When does Frankfurt Terminal 3 open?

The official opening is April 22, 2026. You can book flights from April 23, 2026 – when regular operations start.

Which airlines fly from Terminal 3 Frankfurt?

57 airlines are moving from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3. These include British Airways, Emirates, Air France, Delta, and Etihad. Lufthansa and Star Alliance remain in Terminal 1.

Do liquids need to be unpacked at Terminal 3?

No. Terminal 3 has CT scanners at all 21 security lanes. Liquids and electronics can stay in your carry-on bag.

How do I get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3?

The new Sky Line connects both terminals in 8 minutes. The automated train moves up to 4,000 passengers per hour.

How many passengers can Terminal 3 handle?

Terminal 3 has capacity for up to 19 million passengers per year. *Last updated: January 2026*

Frankfurt Terminal 3 – No More 100ml Rule from April

Ten years of construction at Frankfurt Airport are coming to an end. Terminal 3 opens on April 22, 2026 – and if you're flying through Frankfurt in the coming months, one thing will immediately stand out: That annoying 100ml rule? Gone. Taking out your laptop? Not necessary. The new terminal has CT scanners at every security lane, and it genuinely changes everything.

No More Liquid Hassle at Security

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.

Which Airlines Fly from Frankfurt Terminal 3?

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.

8 Minutes on the Sky Line

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.

What to Expect Inside Frankfurt Terminal 3

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.

Packing Tips for Terminal 3

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.