Frankfurt Main Airport

Transit between LH flights (from BKK then to GVA) at terminal 1. Arriving in the early morning 10-15 people queue at immigration which went quite fast agent spent the whole time discussing with his colleague. Security check had several lines open and only 2 people in front of me but it still took ages: had to put really everything through X-ray (even my passport and boarding pass) then after having passed through the metal detector had to wait 5 minutes for my stuff stuck on the conveyor belt because the employee responsible to move the trays for the last meter had decided to take a break (passenger in front of me tried to reach for his tray and was quite impolitely told to not even think about it). Lots of walking between my gates and then a long bus ride (with no heating despite the -7) to the plane. Signage not extremely clear (felt it made me zigzag through the whole airport) but not as bad as at CDG. Overall the employees (immigration security and LH ground personnel) were not particularly polite nor friendly.

I went through the Frankfurt airport (FRA) on my way back to the US on January 18 2010 after new security procedures were in place and it took an average of 2 minutes per person in line to get through security. When I arrived at the security line about 6 or 7 people were in front of me and it took 15 minutes to get through. They now open and search every bag and I had a pat down search because I set off the alarm even though I had less metal on me than I have had at any airport before (glasses wedding ring and trouser clasp and zipper were all the metal I could think of). I originally had 1 hour 50 minutes scheduled between flights at Frankfurt but that was cut to 1 hour because of weather delays. I almost missed my flight and now I will try to never have less than 3 hours scheduled for Frankfurt. For those who have not connected through Frankfurt on their way to the U.S. you do not need to claim you checked bags in Frankfurt they just go onto the next plane. But you will need to go through security and a passport check on your way from a regional flight to the US. flight. You also are carried by shuttle from your regional plane (at least for some) to the terminal so everyone waits for the last person. That is another reason for why you would want more time for your connection than you would need at most larger US airports.

Terminal 1 at Frankfurt is huge and seriously in need of a re-vamp. Low ceilings with little natural light and not many outside views. Typically efficient German service from check in to boarding. But very little charm. Long term car parking at terminal is very expensive.

Terrible. Unfriendly unwelcoming confusing and unattractive. The size I can deal with the masses you expect but is it so difficult to find some friendly people or a little professionalism to staff the airport with? The general attitude of "it's not my problem - ask someone else" covers the gamut from gate staff through to check in. Germany - this is not how you want to leave an impression on your visitors.

Transited from a Schengen country to international (MXP-FRA-SIN) with Lufthansa. Passed all the shops in the Schengen zone thinking I would get through passport control then shop duty free. However once through security and passport control international travelers are left with a single (small) duty free store a coffee shop and news stand that were both closed. Once really expects more and it doesn't match the experience of other international hubs.

Arrived on Singapore Airlines flight from JFK. Airport is huge requiring long-walks to reach immigration. Also had to walk for good 10 minutes in order to reach my departure gate on the return. Having said that airport is highly functional with courteous immigration agent and check-in agents as well. Information booth is visible with helpful staff. Also Frankfurt Main does have plenty of natural light being an easy 11-minute train ride to Frankfurt's downtown main train station. All in all in spite of its giant size-it is a pleasant and functional airport to travel to and from or connect.

Had a quite positive experience this time at Frankfurt Airport. Arrived with Singapore Airlines and did not have to catch a connecting flight only go through passport control and customs. Immigration took only a couple of minutes luggage was already circling on the belt and within 30 minutes from arriving I was outside the airport and in Germany fastest clearance ever. Was particularly charmed by the luggage trolleys that can ride with you on the escalator. Not by the uniformed lady who barked at me though when I took the trolley inside the toilet. Since I do not have the option of leaving luggage unattended outside the toilet I do not understand her agitation - but that is only a minor detail I could ignore the rest of the experience at FRA was all good.

Schiphol-Riyadh transfer (Lufthansa flight) leads to a crazy route. First the passport control inside the airport because going from to outside Schengen - not enough gates no structure in waiting lines chaos where to stand delay 10-25 minutes! Then internal (already being in the airport) additional bag scanning so additional 10-20 minutes delay. Then walking long distances 3 floors stairs down and up again - or waiting long for a lift - then at the gate no direct access to the airplane but bus transport - 10 minutes drive at least - waiting for airplane and other traffic at crossing on the airfield - walking through cold and rain from bus to aircraft.

Arrived from Toronto on Air Canada at 7am. B gate area clean and quiet. Staff pointed us in direction of A gates. Long walk with poor signs. A area was overfilled with few places for food and insufficient toilets. Security and Passport checks fast but security agents seemed to help German speaking passengers through much faster and with a smile versus our group which received stares and barking from security personel. For passengers on Lufthansa and it's partner airlines you will be fine.

Extremely depressing low ceilings artificial light. Flow of passengers inconsistent with logic.I t seems to have a derelict atmosphere and is not fitted to be a Star alliance hub. On the plus side nice food courts and upscale shops. And of course Terminal 2 -welcome to the future of travel and what I call a nice luminous and well designed terminal. Overall the airport is in serious need of major overhaul