Lufthansa is not immune to flight delays and cancelations. Thankfully, if you face an issue while traveling in Europe, you’re covered under EC 261, a powerful law that protects passenger rights and guarantees compensation if the airline is at fault. You could be eligible for up to €600. Here’s what you need to know.
What are Your Passengers Rights with Lufthansa?
EU 261 protects your rights, regardless of the airline that you’re traveling on, as long as you’re in the European Union or meet other qualifying circumstances. Depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation, you have the right to a refund, rerouting, and care, including meals, accommodation, and more.
Flight Delay Compensation
When your flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to basic care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transportation (where applicable), and access to communication. If your delay is three hours or more, you can also request reimbursement and transportation to your point of origin.
You are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid as a non-fundable transportation voucher or refundable voucher.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You may be entitled to additional compensation if you were notified of the cancellation less than two weeks before the departure and your new arrival and departure times are significantly different than your original times.
You’ll need to contact customer service to receive your compensation, which can be issued as non-refundable or refundable vouchers.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The amount may vary based on the type of compensation you request, and you might get a better value when you choose their transportation credit.
Calculate your compensation
What to Do in Case of Delays or Cancellations?
Unfortunately, cancelation and delays happen. Here’s all you need to know.
Delays
- If your flight is delayed, take note of your original departure time, the date of which you were notified, and any other information that is relevant.
- If your delay is two hours or more and you’re already at the airport, you are entitled to care. Work with customer service to receive meals, refreshments, accommodation, transportation, communication, and more, though what you are entitled to will depend on the length of your delay.
- After you get to your final destination, contact customer service to receive additional compensation. Depending on the length of your flight and the destination, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Cancellation
- If your flight is canceled, take note of your original flight, the date you were notified, and any other information that could be helpful.
- If your cancelation occurred before you arrived at the airport, work with customer service to rebook your flight or rebook it yourself.
- If your flight was canceled while at the airport, work with customer service to help get you on the next available flight. If you are entitled to care, they should offer it to you at this point.
- Following your flight, contact customer service for additional compensation, providing all documentation. You could receive up to €600 in compensation.
Lufthansa Refund Policy
There are certain circumstances in which you may want a refund from Lufthansa. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, perhaps you don’t want to continue. Work with the airline in the airport or on the phone to get your refund. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a full or partial refund.
In addition to your refund, you can also claim compensation under EC 261. As long as the issue was within the airline’s control, you could receive up to €600 in compensation. Your flight must be at least 2 hours delayed or cancelled within 14 days in order to qualify.
Recently Disrupted Lufthansa Flights
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
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About Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the largest airline in Europe and Germany. Operating routes throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Africa. They’re headquartered in Frankfurt, though it has main hubs in both Frankfurt and Munich to help serve its fleet of 277 aircrafts.
They’re a founding member of the Star Alliance, helping customers get where they need to through partner routes. Lufthansa is the first and only European airline that has been awarded the five-star certification from Skytrax. This prestigious award proves just how much you can trust this publicly-traded airline to care for you during your travels.
Lufthansa Disruption Statistics
| Year | All Disrupted Flights | Cancelled Flights | Delayed Flights |
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Conclusion
EC 261 is in place to advocate for you, helping hold airlines accountable for issues that are within their control. When your flight is canceled or delayed, you could receive up to €600, depending on how far you are traveling. All you have to do is file a claim against Lufthansa. This page was updated on June 2023.