“German airports” and “positive news” rarely coexist in the same statement. In this context, here’s possibly the most thrilling airport advancement for Germany since the inauguration of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3 will accommodate the majority of airlines
So far, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) has operated with two terminals — Terminal 1 caters to Lufthansa and numerous Star Alliance affiliates, while Terminal 2 is designated for most non-Star Alliance carriers, excluding Condor. Yes, I recognize some may be astonished to find that the Lufthansa First Class Terminal isn’t the only segment of the airport departure zone. 😉
In any case, Terminal 2 in Frankfurt was launched in 1994, and it doesn’t exactly exude a luxurious vibe. Not that Terminal 1 is exceptional either, but in my view, Terminal 2 is particularly lackluster.
The good news is that for several years, development has been underway for Terminal 3, the airport’s fresh terminal. That terminal has been officially inaugurated today, April 22, 2026, and the inaugural flight from the new terminal is expected to operate tomorrow.
This not only signifies a much-needed boost in capacity but also showcases a much more aesthetically pleasing design compared to the other two terminals.
The intention is for all airlines currently operating in Terminal 2 to relocate to Terminal 3 — after all, the new terminal can accommodate 19 million passengers annually, while the previous terminal has a capacity of 15 million annual passengers.
Subsequently, Terminal 2 will undergo a redevelopment process, and we will see what unfolds from there. We know that Lufthansa aims to expand into Terminal 2 as well, but it’s uncertain how that will develop, given the long-term nature of the project.
So, what is the schedule for airlines moving from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3? Airlines are anticipated to transition to Terminal 3 over four sets of dates, commencing on April 23 and concluding on June 9, 2026.
Terminal 3 is positioned at the far end of the “field” from Terminals 1 and 2 (across all parallel runways), though there is a SkyLine link between the terminals, running every two minutes, with a travel time of up to 10 minutes.
What’s the situation regarding lounges in Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3?
With the launch of Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3, it’s intriguing how little has been reported about lounges in the new terminal. Currently, Terminal 2 features the Air France Lounge, Emirates Lounge, Japan Airlines Lounge, Primeclass Lounge, and Priority Lounge.
As of now, the only announcement regarding Terminal 3 I’ve encountered is that there will be a SkyTeam Lounge occupying around 550 square meters (6,920 square feet). However, this will be in the non-Schengen region, specifically for passengers traveling with China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, Korean Air, MEA, Saudia, and Vietnam Airlines.
What of lounges beyond this? I understand that Air France is also set to establish a lounge in the terminal, but as the airline is not scheduled to move in for several weeks, it’s not open yet.
What I haven’t come across is what can be anticipated from other lounges, including those from oneworld airlines, as well as additional lounge choices. The oneworld alliance doesn’t necessitate a Schengen lounge, but it does require a non-Schengen lounge.
We’ve witnessed the oneworld alliance begin to unveil its own branded lounges, and one would think that Terminal 3 would be an ideal candidate for such a facility, rather than a lounge exclusive to Japan Airlines. I have heard speculation that Qatar Airways might be establishing its own lounge in the terminal (which would be fantastic news), but that has yet to be officially confirmed.
I also presume that Emirates will establish a lounge in the terminal, given the importance the airline places on operating its own facilities. Then there’s the matter of what Priority Pass or contract lounges will emerge — will Primeclass migrate over, and will there be another lounge, perhaps with different branding? Only time will