Handling flight issues can be quite upsetting. However, the positive thing is that the European Union has laws to assist travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re taking a plane in the EU, it’s smart to understand these protections. They can help you out if your flight gets messed up.
Knowing what you’re entitled to can make managing travel complications a lot simpler. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can help you feel less stressed when things don’t go as planned.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
If your flight faces disruptions in the EU, you’ll get help. EU laws make sure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:
- Food and drinks
- A hotel room if you’re stuck overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re experiencing a significant delay or your flight is cancelled, you might also receive:
- A refund
- A different flight option
- Compensation to make up for the trouble
Don’t forget to inquire with airline workers about these entitlements if your plans change. They have to inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation
Flight delays from Lufthansa can be very frustrating. However there’s a silver lining: if you’re delayed for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Laws in the UK and EU are on your side. You could get up to €600 per person. What matters is when you arrive, not when you leave. So monitor your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
Your compensation depends on your flight distance. A brief trip won’t get you as much money as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see the potential reimbursement amounts:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation
The European Union has regulations to assist you in case of flight cancellation. Here’s the important information:
If your flight gets cancelled within two weeks of your planned travel date, you could be eligible for compensation up to €600. But there’s a catch – the airline can avoid paying if they offer you an alternative flight that aligns closely with your original schedule.
The airline can avoid paying you if they provide an alternative flight that meets the following conditions:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
If you agree to take another flight from the airline, you can still receive compensation. What matters most is your arrival time at your destination.
Your potential compensation is determined by two factors:
- The length of your flight
- How late you arrive
Therefore, even if you arrive later than planned, you might still get some compensation.
Look at the table below for more information:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Lufthansa
It’s essential to understand how to claim the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.
Keep in mind that you have the right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed because of operational issues or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation.
Which Lufthansa Flights are Covered by EU261?
The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union are far-reaching. They apply to any flight taking off from a European Union member state airport and every flight landing at an airport in an EU member state provided the airline is based in the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also include airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means if you’re flying with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s good to know about these laws – they’re there to help you if problems occur with your flight. They ensure you’re not left on your own when your trip arrangements fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Lufthansa isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, things happen that the airline can’t control, like extreme weather or unforeseen issues.
For instance, if there’s a sudden storm, an airport emergency, or air traffic controllers go on strike, Lufthansa isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline can’t do anything about.
When these things happen, you likely won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
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