question on flight

Well, just for information, when you get to Frankfurt, you will need to go through passport control. There can be a line, and it can take time. You will not need to get your bags and you should not need to go through extensive security, just stand in line, show your passport, and go to your gate. So an hour plus, yes, seems tight. The good news however is that this is a typical transfer time. Generally the airline will work to get you to the gate on time, may offer to speed you through the passport check, and in the worst case, put you on the next flight. If you were to reschedule now, that is basically what they would do...just move you to the next flight. Certainly, be prepared to hustle, don't stop at the Biergarten or to shop,just get to your gate.

>> I have never been to Europe and have no idea where to go once we get off the plane in Frankfurt<< First, don't worry. Simply follow the crowds. Most of the people getting off in Frankfurt are connecting to other flights. Find the monitors showing connecting flights, and determine your next gate. On the way to it, you will go through passport control. Frankfurt Airport is huge, but well signed. If you get lost or confused in any way, don't waste any time - immediately ask for assistance. If your arriving flight is on time, and you don't dawdle you should be fine. Assuming you are on one ticket from SFO to VCE, the airline will put you on the next flight if you miss the connection because of late arrival. As you go through the airport, you will pass transfer desks; if you missed your connection, go to one of these for assistance. At your departure gate, there will be free coffee, as your reward for rushing to make the next flight.

Paticia, I would also suggest that you ask your flight attendant to provide you with the gate information and instructions to find your connecting flight. Tell them you're anxious about making the connection; he/she will be glad to help!

There are 3 more flights to VCE later in the afternoon, so don't worry, LH will rebook you later if necessary. I have the same short connection in FRA on the way from SFO to Florence every year I go (I often use the same LH 454 flight out of SFO). I've never missed the connection and I always had time to spare, although at times I had to walk fast to reach the EU Schengen Terminal. FRA is not hard to navigate but the terminals are long so it's a long walk.

Hi Patricia, We just returned from Italy and had 1 hour and 35 minutes for our connection to Florence. The SFO flight was about 30 minutes late arriving, but an hour was fine. The closer you sit to the front of the plane from SFO, the better. However, the plane unloaded on the tarmac, and buses shuttled passengers to immigration. Lines through immigration were not long at all, Germany is pretty efficient. Then we walked to our gate (in the foggy jet lag state, walked to a wrong gate first), then had 5 minutes until Lufthansa loaded the bus to shuttle the passengers to the Lufthansa plane, again parked on the tarmac. The shuttle bus left the gate about 20 minutes before the flight was to depart. I'm not sure if there was a second shuttle if you were not on the first shuttle. As you are walking to your gate in Frankfurt, definitely walk with pace, as it could be a ways away.
I'd also recommend carry on baggage so you don't have to worry about your checked bags making the connection in the event your flight is late. I'd also recommend printing out a schedule with other flight options to Venice, so you know what options are in the event you miss your connection.

we just returned from Italy and we flew from LAX to Frankfurt to catch a connecting flight to Venice. I think 95% of the people on that plane were catching a connecting flight to somewhere else. We deplaned on the tarmac and they loaded us into busses to take us to the terminal. There were planty of Lufthansa employees to assist. We went through passport control and security. The process was very efficient and we were able to make our connecting flight with time to spare. Tne airport was pretty easy to navigate.

If you have checked luggage - First, make sure when you check it at SFO that it is tagged to Venice AND that there is a short-transfer tag on it. I'm not sure the exact term, but the ticket agent will know. When s/he is putting them on your bags, just ask her/him to show you. Second, pack what you need for the first night and next day in your hand luggage. If your bag is delayed, contact the airline before you leave the Venice airport. You need to give them the claim checks, a description of the bags, and your address in Venice. The airline will deliver it to your hotel, but it could take until the next day.