Just wanted to write a quick report on my experience arriving at Frankfurt airport from the U.S. on United on Friday 8/12/22. This was our final destination, and we had no problems with missing luggage or having to wait on our luggage. It was probably about a 10 minute wait once we got to baggage claim. Just wanted to share my experience that it is not all doom and gloom. We will see how the return goes however, but so far so good!
Posted by
Southeast US
4044 posts
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11775 posts
Tumbleweed, You have no idea how delighted I am to hear this! We leave in 10 days and land at FRA. Still debating checking a bag.
A couple of questions.
- Did you fly non-stop?
- Did you see piles of luggage as has been shown on the news?
Thanks and happy travels!
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2547 posts
We flew into Frankfurt Airport for our final leg to Edinburgh on 8/10. Our ongoing flight to Edinburgh was delayed for half an hour as they were still loading baggage on the plane. Baggage control may still be an issue there.
Posted by
Connecticut
692 posts
I flew into and out of Frankfurt last month (from JFK) and also had to meet a large group of travelers on one of the days. On my arrival day bags were delayed about an hour because of staffing however passengers were kept informed as to when bags would reach the carousel. On a subsequent day bags were processed immediately. The group that I met had about 40 people and everyone received their bags promptly from the two different flights. Flights arrived timely.
There were no bags piled up anywhere on my arrival day nor on that subsequent day. The airport was very busy with long lines for departing passengers but no outrageous wait times. It appeared to be simply a busy but not at all overwhelming situation. Security and passport control were a breeze. The layout for security (at least in terminal 2) for international travelers is very different from the typical USA airport. You go through security when you reach a specific block of gates.
On departure day lines were much shorter. There were no lines of people out the doors at either terminal at any time during my visits in July. Staff were friendly and helpful. I was in and out of the airport on four different days. The group that I was traveling with retrieved their bags without delay upon return to the USA and boarded the bus home together.
There is no doubt that baggage handling and other services are not up to par at some airports. Frankfurt was not one of them during my time there.
Posted by
Chicago
555 posts
In the 1990s, the Frankfurt airport was my least favorite in Europe -- a Cold War monstrosity that was as inviting as an underground bunker. Then in the 2000s it was renovated. Now it's among my favorites. Plus, there are amble opportunities to indulge in great German food and beer!
Posted by
New York, NY
4071 posts
How long did it take to go through immigration and customs at Frankfurt Airport? I will be arriving at Terminal 2 from JFK (Delta) on a Tuesday morning in early October and I’m just curious how long it has been taking this summer.
Posted by
OP
Northern Virginia, USA
20 posts
Hi, OP here. Hopefully I'll address all the questions asked. We flew nonstop from Dulles in VA to Frankfurt, arrival time around 12:30 p.m. Passport control took awhile but that was only because there was one agent checking a huge line of non-EU passports, meanwhile there were 2 agents for the EU passport line and hardly anyone in that line to begin with. Finally they got 2 more agents and the line started to move. I would say that part took about 20-25 minutes but maybe a bit longer. Once they fixed the agent situation the line moved. As far as baggage claim, no piles of luggage to be seen anywhere. There were some unclaimed suitcases in a line, but not like the piles I saw in a video a few weeks ago! Just one or two claim belts were running so it was not chaotic at all. But, lots of walking from the gate to baggage claim. Also United texted us a link to track the whereabouts of our suitcase, but I never checked on it.