Were you refused boarding by Lufthansa due to overbooking?
If you were refused entry onto your Lufthansa flight against your will, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 — plus care and assistance at the airport.
What is overbooking?
Overbooking happens when an airline sells more tickets than the available seats on the aircraft. This is a common industry practice, as airlines expect some passengers to miss their flights.
If everyone shows up, there aren’t enough seats — and some passengers are denied boarding against their will.
If you are involuntarily bumped from your flight, you are legally entitled to compensation and assistance.
When are you entitled to overbooking compensation from Lufthansa?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can claim compensation if:
- You had a valid booking and checked in on time
- Boarding was denied against your will
- The flight departed from the EU, or was operated by an EU airline arriving in the EU
- The denial wasn’t due to extraordinary circumstances or your own conduct (e.g., missing documents)
Lufthansa overbooking: what are your care rights at the airport?
If you’re denied boarding, the Lufthansa must immediately offer you:
- Meals and refreshments
- Access to phone calls or email
- Hotel accommodation if you must wait overnight
- Transport between the hotel and airport
These rights apply regardless of the reason for the boarding denial.
More about Lufthansa
Lufthansa is Germany’s flag carrier and a foundational member of the Star Alliance. As of 2025, the Lufthansa Group served approximately 131 million passengers in 2024, making it the second-largest European airline by passenger numbers. In that year, the Group achieved a record revenue of €37.6 billion, though operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) declined to €1.6 billion.
Despite its scale and legacy, Lufthansa also faces notable operational disruptions. In 2024, it had a cancellation rate near 2.9%, one of the highest among European legacy carriers. Delay rates were similarly elevated, with approximately 27% of its flights delayed—averaging around 50 minutes per delay.
These figures reveal that even major established airlines like Lufthansa are not immune to systemic pressures—meaning you may well be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
How much can you get for overbooking compensation with Lufthansa?
The amount of flight claim compensation you receive depends on the distance of your flight and can be €250, €400, or €600. You can also claim for care expenses with food, transport and accommodation to Lufthansa as well as a refund of the alternative flight.
250€
Up to 1500 km
400€
From 1500 km to 3500 km
600€
More than 3500 km
How to Claim Flight Overbooking Compensation Step-by-Step
Claiming your flight overbooking compensation with AireClaim is quick and simple:
1. Complete your flight compensation form
- Enter your departure airport and final destination.
- Indicate if you had connecting flights.
2. Add your disruption details
- Select the type of disruption (delay, cancellation, missed connection).
- Enter the scheduled and actual arrival times.
3. Provide the reason for the disruption (if known)
4. Review and submit
- We’ll analyse your case, contact Lufthansa, and handle all the paperwork at no upfront cost.
Our process covers all types of air travel disruptions from cancellations to flight delays and missed connections — ensuring you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
You can start your claim now using our secure online form.
Were you refused boarding due to overbooking?
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FAQs About Lufthansa Overbooking Compensation
Yes, whether they are your children, family or work colleagues. You just need to fill their details on our form.
You can still claim your flight compensation if:
- The initial 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.
Learn more about our full process for missed connection compensation.
Airlines have the ability to complicate compensation claims, delaying or rejecting them and making the process irritating.
We can help with that. We take care of all the paperwork, discussions, and even court appearances, saving you the trouble. Our professionals maximize your chances of winning because they are experienced in air passenger rights laws. Additionally, we don't charge a service fee until we are successful in getting you paid.