From numerous German cities, Lufthansa offers feeder connections not only by air, but also by rail. Passengers travel by high-speed ICE train (Lufthansa Express Rail) directly to Frankfurt Airport’s long-distance train station. Situated right above the platforms is the AiRail Terminal, where travelers can drop off checked bags and check in for their flights. On the return journey, the process works in reverse: checked luggage arrives at a dedicated baggage claim carousel near the train station.
The primary advantage was convenience: passengers holding a single connecting ticket didn’t have to haul heavy bags along the long pedestrian walkway into Terminal 1. In practice, however, the facility had drawbacks: luggage delivery to the railway baggage claim often took noticeably longer, and self-service bag drop was rarely faster than using regular or priority counters in the main terminal.
Now, Express Rail passengers must prepare for permanent changes. Lufthansa has confirmed that the AiRail Terminal will close permanently on October 26, 2026. From that date onward, all train-to-air passengers must drop off their luggage inside Terminal 1 and collect inbound bags at the standard baggage reclaim carousels. For passengers traveling with carry-on luggage only and a mobile boarding pass, nothing changes.
Fast Track & Core Perks Remain Intact
Even with the closure of the physical AiRail Terminal, the Lufthansa Express Rail (and Express Bus) program will continue operating as usual. Travelers can still book combined train-and-flight tickets from cities such as Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Cologne, and Nuremberg on a single ticket.
All other key benefits of the combined rail product remain in place:
- Access to the security checkpoint Fast Track / Fast Lane at Frankfurt Airport
- Guaranteed connection in the event of rail or flight delays (note: train delays do not always trigger compensation under EU flight compensation rules)
- Accrual of award miles and Points / Qualifying Points with Miles & More (subject to the usual annual limit for rail segments)
Source: Lufthansa