As I’ve already written about, the new Frankfurt Airport (FRA) Terminal 3 is starting its phased opening, which is an exciting development for an otherwise drab airport. The first lounge in the new terminal has just been unveiled. Despite it being described as a “flagship” facility, I wouldn’t get too excited.
In this post:
Basics of the new non-Schengen SkyTeam Lounge FRA
SkyTeam has announced the official opening of a new lounge at Frankfurt Airport. The airline describes this as its “flagship lounge” in Europe, though in reality, it’s the airline alliance’s only branded lounge in Europe, so that seems like a bit of a stretch.
The lounge is 550 square meters (5,920 square feet), with seating for 126 guests. It’s located in the non-Schengen area of the terminal, meaning it primarily serves flights outside of the European Union. In the case of SkyTeam, that includes flights on China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, and Vietnam Airlines.
The lounge is located on level four of the terminal, and opens at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time of any eligible flights. Here’s how the lounge is described:
Blending modern comfort with nature-inspired design, the lounge features panoramic airfield views alongside a range of premium amenities. Guests can enjoy showers, high-speed internet, a soundproof phone booth, a dedicated relaxation area and an exclusive VIP space, catering to both productivity and rest.
The Frankfurt Lounge offers a curated dining experience with freshly prepared local and international cuisine served throughout the day. The lounge features a live cooking area and a digital menu, allowing guests to conveniently order hot meals via QR code. Menus highlight locally sourced ingredients and a selection of regional dishes, alongside German beers and wines.
SkyTeam’s lounge network otherwise includes locations in Dubai (DXB), Santiago (SCL), Sydney (SYD), and Vancouver (YVR), along with a joint lounge with GLN in Sao Paulo (GRU). The lounge follows standard SkyTeam lounge access rules, so is open to SkyTeam Elite Plus members, as well as SkyTeam first & business class passengers.
This is an improvement, but not very exciting
I’d say the SkyTeam Lounge Frankfurt represents an improvement over the old contract lounge that non-Schengen SkyTeam passengers otherwise receive access to in Terminal 2. That’s not saying a whole lot, of course.
So it’s nice to see SkyTeam finally get a branded lounge at the airport, though I can’t say I’ve ever been impressed by the alliance’s branded lounge network. They’re typically super basic, in terms of design, food & beverages, and amenities.
Let me emphasize that this lounge is specifically for non-Schengen passengers, so we can expect that Schengen SkyTeam passengers will receive access to a new Air France Lounge, which should open in the coming months.
The big question remains what the lounge situation in the new terminal will otherwise look like, as that hasn’t yet been announced. In particular, what will the oneworld lounge network entail?
Bottom line
The new SkyTeam Lounge Frankfurt has been unveiled, located in the new Terminal 3. The lounge isn’t huge, but then again, the non-Schengen SkyTeam presence in the terminal isn’t huge either, so that shouldn’t come as a surprise. I look forward to checking out this lounge, and for that matter, the new terminal overall!
What do you make of the new SkyTeam Lounge Frankfurt?
I think you are being a bit harsh in your comments here. It is important to recognize that Skyteam is not a dominant airline at FRA airport and therefore you can't expect them to invest in a lounge that will be one of their best and/or you there won't be a lounge that compares to LH.
There are rumours that there will not be a oneworld lounge or one hosted by a oneworld airline, because FRAPORT are charging more than double on ground rent compared to terminal 2. While negotiations are ongoing, likely oneworld will use some generic lounge
given the ongoing EES drama, it seems that not many people will be able to actually make it there anyway
Last image: no USB power outlets?
Alliance lounges are generally quite unimpressive in my opinion.
Compared to the newer business class lounges that have come about, the Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance lounges seem average at best. Average food/drink usually dished out as buffet slop.
American set the standard so low with the term "Flagship".
Anything with that term doesn't set any positive expectations.
This is probably why AMEX is cutting lounge access to LH lounges.
Better than the awful Lufthansa lounges
Oh wow, 2 showers
Tim Dunn used to defend DTW and it's 2 showers with some fluff I don't remember because it has nothing to do with the pathetic number of showers available.
Then there's MSP the domestic hub that is pathetic for international flights.
Anyone else feel like this lounge is pretty small? I don't know the timing of the Skyteam flights and how spaced out they are but I feel like a lounge with 125 max passengers may have some times of overlap where they would exceed that, no?
Agreed. Delta alone has three daily A330s departing within an hour. That's 102 Delta One seats... plus Elites in the back.
Delta passengers are used to waiting in line for a lounge so it shouldnt be an issue.
As a matter of comparison, the One World business class lounge at LAX is north of 40,000 square feet. Plus the AA lounges in T4 (not too far of a walk).
what is your point?
the Delta One lounge at JFK is about 40k SF also.
now tell us the size of the oneworld lounge at FRA and the number of AA flights there while you are at it.
Nobody is expecting a 40,000 square feet oneworld lounge at FRA. In fact, AA is by far the weakest of the US3 there, and BA is down to three flights a day. Other than QR, it feels like most of oneworld has really given up on Germany.
Why bring oneworld and AA into this unless the point is to deflect and divert the conversation away to something else?
Definitely a downgrade for MEA passengers, as in the past they had access to the Air Canada lounge when the airline was flying out of Terminal 1.
Granted, its been a while since MEA was flying out of Terminal 1, but still.
Nice. FRA T3 looks awesome. Can't wait for new T1, 6/7 at JFK, starting to open later this year, too (officially, complete 2030), which is impressive since that's well under the 10+ years it took FRA.