Lufthansa delayed flight:care and compensation up to €600
Did your Lufthansa flight arrive late? When the delay reaches at least three hours at the final destination, you may be entitled to €250, €400 or €600 unless proven extraordinary circumstances apply.
Departure delay and compensable delay are not measured in the same way. For compensation, arrival at the final destination is essential.
A Lufthansa delay of at least 3 hours on arrival may qualify
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 provides fixed compensation when a passenger reaches the final destination at least three hours late and the other conditions are met.
Care can become due before that threshold, depending on flight distance and the departure wait.
Compare the scheduled arrival with the actual arrival at your last airport, including after a connection.
2 hours, 3 hours or 5 hours: which rights apply?
Each threshold concerns a different right. Care, compensation and reimbursement should not be confused.
From 2 to 4 hours
Depending on distance, Lufthansa may owe meals, refreshments and communications while you wait.
From 3 hours on arrival
Fixed compensation may be due if final delay reaches three hours and no exempting cause applies.
From 5 hours at departure
If you abandon the trip, you may under certain conditions request reimbursement of the affected ticket.
The right to care can exist even if final delay remains below three hours or extraordinary circumstances exclude compensation.
How much can you claim for a delayed Lufthansa flight?
The amount mainly depends on the covered distance to the final destination, not the ticket price.
Certain short flights arriving at least three hours late.
Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other medium-distance journeys.
Certain covered long-haul flights.
On certain flights over 3,500 km arriving between three and four hours late, compensation may be reduced to €300. The exact route must be checked.
Which arrival time should be used?
Reconstruct the whole journey, especially after rerouting or a connection.
Use the time on the original booking for the last airport on the journey.
Keep evidence of when the aircraft reached its stand and passengers were allowed to leave.
Compare both times after the last segment or replacement flight actually taken.
Direct flight, connection or Lufthansa codeshare?
The complete booking and operating carrier determine the journey and airline to assess.
Direct flight
Measure delay when the single scheduled Lufthansa flight reaches its destination.
Connecting journey
On one booking, arrival at the last airport may matter even when only one segment is disrupted.
Codeshare
Check the “operated by” wording to identify the operating air carrier.
When can a Lufthansa delay qualify for compensation?
Covered flight
The journey falls under EU261 or an equivalent applicable rule.
Sufficient final delay
Arrival at the final destination is generally at least three hours late.
Airline-responsible cause
Lufthansa cannot prove unavoidable extraordinary circumstances despite reasonable measures.
Valid booking
You held a confirmed reservation and complied with the applicable presentation requirements.
When can Lufthansa refuse compensation?
The airline may be exempt if it proves the delay resulted from extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided despite reasonable measures.
A technical defect, late aircraft rotation or crew issue is not automatically extraordinary. The precise cause must be checked.
Meals, hotel and transport: what should Lufthansa provide?
Depending on distance and departure delay, reasonable care should be offered.
Meals and refreshments
Food and drink proportionate to the waiting time may be due.
Communications
Two communications may be offered while you wait.
Hotel
Accommodation may be necessary when departure moves to the next day.
Transport
Reasonable travel between airport and hotel may also be covered.
If Lufthansa does not provide necessary care, keep itemised receipts for reasonable costs directly caused by the delay.
What evidence should you keep after a Lufthansa delay?
These items help prove the route, final delay, stated reason and expenses.
Ticket, booking reference and complete itinerary.
Keep the original passes and those from any rerouting.
Screenshots of boards, messages and arrival time.
Meals, hotel, transport and other necessary expenses.
How do you claim after a delayed Lufthansa flight?
Identify the flight
Provide number, date, route and operating carrier.
Calculate final delay
Compare scheduled and actual arrival at the last airport.
Document the cause
Keep Lufthansa’s explanations and notifications.
Add the evidence
Submit booking, boarding passes and useful receipts.
Fly Claim charges a 30% fee including tax only when your claim succeeds.
FAQ about delayed Lufthansa flights
How much delay is required for Lufthansa compensation?
Fixed compensation may be due when you reach the final destination at least three hours late and the other conditions are met.
Is delay measured at departure or arrival?
Final-arrival delay is essential for compensation. Departure delay is also used to determine care while waiting.
Can I receive €600 for a Lufthansa delay?
Certain covered journeys over 3,500 km may qualify for €600, with a possible reduction to €300 in some three-to-four-hour delay cases.
What if the delay makes me miss a connection?
If the flights are on one booking, calculate the delay at the last airport and keep the complete itinerary and replacement offer.
Does a technical fault exempt Lufthansa?
Not automatically. The fault’s origin and whether it was inherent in normal activity or genuinely extraordinary must be assessed.
Can I abandon the trip after five hours?
When departure delay reaches at least five hours, reimbursement may be available under certain conditions if you decide not to continue.
Must Lufthansa pay for a hotel?
If departure moves to the next day, reasonable accommodation and transport may be due. Keep receipts if you pay.
Check whether your arrival allows a claim up to €600
Enter the flight, itinerary and actual arrival time to start the assessment.
No upfront fee. A 30% fee including tax applies only if successful.