Frankfurt, head to head

Lufthansa First Class Terminal vs Frankfurt VIP-Services

Frankfurt has two genuine private terminals: the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, which you cannot buy your way into (it takes a Lufthansa or SWISS first ticket or HON Circle status), and Fraport's airport-run VIP-Services, which anyone can book on any airline from €515.

These two get mixed up more than any other pair in the index, and the confusion costs people the trip they wanted. They sit at the same airport and offer much the same thing on the ground (private formalities, a limousine to the aircraft), but who they're for could not be more different. Here is the distinction in full.

FRA Lufthansa First Class Terminal Not for sale FRA VIP-Services From €515 a person
Who runs it
Lufthansa; it's an airline product.
Fraport, the airport operator, independent of any airline.
Who can use it
Lufthansa or SWISS first-class passengers, and HON Circle members. No one else.
Anyone, on any airline, in any cabin.
Can you pay to get in?
No. It is not for sale at any price; it comes with the ticket or the status.
Yes. You book it directly, from €515 a person.
What flight you need
A same-day Lufthansa or SWISS first-class ticket (or HON Circle status flying the group).
Any flight, any airline, any class.
Best for
Lufthansa first-class flyers and HON Circle members, for whom it's free and superb.
Everyone else who wants the private-terminal experience at Frankfurt.
The verdict

There's no real contest because they don't compete: if you hold the Lufthansa first ticket or the status, use the First Class Terminal; it's one of the best in the world and costs you nothing. If you don't, VIP-Services is how you get the same kind of morning at Frankfurt, on whatever you're flying.

FRA · How to access FRA · Book

Both entries last verified 22 July 2026. Every figure is sourced on each terminal's own page.

Browse on
← The full index