Lufthansa only reopened its First Class Lounge in Frankfurt (near gate A13) as of the beginning of the month. Now the airline has opened up access to this lounge in a pretty major way.
In this post:
Buy Lufthansa First Class Lounge access for €149
Lufthansa has a dedicated webpage through which it sells lounge access. Historically the airline has sold access to some of its less premium lounges, but now the airline is even selling access to its First Class Lounge.
For €149 (~$176) you can now buy access to the Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt, regardless of which airline you’re flying, and regardless of whether or not you have elite status. You’re eligible as long as you have a valid same day boarding pass on any airline. There’s no limit to how long you can enjoy the lounge, as long as you have same day travel. The lounge is currently open daily from 6AM until 9:30PM.
Previously the lounge was exclusively available to Lufthansa and SWISS first class passengers, as well as top-tier Miles & More HON Circle members.
This isn’t the first time that Lufthansa has sold access to its First Class Lounges. Back in 2017, Lufthansa began selling First Class Lounge access, but in a much more restrictive manner. That was only available to Miles & More Senator members, it was only valid for a limited time, it was only valid when traveling in business class or premium economy on an intercontinental flight, and the lowest cost was €249.
Suffice to say that the requirements this time around are much more lax. In fairness, it goes without saying that business travel is way down, and that Lufthansa’s first class fleet has shrunk considerably, so the demand for this lounge has decreased significantly.
Only time will tell if this is just a temporary measure intended to boost revenue until long haul and business demand starts to recover (and Lufthansa restores capacity), or if this opportunity sticks around in the long run.
Does this dilute the first class experience?
I would imagine Lufthansa selling First Class Lounge access will make people feel one of two ways:
- Some will think this dilutes the first class experience, since you can essentially purchase various parts of the experience at a discount
- Some will think this is a smart way to generate revenue, and in some cases could even represent a good value if you have a long enough layover
Lufthansa is far from the first airline to sell access to its most premium lounges. For example, Air France, Emirates, and Qatar Airways also sell access to their most premium lounges (or at least did when they were open), but at a higher cost and with more restrictions.
In general here’s my take on Lufthansa selling lounge access:
- For the time being this seems totally reasonable and like a win-win, given the extent to which international first class and HON Circle travel is down
- I can’t imagine this pricing will be maintained in the long run, and don’t see this ever including the limousine service (which is currently suspended), and/or access to the First Class Terminal
- I am somewhat surprised by the complete lack of restrictions, given that Lufthansa almost tries to be “exclusive” on principle sometimes with its first class product
- At €149, this could represent a solid value, especially if you enjoy these kinds of premium experiences, and if you have a long layover and plan on eating & drinking (when the lounge first reopened there was no service due to local regulations, but that has now changed)
Bottom line
Anyone can now buy access to the Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt for €149. We’ve never seen access to this lounge sold so readily and at such a low price, so it is truly a reflection of the times. I can’t imagine this pricing will stick over time, but for now this seems like a smart way for Lufthansa to reduce its losses from having this lounge open.
What do you make of Lufthansa selling access to its Frankfurt First Class Lounge?
Ben. It appears it’s not even available to purchase anymore at any price. That lasted about 1 week.
The costs have been adjusted. It's now 200 EUR and you can only get access if you are on a LH Group flight
I flew LH430 First on June 17th and spent about 40 minutes in the First lounge. There were two guests other than myself and at least five staff. Full bar service and some type of order from menu food service. I was not interested in eating before my flight, so I can't attest to that.
I enjoyed a drink and was able to appreciate the lounge ... almost all by myself. Meanwhile, the other LH...
I flew LH430 First on June 17th and spent about 40 minutes in the First lounge. There were two guests other than myself and at least five staff. Full bar service and some type of order from menu food service. I was not interested in eating before my flight, so I can't attest to that.
I enjoyed a drink and was able to appreciate the lounge ... almost all by myself. Meanwhile, the other LH lounges all seemed to have long queues with argumentative people. Narrow window of opportunity here, my friends.
p.s. I took two duckies for my nephews. There may be no more left. I regret nothing.
I was transiting through Frankfurt to Croatia , Business Class on a United Codeshare flight in late May. The club was open but nothing was out food or drink-wise except a cart with a person handing out bottles of water , bananas , and wrapped bagels or cookies or ? We grabbed a water and sat down in the nearly empty lounge after a 10 hour flight, masked and taking sips of our water ,...
I was transiting through Frankfurt to Croatia , Business Class on a United Codeshare flight in late May. The club was open but nothing was out food or drink-wise except a cart with a person handing out bottles of water , bananas , and wrapped bagels or cookies or ? We grabbed a water and sat down in the nearly empty lounge after a 10 hour flight, masked and taking sips of our water , replacing the mask . A Club staffer came over and yelled at us to take the drink “outside”. No eating or drinking allowed in the club! Remember. Bottled Water. Given to us BY Them! Note that the bakery just outside the club was open and selling food and drink. I don’t see myself paying Lufthansa for entry to their first class lounge at any price after such rude and unreasonable treatment. Can’t use Covid as an excuse to be treated that way. They should have just closed. From landing to transfer to departure (both ways) it was my worst Frankfurt experience ever. By the other posts in June I see it’s not much better in the club after “opening!”
the "Club" is UNITED and Lufthansa has "Lounges"!!
You are a "Clubber" it seems, just enjoying to use that word, but be ensured, Lufthansa lies there "Lounges". ;-)
There were signs everywhere that you were not allowed to drink in the lounge. And pictures for those who cannot read (German or English).
So maybe be a little bit more self-critical.
The rule of having to step out of the Lounge to drink and eat is stupid - especially since everyone else was also eating and drinking before the bakery. But it’s a governmental rule. Nothing Lufthansa put in place.
To add - the pictures posted are the FC lounge in regular terminal (not the FC Terminal). Having been in both - only difference in the lounge is table service dining and that isn't worth the price - if you have Senator's lounge access. Now the FC Terminal is a different story - with car service to the flight.
Does this include First Class Terminal in FRA (or just First Class Lounge in FRA regular terminal)? If the FC terminal do they provide car drive to flight regardless of airline?
Does it include a bath and a duckie?
By the way, to those who asked: there are exactly zero food and beverage options available for the time being. You are entitled to one snack bag and a bottle of water when LEAVING the lounge. Enjoy your 149-Euro lounge experience.
Incorrect.
Beverage service at LH Frankfurt lounges including First is fully restored. Food service is improving with - at the time of writing - a limited selection of hot food items, deserts, candy and thentale-away snacks.
@Endre: when did you last visit the First Class Lounge in Frankfurt?
I went there two months ago, there was nothing offered but a snack bag :( I’m glad they are now offering some beverages and food options
I don’t have personal experience with LH first in FRA but just completed EWR and FRA LH Senators lounge visits today and yesterday. It was one pathetic experience especially in EWR. Both places were crowded, smelly, poorly maintained, offered no food except of chips bananas and Orios. No drinks at all.
The whole scenery looked like refugee camp in Turkey that also includes a flight in LH biz on A330. Smell of poverty.
You can only book 1 guest which seems kind of strange? You take a risk in booking separately in the event they capacity restrict this to 1 or 2 ppl/day.
Also, what happens if you have a flight delay or cancelation- does LH refund your access? Seems like a risky proposition.
I currently have a 3 hr layover in FRA and contemplating whether or not this is worthwhile.
Dilute the 1st Class experience? that doesn't make any sense. Dilute??
It dilutes nothing!
What you are really asking is:
Should people who paid for 1st Class be pissed off because other people are able to get some of the same perks for less?
Answer is "No". It doesn't affect them whatsoever.
To dilute would mean that services are taken away from them. Or they are paying more for fewer services....
Dilute the 1st Class experience? that doesn't make any sense. Dilute??
It dilutes nothing!
What you are really asking is:
Should people who paid for 1st Class be pissed off because other people are able to get some of the same perks for less?
Answer is "No". It doesn't affect them whatsoever.
To dilute would mean that services are taken away from them. Or they are paying more for fewer services. But that is not the case here.
Just say it and ask it like you mean it. dilute? ha!
Hey Fred,
In addition to the hard and soft product, main factors of flying in First Class are privacy, exclusivity, prestige and differentiation.
Privacy: easiest example a celebrity that wants to relax instead of having to take selfie’s with fans.
When the first class lounge is open to everyone who is willing to pay 150€, then yes: the experience is diluted.
For Fred it dilutes nothing, but for you it would. This is the issue that many people have... that they see it only from their own perspective and don't relate to a different viewpoint because they don't share the same values. Both viewpoints are right or wrong depending on the individual.
"Some will think this dilutes the first class experience." Ahhh, yes: there is no greater enjoyment than knowing others are not enjoying it.
You hit the nail on the head. God forbid someone that doesn’t travel for a living in business and first class be sitting next to me as I sip my Krug! Keep those rubs away - shoo! I mean it’s not like they are just opening it up to anyone. The fee will still keep most out unless they have a long layover.
I'd first check what the lounge service actually looks like.... is it a full menu and bar, for example? Many lounges have scaled the food options way back or gone to only pre-wrapped junk food...
Assuming it's more or less normal service levels, then this would be a really nice splurge. Enjoy some fine cocktails and champagne and a nice meal on your next trip.
You mentioned "eating and drinking". Are the restrictions on in-lounge dining in lounges in Germany still in place or are they suspended?
Seems expensive, especially since their other lounges are €39, but that could be because I don't find lounges all that exciting beyond providing a nice place to sit and some food.
aaaah, haha, these 1st Class lounges are way nicer than regular lounges. lol
If its still prohibited from eating or even drinking water in the lounge then this is way worse of a deal.
No. Beverage service is fully restored (in FRA). Food is available.
Is the lounge currently offering its full experience, or are there service/amenity reductions?
As per LH and CS’ predictions:
65% of all HONs won’t requalify in 2023.
20% of corporate travels won’t return.
40% of companies don’t allow business class flights on flights shorter than 9hrs.