Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation

Lufthansa flight cancellation refund. Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation.

What is the difference between refund and compensation? Can you receive both? How much is the compensation? These are the main questions we are going to talk about. There are different reasons why Lufthansa may cancel a flight. What you have to remember is that, if your flight is cancelled due to their fault, you may be entitled to both – a full refund from Lufthansa and cancellation compensation up to €600.

It applies to most of its flights to and from the EU, and the UK.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Lufthansa flight is cancelled?

Will you receive a free ticket for the next available flight? What if you don’t want to travel anymore? Can you get a refund instead? Are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if your flight meets these conditions:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of Lufthansa;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (not earlier than 2 weeks before departure);
• You must be flying to/from Europe (EU, EEA, UK).

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, nationwide strike, terrorism threat, civil unrest, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation from Lufthansa. These are events that airlines don’t have control over. They are not responsible for flights cancelled due to events out of their control. So that’s why you can’t get compensation for such a cancellation. Speaking of strikes, don’t forget that in some cases you can still get compensated. If it’s a Lufthansa staff strike, and that causes cancellation, you might get compensation.

Keep in mind that technical issues are not extraordinary circumstances.

And, yes, make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. 

When airlines pay compensations to affected passengers, they lose a lot of money. To avoid this, airlines deny compensation claims even if passengers are entitled to it. Your compensation claim might be denied, too. The airline might tell you that your flight was cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances even though it wasn’t. To avoid improper refusal, hand your case over to someone experienced to check it for you. Our partners — an experienced flight compensation company — offer such a service.

Just fill in the claim form, and they will check your flight on your behalf.

1.2 Right to Care

Your Lufthansa flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

In this case you have a right to receive care from the airline. You don’t have to pay for your meal yourself. If the wait is long (overnight), you don’t have to pay for a hotel either. 

According to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, all passengers in the EU have a right to care. If you have a last-minute cancellation, and you have to wait at the airport for a replacement flight, you can receive certain services from the airline free of charge. As long as the waiting time at the airport is 3+ hours. What can you get if you are stuck at the airport?

Lufthansa must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Refund, Lufthansa Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

According to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, you can get a full refund for your cancelled flight. European refund laws are not affected by Lufthansa internal policies (Lufthansa refund policy). If your flight is cancelled, Lufthansa must offer you a choice between a full refund and a new flight to your destination. It applies to most Lufthansa flight cancellations — it doesn’t matter what is the reason for the cancellation. 

The refund has to be paid to your bank account. It is paid within 7 days. 

You don’t have to agree to a Lufthansa voucher refund. 

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your Lufthansa flight.

2. How to Claim Lufthansa Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other one – easier.

One of the options is to contact Lufthansa directly. Contact the Lufthansa customer support center. Use the contact form on their website. There’s a special form for flight compensations. Fill in that form with all the necessary details and submit your claim. Be prepared that the airline might deny your claim, even if you are entitled to compensation. This is how it is, unfortunately. The airlines are not really cooperating. But if you are persistent, you will get compensation. 

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by a flight compensation company. All you have to do is to fill in a single form (EU flight cancellation compensation claim form). This is a hassle-free way of getting compensation. Also the success rate is higher if you work with a flight compensation company. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Lufthansa Compensation?
• Your Lufthansa Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
• Lufthansa Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

The industry average is around 2 to 3 months.

That’s usually if you are a bit lucky and things are going well.

But all in all, it depends on the airline and several other factors. If the airline is super slow in communication, then it will take more time. Also it will take more time if your case has to be taken to court. In this case, it could take something like 6+ months.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Lufthansa compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Lufthansa Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

It happens quite often — airlines offering a voucher. It is cheaper for them to offer you a voucher instead of returning money. But do you have to accept this voucher? No, you don’t have to. According to the EU regulations, compensations and refunds have to be paid by bank transfer. 

You don’t have to accept Lufthansa voucher refund.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Lufthansa flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Lufthansa. 

Have you received an email notifying about cancellation? Check out this email. Most probably it will include all the information you need — what’s happening next and what options do you have. If you are at the airport, and your flight is cancelled (a very last-minute cancellation), keep following your Lufthansa flight information and wait for the announcement from the airline. It should be coming soon.

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and a full refund. If you don’t want to fly anymore, ask for a refund. Keep in mind that you won’t receive it right away. Usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

If your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, Lufthansa also has to pay compensation, too. You have a right to Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation + a new flight or refund. 

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for another flight?

If it’s a Lufthansa connecting flight, don’t worry. 

If you miss your connection because your previous flight has been delayed or cancelled, Lufthansa will book you on another flight free of charge. 

But if it’s a self transfer, it’s your responsibility. If you book flights separately, it is your responsibility to make it in time for your next flight. Even if these are separately booked Lufthansa flights. These flights are not booked under one booking reference, so it’s not a protected connecting flight. A travel insurance that covers trip interruptions and changes may cover the costs, at least some.

Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Lufthansa Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Lufthansa compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.