Lufthansa claim
Lufthansa flight delayed or cancelled: check your compensation
Was your Lufthansa flight delayed, cancelled or overbooked, or did a disruption cause you to miss a connection? Depending on your itinerary, your delay at the final destination and the cause of the problem, you could receive up to €600 per passenger.
Depending on the distance and circumstances of the flight
The total journey delay may be decisive
Fly Claim is paid only if your claim is successful
Can you receive compensation for a Lufthansa flight?
Because Lufthansa is established in the European Union, European passenger rights rules may apply in particular to its flights departing from a European airport and to certain flights it operates to the European Union from a non-EU country.
Eligibility nevertheless depends on several factors: the airports concerned, the airline that actually operated the flight, the delay at the final destination and the exact cause of the disruption.
Complete itinerary
The departure and arrival airports, together with the different stopovers, must be checked as a whole.
Operating carrier
A Lufthansa ticket may include a flight actually operated by another airline in the group or by a partner.
Final delay
When a connection is involved, the arrival time at the final destination may matter more than the delay on the first leg.
Cause given
A technical fault, an air traffic restriction or adverse weather are not assessed in the same way.
The fact that a Lufthansa flight is delayed by several hours does not automatically guarantee compensation. The exact cause and the entire journey must be assessed.
Compensation for a delayed Lufthansa flight
Compensation may be due when a Lufthansa flight reaches its final destination with a significant delay and the airline cannot show that the disruption resulted from extraordinary circumstances that it could not reasonably have avoided.
For a journey involving several flights, a relatively short delay on the first leg may cause a missed connection and result in arrival several hours later.
Useful information for assessing the delay
- scheduled arrival time at the final destination;
- actual arrival time;
- Lufthansa flight number and date;
- complete booking itinerary;
- reason for the delay given by the airline;
- new flight offered after a missed connection.
Your Lufthansa flight was cancelled
In the event of a cancellation, you should check when Lufthansa informed you, the replacement solution offered and the difference between the schedule of the new journey and that of your original booking.
Ticket reimbursement, rerouting to the destination and any fixed compensation are separate rights.
New flight offered
Compare the schedule of the replacement journey with that of your original booking.
Ticket reimbursement
In some situations, reimbursement may be requested when the passenger decides not to travel.
Accepting a new flight does not automatically remove every possibility of compensation. The conditions of the proposed replacement must be checked.
Missed connection during a Lufthansa journey
Lufthansa journeys often include several legs, particularly through its main connecting airports. A delay on the first flight may prevent the passenger from boarding the next flight.
When the different legs are included in a single booking, the assessment may be based on the delay at the final destination rather than solely on the delay of the first aircraft.
Documents to keep after a missed connection
- complete booking confirmation;
- boarding passes for all legs;
- new flight assigned by Lufthansa;
- actual arrival time at the final destination;
- receipts for meals, hotel or transport.
Overbooking or denied boarding with Lufthansa
Involuntary denied boarding may entitle a passenger to compensation when they have a valid booking, arrive on time and hold the documents required for travel.
This must be distinguished from boarding being refused because of late arrival at the gate, incomplete documents, a justified medical restriction or the passenger’s conduct.
The consequences may be different when a passenger voluntarily agrees to give up their seat in exchange for a benefit offered by Lufthansa.
How much can you claim for a Lufthansa flight?
When all the conditions are met, the fixed compensation amount mainly depends on the distance of the journey concerned.
Up to 1,500 km
Reference amount for eligible short-distance journeys.
Between 1,500 and 3,500 km
Amount applicable to certain medium-distance journeys and longer intra-European flights.
More than 3,500 km
Maximum reference amount for certain long-haul journeys.
These amounts are indicative. A reduction may apply in certain rerouting situations when the final delay remains limited.
Which documents should you keep for a Lufthansa claim?
Travel documents
- booking confirmation;
- booking reference;
- flight number and date;
- boarding passes;
- complete itinerary including stopovers.
Evidence of the disruption
- emails or text messages received from Lufthansa;
- photos of airport information screens;
- actual arrival time;
- replacement journey document;
- receipts for meals, hotel or transport.
You can start your claim with the information already available. Additional evidence may be requested during the assessment.
Frequently asked questions about Lufthansa claims
How much can I receive for a delayed Lufthansa flight?
The standard reference amounts may be €250, €400 or €600, depending on the distance and the conditions applicable to the journey.
Does a three-hour delay with Lufthansa automatically entitle me to compensation?
No. The delay at the final destination is an important criterion, but the itinerary and cause of the disruption must also be checked.
Can I claim after a missed Lufthansa connection?
This may be possible when the flights are included in a single booking and you arrive at the final destination with a significant delay.
Can I accept a new flight and still make a claim?
Yes, this may be possible. Rerouting and fixed compensation are separate rights.
Does Lufthansa have to reimburse my meal or hotel expenses?
Certain necessary and reasonable expenses may be claimed when the required assistance was not provided. Keep itemised receipts.
Do I have to pay Fly Claim before my claim is processed?
No. There is no fee when you submit your claim. Commission applies only when compensation is recovered.
Check your compensation in just a few minutes
Enter your itinerary, delay and the problem you experienced. There are no upfront fees.