Munich Airport Terminal 1 Pier: What to Know

665 million euros. 95,000 square meters. 360 meters long. Munich Airport opened a brand new pier at Terminal 1 in April 2026, and I think most travelers haven't really grasped what that changes. It's not just about extra gates. The new pier has CT scanners that let you keep your laptop in your bag. And liquid containers up to 2 liters? Allowed.

Sounds too good. There's a catch, though.

What Munich Airport's New Terminal 1 Pier Actually Offers

The new Terminal 1 Pier went into regular operation on April 21, 2026. Twelve gates, six of them wide-body capable (including A380). The pier handles non-Schengen flights exclusively. That means everything outside the Schengen area: the US, Asia, the Middle East, Africa.

Over 11,000 passengers and 70+ flights on opening day. Not a quiet start.

You reach the pier via four glass bridges from Module B in Terminal 1. Looks great, honestly. But those 360 meters of walking distance? They add up. If your gate is at the far end, you're looking at 15 to 20 minutes just walking. Keep that in mind if you're running late.

CT Scanners: Keep Your Laptop In, Liquids Up to 2 Liters

This is where it gets interesting for anyone who regularly flies with hand luggage (Coming Soon). The new pier uses CT scanner technology at security checkpoints. Sounds technical, but the practical benefits are real:

Your laptop and tablet stay in your bag. No more pulling them out and placing them in separate trays. Just put your whole backpack on the belt. Done.

Liquids up to 2 liters per container. No zip bag, no 100 ml limit. A full water bottle? Fine. That jumbo sunscreen? Also fine. This was confirmed by an official press release from bayern.de covering the new scanner technology.

Here's the thing people will miss, though.

Not every security checkpoint at Munich Airport has these CT scanners. At conventional checkpoints in other parts of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, the old 100 ml rule with zip bags (Coming Soon) still applies. If your flight doesn't depart from the new pier, pack your liquids the traditional way.

At Kofferly, we'd say: when in doubt, stick to the 100 ml rule. You'll be covered no matter which checkpoint you end up at. For the full breakdown, check our guide on what's allowed in hand luggage (Coming Soon).

Which Airlines Fly from Munich Airport's Terminal 1 Pier?

Around 40 airlines use the new Terminal 1 Pier for non-Schengen routes. Some of the bigger names:

• American Airlines and Delta (North America)

• Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)

• Emirates (Dubai)

• Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi, expanding to 3x daily in summer)

• Qatar Airways (Doha)

• Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City)

New routes for summer 2026 include Air Serbia to Belgrade and Royal Jordanian resuming Amman. Overall, Munich Airport is heading into summer with 90 airlines, over 206,000 flights to 220 destinations across 70 countries. That's a lot of planes.

If you're flying with Turkish Airlines (Coming Soon) or other carriers that serve non-Schengen routes, check whether your flight actually departs from the new pier. Your boarding pass and the airport screens will tell you.

Dining, Shopping and the First Walk-Through Duty-Free

Five restaurants opened in the new pier. I think the mix is pretty solid:

• Käfer (a Munich institution)

• The ODEON by Käfer (the upscale version)

• Cucina Popolare (Italian)

• Münchner Leibspeise (Bavarian food)

• dean&david (quick and light)

Then there's Munich Airport's first walk-through duty-free store. Instead of a cramped shop you squeeze past, you actually walk through the retail space on your way to the gate. Whether you buy anything is up to you. But the temptation is definitely by design.

Practical Tips for Summer 2026 at MUC

Honestly? The new pier doesn't change everything. But a few things are worth knowing:

Allow extra time. Walking distances inside the pier are long. Budget 15 to 20 extra minutes, especially for gates at the far end. If you're carrying heavy hand luggage or dealing with excess baggage fees (Coming Soon), that walk feels even longer.

Take advantage of CT scanners where available. If your flight leaves from the new pier, enjoy the convenience. Laptop stays packed, liquids without zip bags. But don't assume it's the same everywhere at MUC.

Bring a power bank (Coming Soon). Longer waiting times in the pier mean your phone battery takes a hit. New terminals usually have better charging options than older ones, but I wouldn't count on it.

Check your boarding pass. Terminal 1, Module B, then across the glass bridges to the pier. Make sure that's where you're actually headed.

Munich Airport will be packed this summer. 206,000 flights, 90 airlines, school holidays across Germany. If you want a stress-free start to your trip, leave earlier than you normally would.