Lufthansa flight delays and cancellations
Lufthansa is the largest airline in Germany, and when combined with its many subsidiaries it operates the largest fleet size in Europe. The airline has a vast network which reaches 197 worldwide destination airports. When flying out from the UK, Lufthansa suffered not too many lengthy delays, but it cancelled a higher proportion of flights than many of its competitors in 2016.
According to EC Regulation 261/2004, passengers have the right to cliam compensation from Luftansa for denied boarding due to overbooked flights and for flight delayed for 3 hours or cancelled without any prior notice.
If you’ve suffered disruption when flying with Lufthansa, we’ll fight to uphold your right to compensation. You can easily check if your flight qualifies by making use of our free online calculator.
Your rights when delayed with Lufthansa
- EU law states that you can claim up to €600 compensation
- No matter the cost of the ticket
- Flights up to 6 years old could be claimable
- When the flight was delayed at least 3 hours, cancelled or overbooked
Tips and Tricks when delayed with Lufthansa
- Establish what caused the delay with the airline
- Collect data: photos, receipts, expenses, vouchers etc
- Insist on your basic benefits and services at the airport
- Exchange contact information with other disrupted passengers
More detailed information regarding your passenger rights and the EU law
When does flight disruption qualify a passenger for compensation?
The amount of compensation is dictated by the distance of the flight – not on the amount you paid for your ticket. Fundamentally the flight must arrive at its destination with a delay of at least 3 hours and be applicable under the current EU Regulation. Your claims are valid up to 6 years retrospectively. Here is a breakdown of the compensation you’ll be entitled to, based on the circumstances of your delay:
Delay, cancellation, overbooking or missed connection flight? You are entitled to:
| Short distance up to 1500 km | Medium distance up to 3500 km | Long distance from 3500 km |
| e.g. London – Edinburgh | e.g. London – Athens | e.g. London – Tokyo |
| 250€ | 400€ | 600€ |
Lufthansa – Additional services at the airport
If your departure is heavily delayed, you become entitled to some basic benefits and services. These amenities’ availability depend on the distance of your flight. Below, you’ll find an overview what you’re eligible for, and when:
- Short distance, less than 1500 km: from 2 hours delayed departure – free drinks, free food and 2 telephone calls, emails or faxes
- Medium distance, between 1500-3500 km:from 3 hours delayed departure – free drinks, free food and 2 telephone calls, emails or faxes
- Long-haul, from 3500 km: from 4 hours delayed departure – free drinks, free food and 2 telephone calls, emails or faxes
When the delay stretches longer than 5 hours you can, regardless of the distance, withdraw from your flight. The airline must then either reimburse you or offer you alternative transportation to your destination.
Departure delayed until the next dayWhen the flight is postponed until the following day you become eligible for a night in a hotel, including transport to and from the airport. Contact Lufthansa directly and request confirmation of your hotel room and transfers to be provided in writing.
The Flightright Promise
Thanks to our expertise, we enforce customer compensation with very high success rates. That’s why we are able to promise a completely free of charge service if your case proves unsuccessful!
- up to €600 compensation per person
- over 11,000,000 happy customers
- 99% success rate in court
Useful advice & information about Lufthansa
Lufthansa’s primary hub is based in Cologne, and the Lufthansa group transported a staggering 110 million passengers in 2016. It operates a fleet of 273 aircraft consisting of both Boeings and Airbuses. Passengers have a choice of four different classes when flying with Lufthansa.
Punctuality when flying out of the UK needs some work
Lufthansa reported a satisfactory year in terms of flight delays of three or more hours; they were more punctual in that respect than many of their rival airlines. The issue they had was without outright cancellations – their passengers suffered an above average number of these and some work is required to improve this.
Agreeable to compensation payouts
Lufthansa set a good standard when it comes to compensatory claims made against them for flight disruption. They are responsive and prompt when dealing with Flightright and we need not often take court action against them.
Information about online check-in
When flying with Lufthansa there are many options available for online check-in, much of which is dictated by which class you fly in and whether or not you are a frequent flyer. As such the best course of action is to check their website. An even more effective route would be to download their app where you can complete your check-in as well as being provided with flight updates.
More information about Lufthansa is available here.
Had flight problems with Lufthansa?
Flightright takes care of your rights in the event of flight delays, cancellations and overbooking and is committed to ensuring that you receive your compensation from the airline.
We will be happy to help you in case of flight problems with the airline for:
We have already been able to help with problems at the following airports, among others
We have already taken successful action against these and more airlines
Your flight did not go as planned?
In the event of flight delays, cancellations and overbooking, passengers may be entitled to compensation or ticket reimbursement. Flightright enforces your rights.