Frankfurt airport is Lufthansa’s hub, a legacy carrier that still has separate lounges for first, business and frequent fliers. It’s also one of the few airlines that has indoor smoking areas in its lounges. When checking in, check out the flip clap board at the check-in area, it’s a dying breed.
Lufthansa Business Lounge East
The business lounge east is near the twenties gates in concourse B. It is its own circular nodule on the top of the terminal with views on three sides. There is a sleeping area and soundproof phone rooms on one side and a buffet and self-serve bar on the other side.
A small selection of English and German newspapers are available on a rack as are hangars for winter coats. The food is budget German cuisine of breads, spätzle, several desserts and two soups. Showers are available on request.
Lufthansa Business Lounge West
The two business lounges are identically mirrored. This lounge is near the forties gates in terminal B. The only slight difference is in the food offering. While the lounge in the east wing had a vegetable soup and chicken a la king, the west lounge had a cream soup and currywurst.
Both lounges are accessible for Star Alliance business class customers or those with Star Alliance Gold status.
Lufthansa Senator Lounge
The Senator lounge is a step up from the business lounges. If you have an invitation to the Senator lounge, business lounge attendants will inform you that it is the better choice. And it is. A spa is next to the full bar. I used the shower room, but a massage wasn’t available at the time I visited.
In addition to the newspapers, there is a magazine rack next to the bar. There is also a wider selection of food, such as a beef stew, crunchy Frankfurter sausages, and a my favourite Kaiserschmarrn dessert. I particularly enjoyed the cheese and sliced ham selection.
My only complaints are that the staff never smiled and I got “American BBQ” chicken wings on my second visit. I didn’t come all the way to Germany to eat Yank food.
Lufthansa Welcome Lounge
It’s rare for airlines to offer dedicated arrival lounges. While Air Canada and United extend arrival lounge privileges to certain status members, it’s just admission to the regular departure lounges upon landing. The Frankfurt Welcome Lounge is for first and business class travellers on Lufthansa operated flights only.
I had a 10-hour layover in Frankfurt, so I got a brunch, showered, and got a bit of work done (i.e. writing this review) before I left refreshed for the day. There are hot and cold breakfast options, and the staff can make you two eggs any style upon request if it’s not too busy.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
This was the first lounge I had ever left immediately after walking in. The staff enforced the three-hour rule from scheduled takeoff time, not from boarding time like Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada. Showers are available as are a limited number of razor and dental hygiene kits.
The food and alcohol options were also identical to that of the two Lufthansa Business lounges (likely run by the same lounge operator). Without a wet bar and fewer food options than the Senator Lounge, I turned right around and went back downstairs. If everyone who has access to a Maple Leaf Lounge (Star Alliance Gold or business class) can also visit the Senator Lounge, then why does it even exist?
