 76
I'm arriving from France transferring at FRA to SFO
It's where you arrive from and not where you are flying to (also sometimes which gate you depart from) that determines whether you need to clear transfer security in FRA. Usually arrivals from the US do not need to clear transfer security. Arrivals from DXB always do. If arriving from the US in Z and departing from A, you do not need to clear security. If departing from B or C you usually need to clear security.
So what are the steps assuming I (as planned) arrive in T1 Pier A and depart T1 Pier Z?
I got on these flights due to an equipment change, so I guess I can ask for them to be changed if the connection is too tight/risky?
Oct 2, 2017, 11:11 pm
#698
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Oct 3, 2017, 5:49 am
#699
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: 29,517
Thanks, but I'm going in the other direction.
So what are the steps assuming I (as planned) arrive in T1 Pier A and depart T1 Pier Z?
I got on these flights due to an equipment change, so I guess I can ask for them to be changed if the connection is too tight/risky?
So what are the steps assuming I (as planned) arrive in T1 Pier A and depart T1 Pier Z?
I got on these flights due to an equipment change, so I guess I can ask for them to be changed if the connection is too tight/risky?
Jan 9, 2018, 6:42 pm
#700
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
FRA UA to LH connection
Flying on UA 58 SFO to FRA then connecting to LH 334 to NAP. Supposed to arrive 9:55, then depart 11:15. Today UA flight arrives gate A 20's and LH flight departs gate A 60's...I fly next week.
What is the quickest way to get to the departure gate? I am 1k, is there a star gold customs line that will be quicker?
What is the quickest way to get to the departure gate? I am 1k, is there a star gold customs line that will be quicker?
Jan 9, 2018, 7:12 pm
#701
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS/MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 242
No special lines for 1K/*A Gold that I'm aware of, but you shouldn't have any issues connecting A to A with that much time. Between A and Z can be done as well, but you may have to scramble depending on the lines.
Jan 9, 2018, 7:17 pm
#702
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, GlobalEntry, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz Presidents Circle, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 111
Yes, there will be a Star Gold line for ticket/passport checks...but not in actual customs. Its a bit of a walk, but should be ok. You may have to go Z<->A or vice versa.
Jan 9, 2018, 7:26 pm
#703
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,548
You will not have time to lounge or hangout in my opinion. The all-passports lines at FRA have been long from what I could see on my three trips through over the last month (I have a European passport but stood next to the visitor lines).
You actually will not clear customs until NAP presuming you are on one PNR/ticket with bags checked through. You will choose the green or red channel upon exiting NAP and they could stop you to check your bags randomly there. You will do immigration for Schengen at FRA.
You actually will not clear customs until NAP presuming you are on one PNR/ticket with bags checked through. You will choose the green or red channel upon exiting NAP and they could stop you to check your bags randomly there. You will do immigration for Schengen at FRA.
Jan 9, 2018, 7:54 pm
#704
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
Follow the signs, and you'll clear Schengen immigration at FRA. 1h20 doesn't leave a lot of time for wandering around, but you should be ok. There isn't a *G line for immigration but it's usually pretty quick.