Ideas, thoughts, options, and info on carriers other than FDX please.

UAL to Frankfurt out of ORD/IAD/IAH/EWR, then the high speed train to CGN (takes one hour). Done it dozens of times. Just check the loads on UAL before you go.

DL to DUS + 0:40 on the train or US, UA, or DL to FRA + 1:00 on the train. They're all easy. Train stations are in the airline terminals and the trains run all the time.

Also Delta to AMS, then easy train from there to Köln Hbf.

Thanks for the intel. Btw, how tough is it jumping back to US on said carriers? Been a long time!

Newark - Cologne on UAL

Very easy on UAL out of Frankfurt. Go to the ticket counter, the additional services section, and ask to list for the jumpseat. They are familiar with it. Get listed and PAY THE TAXES (!!!). If they do not mention taxes then ask them about it. Trust me you do not want to get to the gate and then have them remember the taxes. They cannot do taxes at the gate so you have to go back to the ticket counter. In FRA that can be quite a hike. Taxes were 81.5€ last time I did it.