Frankfurt Airport is among the busiest airports in the world for international travellers, with more than 57.5 million passengers passing through last year.
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Now that number is set to soar even higher with the opening of Terminal 3.
Built to handle up to 19 million passengers a year, the main terminal building and two piers – H and J – will officially open on Wednesday 23 April.
Connected to the other terminals by a Sky Line people mover, passengers can reach the building in just eight minutes.
Which airlines will use Frankfurt’s Terminal 3
All airlines which currently operate out of Terminal 2 will move to the new building over the next three months.
Carriers that are among the first to move include Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air and Qatar Airways.
You can see which airlines are moving when on the Frankfurt Airport website.
Terminal 1 airlines, which include Lufthansa Group and its Star Alliance Partners such as Air Canada and United Airlines, will not move.
Terminal 3’s design
German architect Christoph Mäckler is behind the new terminal’s design, which is meant to “convert piers, gates, and lounges into equivalents of a city’s streets and squares” and become a “city in its own right”.
Writing about his work, Mäckler said: “These days airports have become a destination in their own right. In fact, they typically receive more visitors than many city centres.
“This makes it even more important for airports to also perform some of the same functions as cities. We’re making this happen in Terminal 3.”
The seven-level main terminal building has a striking design, with a front that bulges slightly outward. Once through security, you pass through to the main marketplace, which has an undulating, reflective steel ceiling.
Frankfurt-based Tobias Rehberger serves as the terminal building’s “Artist in Residence”, with more pieces set to be added over the coming year.
His artworks and installations dotted around the space are themed around the idea of transition, and feature phrases such as “Say Hello To Goodbye” or “In 2 Days Tomorrow is Yesterday Somewhere Else”.
Food and drink options at Terminal 3
Within the main terminal building, you’ll find two food courts, a bar, and numerous dining options.
Highlights include EL&N London, the cafe known for its Instagrammable dishes, Sophia Loren Restaurant, which will offer Italian dishes, and Origin Bar + Eatery.
You’ll also be able to try plates created by famed baker Axel Schmitt at Brot., and grab a quick bite at Asia Street Cooking or Burger King.
In Pier J, you can grab porridge from Haferkater, sandwiches at Mainbissen, and fresh pasta at Zigolini.
Pier H is home to Brewgate, which serves up both beers and coffee, as well as coffee shops Brew’d and Espresso House.
Shopping at Frankfurt Airport
Alongside your bog standard Duty Free, Terminal 3 will offer stores including menswear store BOSS, jeweller CHRIST, socks and hosiery retailer FALKE, leather goods company LONGCHAMP, watchmaker Montblanc, Victoria’s Secret, a Sunglass Hut and TUMI.
If you pass through security only to realise you’ve forgotten your charger, you can buy one at CAPI Electronics, and if you need a fridge magnet or some other knick-knack to give to your parents, Germany On My Mind has you covered.
Gatezero, a concept store offering the latest street culture fashion and accessories, will also open here.
If you need a space to get some shut eye, you’ll be able to book time in one of the napcabs.