Lufthansa Compensation: Your Complete Guide to Claiming Up to €600

Lufthansa is one of Europe's largest airlines, operating over 250,000 flights per year. With that volume comes an inevitable reality: thousands of delays, cancellations, and disruptions that leave passengers stranded, frustrated, and out of pocket.

If you've experienced a Lufthansa flight delay or cancellation, you may be entitled to Lufthansa compensation of up to €600 under EU Regulation 261/2004. This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from eligibility to filing your Lufthansa flight delay claim.

What Is EU261 and How Does It Apply to Lufthansa?

EU Regulation 261/2004 is the cornerstone of air passenger rights in Europe. It requires airlines — including Lufthansa — to compensate passengers when flights are significantly delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, provided the disruption was within the airline's control.

Because Lufthansa is an EU-based carrier (headquartered in Cologne, Germany), every Lufthansa flight is covered — whether departing from an EU airport or arriving at one. This includes:

All flights departing from any EU/EEA airport
All flights arriving at an EU/EEA airport (since Lufthansa is an EU carrier)
Flights operated by Lufthansa CityLine, Eurowings, or other Lufthansa Group subsidiaries under a Lufthansa flight number

This broad coverage means your Lufthansa flight delay claim is valid whether you flew from Frankfurt to New York or from Tokyo to Munich.

How Much Lufthansa Compensation Are You Owed?

The amount of Lufthansa compensation depends on the flight distance and the length of delay at your final destination:

Short-haul flights (under 1,500 km): €250

Covers routes like Frankfurt–London, Munich–Paris, or Hamburg–Vienna. If your Lufthansa flight arrived more than 3 hours late, you're owed €250.

Medium-haul flights (1,500–3,500 km): €400

Covers routes like Frankfurt–Istanbul, Munich–Marrakech, or Hamburg–Tenerife. A delay of 3+ hours at arrival entitles you to €400.

Long-haul flights (over 3,500 km): €600

Covers intercontinental routes like Frankfurt–New York, Munich–Bangkok, or Frankfurt–São Paulo. The full €600 applies for delays of 3+ hours. For delays between 3 and 4 hours on long-haul, Lufthansa may reduce compensation by 50% to €300 — but only if they rerouted you and the delay was under 4 hours.

When Does Lufthansa Have to Pay Compensation?

Lufthansa must pay compensation when the disruption was within their control. This includes:

Technical faults — mechanical issues, maintenance problems, IT failures
Crew shortages — pilots or cabin crew unavailable, scheduling errors
Operational decisions — aircraft rotation issues, turnaround delays
Overbooking — denied boarding due to selling more tickets than seats

When Lufthansa Does NOT Have to Pay

Lufthansa can refuse compensation if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances — events genuinely outside the airline's control:

Severe weather (storms, volcanic ash, heavy fog)
Air traffic control strikes
Security threats or airport closures
Political instability

However, Lufthansa frequently claims "extraordinary circumstances" for issues that are actually within their control. Staff strikes at Lufthansa itself, for example, are often contested — German courts have increasingly ruled that internal labour disputes don't qualify as extraordinary circumstances.

Common Lufthansa Disruption Scenarios

Scenario 1: Technical Delay at Frankfurt Hub

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Lufthansa's main hub and one of Europe's busiest airports. Technical issues here frequently cause cascading delays. If your Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt was delayed 3+ hours due to a technical problem, you have a strong Lufthansa flight delay claim.

Scenario 2: Missed Connection via Munich

Lufthansa operates a dual-hub system with Munich (MUC). If a delayed first leg caused you to miss your connecting Lufthansa flight and you arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late, you're entitled to compensation based on the total journey distance.

Scenario 3: Cancellation with Short-Notice Rebooking

If Lufthansa cancelled your flight less than 14 days before departure and the replacement flight arrived significantly later, you're owed compensation. The closer to departure the cancellation occurs, the stronger your claim.

Scenario 4: Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking

Lufthansa, like many airlines, occasionally overbooks flights. If you were involuntarily denied boarding, you're entitled to compensation regardless of the delay — plus the airline must offer you a choice between rebooking and a full refund.

How to File a Lufthansa Flight Delay Claim

Step 1: Gather Your Documentation

Before filing your Lufthansa compensation claim, collect:

Booking confirmation — your PNR/booking reference
Boarding passes — originals or digital versions
Delay evidence — screenshots of departure boards, Lufthansa app notifications, or emails confirming the delay
Expense receipts — meals, transport, or hotel costs incurred during the delay

Step 2: File Directly with Lufthansa (Optional)

You can submit a claim through Lufthansa's customer relations portal. However, be prepared for:

Long response times — Lufthansa typically takes 4–8 weeks to respond
Initial rejections — many valid claims are rejected on first attempt
Extraordinary circumstances defence — Lufthansa frequently cites this, even when questionable

Step 3: Use FlightOwed for a Faster Resolution

FlightOwed handles the entire Lufthansa compensation process for you. Simply enter your flight details, and we'll:

Verify your eligibility instantly using flight data
Calculate your exact compensation amount
Handle all communication with Lufthansa
Escalate to national enforcement bodies or legal action if needed

No win, no fee — you only pay if we successfully recover your Lufthansa compensation.

Lufthansa's Track Record on Compensation Claims

Lufthansa has a mixed reputation when it comes to paying compensation. While the airline generally processes straightforward claims, they are known for:

Aggressive use of the extraordinary circumstances defence — even for technical issues
Slow processing times — especially during peak disruption periods
Requiring persistent follow-up — claims that go quiet often need escalation

According to industry data, Lufthansa receives among the highest number of compensation claims of any European airline, reflecting both their massive flight volume and relatively high disruption rates at their busy Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Your Rights Beyond Compensation: Lufthansa's Duty of Care

Even if your delay doesn't qualify for financial compensation (e.g., it's under 3 hours or caused by weather), Lufthansa still has duty of care obligations under EU261:

2+ hour delay: Meals and refreshments proportionate to the wait
Overnight delay: Hotel accommodation and transport to/from the hotel
Any significant delay: Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes

If Lufthansa fails to provide these, keep your receipts — you can claim reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

Lufthansa Group: Which Airlines Are Covered?

The Lufthansa Group includes several airlines. Your rights depend on which airline operated the flight (not just which one sold the ticket):

| Airline | EU Carrier? | Covered by EU261? | |---------|-------------|-------------------| | Lufthansa | Yes | All flights | | Swiss International Air Lines | Yes (EEA) | All flights | | Austrian Airlines | Yes | All flights | | Eurowings | Yes | All flights | | Brussels Airlines | Yes | All flights |

If your ticket was booked through Lufthansa but operated by a partner airline outside the group (e.g., a codeshare with United Airlines), different rules may apply. Check your eligibility to be sure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lufthansa Compensation

How long do I have to file a Lufthansa flight delay claim?

In Germany, where Lufthansa is headquartered, the statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of the disrupted flight. However, don't wait — evidence becomes harder to gather over time. Learn more about retroactive flight compensation claims.

Can I claim if I booked through a travel agent or third party?

Yes. Your rights under EU261 exist regardless of how you booked. Whether you used Lufthansa.com, Expedia, a travel agent, or a package holiday, your Lufthansa compensation rights are identical.

What if Lufthansa offered me a voucher instead of cash?

Under EU261, you are entitled to cash compensation. Lufthansa cannot force you to accept a voucher. If they've offered you one, you can still claim cash instead. Read more about airline vouchers vs cash compensation.

Does Lufthansa compensation affect my right to a refund?

No. EU261 compensation is separate from your right to a ticket refund (for cancellations) or reimbursement for expenses. You can claim both.

Don't Leave Your Lufthansa Compensation Unclaimed

Millions of euros in Lufthansa compensation go unclaimed every year. Whether your flight was delayed by 3 hours or cancelled entirely, you likely have a valid claim worth €250–€600.

Check your Lufthansa flight now →

It takes 3 minutes, costs nothing upfront, and FlightOwed handles everything — from filing to follow-up to payment.

Related reading:

Lufthansa Compensation Guide: How to Claim Up to €600 for Delays & Cancellations