Lufthansa missed connection:rerouting, care and compensation
Did a Lufthansa delay or cancellation make you miss your connection? If the flights are on one booking, your delay at the final destination may give you a right to care and compensation of up to €600.
A short disruption on the first flight can cause a delay of several hours at the destination. The complete itinerary must be reviewed.
A Lufthansa missed connection may qualify from a 3-hour final delay
When several flights are on one booking and a disruption makes you miss the next leg, the arrival time at the final destination is generally decisive.
Compensation also depends on EU261 coverage, the reason for disruption and which airline operated the affected flight.
Measure the delay when you reach the last airport on the booking, not only when the first flight departs or arrives.
Is your Lufthansa itinerary protected?
Before calculating compensation, connect the booking, disruption and final arrival.
One booking
The flights should normally form one contract of carriage or reservation through to the final destination.
Final delay
Compare the scheduled arrival at the last airport with the time you actually reached it.
Operating carrier
Identify the airline operating the flight that caused the missed connection, especially on codeshares.
Even if the first Lufthansa flight was only slightly delayed, arriving at least three hours late at the final destination can be relevant.
How much can you claim after a Lufthansa missed connection?
When the conditions are met, the amount depends on the relevant distance to the final destination.
Certain covered short itineraries.
Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other medium-distance journeys.
Certain covered long-haul itineraries.
The ticket price does not set compensation. Distance, final arrival, route coverage and the cause must all be checked.
How is delay calculated after a missed connection?
Reconstruct the scheduled and actual times of every Lufthansa segment.
Record the scheduled and actual hub arrival, together with the reason given.
Keep the gate, boarding deadline and the replacement Lufthansa offered.
Compare the original arrival time with when the replacement flight opened its doors.
Single booking, separate tickets or codeshare?
How the journey was booked can materially change your rights.
Same booking
The itinerary through to the last airport is generally assessed as a whole.
Separate tickets
Each ticket may be treated separately, making the second missed flight harder to link to the first carrier.
Codeshare
A Lufthansa number is not always enough: check the “operated by” wording.
When can a Lufthansa missed connection qualify for compensation?
Covered itinerary
The journey must fall under EU261 or an equivalent applicable rule.
Protected booking
The affected segments are normally on one booking through to the final destination.
Late final arrival
You generally reach the final destination at least three hours after schedule.
No extraordinary cause
The carrier cannot prove unavoidable extraordinary circumstances despite reasonable measures.
Can Lufthansa refuse compensation?
Compensation may not be payable if delay or cancellation arose from extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided despite reasonable measures.
Aircraft rotation, crew shortages or technical problems are not automatically extraordinary. The precise cause and the measures taken must be documented.
What should Lufthansa offer after a missed connection?
Lufthansa should reroute you to the final destination and provide reasonable care according to the wait.
Replacement flight
Rerouting to the final destination should be offered at the earliest opportunity.
Meals and refreshments
Care proportionate to the waiting time may be due.
Hotel
Accommodation may be necessary when departure moves to the next day.
Transport
Reasonable travel between the airport and hotel may also be covered.
If no care is provided, keep itemised receipts for necessary, reasonable costs directly linked to the wait.
What evidence should you keep after a Lufthansa missed connection?
A complete itinerary proves the common booking and final-arrival delay.
Confirmation showing every segment, flight number and single reference.
Keep those for the original and replacement flights.
Screenshots of departures, arrivals and gate changes.
Meals, hotel, transport and other necessary expenses.
How do you claim after a missed connection?
Gather the itinerary
Provide every flight, booking reference and final destination.
Calculate final delay
Compare scheduled arrival with the actual rerouted arrival.
Identify the cause
Keep the explanation and name of the operating carrier.
Submit the evidence
Add boarding passes, messages and useful receipts.
Fly Claim charges a 30% fee including tax only when your claim succeeds.
FAQ about Lufthansa missed connections
Can I claim if Lufthansa makes me miss a connection?
Yes, particularly when the flights are on one booking, final arrival is at least three hours late and no extraordinary circumstance excludes compensation.
Must the first flight be delayed by three hours?
No. A short first-leg delay can be enough when it causes a missed connection and at least three hours of final delay.
What happens with separate tickets?
Separate tickets are generally assessed individually. The first airline does not necessarily protect the second booking.
Must Lufthansa place me on another flight?
For a protected connection, rerouting to the final destination should normally be offered at the earliest opportunity.
Can I receive €600?
Certain covered itineraries over 3,500 km may qualify for €600, depending on the cause and other EU261 conditions.
Who is responsible on a codeshare?
Identify the operating air carrier shown by “operated by”. The legal assessment depends on the affected segment and itinerary.
Must Lufthansa pay for a hotel?
If the replacement leaves the next day, reasonable accommodation and transport may be due. Keep receipts if you pay.
Check whether your final delay allows a claim up to €600
Enter every segment on the booking and your final arrival time to start the assessment.
No upfront fee. A 30% fee including tax applies only if successful.