Lufthansa: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding

According to EU laws, every time your Lufthansa flight to or from Europe is delayed for more than 3 hours or cancelled less than 2 weeks before the departure, you might be entitled to Lufthansa compensation for delayed flight / cancellation (up to €600 per passenger).

How to claim Lufthansa flight delay compensation?

How to receive Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation?

Check your compensation online!

Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.

Here are 6 main topics that we will focus on:

1. What to do if your flight is delayed?

2. What to do if your flight is cancelled?

3. How to claim Lufthansa flight delay compensation?

4. How to claim Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation?

5. How to claim Lufthansa denied boarding compensation?

6. Connecting flights with Lufthansa

1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?

What should you do if your Lufthansa flight is delayed?

Could you be entitled to Lufthansa flight delay compensation? And, if yes, what are the rules? How much can you claim and what's needed of you?

1.1 If you are still at home

Don’t proceed to the airport just yet.

But instead check why is your Lufthansa flight delayed. If you have received an email or sms from Lufthansa informing you about the delay, there most probably will also be an explanation of the situation.

Alternatively you can use FlightStats and Flightradar24.

These are two of the best sites to check the status of your flight online.

If it’s expected to be a long delay, stay at home for a while. Otherwise - wait for a while, check the status of your flight and if nothing has changed proceed as planned.

Is there a connecting flight you may miss now?

If it’s a connecting flight with Lufthansa, then there is nothing to worry about. The company will take care of that. If necessary, you’ll be booked on another flight at no extra cost. There's no such thing as Lufthansa missed connection compensation, but it's highly likely that you will be entitled to flight delay compensation for the journey as a whole -- if you arrive 3+ hours later than planned.

If it’s a separately booked flight, you will have to deal with the consequences yourself.

It's gonna be your responsibility.

1.2 If you are already at the airport

And if you have already gone throught the security, wait for more information.

There is no reason to stress about it. Flight delays happen every day. Sit down somewhere and continue occasionally checking your Lufthansa flight status. Either online or by going to the flight information screens at the airport. Contact airport information desk, if you don’t understand information available to you.

If you haven’t checked in yet, see if the check in counter is open.

If check in has started, proceed as usual.

Check in for the flight and proceed through security.

You'll make a claim for Lufthansa compensation later. If it turns out to be a 3+ hour delay. You can do it once you get to your destination.

If you have a connecting flight that you may miss now, it’s time to think of a plan. If it’s a connecting flight with Lufthansa, the airline will take care of that. If it’s a self connecting flight you have booked separately, look for alternative flight or flights. If internet at the airport is bad, contact someone you trust and ask them to look for the flights.

Clock on the wall

- 3 hour flight delay

When travelling from the EU or to the EU - you are under the EU protection.

And according to EU regulations, in most of situations (there are a few exceptions) when your Lufthansa flight is late and you have to wait at the airport for more than 3 hours, the airline is obliged to provide you with a free meal and drink, plus two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes.

It applies to all Lufthansa flight delays. It doesn’t matter if the reason of the delay is something within or out of the airline’s control.

All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 (EC 261).

If you haven’t received any of that, ask for it.

- Long delay (Overnight delay)

But what if it’s going to be a much longer delay?

In all the situations when you have to stay at the airport overnight, while waiting for your flight, the airline has to take care of you. In this case Lufthansa is obliged to provide you with free hotel accommodation, transport to and from it. Plus free meals and drinks like in case of a shorter delay.

Every passenger is eligible to this type of care by Lufthansa.

The rules are the same for all Lufthansa flights to, from or within Europe.

Again - thanks to the Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261.

1.3 If it's fault of Lufthansa

If it’s their fault, you may as well receive flight delay compensation up to €600.

That’s in case your flight is heavily delayed and you reach your final destination at least 3 hours later than planned.

If it’s a shorter delay, it doesn’t count. Or if it departs more than 3 hours later than planned, but arrives to the destination, let’s say, 2 hours and 45 minutes late. In this situation as well mostly you will not be entitled to flight delay compensation.

Was your flight 3 or more hours late?

Now you can claim for flight delay compensation online.

1.4 Why do flights get delayed?

Here are some of the top reasons why flights get delayed.

2. What to do if your flight is CANCELLED?

What to do if your Lufthansa flight is cancelled?

Could you be entitled to compensation? If yes, what are the rules regarding Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation?

Could you be entitled to flight cancellation compensation?

2.1 If you are still at home

First of all, read the email you have received from Lufthansa carefully. This way you'll learn what has happened, why is your Lufhansa flight cancelled and what the company is offering. Choose what suits you the best.

Don’t forget to take into account your other travel plans you might have.

Haven’t received anything from Lufthansa?

If you haven’t received any message or email from them, contact the airline yourself. To ask what has happened and what should you do now. No matter the reason of the disruption, they still have to take you to your destination. Plus - provide you with food, if you’ll have to wait at the airport for more than 3-4 hours, and accommodation, if that is going to be an oven longer delay.

And if that’s their fault, they also owe you a compensation.

That's if they have informed you 14 days or less before the flight. If your flight is cancelled more than 2 weeks before the trip, you can't get the above mentioned compensation.

2.2 If you are already at the airport

Have you already gone through security?

If yes, wait for more information regarding your flight cancellation.

If you haven’t yet, wait for more information but don’t proceed through the security yet. Because you may not fly anywhere today. Sometimes it takes an hour or two. Other times - a day. Until your airline finds the best solution for all affected passengers.

Do you have a connecting flight?

Are there any other flights you are going to miss now?

Or maybe a bus, train or ferry?

If there is something, make a new plan. If there isn’t anything, relax and wait for more information regarding your flight.

If you have a connecting flight booked with Lufthansa, relax.

They will take care of that.

According to the Lufthansa missed flight guidelines, if it's their fault that you've missed your connection flight, then they take care of that -- providing a new flight for free if necessary.

If it’s a flight you have booked separately, you may need to book another one. But don’t rush it! While you don’t know when exactly what’s happening next. If it’s a bus or ferry, find out if it’s possible to use the same ticket for a later departure or change the time and date.

A red alarm clock

- 3 hour flight delay

Lufthansa has offered you a new flight. It leaves in a few hours.

Is there something else you should know? Yes.

If you’ll have to wait at the airport for more than 3 hours, the airline has to provide you with free meal and drink (mostly in form of coupons), plus two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes.

If nothing is being offered, ask for it by contacting their staff at the airport.

- Long delay (Overnight delay)

There will be a new flight. But it’s leaving… only tomorrow.

Or maybe you’ve been presented with several options - one or several flights that are leaving sooner and another one leaving tomorrow. And you have chosen the one leaving later. No matter the circumstances, now Lufthansa must also provide you with free accommodation and transportation to and from it.

Get in touch with Lufthansa representatives at the airport.

No matter the cause of the cancellation, and whether it's within our out of the airline’s control, you have a right to care. That includes also flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances. Every passenger who has a flight ticket is entitled to this type of care by Lufthansa. Apart from that they still have to take you to your destination.

The same rules apply to all Lufthansa cancelled flights.

2.3 If it's fault of Lufthansa

You may as well receive compensation up to €600.

And, yes, if you have to wait overnight, you should be able to receive all of that - free food, free accommodation, new flight to your destination and flight cancellation compensation. You don't even have to have a travel insurance to get this Lufthansa compensation.

You can also choose a full refund instead of a new flight.

In this case your Lufthansa refund must be paid in cash.

You don't have to accept coupons or vouchers.

2.4 Why do flights get cancelled?

Here are some of the top reasons why flights get cancelled.

There we also explain when you would and when you wouldn't be entitled to compensation. So, you know when it is and when it isn't worth making a claim for Lufthansa cancelled flight compensation.

How to claim compensation

3. How to claim Lufthansa flight delay compensation?

Your flight was more than 3 hours late. It was Lufthansa’s fault.

And now you are entitled to flight delay compensation.

How to get it? How to claim your Lufthansa flight delay compensation?

There are two options:

1. You can try and do it yourself. Contact Lufthansa, claim compensation and wait. Submit all the information they are asking for and hope for the best. If you decide to go this way, and do it yourself, remember to be persistent in your communication with Lufthansa. And be prepared to search for a legal advice at some point.

Can't find the Lufthansa delayed flight compensation form? Use the contact form or feedback form instead.

2. Less time consuming option - file a claim online with us.

Or in other words let us do it on your behalf.

Let us claim your Lufthansa flight delay compensation on your behalf.

Documents on the table next to a laptop

When working with us, here is all you will have to do:

Go to this page;
Fill in the details about yourself and your Lufthansa flight delay;
Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
Sign the claim online.

And that’s it. We’ll do the rest.

The best part? We ask for no upfront fees, and you’ll pay nothing if it turns out that you aren’t entitled to Lufthansa delay compensation after all. No win, no fees, as we say. If we are successful, however, we’ll only take €25 + 25% of the amount of your Lufthansa compensation, and transfer you the rest.

Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.

- How long does it take?

In most situations around 2-3 months.

Sometimes more, if, for example, we need to go to court.

But don’t worry as we’ll keep you updated.

- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?

It depends from country to country, but mostly at least 2-3 years.

For the best chance of getting your compensation easy and fast, submit your Lufthansa claim as soon after the delay or cancellation as possible.

- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?

No.

It applies to everyone.

No matter the nationality and age (it applies to infants as well).

Yes, you must be travelling from or within the EU, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.

And, yes, if you are travelling from another country to one of these above mentioned countries, it applies only if you are travelling with a European airline.

But you don’t have to be European to be entitled to European flight delay compensation in this case.

Lufthansa is a European airline. That's why all of this applies to all its flights to, from or within these countries.

When you're flying with non-EU airlines, it applies only to flights departing from these countries.

- What about codeshare flights?

What if you were on a codeshare flight?

What if you bought a ticket from one airline, but the flight was operated by another company? Which company is the one to be held responsible if there are problems with the flight?

Which one is going to pay the compensation?

The one operating the flight.

But that's only true regarding the compensation. If the first flight of your journey is delayed and because of that you have missed your connecting flight, the marketing airline is responsible for booking you into the next available flight for free. If that has happened, contact the airline you booked your flight from.

3.1 How much can you claim?

The amount of Lufthansa delayed flight compensation is fixed.

In most of situations it’s gonna be either 250, 400 or 600 euro.

The longer the journey, the bigger will be the compensation you may receive.

The rules are the same for all airlines operating in Europe, and they are the same for everyone. No matter the age, nationality, airline, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Your under 2 years old can receive full flight compensation, too.

4. How to claim Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation?

Your flight was cancelled.

You were informed less than 14 days before the date of departure.

It was Lufhansa's fault that the flight got cancelled. And now you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation. What should you do next?

How to claim your Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation?

There are your options:

1. You can do it on your own. You can contact Lufhansa. Submit information about your cancellation. Submit everything they are asking for, and wait. If you’re thinking of doing this way, remember to be persistent. It will be necessary. Use internet forums to find someone else who have been in a situation like you are now. Ask for advice.

Can't find the Lufthansa compensation form? Use a contact form you can find, and submit your Lufthansa compensation claim this way.

2. Less time consuming option - file a claim online with us.

Or in other words, let us do it on your behalf.

Woman using laptop - Best Travel Blogs 2019

It’s an easy and straight forward process:

Go to this page on our website;
Fill in the details about yourself and your Lufthansa flight cancellation;
Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
Sign the claim online.

And… wait for the money in your bank account.

It’s that easy.

If we’ll need anything else, we’ll contact you via email.

How much does it cost? Only €25 + 25% of the total compensation amount. No upfront fees. And if it turns out that you aren’t entitled to compensation, you’ll pay nothing. Not a single cent.

No win, no fees.

Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation.

- How long does it take?

2-3 months. Sometimes more.

But don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated.

- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?

Mostly at least 2-3 years.

But sooner is always better.

For the best chance of getting your compensation, make your compensation claim as soon as possible.

- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?

No.

It applies to everyone, no matter the nationality and age.

Speaking of the age, it applies to infants as well.

But you don’t have to be European to be entitled to EU flight compensation.

Lufthansa is a European airline. That's why it applies to all its flights to, from or within these countries, not only to European flights.

- What about codeshare flights?

What if you were on a codeshare flight?

What if you bought a ticket from one airline, but the flight was operated by another company? Which company is the one to be held responsible if there are problems with the flight?

Which one is going to pay the compensation?

The one operating the flight.

4.1 How much can you claim?

In most of situations - 250, 400 or 600 euro.

Depending on the distance of your flight and occasionally some other factors. The longer the journey, the bigger will be your refund from Lufthansa.

€250 - if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres (1-2 hour flights);
€400 - if the distance of the flight is between 1500 - 3500 kilometres (mostly 2-5 hour flights);
€600 - if the distance is more than 3500 kilometres (mostly 5+ hour flights).

5. Lufthansa denied boarding compensation

For most part, rules are the same.

Whether your flight is heavily delayed, cancelled less than 14 days before the departure or you are denied boarding because of overbooking.

It applies to all Lufthansa flights to, from or within Europe.

By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

You don’t have to be European.

The amount of the compensation is the same - up to €600 per passenger.

And you can get both - a new flight or full refund and a compensation. Both of them should be paid to your bank account. You don't have to agree to Lufthansa compensation voucher. You can ask Lufthansa cash refund.

But remember, it applies only to overbookings.

Only to situations when the airline has sold more tickets that there are seats, and now you have no other choice but to wait and fly later. You may choose a refund and not fly at all or book another flight yourself. It does count as well. But you can't get a compensation, if you give up your seat.

Don’t forget! When you’re denied boarding, don’t forget to ask Lufthansa staff at the airport what should you do next. They still should take you to your final destination.

Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.

6. Connecting flights with Lufthansa

Just like other traditional, full-service international airlines, Lufthansa also offers connecting flights. When booking a connecting flight with Lufthansa you’ll be given one booking reservation number for your entire journey.

When you check in for your flight you’ll get a boarding pass for your first flight as well as a boarding pass for your next (connecting) flight. And your luggage will be sent right through to your destination.

If you miss your next flight because the first (or the previous) flight is cancelled or delayed, Lufthansa will transfer you to the next available flight free of charge. When the whole journey is booked from Lufthansa, missed connection is not a problem.

About Lufthansa

Deutsche Lufthansa (commonly known as Lufthansa) is a full service airline based in Germany, with its hubs in Frankfurt (primary) and Munich airports. Airline’s headquarters are in Cologne, Germany. Because of its excellent performance, Lufthansa is certified as a 5-star airline (by Skytrax). According to Skytrax, there are only 10 5-star airlines in the world.

It was founded in 1953, and commenced its operations in 1955. But the airline traces its history even further back - to the post-World War I time period, to 1920s.

Lufthansa is one of the founders of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance.

Besides its own services, the airline owns subsidiary airlines and aviation-related companies. Airlines, such as Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines are subsidiaries of the Lufthansa Group.

Lufthansa, when combined with its subsidiaries, is the largest European airline in terms of passenger numbers. It is also one of the largest airlines in Europe by number of countries served.

Lufthansa destinations

Lufthansa operates flights to 220 destinations in 75 countries.

Albania (Tirana), Algeria (Algiers), Angola (Luanda), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Austria (Graz, Innsbruck, Vienna), Azerbaijan (Baku),

Bahrain (Manama), Belarus (Minsk), Belgium (Brussels), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo), Bulgaria (Sofia),

Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver), China (Beijing, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang), Colombia (Bogota), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Split, Zadar, Zagreb), Cyprus (Larnaka), Chezh Republic (Prague),

Denmark (Aalborg, Billund, Copenhagen),

Ecuador (Guayaquil, Quito), Egypt (Cairo), Equatorial Guinea (Malabo), Estonia (Talinn), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa),

Finland (Helsinki, Kittilä), France (Bastia, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Toulouse),

Georgia (Tbilisi), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Cologne/Bonn, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig/Halle, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Paderborn, Rostock, Stuttgart, Westerland), Greece (Athens, Heraklion),

Hong Kong (Hong Kong), Hungary (Budapest),

Iceland (Reykjavík), India (Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai), Iran (Tehran), Iraq (Erbil), Ireland (Dublin, Knock, Shannon), Israel (Eilat, Tel-Aviv), Italy (Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Genoa, Lamezia Terme, Milan, Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Pisa, Rome, Trieste, Turin, Venice, Verona),

Japan (Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo), Jordan (Amman),

Kazakhstan (Almaty, Nur-Sultan), Kenya (Nairobi), Kuwait (Kuwait City),

Latvia (Riga), Lebanon (Beirut), Lithuania (Vilnius), Luxembourg (Luxembourg City),

Maldives (Male), Malta (Luqa), Mauritius (Port Louis), Mexico (Cancún, Mexico City), Moldova (Chişinău), Morocco (Casablanca, Marrakech),

Netherlands (Amsterdam), Nigeria (Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt), Norway (Bergen, Oslo, Stavanger, Tromsø),

Panama (Panama City), Poland (Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Lublin, Poznań, Rzeszów, Warsaw, Wroclaw), Portugal (Faro, Lisbon, Porto),

Romania (Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Timisoara), Russia (Moscow, Saint Petersburg),

Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh), Serbia (Belgrade), Singapore (Singapore), South Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg), South Korea (Seoul), Spain (Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, Madrid, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Sevilla, Valencia), Sweden (Gothenburg, Stockholm), Switzerland (Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Geneva, Zürich),

Thailand (Bangkok), Tunisia (Tunis), Turkey (Antalya, Bodrum, Istanbul, Izmir), Turkmenistan (Ashgabat),

Ukraine (Kiev, Lviv, Odessa), United Arab Emirates (Dubai), United Kingdom (Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Jersey, London, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newquay), United States (Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, D.C.).

For up to date information visit lufthansa.com.

Lufthansa baggage allowance

Cabin luggage

Passengers can bring one or two cabin bags on board free of charge.

Economy Class and Premium Economy Class: 1 item of carry-on baggage up to 8 kg;
Business Class and First Class: 2 items of carry-on baggage, each up to 8 kg.

Dimensions should not exceed:

Carry-on bag: max. 55 x 40 x 23 cm;
Foldable garment bags: max. 57 x 54 x 15 cm.

On certain flights with Lufthansa Regional or where country-specific variations apply (flights from Italy, India and the USA), First and Business Class passengers must check in their second piece of carry-on baggage.

When booking a trip with several airlines, the carry-on baggage rules of the airline operating each flight apply.

Source: Lufthansa.com.

Hold luggage

Passengers, except for Economy Light passengers, are entitled to free checked baggage.

Free checked baggage on flights within Europe:

Economy Classic and Flex: 1 item of baggage up to 23 kg.
Business Class: 2 items of baggage, each up to 32 kg.

Free checked baggage for intercontinental flights:

Economy Class: 1 item of baggage up to 23 kg.
Premium Economy Class: 2 items of baggage, each up to 23 kg.
Business Class: 2 items of baggage, each up to 32 kg.
First Class: 3 items of baggage, each up to 32 kg.

Economy Light fare fare has no free-baggage allowance. However, you can add one piece of checked baggage to your booking for a fee.

Source: Lufthansa.com.

Remember, whenever your flight with Lufthansa is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding - you might be entitled to flight compensation. File a claim to get it sorted out right away!