Jazmin Li
Germany is home to a vast network of airports catering to both domestic and international travellers. Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport are two of the largest airports in Germany. Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Germany and the fourth busiest in Europe, handling over 50 million passengers in 2021. It is also one of the busiest airports in the world. Munich Airport is the second-largest airport in Germany and the seventh busiest in Europe, with over 25 million passengers in 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of seats | Frankfurt: 3.34 million; Munich: 1.10 million |
| Global rank | Frankfurt: 6th; Munich: 29th |
| European rank | Frankfurt: 3rd; Munich: 8th |
| Number of destinations | Frankfurt: 92; Munich: 34 |
| Number of countries with flights | Frankfurt: 38; Munich: 15 |
| Number of US airports with flights | Frankfurt: 29; Munich: 13 |
| Number of unique destinations | Frankfurt: 1; Munich: 4 |
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What You'll Learn
- Frankfurt is Europe's third-busiest long-haul airport, while Munich is eighth
- Frankfurt has more destinations overall, but Munich has four exclusive ones
- Munich is smaller but easier to navigate, with a smoother experience
- Frankfurt has more ways to get home in case of service disruptions
- Frankfurt has more long-haul seats, but Dubai has more than both
Frankfurt is Europe's third-busiest long-haul airport, while Munich is eighth
Frankfurt Airport is Germany's biggest airport, covering 23 square kilometres. It features two main terminals, which saw 64 million passengers in 2017. It is Europe's third-busiest long-haul airport and sixth globally, with 3.34 million departing long-haul seats in July-September (Q3) 2023. Frankfurt has flights to 92 destinations in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, North America and South America.
Frankfurt is a major hub for Lufthansa, which is the leading carrier for flights to the US from Frankfurt, serving 29 airports across the country. Other airlines operating out of Frankfurt include United Airlines, Condor, Eurowings Discover, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
In comparison, Munich Airport is Germany's second-biggest airport, covering 15.75 square kilometres. It is Europe's eighth-busiest airport and 29th worldwide, with 1.1 million departing long-haul seats in July-September (Q3) 2023. Munich has a smaller network, serving 34 destinations in 15 countries, including 13 in the US. Lufthansa is the leading carrier for long-haul flights from Munich, serving destinations such as San Diego, Osaka and Rio de Janeiro. United, Delta and American also operate long-haul flights from Munich.
While Munich has a smaller network, it has seen significant growth in long-haul traffic, with a 12% year-on-year increase in Q1 2011. Both Frankfurt and Munich are important long-haul hubs, benefiting from their association with Lufthansa and Star Alliance.
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Frankfurt has more destinations overall, but Munich has four exclusive ones
Frankfurt and Munich are both important long-haul airports, with Frankfurt being the sixth busiest long-haul airport globally and Munich being the 29th. Frankfurt has a greater number of destinations overall, with 92 destinations in 38 countries, compared to Munich's 34 destinations in 15 countries. However, it is worth noting that Munich has four exclusive destinations that are not served from Frankfurt: Dushanbe, San Diego, Osaka KIX, and Rio de Janeiro. These destinations were previously served from Frankfurt but have since switched to Munich.
Frankfurt's long-haul scheduled passenger network includes flights to various regions, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, North America, and South America. On the other hand, Munich's network covers the same regions except for the Caribbean and Central America. Despite having fewer destinations, Munich has seen a significant increase in traffic, with a 12% year-over-year increase in the first quarter of 2011, outpacing Frankfurt in terms of growth rate.
When it comes to passenger experience, some travellers find Munich airport easier and more pleasant to navigate compared to Frankfurt. Munich is described as having a smoother process, with gates that are fairly close to each other and efficient and polite officials. Additionally, there are several dining options available, which can be convenient for passengers with longer layovers.
In terms of airline presence, Lufthansa plays a significant role in both airports. Frankfurt also has a strong presence of other airlines, including United Airlines, Condor, Eurowings Discover, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Munich, on the other hand, has a slightly more limited range of airlines, with Lufthansa, United, Delta, and American serving most of its destinations.
While Frankfurt offers more destinations and potentially more flexibility in terms of travel options, Munich's exclusivity to certain destinations, its growth in traffic, and its positive reputation for ease and convenience make it a competitive alternative to Frankfurt.
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Munich is smaller but easier to navigate, with a smoother experience
Munich Airport is smaller than Frankfurt Airport. Frankfurt is Europe's third-busiest long-haul airport and the sixth globally, with 3.34 million departing long-haul seats in Q3. Munich, on the other hand, is the eighth-busiest airport in Europe and 29th worldwide, with 1.1 million departing long-haul seats in the same period. Frankfurt offers flights to 92 destinations in 38 countries, while Munich serves 34 destinations in 15 countries.
Despite its smaller size, Munich Airport is preferred by many travellers due to its ease of navigation and smoother overall experience. The gates are relatively close to each other, and the environment is pleasant. The officials, including those at passport control, are described as efficient and polite. Additionally, there are several good dining options available, which can be convenient for travellers with longer layovers.
The smaller size of Munich Airport means that distances within the airport are shorter, making connections more manageable. This can be especially beneficial for travellers with tight connection times, as they can avoid the stress and risk of missing their flights. In contrast, Frankfurt's larger size may require longer walking distances and potentially more complex navigation, which could be a disadvantage for passengers with limited time between flights.
Munich's efficiency is also reflected in its immigration process. While Frankfurt has a dedicated line for "All Other Passports," which can sometimes result in long waits, Munich's immigration procedures are generally swift and efficient, as reported by travellers. This can be a significant factor when choosing an airport, especially for those who value time and convenience.
Overall, despite its smaller size, Munich Airport offers a more seamless and enjoyable travel experience. Its efficient navigation, pleasant atmosphere, and swift immigration procedures make it a preferred choice for many travellers, even those with a slight detour to reach the airport.
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Frankfurt has more ways to get home in case of service disruptions
When it comes to choosing between Frankfurt and Munich airports, several factors come into play, including the ease of navigation, availability of flight options, and resilience in case of service disruptions. While Munich is indeed smaller and easier to navigate, as travellers have pointed out, Frankfurt offers more diverse options for getting home in the event of unforeseen issues like strikes or volcano eruptions.
Frankfurt Airport, being Europe's third busiest long-haul airport and the sixth globally, boasts an extensive network of flights. This diversity of flight options translates into more alternatives for travellers in case of service disruptions. Frankfurt's long-haul scheduled passenger network includes an impressive 92 destinations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, North America, and South America. On the other hand, Munich's network covers 34 destinations, which is still substantial but not as comprehensive as Frankfurt's.
The availability of more destinations from Frankfurt translates into a higher likelihood of finding a suitable alternative flight if your original plans are disrupted. This redundancy in flight options can provide peace of mind, especially for travellers facing time constraints or those with less flexibility in their itineraries. Frankfurt's larger size and higher passenger volume also contribute to the increased likelihood of finding a different flight in case of last-minute changes or cancellations.
Additionally, Frankfurt's status as a major aviation hub means it is served by a wide range of airlines, increasing the chances of finding an alternative flight with a different carrier in case of disruptions. While Lufthansa is a prominent carrier at both airports, Frankfurt also offers flights from other major airlines, such as United Airlines, Condor, Eurowings Discover, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. This diversity of carriers further enhances the airport's resilience in handling service disruptions.
When considering the potential challenges of service disruptions, Frankfurt's larger size and higher passenger volume can also be advantageous. While it may contribute to longer connection times and slightly longer queues, the efficiency of the airport's operations, including immigration processes, can help mitigate these concerns. Moreover, the availability of various dining and entertainment options within the airport can help turn potential waiting times into enjoyable breaks during your journey. Therefore, while Munich may offer a more compact and straightforward layout, Frankfurt provides the assurance of multiple travel options, making it a more reliable choice in the face of unforeseen events.
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Frankfurt has more long-haul seats, but Dubai has more than both
Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport are important long-haul airports, with Frankfurt being the larger of the two. Frankfurt has 3.34 million departing long-haul seats compared to Munich's 1.10 million. Frankfurt offers flights to 92 destinations in 38 countries, while Munich serves 34 destinations in 15 countries. However, when it comes to available seats, Dubai surpasses both Frankfurt and Munich. Dubai International Airport has experienced tremendous growth, with long-haul flights accounting for 26% of its total departures. The dominance of Emirates, which operates 83% of the airport's long-haul services, has been instrumental in solidifying Dubai's status as a major player in long-haul air traffic.
Frankfurt's long-haul network comprises flights to a diverse range of regions, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, North America, and South America. Two-thirds of the seats from Frankfurt are offered by Star Alliance carriers. On the other hand, Munich, being a smaller hub, has a more limited network. Its long-haul capacity accounts for nearly 87% of its overall capacity, with 28 destinations. While Munich has fewer destinations than Frankfurt, it still offers a significant number of long-haul routes, catering to a wide range of passenger needs.
A closer look at the destinations served by these airports reveals that the US is the leading nation from both German hubs. Frankfurt offers flights to 29 US airports, while Munich provides connections to 13 US destinations. Additionally, Frankfurt has expanded its network with new routes, such as Air Premia from Seoul Incheon and Condor to Edmonton. Munich has also resumed previously served routes, such as Air China's Beijing-Munich flights, showcasing the continuous development of their long-haul offerings.
Despite the extensive networks of Frankfurt and Munich, Dubai stands out when it comes to available seats. This is largely due to the significant contribution of Emirates, which has established Dubai as a crucial hub for intercontinental travel, especially between Asia, Europe, and the Americas. However, it is important to note that the number of available seats does not always reflect passenger traffic or destination preferences. For example, Germans are Dubai's second-largest source of European tourists, despite the capacity differences between Dubai and German airports.
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Frequently asked questions
Frankfurt Airport is bigger than Munich Airport. However, Munich is still considered easier and more pleasant to navigate.
The larger size of Frankfurt airport means that connections may be tighter, and it may take longer to get from one concourse to another. Munich airport is noted for its smooth connections and pleasant environment.
Frankfurt is Europe's third-busiest long-haul airport and the sixth globally. Munich is the eighth busiest airport in Europe and 29th worldwide. Frankfurt has flights to 92 destinations in 38 countries, while Munich serves 34 destinations in 15 countries.
