Frankfurt is where my family is from. So, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is my default airport. It is also an airport with a love-hate history. I know the good spots. I know the bad ones.
And then Terminal 2 arrived.
Now, Terminal 3 is here. I just flew out of it. This isn’t a review of some futuristic sci-fi hub. This is a look at whether the new facility is worth the trip for non-Lufthansa travelers.
How to reach Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3 via SkyLine
Forget arriving happy. If you take the S-Bahn train into the city or out to the airport, you are not done. You have to transfer.
You need to take the SkyLine pedestrian railway.
It moves from the central hub to Terminal 3 on the other side of the grounds. The ride takes ten minutes. But that isn’t the fun part.
The ride is bumpy. Aggressively so. The train accelerates and stops with a jerk that makes your stomach turn. You stand there. Luggage in hand. Holding onto rails. Watching the walls blur past.
Is this intentional? Or is the engineering just tired? It feels unsafe for anyone with mobility issues. I nearly fell. Twice.
By the time you exit the train, your hair is messy and your nerves are frayed. Welcome to Terminal 3.
Terminal 3 layout: Sterile minimalist design
The building itself is modern.
Which is to say, it is cold. The ceilings are high. There is a sense of space when you look up at the exposed wiring and ductwork. They left the ceiling open. Exposed infrastructure looks “industrial chic” to architects. It feels like unfinished basement to the traveler.
Check-in is one long rectangular hall. Security is right after that. Once you airside, things get weird.
There are piers. They are long. They are straight.
There is no natural light in the main corridors. That is intentional, apparently. They don’t want you seeing how grey and miserable Frankfurt weather is. You sit in a fluorescent tunnel until you reach the gate. Then, and only then, do you get floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the tarmac.
The distance between moving walkways is large. You walk for a long time. My gate was far down a pier. By the time I arrived, my steps were counted in thousands.
Note that Lufthansa does not operate here. This matters. Terminal 1 is packed with Star Alliance connections. Terminal 3 sees fewer connecting passengers. People usually move in one direction. It reduces chaos. It does not increase excitement.
Terminal 3 lounge options for Priority Pass and premium travelers
This is where Terminal 3 actually shines.
The old lounges in Terminal 2 were cramped. Outdated. Stale. The situation here is significantly better.
I visited the Priority Lounge. It holds non-Schengen traffic. It also accepts Priority Pass. The room is big. It has high ceilings. There are incredible views of the runways. There is a hidden back room that most people miss.
Emirates also launched a new lounge concept here. It is sleek. It is functional. Qatar Airways will soon open two lounges. That is good news for oneworld members.
From a lounge perspective, Terminal 3 solves a major headache for Frankfurt flyers. The seating is plentiful. The views justify the walk.
Is the new terminal better than the old?
Terminal 2 was a relic. It was cramped. It was dark.
Terminal 3 is bigger. It has more capacity. The lounges are better. The design is cleaner.
But is it memorable?
No. It lacks personality. It is safe. It is predictable.
Think Berlin Brandenburg Airport when it first opened. Terrible construction. Boring design. Frankfurt’s Terminal 3 feels the same way. It does what it needs to do. It doesn’t try to impress you.
Some airports try to dazzle. Portland International (PDX) feels different. It has soul. Terminal 3 has steel beams and carpet tiles.
You get through security. You find your gate. You see the planes. You get to your destination.
The weather outside remains grey. Inside, the lights stay on. The walk back to the train is just as long as the walk there.
