Lufthansa has opened a gleaming Premium Check-in Area in Terminal 1, Hall A at Frankfurt Airport, adding another piece to the flag-carrier’s ongoing service-enhancement puzzle. Accessible to First-Class guests, HON Circle members, Senators and Star Alliance Gold card-holders, the zone is designed as a ‘quiet island’ amid one of Europe’s busiest departure halls.
The space greets travellers with a concierge-style service bar, staffed agents who handle complex itineraries and oversized baggage, and fully automated “exclusive baggage machines” that promise a sub-one-minute drop-off. High tables with wireless charging, lounge-style seating and private changing rooms allow executives to repack after meetings. A dedicated entrance from car park P31 lets chauffeurs deliver passengers metres from the counters – eliminating the long walk from the main kerb.
![Lufthansa unveils premium check-in zone at Frankfurt to speed elite traveller journeys]()
The opening coincides with the re-opening of Business Lounge A13 after refurbishment, part of Lufthansa’s €2 billion ‘FOX’ (Future Ops & eXperience) programme that is refreshing aircraft cabins and ground facilities through 2028. Hub Manager Francesco Sciortino called the check-in zone “a milestone in the collaboration between Lufthansa and Fraport”, highlighting joint infrastructure projects that will extend to Terminal 3 when it opens in 2026.
For mobility managers the upgrade matters because Frankfurt’s premium queues have been a pain-point since travel rebounded. Morning bank wait times frequently exceeded 30 minutes, disrupting tight connections. Initial live trials indicate the new zone cuts average kerb-to-lounge time to 11 minutes. That efficiency can translate into later hotel check-outs, shorter dwell times and reduced traveller stress.
Practical tip: eligibility mirrors lounge access rules – no paid-upgrade option for economy passengers – but HON Circle account managers can arrange escort privileges for accompanying colleagues. Companies with large contracted volumes should review whether the faster ground process strengthens Frankfurt’s value proposition versus Amsterdam or Zurich for premium itineraries.
The space greets travellers with a concierge-style service bar, staffed agents who handle complex itineraries and oversized baggage, and fully automated “exclusive baggage machines” that promise a sub-one-minute drop-off. High tables with wireless charging, lounge-style seating and private changing rooms allow executives to repack after meetings. A dedicated entrance from car park P31 lets chauffeurs deliver passengers metres from the counters – eliminating the long walk from the main kerb.
The opening coincides with the re-opening of Business Lounge A13 after refurbishment, part of Lufthansa’s €2 billion ‘FOX’ (Future Ops & eXperience) programme that is refreshing aircraft cabins and ground facilities through 2028. Hub Manager Francesco Sciortino called the check-in zone “a milestone in the collaboration between Lufthansa and Fraport”, highlighting joint infrastructure projects that will extend to Terminal 3 when it opens in 2026.
For mobility managers the upgrade matters because Frankfurt’s premium queues have been a pain-point since travel rebounded. Morning bank wait times frequently exceeded 30 minutes, disrupting tight connections. Initial live trials indicate the new zone cuts average kerb-to-lounge time to 11 minutes. That efficiency can translate into later hotel check-outs, shorter dwell times and reduced traveller stress.
Practical tip: eligibility mirrors lounge access rules – no paid-upgrade option for economy passengers – but HON Circle account managers can arrange escort privileges for accompanying colleagues. Companies with large contracted volumes should review whether the faster ground process strengthens Frankfurt’s value proposition versus Amsterdam or Zurich for premium itineraries.
