Frankfurth transit, mct

[Maca44]

Hi all,a question if you please.
In June 2025 I am travelling with Thai from Bangkok (BKK) to Frankfurt (FRA), and then connecting to a Lufthansa flight to Madrid (MAD). I am in Business class and according to tix have a connection time of 1hr 45mins connection time. All flights on the same eticket which shows I arrive into Terminal 1 and depart from same terminal to MAD. I have not flown into/out of FRA previously, but I believe it is a huge airport. I have developed Lymphedema in both legs which is a fluid retention problem, and have arranged for assistance when I arrive at FRA. I have no problem walking short distances or up stairs, but long distance is a problem. My question is whether 1hr 45min will be sufficient, as I don't know whether I have re-clear customs, clear immigration again etc. This is a Saturday flight, and don't have to be in MAD until the Monday so not overly concerned. Your kind thoughts from the many learned people on this forum are welcome.

 

[kelvedon]

You would have to clear customs and immigration at FRA but the flight to Spain is within the Schengen area so not when you land in MAD.

 

[kpc]

You will have to clear immigation which can take time...and walk and walk (usually). 1 hr 45 mins should be enough but you wont get much, if any, lounge time! Hate Fra airport!

 

[Cruise Luxury]

It’s an ambitious connection. It might meet legal minimum connecting times but it wouldn’t take much of a delay to miss the MAD flight. Would generally recommend 3 hours for this transit.

If I was flying economy and arriving FRA in the morning I wouldn’t stress too much. Lufthansa would move you to a later flight. But if I was arriving in the evening and there were no more flights that day to Madrid I would be more concerned (yes they might comp hotel etc but painful especially if hotel booked in Madrid). Also if in business class a missed connection can suck if the next flight doesn’t have space.

Ultimately depends on your stess tolerance. Some people can’t cope when a plane takes off a little late, even though most flights have wiggle room now to be late and still arrive on time.

With your medical matters I would recommend you have wheelchair assistance added to booking WCHR - means you need help covering long distances but can walk up steps. Sometimes means faster lane through customs.

Good luck.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,a question if you please.
In June 2025 I am travelling with Thai from Bangkok (BKK) to Frankfurt (FRA), and then connecting to a Lufthansa flight to Madrid (MAD). I am in Business class and according to tix have a connection time of 1hr 45mins connection time. All flights on the same eticket which shows I arrive into Terminal 1 and depart from same terminal to MAD. I have not flown into/out of FRA previously, but I believe it is a huge airport. I have developed Lymphedema in both legs which is a fluid retention problem, and have arranged for assistance when I arrive at FRA. I have no problem walking short distances or up stairs, but long distance is a problem. My question is whether 1hr 45min will be sufficient, as I don't know whether I have re-clear customs, clear immigration again etc. This is a Saturday flight, and don't have to be in MAD until the Monday so not overly concerned. Your kind thoughts from the many learned people on this forum are welcome.

Are you on the 1225 lunchtime departure on Thai connecting in FRA to MAD? That seems to be the one with the 145 connection.

Given it’s the last flight out on any airline to MAD, there’s probably not a lot you can do unless you want to build in an overnight stop now into your ticket.

The worst that can happen is that you miss the connection and the airline rebooks you the next morning, (As it’s Euro business it is unlikely that the seats will sell out because they can just add an extra row of business class.)

The airline should provide you with accommodation if you miss it.

all things considered I’d probably stick with the connection you have now, having assistance will mean that they will try and get you through as quickly as possible anyway.

 

[Maca44]

It is TG0922 departing BKK 1225 and arriving FRA 19:00, and I understand LH1122 departing 20:45 is the last flight to MAD that night. As mentioned above, I don't have to be in MAD until the Monday so not overly concerned. I have arranged for a wheelchair, and maybe that might assist with "jumping the queue,". Anyway, it is what it is so will just have to wait and see