The Lufthansa First Class Lounge in the Schengen Area of Frankfurt Terminal 1 has re-opened its doors once again, marking the first time since the pandemic began that Lufthansa has opened multiple first class lounges at FRA.
Lufthansa First Class Lounge (A Gates) Open Again At Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
As lovely as the First Class Terminal is (and it is very lovely), it’s not ideal for connecting passengers. Imagine flying from Vienna to Los Angeles via Frankfurt in first class. Or imagine flying in from the Los Angeles and connecting to Vienna.
While Lufthansa will not turn you away if you make the trek from the main terminal to the First Class Terminal (past passport control, downstairs to the lower level, out the door, turn left, and walk past the taxi rank…a good 20-minute walk), most passengers will not bother to make the trip, instead heading to the gate or to a Senator lounge.
But a Senator Lounge, though nice, offers a far inferior experience than a First Class Lounge.
That’s why it is so important that this lounge has opened – it is an easy lounge to reach if you are a connecting first class passenger in Frankfurt and will offer the same amenities as the First Class Terminal except for limousine transport (unless you re departing from a remote stand).
Personally, I still enjoy the walk over the First Class Terminal and love that guaranteed car ride to the plane. But for most first class passengers, this will be a tremendous improvement.
This will be a particular benefit to American Express Centurion Card holders, as AMEX black cardholders have access to Lufthansa First Class lounges (when traveling on any Lufthansa flight) but are not granted access to the First Class Terminal.
Arriving first class passengers who terminate their journey in Frankfurt are also invited to use this lounge upon arrival, but not the First Class Terminal.
Hours of operation are from 6:00AM to 2:00PM daily.
CONCLUSION
It is great to see Lufthansa re-open its First Class Lounge in Terminal 1, A Gates after shuttering it the last two months. This will not only reduce crowding in the First Class Terminal, but offer a far smoother and superior lounge experience for connecting passengers.
Do they have Schengen ducks there?
Same ducks as in First Class Terminal
I managed to fly two FC trips in the past week, from ORD and to MIA – both cabins were essentially full. Just one seat was empty on the ORD flight. Seats opened 72 hours ahead and the other 24 hours prior via Aeroplan. MIA opened up even though was showing F2 48 hours before. Interestingly this was the most passengers in F I have seen in awhile, even pre-covid. I mostly used IAD flights pre-covid and was often alone or with 1-2 others. I would suspect more award space is being released for F right now as in both cases I looked at the Business cabin and the downstairs looked at about 30%. FC terminal was as busy as pre-covid.
Given this, I would imagine that as of next week, and the Europeans coming to the U.S., the F redemptions will be impossible for some time via any program other than Miles and More. Imagine all those in Germany sitting on miles for two years – finally with the ability to use them to the U.S. And doubtful they will release F2 award space again like I saw as there will be many HON Circle members back to flying to the U.S.
I think you are correct – there’s going to be a LH F drought for some time.
If this is the lounge near A13 I was here in July.
Yes, it was the first to open post Covid but it closed shortly after when the FC Terminal reopened. Now they have both operating.
If you have a long layover, and if you want to do the 20 min walk to the First Class Terminal, do you know if you need to pick up your bags? Or can they remain checked in to the final destination?
No need to pick up bag.