Lufthansa Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Yurii Semikopenko
07.08.2024

Dealing with flight issues can be very annoying. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to support travelers when things go wrong. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s a good idea to understand these regulations. They can help you out if your flight is disrupted.

Being aware of your options can make handling travel issues much easier. While it won’t make your flight go any faster, it can reduce your anxiety when things get disrupted.

Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004

When you’re flying in the European Union, rest assured that there’s aid available in the case of a flight disruption. EU laws make sure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.

When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:

  • Meals and beverages
  • A hotel room if you’re stuck overnight
  • Transportation to and from the hotel
  • Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes

If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:

  • A refund
  • An alternative flight
  • Compensation to make up for the inconvenience

Remember to inquire with airline representatives about these things if your plans change. They must inform you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.

Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation

Flight delays from Lufthansa can be really annoying. However there’s a bright side: if you’re stuck waiting for more than three hours because of the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.

Regulations in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could get up to €600 per person. What matters is when you arrive, not when you leave. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek compensation.

The amount you receive depends on your flight distance. A brief trip won’t get you as much money as a long one, even if they’re both delayed equally.

Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see the potential reimbursement amounts:

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance
0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation

Europe has laws to protect you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s what you need to know:

If your flight is cancelled within two weeks of your scheduled departure, you might get 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 arrange a replacement flight that meets the following conditions:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

If you choose to board a different flight from the airline, you’re still eligible for compensation. The key factor is your arrival time at your destination.

The amount you could receive is based on a couple of points:

  1. The distance of your flight
  2. How late you arrive

So, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you could still be eligible for compensation.

Look at the table below to see more details:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not get any compensation.

How to Claim Compensation from Lufthansa

It’s crucial to understand how to request the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do:

  • 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 handle the rest. We understand the EU laws well and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

Remember that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed because of operational issues or technical issues, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances such as inclement weather or air traffic control decisions, you qualify for compensation.

Which Lufthansa Flights are Covered by EU261?

The European Union’s laws for protecting air passengers have a wide-ranging scope. They apply to all flights departing from an airport within an EU country and to all flights arriving at an airport in an EU member state when an EU-based airline operates the flight.

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing EU airports✅ Covered
Flights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered

These regulations also include airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means when you travel with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you most likely have these rights. It’s important to know about these regulations – they exist to support you if something goes wrong with your flight. They ensure you’re not stranded when your trip arrangements don’t work out.

When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation

Lufthansa isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, situations arise that the airline is powerless against, like extreme weather or unexpected problems.

For example, if there’s an abrupt major weather event, an airport emergency, or an air traffic control strike, Lufthansa cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.

When these events take place, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline isn’t viewed as doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties arise.

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