Lufthansa reopens first-class lounge in Frankfurt with reduced food and beverage offering

Lufthansa has finally reopened one of its first-class lounges in Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

The German airline's two first-class lounges in Frankfurt — in Pier A and Pier B — had been closed for the past 12 months, as passenger traffic dropped as a result of the pandemic. In that period, Lufthansa either retired or put into long-term storage a number of aircraft with first-class cabins, further reducing the need for dedicated first-class lounges.

Related: Lufthansa details the future of its first-class experience

The reopened first-class lounge, located near Gate A13 in the Schengen area of Terminal 1 is now open from 6 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. daily, as first reported by One Mile at a Time. The reopening is a positive step towards the return of increased travel this summer, as Germany reduces its pandemic risk level from "very high" to "high."

The lounge is available to Lufthansa first-class and Miles & More Hon Circle passengers commencing or transferring onto a Schengen flight in Frankfurt as well as a guest with a same-flight boarding pass.

Related: What is the Schengen Area and what European countries are included?

Unfortunately, the current strict German COVID-19 regulations on food and beverage service mean the lounge experience is restricted and likely disappointing to any passengers hoping to enjoy a relaxing meal in the lounge as they wait for their flight. The lounge is forbidden from serving food and drinks to be consumed in the lounge. Instead, the lounge will offer takeaway items only, which passengers can take with them to eat at the gate or on their flight.

There is still no word on the potential reopening of the spectacular Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt. This unique building allows first-class passengers to bypass the regular airport terminal completely and enjoy a luxurious and stress-free experience from check-in through to its own private first-class lounge and boarding, including limousine service from the terminal to the plane.

“Though it’s not yet time, the First Class Terminal will come back,” Bjoern Becker, Lufthansa’s senior director of product management for ground and digital services, told TPG in an exclusive interview in 2020.

The third Lufthansa first-class Frankfurt lounge in Pier B, Terminal 1 between gates B22 and B24 also remains closed until further notice.