The Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT) in Frankfurt is one of my favorite airport lounges in the world. When I was much younger, I’d intentionally spend 12+ hour layovers here, because that sounded like a fun way to pass the time. Heck, at one point I even pondered how I could most efficiently move into…
Continue reading: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt Review & Guide
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Same old tired furniture and interior since when, 2010? They could have spent the time with renovating/updating the terminal. Nope, nothing.
Could the Pax the Dallas have arrived in G class (eg from DEL) and transfered via FCT without being HON?
@ Flo -- Good point. Updated the post to reflect that. It seems unlikely, but it is indeed possible.
It sounds like with the service cuts, this is now an exclusive business class lounge.
Is the First Class Lounge in Concourse B opened again? Though it's not as special as the Terminal, and there are no ducks, I always liked that lounge, especially for the views of the airplanes. In both, I use to enjoy the extensive food selection - in particular, and for whatever reason - they made a great Thai Tom Kha Gai soup. Nevertheless, I've enjoyed both facilities and hopefully they'll soon be restored to their previous glory. No matter what, it's great taking the car to the plane and the extra nice service all around.
Not to harp on it but I think it’s an overrated lounge. I’d rather be in the Cathay biz lounge in Heath row watching planes and not walking outside. I just don’t think it’s as special as everyone else. Car across the apron is fun. But not that much better than bus (you still get to see all the planes!)
The woman that escorted me down to the car service looked like Emily Ratajkowski.
You have to originate in Frankfurt or fly in the night before if connecting. Seems like a more hectic experience navigating through FRA as opposed to just driving up to the FCT.
Are either of the First Class Lounges available as an arrival lounge? Not talking about during Covid times, but normal times.
Thanks for the super thorough review and pics! I am really surprised they don't pick up connecting passengers, like Air France does with La Première. I wonder if it's just because there are too many F passengers connecting and would not be scalable, or if it's just Lufthansa being a little cheap...?
beware, that access to FCT is only if arriving on a sameday Lufthansa or Swiss 1st class flight and connecting on LH, Swiss or Austrian ON THE SAME Ticket!!!
technically you have to originate in FRA but you can do it as lucky did. i've done it that way as well (SFO-FRA-GVA).
technically speaking you have to originate in FRA but you can do it as lucky did. i've done it that way as well (SFO-FRA-GVA).
I remember a great visit with my husband a few years back. Sad to see the food options have been scaled down. I wonder if it will all come back once things settle down with covid? Is there still a small duty free store? They also used to have a great selection of magazines and newspapers.
If you're just connecting at FRA, there is truly no reason to trek all the way to the FCT, brave the elements and smokers outside, and have to re-clear security at the FCT. The LH F lounges within the main terminal have all the exact same services -- showers, ducks, bars, cigar rooms, and even being driven to the plane (in B). They also have the added benefit of great airport/runway/apron views, so you feel like you're actually at an airport instead of feeling like you are in an industrial suburb.
Extremely sad to see the low quality of the food offering and the microwaved food. That's just pathetic.
@ben senise
I made it sound confusing that’s just my own personal suggestion.
Actually I want to go to GVA in the winter. I wonder if I’d have trouble with re entry back into in Switzerland if I went on a day trip to chamonix in France. Or is there no border checkpoint ? Im from the US
Thanks for the great review as usual. The F&B product is very disappointing and the downgrade from Porsche and Mercedes is not terrible in the big scheme of things but not really 5-star worthy. Seems like it’s Time to fly La Premiere on Air France.
Ben, there's definitely white wines on display. They're on the far left in your picture.
I much prefer the first class lounge in the terminal. Amenities are virtually the same plus it's brighter and has better views.
Do they still smoke cigars in that cigar lounge? The stink would overpower the entire lounge! Yuck!
It is sufficiently closed off and ventilation is such that you do not smell a thing in the rest of the lounge.
It is sufficiently closed off and ventilation is such that you do not smell a thing in the rest of the lounge.
A small precision: to become a HON Circle Member you need 600.000 HON Circle Miles in two years, which means miles in First or Business Class. Status miles flown in (Premium) Economy do not count.
Pictures make it look like your turn right after exiting the main terminal not left like you wrote.
Uh, the food was microwaved? I'm surprised you just gloss over this and don't make more of a point. Microwaved food in a First Class lounge is unacceptable if you ask me. If I were to pay the hefty premium (be it cash or miles) to fly in First Class a pretty large part of the justification for doing so is for the dining experience both in the air and on the ground. The lounge is a pretty integral piece of the premium cabin experience and the F&B is often what separates the good lounges from the great. Microwaved food is a pretty pathetic offering even in a Business Lounge, and should not be trotted out by one of the world's biggest and most premium airlines. Between the food in the FCT and onboard in your previous 747-8 review, which to be honest did not look amazing, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to pay the upcharge for First Class on Lufthansa right now.
Uh, the food was microwaved? I'm surprised you just gloss over this and don't make more of a big deal out of that. Microwaved food in a First Class lounge is unacceptable if you ask me. If I were to pay the hefty premium (be it cash or miles) to fly in First Class, a pretty large part of the justification for doing so is for the dining experience both in the air and on the ground. The lounge is a pretty integral piece of the premium cabin experience and the F&B is often what separates the good lounges from the great. Microwaved food is a pretty pathetic offering even in a Business Lounge, and should not be trotted out by one of the world's biggest and most premium airlines. Between the food in the FCT and onboard in your previous 747-8 review, which to be honest did not look amazing, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to pay the upcharge for First Class on Lufthansa right now.
I fail to see what's so special about this. A huge room full of orange armchairs that scream 1976 all over, and cheap microwaved food. Oh my.
@Weymar
‘by one of the world's biggest and most premium airlines’. You must be kidding me.
Thanks to you Ben! I had the chance to experience this FC Terminal. Even following your directions to walk out and reach the FC Terminal.
Traditionally, at least, the ducks are different -- in the FCT they say "First Class Terminal" while in the regular lounges they say "First Class Services." Connoisseurs know.
One has to wonder if these new (negative) changes across the board with major carriers are a reset, or in stock market jargon, a “correction” and are now the new normal. If these changes are still in place a year from now, we will know the answer. Your reporting of your flights on this Paris trip so far point to a scary trend.
Can you pleassssssse put one of the ducks on ebay? I'll bid for it! I have a Porsche themed garage and would lovvvvve to have a chance to get one of these cute souvenirs!
Hi Ben - my husband and I will be travelling on LH First from SFO to LHR via FRA in Dec. Obviously the Covid situation is very fluid, but was clearing immigration in Germany fairly straightforward regarding testing/forms etc? I'm a UK national and he is a US citizen, both fully vaccinated and living in London. Seems the FCT is our best bet given the lounges in the main terminal are still closed.
@ Greg -- If you're fully vaccinated it's not an issue at all, at least in my experience. Germany doesn't currently require vaccinated people to be tested for entry, so the experience was more or less as it would have been pre-pandemic.
Great reveiw Ben, but it would be nice to see a comparison between the FCT and the lounge in the terminal?
Ben - I would kindly suggest for you to consider abandoning use of the phrase 'first world problem.' It's still fairly widely used, but it shouldn't be - it's condescending, even when unintentional, to those who may not live in a place that is being elevated to be described as 'first world'. And I regularly see you go out of your way to be thoughtful and considerate in your wording and description of others - so in this same vein, I'd encourage you to consider this one and this phrase.
No passport check, you are inside shengen area.
The only border check is for goods concerning the local citizen.
I'm firming up plans for a First trip to South Africa on LH/LX and this article was very well timed! It's sad to see the food offering has been so significantly scaled back - I'll definitely not be booking with LH Group for this as the ground experience is an important part of the package for us.
re: "You do get access ... and connect same day ..." That's good to know. Even thought TATL flights from USA arrive in FRA the day AFTER departure, you can still access FCT if your connecting flight depart the day after leaving USA
Hi Lucky,
May be worth to link you own article as to why there ain’t more any Benz cars 😉
Surly interesting trivia
https://onemileatatime.com/lufthansa-mercedes/
Ben. I loved this review and would personally die to go to the FCT. However I always feel you give Lufthansa a easy ride. If I remember correctly your last flight you were served stale sushi, here they serve you concentrate orange juice, don’t have the correct champagne on board, you have to walk across the airport to get to the terminal to get a microwave meal….. come on. And then a ride in a van 🙁 If this was a start up airline you would have had a hugely different opinion I guess. Keep up the good work.
An Old, old, old, old rehashed review of a sorry ass airline with mediocre food and very average service in Business Class and especially First Clas All people need to do is google or research at least 50+ reviews done in the last 5 years in 10 different languages by 20 different companies and reviewers way before Covid-19,when full service meant something.
The First Class terminal is ten times better than the food or service one gets on the plane.
Frankly it's odd to complain about the salmon teriyaki, a distinctly non-German dish, in Germany--when schnitzel, a distinctly German dish and a dish that is far superior to salmon teriyaki no matter where you are, was on offer. Someone who claims to aspire to living in this lounge should know better.
Forgive my ignorance...... Fantastic write up as usual. How does one redeposit one's luggage if we're transiting through Frankfurt on Lufthansa First?
Hello Ben. I was at FCT in 2014 and it was much more luxurious than your current description. The buffet was filled with gourmet offerings and the menu was impressive. Regarding the VW vans, that would have been unheard of. While I'll still fly first with them for the actual in flight conveniences, I'll certainly not be looking forward to the FCT experience I've grown accustomed to with them. Great review...thank you 🙂
Flew FC on Lufthansa in 2016 and did the same walk to FCT as you did. However, I paid for the FC experience and expected excellent service. In 2016, the service was flawless and food was superb. The attendant woke me from my nap on time so I could shower and eat lunch before my flight. The staff was extremely friendly and discreet. Some passengers seemed quite arrogant in the way they treated staff at the FCT. However. The attendants provided over the top service to me. No complaints. Of note that was special was the honeycomb at the buffet for one to scoop honey from. The experience was very exclusive and although may not be the perfect decor (utilitarian) it was very clean, well maintained, and comfortable.
I recently flew FC from the US and had a ~3 hour layover to an EU destination.
I was told by staff that there was not enough time to go to the FCT. Now that the FCT is open, the FC lounge is closed in the Terminal. Instead there was roped in first class area at the senator lounge. It's quite a bad concept as there isn't much to do there and the menu of offerings is very limited.
In any case, I now have another flight, but this time the connection time is 2 hours. What is the minimum connection time that you would deem it worth it to go through border control and into FTC? I feel that this time I will not be able to go as well.
Just curious, if I fly US to Munich on LH First, then Munich-FRA-Stockholm on LH metal as well on the same day (but two separate tickets). Can I access first class terminal in FRA?
Hello!
So, I have a question as I am preparing for my travel to Zurich in a few days with Lufthansa. I have a confirmed First Class ticket from JFK-FRA, then a separate Business Class ticket from FRA-ZRH. Coming back, I have a Business Class ticket from ZRH-FRA, and a separate First Class ticket from FRA-IAD.
According to this pot, it sounds like I would have access, as long as the arrival flight was on the same day (which it would be obviously). I tried researching Lufthansa's website, but I couldn't quite find the policy that addresses my situation.
Thank you for your help!
Brady -- did you take your flight yet? I just wanted to see if you were able to access First Class lounge/terminal either in MUC or FRA.
Hi hoping for a quick response from anyone with knowledge on this:
If traveling USA to FRANKFURT in LH First and then on a totally separate flight /itinerary booked from FRANKFURT to UK in LH Business, am I still able to access LH first class lounge? And how would baggage work? Thank you in advance!
As far as I know, you won't get access to the lounge with separate tickets. As for the bags, you'll have to clear immigration, exit, claim your bags then check in at the counters as though you were originating in Frankfurt.
You can always ask the Lufthansa agent if he/she is able to help with sending your bags to your final destination. I've never had any luck doing so, however.
We were at the FCT yesterday (May 23rd 2023) so there is quite an update. Your excellent review was done when they were still in the shadow of the ‘pandemia’. Quite a few things have changed. If you’re connecting to another flight with a long layover, getting there is still a hassle but still worth it. Why Lufthansa doesn’t offer a golf-buggy style shuttle is strange. Anyway, assuming your bags have been ticketed through to your final destination, you go through border control, get your passport stamped and then make for the exit. Here’s the big change, make your way to the Lufthansa business/first class check-in area and then take the escalator down one level. THEN you leave the building and turn left. As mentioned in the article above it’s a 5 minute walk. Once you arrive at the building the approach is the same (nobody on reception on the ground floor), take the elevator up one floor and you’ll be greeted by Lufthansa staff. They’ll help usher you through security and into the lounge. We immediately went for the showers (very welcome), some freshly cooked and delicious breakfast from the excellent menu, finished off with a Bloody Mary from the bar. And then to the nap rooms which we had booked when organising the shower. The trip from there to the plane (now there’s a full fleet of Porsche Cayennes) was effortless. If you’re into Duty Free browsing, forget it as there is none nearby, this is a stand-alone facility providing a welcome oasis from the hassle of long haul flights.
We were at the FCT yesterday (May 23rd 2023) so there is quite an update. Your excellent review was done when they were no doubt still in the shadow of the ‘pandemia’. Quite a few things have changed. If you’re connecting to another flight with a long layover, getting there is still a hassle but still worth it. Why Lufthansa doesn’t offer a golf-buggy style shuttle is strange. Anyway, assuming your bags have been ticketed through to your final destination, you go through border control, get your passport stamped and then make for the exit. Here’s the big change, make your way to the Lufthansa business/first class check-in area and then take the escalator down one level. THEN you leave the building and turn left. As mentioned in the article above it’s a 5 minute walk. Once you arrive at the building the approach is the same (nobody on reception on the ground floor), take the elevator up one floor and you’ll be greeted by Lufthansa staff. They’ll help usher you through security and into the lounge. We immediately went for the showers (very welcome), some freshly cooked and delicious breakfast from the excellent menu, finished off with a Bloody Mary from the bar. And then to the nap rooms which we had booked when organising the shower. The trip from there to the plane (now there’s a full fleet of Porsche Cayennes) was effortless. If you’re into Duty Free browsing, forget it as there is none nearby, this is a stand-alone facility providing a welcome oasis from the hassle of long haul flights.
That’s not true as long as it’s a same day flight operated by Lufthansa or Swiss can be in economy even he/she will have access. Trust me I just got in on separate tickets
Great article. Next week I'm flying First Chicago to Frankfurt and connecting onward with a 4-1/2 hour layover in Frankfurt, so appreciate the detailed logistics getting from Terminal 1 to the First Class Terminal. Hoping to get a nice nap in Frankfurt so I'm well rested when I finally arrive. Thanks and happy flying!
Developing nations or developed nations is a better way to explain different countries.
I will be flying from JNB to FRA in first class and then connecting on United to the US with a fairly long layover. United is in business. Are allowed same day arrival access to the first class terminal? Currently the website indicates yes, but most reviews state no. Thanks!/
We visited in Dec 2023 and since Lufthansa changed the cater, the food quality has gone way down. The veal scaloppini used to be awesome, this visit it was not very good, and as mentioned was probably microwaved. Still a great lounge, but not as good as before the catering change
Hi Lucky, I have a couple of questions regarding the FCT, I hope you can respond.
I will be traveling LH F LAX-FRA and LH J FRA-MAD, separate tickets same day connection. Based on the rules, it appears i will have access to the FCT. Is that correct?
Also...I plan to meet a friend in FRA and we will be traveling FRA-MAD *together* in J. Would I be able to guest him in or would that not be possible since my friend didn't fly on the same inbound flight?