Review: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

To finish off my two-part birthday trip to the Golden Triangle, my dad and I flew Lufthansa’s A340 first class from Frankfurt (FRA) to New York (JFK), which was my first flight featuring Lufthansa’s new first class soft product (and with Lufthansa seemingly now restricting first class awards, perhaps also my last). 😉

In addition to checking out the Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt, I also visited the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, which I’ll review in this installment. I don’t know how many dozens of times I’ve visited the lounge over the years. While very little has changed about this facility since it opened in 2004 (aside from some minor cosmetic updates), it continues to be a special place.

The lounge actually doesn’t have that many frills — it feels pretty sterile, and it doesn’t have any standout amenities. However, what it offers is incredible convenience, and the ability to skip the main terminal altogether, assuming you’re originating in Frankfurt, along with guaranteed limousine service to the plane. While I wish Lufthansa would make the first class ground experience more seamless for connecting passengers, this is still an all-around awesome experience.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt location

The key selling point of the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt is its location, and how it’s completely separate from the terminal. If you’re originating in Frankfurt and driving to the airport, just be on the lookout for the ramp on the right side as you approach the terminal, as it can be easy to miss. In particular, if you’re in a rideshare, make sure you emphasize the turn, because otherwise they’ll probably drop you off at the terminal, even if you pin the destination correctly.

If you do happen to be in Terminal 1 (either because you’re arriving by train, or because you’re coming off a connecting flight, and want to visit the First Class Terminal anyway), just go to the arrivals level (of course after clearing passport control), and exit the terminal.

When you exit the terminal, turn left, and walk along the outside roadway.

You’ll then walk past the taxi stand, which has dozens of taxis waiting, so keep walking.

Eventually you’ll see a crosswalk, with the First Class Terminal in the distance.

Then there’s a gate, and you’ll just want to go up to the door on the lower level, where you’ll find an elevator that will take you up a floor.

Once you’re on the upper level, you’ll be in the main welcome area of the First Class Terminal, which is the same level where you’d arrive by car. There, one of the personal assistants (PAs) will greet you, confirm you’re eligible for access, and immediately bring you through security (check-in is taken care of later, so it’s all very seamless).

One of the awesome things about the First Class Terminal is that it has its own dedicated security checkpoint (and immigration before you depart, if you’re leaving to the non-Schengen zone), so it’s all much more relaxed and less crowded than in the main terminal.

Obviously the greatest convenience is if you’re actually originating in Frankfurt. However, even if you’re coming off a flight and want to trek over to the First Class Terminal, it’s only about a five minute walk once you’re in the arrivals area, so it’s not very far.

Sometimes it’s nice to get a few steps between flights. That being said, the First Class Terminal and First Class Lounge are very similar, and in many ways I prefer the Lufthansa First Class Lounge for the views, and sometimes less crowding. The advantage of the First Class Terminal is that you consistently get driven to the plane, so everyone can decide for themselves how they value those relative pros and cons.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt hours

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt is currently open daily from 5:30AM until 10PM, covering virtually all Lufthansa departures from the airport.

As you’d expect, the First Class Terminal tends to be busiest mid-morning and early afternoon, before and after the bank of transatlantic flights, since that makes up a majority of Lufthansa’s long haul network with first class. However, the lounge does also tend to get pretty busy with HON Circle members traveling regionally, so expect it to be busy on Monday mornings, Thursday evenings, etc.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt entry requirements

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt can be accessed primarily under two circumstances:

• By flying Lufthansa first class or SWISS first class the same day; it’s fine if you’re connecting onto a regional flight after a flight in Lufthansa or SWISS first class, as long as you arrived the same day, and are departing on a Lufthansa Group airline
• By being a Lufthansa Miles & More HON Circle member taking any same-day departing flight on a Lufthansa Group airline; this is Lufthansa’s top tier status, with very high qualification requirements

There are two differences in the rules between Lufthansa First Class Lounge access and Lufthansa First Class Terminal access:

• Lufthansa First Class Lounges can also be used as arrivals lounges, so you can use it after a flight, with no onward connection; the same isn’t true of the First Class Terminal
• HON Circle members can use the Lufthansa First Class Lounge when departing on any Star Alliance flight, while they can only use the First Class Terminal when departing on a Lufthansa Group flight

Since most OMAAT readers are going to be accessing the Lufthansa FCT based on a same-day Lufthansa first class ticket, let me share a couple lounge access examples:

• You do get access to the FCT if you fly Lufthansa first class from the United States to Frankfurt, and then connect from Frankfurt the same day in economy or business class; however, you wouldn’t get access if you choose to spend a night in Frankfurt before your connection
• You do get access to the FCT if you fly Lufthansa first class from the United States to Frankfurt, and connect same day on any Lufthansa Group flight; however, you wouldn’t get access if you connect on other airlines, like Air India, United, etc. (then you could use the Lufthansa First Class Lounge)

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt seating & layout

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal covers a space of roughly 1,800 square meters (19,400 square feet), though it’s not necessarily as big as it sounds. That’s because this includes spaces like the check-in area, the lower level where you’ll be driven to the plane, etc. I’d estimate that the actual usable lounge space is closer to half of that size.

The airside portion of the Lufthansa First Class Terminal is set along one main corridor, which you’ll find below, and that should give you a good sense of the size of the lounge.

Essentially the side of the lounge closest to the windows is made up of several seating “clusters,” each with comfortable leather chairs. If the lounge isn’t too full, each passenger typically gets an entire “living room area” to themselves, while otherwise, it will be shared with others.

Along the windows you’ll also find rows of chairs with ottomans facing outside, which are sometimes a good place to hang out if you’re traveling alone, and the lounge is full.

Speaking of the seats facing the windows, this is probably the most disappointing part of the First Class Terminal. There are no actual views of the apron or of planes, but instead, you just look at the crew center, where the Lufthansa crews board the buses that take them to the planes. That’s a major advantage of both of the Lufthansa First Class Lounges in the terminal.

So while the space closest to the windows is made up mostly of “traditional” lounge seating, all the other amenities are along the interior of the lounge. If you enter the lounge and turn left, you’ll find five individual workstations, each with their own doors. It’s a feature I appreciate, because there are so many lounges where there’s no seating that’s conducive to actually being productive.

Next, you’ll find the bar area, which is where all drinks are served from. This includes high-top seating, as well as an extra table with communal seating.

Then there’s the dining area, which has well over a dozen tables, and that’s where both the buffet and a la carte selection are available (more on that later).

In the corner of the lounge you’ll then find a large cigar lounge, which is among the most civilized smoking facilities that you’ll find in any lounge.

A few more things about the First Class Terminal worth noting. First of all, it was only a couple of years ago that I learned the lounge has a play area for kids. It’s hidden behind the bar, and we were directed there when flying Lufthansa first class with our son. It’s a super cute airplane themed area, so kudos to Lufthansa for that (and it’s far enough from the main part of the lounge that you can make noise without disrupting others).

The lounge also has a duty free shop, which has some cool Lufthansa and aviation themed gifts, so it’s always worth taking a look.

Next, across from the duty free shop is the Lufthansa first class duck display. While the display looks “grander” than in the past, it’s disappointing that they only have the same ducks on display. In the past, they displayed all the ducks that have been produced over the years, which I always thought was so cool. I’m not sure if someone did a smash & grab (it wasn’t me, as tempted as I am!), or what happened there.

Speaking of ducks, keep in mind Lufthansa’s quirky first class duck concept. When you visit the Lufthansa First Class Terminal (or any Lufthansa First Class Lounge), be sure to ask for your rubber duck. They are collectibles and change over time, though sadly during my visit they were just offering the generic silver one, which isn’t terribly exciting.

One last thing I’d like to mention — I really feel like the Lufthansa First Class Terminal (and other Lufthansa lounges, for that matter), need some ambient music. The FCT is just so quiet that you could hear a pin drip, and I kind of hate that. I’m not asking for anything radical or distracting, but just something like what you find in Delta One Lounges would be awesome.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt food & drinks

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt has both a buffet and a la carte selection, and you’ll find basically an identical selection in the Lufthansa First Class Lounges in the main terminal. I visited in the morning, when breakfast was being served.

I found the food options to be good, with all kinds of yogurts, pastries, fresh fruit, veggies, dips, cold cuts, cheese, and of course the world famous pretzels.

In addition to the buffet, there’s also a menu that can be ordered off of, and you can find both the breakfast and all-day menu below, along with the special asparagus options (since that was the seasonal selection). I’m sorry for the picture quality, but the menus are in this book that’s really hard to photograph, due to how it’s bound at the top.

My dad and I decided to split the acai bowl, the pancakes, and the Asian breakfast, all of which were quite good, but nothing memorable (not that breakfast typically is).

While it fits more in the snack category than proper food category, you’ll also find little self-serve sweet and savory snack options throughout the lounge.

All drinks are served by staff, who generally roam the lounge and proactively see if guests want anything.

You can find the Lufthansa First Class Terminal drink list below.

I had a cappuccino or two while hanging out in the main area of the lounge, and that was excellent, and was barista made.

One other thing worth mentioning is that in celebration of Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary, there were a bunch of celebratory things, ranging from signage, to cake, to cupcakes. Lufthansa sure is trying to make a big deal of it.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt nap rooms

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt has two nap rooms, which is a feature you’ll also find in the Lufthansa First Class Lounges in Frankfurt. Each room has a reasonably well padded twin size bed. So while there are no individual bathrooms in these rooms, or anything like that, it’s great to be able to get some shuteye, if you have a long layover.

These are available on a first come, first served basis, and there’s no minimum or maximum amount of time you can use these.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt bathrooms & showers

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt has a solid bathroom setup, located at the very end of the lounge, past the cigar lounge area. There’s a desk there, with a representative in case you want to take a shower, and there are also extra amenities available there.

The men’s room has some sinks with proper cloth hand towels. The actual bathrooms offer quite a bit of privacy, as each little room has both a toilet and a urinal.

In addition to that, there are several shower suites, and one of them even has a bathtub, so be sure to request that one, if it interests you. I took a shower in the lounge, but the one with the bathtub wasn’t available.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt limousine service

Lufthansa is known for its first class limousine service, and passengers departing the First Class Terminal are the only ones who consistently receive this service, regardless of what flight they’re departing on, given that the FCT isn’t connected to the rest of the airport.

So when it’s time to depart, you’ll be directed to the airside elevator going to the lower level.

There you’ll first go to the immigration officer who is seated on the right (assuming you’re departing the Schengen zone). Then you’ll be handed over from the PA to the driver, who will drive you to the plane.

Nowadays Lufthansa partners with Sixt on its first class limousine service, and you’ll typically either get a BMW i7 or Mercedes-Benz V-Class. The former is typically offered if you’re traveling alone or as a couple, while the latter is offered if you’re traveling as a group.

Note that the limousine service will often be shared with others, assuming they’re also in the FCT and headed to the same flight.

In our case, we lucked out with a private BMW i7, so that was our lovely ride to the plane.

I must say, as an aviation geek, being driven across the apron never gets old, and is such a treat.

After a lengthy ride we arrived at the Airbus A340-600 that would be flying us to New York. Since you’re on the apron level, you then take an elevator up a level to get to the jet bridge, and are then handed over to the crew.

While Lufthansa’s A340-600 is hardly a cutting edge plane, I realized as I boarded that this would probably be my last flight on this aircraft type, since Lufthansa is expected to retire the plane by next year, and not many airlines fly this plane anymore (at least outside of Iran).

Bottom line

The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt is easily one of the world’s most famous airport lounges, and for good reason, as it’s truly completely separate from the terminal. While the lounge is a bit sterile, there’s no denying that it’s incredibly convenient when originating in Frankfurt, given the private security checkpoint and limousine to the car.

While there aren’t any crazy frills, the lounge is very functional, between the workstations, nap rooms, cigar lounge, a la carte dining, and solid shower suites.

While I’m a huge fan of this lounge, I will say two things. First, I wouldn’t necessarily arrive that early to use it, since it’s not like there’s actually that much to do. Second, if connecting in Frankfurt, I don’t necessarily think there’s that much advantage to visiting the Lufthansa First Class Terminal over the Lufthansa First Class Lounge, and the latter even has some advantages, like views.

What’s your take on the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt?