Lufthansa and Fraport have opened a redesigned ‘Gate of the Future’ at Gate A16 in Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport. The joint pilot project uses mobile boarding staff, integrated tablet-based systems, real-time passenger information and lounge-style facilities to test faster, smoother service and identify features that could later be introduced at other gates.
The fixed service counter has been reduced to a single workstation. Staff instead move through the gate with tablets, assisting passengers with seat reservations, upgrades, rebookings and other queries. The devices combine access to several boarding systems through one interface, while QR codes provide direct access to digital self-service options, including the Lufthansa app.
Large wall screens and three 360-degree displays show departure times, boarding status, hand-luggage information and live gate changes. The waiting area includes sofas, selected artwork and flexible Working Cubes designed to offer greater privacy and space for passengers who need to work.
Sensors anonymously record movement patterns in the gate area. Lufthansa and Fraport will use the data and the new software to assess boarding-group management and operational efficiency, although the boarding-pass control process initially remains unchanged. The pilot is scheduled to run through the first quarter of 2027, after which the partners will evaluate the results. No decision or timetable for wider deployment has been announced.