Review: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Review: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

NAME: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge
Airport: FRA
DATE: March 2023
REVIEW RATING:
BEN SAYS: The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt is a great place to stop after a long haul flight. The lounge is spacious, has a good selection of food, and has excellent shower suites.
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After my Lufthansa Boeing 787 business class flight from Detroit to Frankfurt, I figured I’d check out the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, which is Lufthansa’s arrivals lounge at its hub airport. I’ve taken Lufthansa long haul flights to Frankfurt more often than I can count, though for whatever reason I’ve never actually visited the lounge.

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt was a very pleasant surprise. The lounge is quite large, with modern design, excellent showers, and a tasty breakfast selection. It seemed to be especially popular with those getting off long haul flights and waiting for connections on trains.

This is among my favorite arrivals lounges in Europe, as it compares quite favorably to the ones operated by Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt location

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt is located landside, after you clear immigration and collect your checked bags. Once in the arrivals hall, follow the signage toward the Arrivals Area B. There’s also plenty of signage for the lounge throughout the terminal.

Frankfurt Airport arrivals hall
Frankfurt Airport arrivals hall

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge is hard to miss, as it has a bright yellow exterior.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt exterior

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt hours

Currently the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt is open daily from 5:15AM until 12:30PM. The lounge opens around the same time as the first long haul arrival at the airport, and it remains open until early afternoon. It’s normal for arrivals lounges to close at that point, since the intent is that these are designed so you have somewhere to freshen up before a meeting, or to hang out before you can check into your hotel.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt entry requirements

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge is open to premium Lufthansa passengers arriving on intercontinental flights (with flight numbers LH401-799). This includes:

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt seating & layout

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt spans two floors, and covers an area of around 13,000 square feet, so it’s quite a large arrivals lounge. Right by reception are some lockers, should you want to store your bags during your stay in the lounge.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt lockers

As mentioned above, the lounge has two levels, with the main level (where you enter) having most of the seating and dining, while the lower level has most of the showers. The furniture in the lounge should feel pretty familiar for any frequent Lufthansa flyer, as it matches what you’ll find in other Lufthansa lounges.

Inside the entrance to the lounge and to the right is an area with rows of leather chairs facing one another, as well as a couple of TVs.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt seating
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt seating

Next to that (inside the entrance and to the left) is the bistro area, consisting of around a dozen tables that each seat two people, as well as some communal high-top tables.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt cafe area
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt cafe area
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt seating
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt seating

Behind the bistro area is the business center, which has some communal and semi-private workstations. There are also PCs and printers available, for those who need them.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt business center
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt business center
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt business center

The lounge feels pretty fresh and wasn’t ever close to capacity during my extended stay, so that’s quite nice. There’s also fast and free Wi-Fi available throughout the lounge.

There are two just two downsides to the lounge. First of all, there are no windows and there’s no natural light, which is fair enough, given the location of the lounge. Second of all, every few minutes there’s a really loud noise and vibration in the lounge, as if there’s a train going right over your head. I’m not sure what exactly that is, but it’s noticeable.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt food & drinks

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt has an extensive selection of food and drinks, which rivals what you’ll find in most of Lufthansa’s airside lounges.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet

Food options included all kinds of sweets, cakes, bread, and pastries, cold cuts and cheese, several jars with yogurt and parfaits, fresh fruit, and a few hot options, including quiche, scrambled eggs, hardboiled eggs, and sausage.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt buffet

In terms of drinks, the lounge had an espresso machine, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt coffee machine
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt drinks
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt drinks

Given that I was in Germany, I couldn’t help but indulging in one of the tasty pretzels. Mmmm…

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt pretzel

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt bathrooms & showers

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt has 28 shower suites, most of which are on the lower level, and can be accessed either by stairs or an elevator.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt elevator & stairs to showers
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt stairs to showers

There’s a reception area on the lower level, and even some seating in case you need to wait, but I can’t imagine the showers are frequently at capacity.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt shower reception seating
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt showers

The shower suites in this lounge are honestly very nice and spacious, each with a sink, toilet, and a huge walk-in shower.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt shower suite
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt shower suite
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt shower suite
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt shower suite

Toiletries were from L’Occitane, and I found the water pressure and airflow in the shower suite to be quite good.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt shower suite toiletries

In addition to the showers on the lower level, the upper level of the lounge also has bathrooms, as well as a couple of shower suites (though I don’t think they’re generally used).

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt bathrooms
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt bathrooms

The men’s room has three sinks, three urinals, and three stalls.

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt bathrooms
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt bathrooms

Bottom line

The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt is an excellent arrivals lounge. It’s spacious, with comfortable seating, a good selection of food and drinks, and nicely appointed shower suites. If you’re arriving on a long haul Lufthansa flight in Frankfurt and are terminating there, I’d absolutely recommend checking out this lounge. It can be an especially good place to spend some time before a train connection.

I can’t believe it took me so many years to finally visit this lounge.

What do you make of the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt?

Conversations (25)
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  1. alice Guest

    bs tardes desde Buenos Aires. Viajaré a Turquía desde mi ciudad con conexión en FRA (sólo 2 horas)...clase Business...Me indica a cuál de los lounge puedo ingresar por favor? Y al regreso estaré 5 horas en FRA en conexión hacia BUE. (tamb Business class). Acá cuál me recomienda también? gracias por su gentileza

  2. Matthew Guest

    Can i access if flying in on Condor Biz class ticket? Have a 7 hour layover :/

  3. Patrick Jacobs Guest

    Your review of the LH Arrivals lounge is accurate, but missing some history. We made three trip to Frankfurt and never knew about the arrivals lounge until a flight attendant told us about it. Signage was largely absent, but when you got there it was awesome. Full English breakfast, several meat and cheese selections all very good. Today is quite different. The on flight menu suggests it, signage is excellent, but the food is no...

    Your review of the LH Arrivals lounge is accurate, but missing some history. We made three trip to Frankfurt and never knew about the arrivals lounge until a flight attendant told us about it. Signage was largely absent, but when you got there it was awesome. Full English breakfast, several meat and cheese selections all very good. Today is quite different. The on flight menu suggests it, signage is excellent, but the food is no where close to what it was. A sad decline

  4. ffI Guest

    Ben
    I recently stopped by the LH Panaorama lounge in FRA in A terminal near Gate 26
    Much nicer than I expected - large and spacious and the showers were good.
    The views were phenomenal

    FRA is a zoo and is still unable to manage the volume with staff and the line to enter Schnegen zone was terrible

  5. Steve Guest

    It is a nice lounge but some time ago they got rid of its best feature, free clothing pressing from inside the cabins while you were taking a shower. ☹️

  6. Pete Guest

    access for the welcome lounge is also given to Lufthansa status customers (Senator and Frequent Traveller; Gold and silver on LH) arriving on an intercontinental Lufthansa flight (LH 401 - LH 799) with an economy ticket.

  7. InternationalTraveler Gold

    Unfortunately they are not flexible on the operating hours when large scale flight disruptions occur. One winter day all flights within Germany eventually got cancelled. While I was waiting for my train that I got rebooked on, I was promptly kicked out of the lounge at the posted closing time.

    1. DLPTATL Guest

      How very German, I mean efficient...

    2. Brianair Guest

      That’s German efficiency for you.

    3. Ben Holz Guest

      Don't get me wrong, your situation sucks, but it's too optimistic (if not unrealistic) to expect a change in opening/closing times of a lounge on the spot, especially in the EU and mainly Germany. With those opening times, it's likely that they only have a given set of employees available to operate the lounge on any given day and if they start their shift at 5am and close at 12:30 to leave at 1pm, they...

      Don't get me wrong, your situation sucks, but it's too optimistic (if not unrealistic) to expect a change in opening/closing times of a lounge on the spot, especially in the EU and mainly Germany. With those opening times, it's likely that they only have a given set of employees available to operate the lounge on any given day and if they start their shift at 5am and close at 12:30 to leave at 1pm, they close at 12:30 and leave their workplace at 1pm (which is what they are under strict contract and regulations expected to do). If you add IROPs into the equation and how pretty much everyone outside of the lounge will be busy with the mayhem, then it almost becomes mission impossible.

  8. JetBlueFanboy Guest

    I know this has nothing to do with the actual review, but I have to say that I absolutely love Lufthansa's brand colors. Gray, navy blue, and (dark) yellow is a very elegant color combination IMO.
    Am I the only one who feels this way?

    1. Brianair Guest

      I feel this way too. Unfortunate that they blew it with their new livery.

    2. JetBlueFanboy Guest

      I actually think that the new livery would be an improvement if it had some more yellow (I find the shade of blue in the new tail to be more elegant). But, as it stands, the new livery is dull & soulless.

  9. Steve Guest

    Not sure if requirements have changed since December 22, but FWIW I accessed this lounge with just a United Polaris boarding pass for a shower coming out of ORD.

    1. Chris Guest

      Yes, United C passengers or Global services in Y can also access the welcome lounge. Assuming their flight arrives early enough for the way to early closing time.

  10. hbilbao Guest

    What is your best option if flying LH F and terminating in FRA?

    1. Klaus Guest

      Renting a room at the Sheraton and getting some rest!

      As an arriving First Class Guest you can access the Senator Lounges and Business Class lounges as well as the arrival lounge. If you just want to take a shower I would recommend the Welcome Lounge (depending on your arrival time). Wouldn’t hurt to ask at a Senator lounge if they have an available shower before leaving the transit area.

    2. Donato Guest

      Actually the best option used to be walking to the Sheraton and getting the Club/Towers building. Today it would be called the Marriot rooms. Not sure about the M lounge.

    3. Ed Guest

      Nope! If u r flying LH F then choose your exit in FRA carefully (there are several immigration points) so that u arrive airside Schengen and then go to the FCL. With LH or LX FC, u are permitted into the FCL (or any other lounge u prefer) on the day of departure AND the day of arrival.

    4. Bill n DC Diamond

      I did this in January upon arrival very nice. I agree the Arrivals lounge is nice as I checked it out in November. But quite a walk then back to the Hilton. Exercises

      I bet the noise is trains. Great trains to Frankfurt central

    5. Alex Guest

      Yes, that's my choice too. Just follow the signs to the A-Gates and then to the FCL.

  11. Julia Guest

    "This is among my favorite arrivals lounges in Europe, as it compares quite favorably to the ones operated by Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic."

    That's a long list of favorites...how many European arrival lounges didn't make the cut?

    1. pete Guest

      good question Julia :D :D

    2. Ben Holz Guest

      I think it's more of a comparison between the Lufthansa arrivals lounge and those he mentioned and how Lufthansa's is superior

  12. Willmo Guest

    Dont forget about the IB arrival lounge in MAD.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Ed Guest

Nope! If u r flying LH F then choose your exit in FRA carefully (there are several immigration points) so that u arrive airside Schengen and then go to the FCL. With LH or LX FC, u are permitted into the FCL (or any other lounge u prefer) on the day of departure AND the day of arrival.

2
Ben Holz Guest

I think it's more of a comparison between the Lufthansa arrivals lounge and those he mentioned and how Lufthansa's is superior

2
Alex Guest

Yes, that's my choice too. Just follow the signs to the A-Gates and then to the FCL.

1
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