Lufthansa is a popular German airline with its corporate headquarters in Cologne and its main operations base at Frankfurt Airport. Its other hubs include Munich, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Vienna, and Zurich. From there, the airline serves more than 200 cities in 78 countries around the world, mainly in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Lufthansa transported 145.2 million passengers in 2019, a number that continues to grow each year. Nearly 77 percent of them arrived on time, which is a decent on-time performance. However, this still leaves many passengers facing delays. If you’ve recently flown with this major German carrier and experienced problems, you may be entitled to Lufthansa compensation for your troubles. Start here to discover if you’re eligible for Lufthansa flight delay compensation, cancellation compensation, or other accommodations.
First things first: How much Lufthansa delay compensation could you be eligible for? The answer depends on the length of your flight and the length of your delay:
| Flight Length | Delay Length | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1,500km | 3 hours or more | €250 |
| Between 1,500km and 3,500km | 3 hours or more | €400 |
| More than 3,500km, between an EU and non-EU airport | 3-4 hours | €300 |
| More than 3,500km, between an EU and non-EU airport | 4 hours or more | €600 |
Overall, if you’ve been delayed for 3 hours or more, you may be able to file a Lufthansa claim for compensation. Keep in mind that eligibility is based on your arrival time, not your departure time. If your flight arrives at least 3 hours later than scheduled, you can claim compensation. However, if your flight leaves your origin airport 3 hours late but still arrives less than 3 hours late, you may not be able to make a claim.
If your flight is cutting it close to 3 hours, you may wonder what exactly qualifies as your arrival time. The European courts have ruled that a plane has 'arrived' when it opens at least one of its doors. If the doors remain closed, you haven’t officially arrived by EU 261 standards. Be sure to note your official arrival time for later.
If your flight is delayed more than 5 hours, you don’t have to take the rescheduled flight. The airline must arrange alternate transportation or fly you back to your origin point. The value of these accommodations does not count toward the total compensation you are owed under EU 261.
Cancelled flights can cause massive disruptions, especially if you are notified at the last minute. If the airline cancels your flight with less than 14 days’ notice, you could be entitled to Lufthansa compensation depending on the length of your flight:
| Flight Length | Amount Owed |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500km | €250 |
| 1,500km – 3,500km | €400 |
| More than 3,500km | €600 |
If Lufthansa cancels your flight with more than 14 days’ notice, you’re not entitled to compensation. However, if they offer to re-route you and you don’t wish to accept the new ticket, you can request a full refund instead.
Airlines often overbook flights to maximize profitability, which can lead to passengers being bumped from confirmed flights. If this happens to you, you may be entitled to Lufthansa compensation for overbooked flights under EU 261.
However, if you are denied boarding due to reasons within your control (such as being inebriated or lacking proper travel documents), you may not be able to claim compensation.
It’s important to know that Lufthansa only owes compensation under EU 261 if the cause of the delay or cancellation was within its control. Here’s a list of controllable and uncontrollable situations:
To increase your chances of receiving Lufthansa compensation, be proactive. Get to your gate early, ask questions, and monitor the situation. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, Lufthansa should provide vouchers for meals, phone calls, or hotel accommodations. Save your receipts if you don't receive vouchers.
Filing a Lufthansa compensation claim is easy with TravelRefund. Simply ensure you have your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and receipts for any expenses incurred. Make a claim on our website, and we’ll review it as soon as possible. From there, we’ll handle all communication with the airline.
Our 'no cure, no pay' system means you only pay if we win. We’ll handle every aspect of your Lufthansa compensation claim, including taking the airline to court if necessary. Contact us today to get started.