Was your flight delayed more than 3 hours?
You may qualify for Lufthansa flight delay compensation if the following conditions apply:
- Your Lufthansa flight arrived at the final destination more than 3 hours late.
- The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.
- Your flight departed from an EU/UK airport, or was operated by an EU airline (such as Lufthansa) arriving in the EU/UK.
- You had a confirmed reservation for the flight.
- You checked in on time, usually at least 45 minutes before departure, unless another time was indicated.
- Your ticket was purchased under a fare available to the general public.
Compensation eligibility is determined by the arrival time at your final destination, not the departure time of the flight.
Example: If your Lufthansa flight from Madrid to Dublin arrives 3 hours and 45 minutes late due to an aircraft technical issue, you could be entitled to €250 compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Passengers travelling on connecting flights may also qualify if the delay causes them to reach their final destination significantly later than scheduled. If a delay causes you to miss a connecting flight, you may also be eligible under our missed connection compensation guide.
What are my rights under EU 261/2004?
Under EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004, passengers experiencing a significant flight delay are entitled to certain protections and assistance from the airline.
Right to care during long delays
If your flight is expected to be delayed at departure, Lufthansa must provide assistance once the delay reaches the following thresholds:
- 2 hours for flights up to 1,500 km
- 3 hours for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- 4 hours for flights over 3,500 km
Flight Distance |
Delay Threshold for Assistance
|
Up to 1,500 km | 2 hours |
| 1,500 km – 3,500 km | 3 hours |
Over 3,500 km | 4 hours |
This assistance should be provided free of charge and may include:
- Meals and refreshments in proportion to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary
- Transport between the airport and the hotel
- The opportunity to make two phone calls, emails, or messages
The airline is not obliged to provide this assistance if the passenger is responsible for additional delay.
Right to reimbursement
If your flight delay exceeds 5 hours, you have the right to cancel your trip and request a refund of your ticket within 7 days. This refund may cover:
- The unused part of the ticket, or
- The part of the journey already completed if the trip no longer serves its original purpose.
If necessary, Lufthansa must also provide a return flight to the original departure point at the earliest possible opportunity.
Right to compensation
Passengers may receive compensation if:
- The arrival delay exceeds 3 hours, and
- The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.
Examples of extraordinary circumstances may include:
- Severe weather conditions
- Political instability
- Security risks
- Strikes by third parties
- Unexpected flight safety deficiencies
If the airline can prove that such circumstances caused the delay and could not have been avoided, compensation may not be payable. For example, disruptions caused by airline staff strikes may fall under specific rules explained in our airline strike compensation guide.
Does Lufthansa pay delayed flight compensation voluntarily?
In practice, airlines do not always grant compensation automatically, even when passengers may be eligible under EU261. Claims are sometimes rejected because the airline attributes the delay to extraordinary circumstances or disputes the duration of the delay.
Passengers may also face difficulties navigating the claims process or communicating with the airline.
Aireclaim helps simplify this process by:
- Reviewing the flight details and determining eligibility
- Submitting the compensation claim to the airline
- Challenging rejected claims when necessary
- Escalating the case through legal channels if required
Our team specialises in EU261 claims and works to ensure passengers receive the compensation they may be entitled to.
✔ 90% success rate
✔ Legal team ready to act
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More about Lufthansa
Lufthansa is Germany’s flag carrier and one of Europe’s largest airline groups. The airline is a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, and operates an extensive global network connecting Europe with destinations across the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
With major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa serves hundreds of destinations worldwide and transports millions of passengers every year.
Despite its global reputation and operational scale, delays can still occur due to factors such as aircraft rotations, operational disruptions, air traffic congestion, or technical issues.
As an EU airline, Lufthansa is required to comply with EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004, meaning passengers may claim compensation if their flight arrives significantly late and the airline is responsible for the disruption.
These rights apply regardless of ticket price, travel class, or whether the ticket was purchased directly from the airline or through a travel agency.
How much can you claim?
Compensation amounts under EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004 depend on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay at the final destination.
€250
Flights up to 1,500 km
€400
Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and flights over 1,500 km within Europe
€600
Flights over 3,500 km
The distance is calculated based on the final destination at which the passenger arrives later than scheduled.
If the airline offers rerouting and the arrival delay remains limited, the compensation may be reduced by 50%, resulting in:
- €125 for short flights
- €200 for medium-distance flights
- €300 for long-haul flights
Flight Distance | Full Compensation (EUR) | Reduced Compensation (50% if rerouted) |
Up to 1,500 km | €250 | €125 |
1,500 km – 3,500 km | €400 | €200 |
Over 3,500 km | €600 | €300 |
Passengers may also be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses such as meals, transport, or accommodation incurred during the delay.
How to claim Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation Step-by-Step
Claiming Lufthansa flight delay compensation with Aireclaim is designed to be quick and straightforward.
1. Complete your flight compensation form
Provide your departure airport and final destination. If your trip involved connecting flights, include those details as well.
2. Add your disruption details
Select the type of disruption (delay, cancellation, or missed connection) and provide the scheduled and actual arrival times.
3. Provide the reason for the disruption (if known)
If Lufthansa provided an explanation for the delay, include it in your claim. Our team will verify whether the reason qualifies as extraordinary circumstances.
4. Review and submit
Once submitted, our team will review the case, contact the airline, and manage the entire claims process — including legal action if necessary — with no upfront cost to you.
Our process covers various air travel disruptions including delays, flight cancellations, and missed connections, helping ensure passengers receive the compensation they may be entitled to.
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FAQs About
Lufthansa
Flight Delay Compensation
Sometimes it depends on whether the weather conditions qualify as extraordinary circumstances under EU Regulation 261/2004. Severe storms, airport closures, or other extreme weather events may exempt the airline from paying compensation.
However, not all weather-related delays automatically fall under extraordinary circumstances. In some cases, operational issues or scheduling problems may still contribute to the delay.
Our team will analyse your specific case and help determine whether you still qualify for compensation even if the airline attributes the delay to bad weather.
You can still claim compensation if:
- The initial Lufthansa delay caused you to miss your connecting flight
- Your final arrival at the destination was more than 3 hours late
- Both flights were part of the same booking
Under EU261, compensation eligibility is based on the arrival time at your final destination, not just the delay of the first flight.
Yes. If your Lufthansa flight was cancelled, you may still be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, depending on the circumstances of the cancellation.
Passengers whose flights are cancelled may have the right to re-routing, reimbursement, and financial compensation of up to €600 depending on the flight distance and notice given by the airline.
The time limit for submitting a claim depends on the national laws of the country where the claim is filed. In many EU countries, passengers typically have between three and six years to pursue compensation.
Submitting a claim sooner is recommended because flight records and documentation are easier to obtain shortly after travel.
To start a claim, passengers typically need:
- Their booking confirmation or e-ticket
- Their boarding pass, if available
- The flight number and travel date
- Information about the actual arrival delay
Even if some documents are missing, flight data can often still be retrieved to evaluate whether your Lufthansa delay qualifies for compensation under EU261.
Is Your Flight Situation Different?
- If Wizz Air CANCELLED your flight (not just delayed), see our guide on Flight Cancellation Compensation.
- If you MISSED your connecting flight because of a delay, check Missed Connection Compensation