Frankfurt Terminal 3: What the April 2026 Opening Means for Travelers

I still remember my last flight through Frankfurt Terminal 1 in December: A family ahead of me had to completely unpack their backpack. Power banks out, tablets out, water bottles discarded. Ten minutes for one family. From April at Terminal 3? Bag on the belt, walk through, done.

Terminal 3 gets 21 CT scanners at every security checkpoint. What does that mean for you? Your liquids and laptop can stay inside your bag.

No more unpacking in a rush. No more arguments about 100ml bottles. The 3D imaging technology scans everything without you having to tear apart your carry-on.

At Terminal 1, you might get lucky and hit one of the few lanes with CT scanners. Usually not though. Terminal 3 changes that – all 21 lanes have the new technology. For the first time in Germany, you can count on not having to unpack at every flight. Learn more about the current carry-on liquid rules in our comprehensive guide.

This gets real for many travelers: 57 airlines are moving from Terminal 2. If you've been flying Emirates, British Airways, or Air France in recent years, you'll need to remember a new terminal starting in April.

The 4 billion euro project Frankfurt Terminal 3 reshapes the airport. 57 airlines are relocating from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3. Including:

• British Airways

• Emirates

• Air France

• Delta

• Etihad

Lufthansa and Star Alliance stay in Terminal 1. If you're connecting between a Lufthansa flight and, say, Emirates, you'll need to switch terminals. If you're flying with any of these airlines, you should know the current carry-on size limits for all airlines – especially when connecting between different carriers.

The move happens in four waves between mid-April and early June. If you're flying between mid-April and early June: Check your airline app the evening before your flight. I've seen gate changes happen last minute – during a complete terminal relocation, this can happen even more.

Eight minutes on the new Sky Line – sounds relaxing at first. But don't be fooled: Between "leaving the plane" and "arriving at your next gate" there are still walkways, security checks, and the usual waiting times.

The train is big enough for the rush – even when three long-haul flights arrive simultaneously, you shouldn't wait forever.

Real connection time between Terminal 1 and 3? Plan for at least 90 minutes. I know, that sounds like a lot for an 8-minute train ride. But if you've ever connected through Frankfurt, you know: Better too much buffer than standing in front of closed doors at the gate.

Gate waiting time? Doesn't have to be boring. The terminal's marketplace has 30 shops and two food courts across 6,000 square meters – enough to easily pass the time until boarding.

Terminal 3 can handle up to 19 million passengers per year. That's over 50,000 passengers per day – as much as a small city. Or to put it another way: Even on busy days, it should be more relaxed than the current Terminal 2.

Three piers (G, H, and J) divide the flights:

• Pier H serves Schengen flights (within the EU)

• Pier J serves non-Schengen flights (international connections)

Currently, 8,000 volunteers are testing real operations until April.

For years, we've all been refilling our toiletries into tiny bottles and stuffing them into clear plastic bags. From April at Terminal 3? Over.

You can bring your regular sunscreen. That 200ml shampoo bottle? No problem. No more annoying mini bottles.

At airports with CT scanners, the 100ml liquid rule no longer applies. You don't need that clear plastic bag anymore.

Still, an organized toiletry bag like the BAGSMART Kulturbeutel zum Aufhängen - Toiletry Bag für Reise makes sense – not because of security, but because you'll find what you need faster at the gate or in your hotel. I've had mine for three years, and it saves me time searching every single trip.

Even though security with CT scanners is faster, the rule remains: Not everything is allowed in carry-on. Our complete list shows what's generally allowed in carry-on luggage and which items are prohibited.

Keep Your Carry-On Organized

Organization still helps. Not for security, but because you'll find things faster. Packwürfel Set 6-teilig - Packing Cubes für Koffer, Rucksack und Handgepäck work well for this. If you want to maximize space, try Compression Packing Cubes Set für mehr Platz im Koffer & Backpack - Packwürfel Packing Cubes Compression als Rucksack Organizer - Travel Packtaschen Reise - Camping Zubehör & Wander Ausrüstung with compression.

A proper carry-on suitcase like the BEIBYE Hartschalen Koffer Trolley Rollkoffer Reisekoffer 4 Zwillingsrollen Polycabonat (Rosa Gold, Handgepäck 55cm-40L) at 55cm fits most airlines' cabin requirements and uses all the allowed space. We've compared our best carry-on suitcases in 55x40x20 format in practical tests.