Due to the ratcheting up of security measures instituted by the TSA at airports worldwide, passengers bound for the USA are being asked to arrive at the airport earlier than normal to account for the extra scrutiny.

Specific to Lufthansa, it is asking passengers flying to the USA from Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich to be at the airport at least an hour prior to their flight if flying in Economy or Premium Economy, and 40 minutes prior if flying in Business or First Class.  LH is referring to this as the minimum time needed for ‘Check-In Acceptance’.  

It may be a good idea to make sure you check in to your flight before coming to the airport. Easy to do via Lufthansa.com or the LH App. This way you can bypass the check-in process at the airport and head straight to your gate.

According to LH, this additional time requirement is not being instituted at any other airport where Lufthansa Group flights depart for the USA.   Their press release also suggests that your small electronic devices may be subject to additional scrutiny before you are allowed to board your flight.   That however, is a small price to pay for the ability to at least take your electronics on board.

Minimum connection times at the affected airports will not change.

The release did mention SWISS flights from Zurich, and is asking passengers bound for the USA to show up in ZRH at least 3 hours ahead of departure.

 

a close-up of a plane