Lufthansa Missed Connection Compensation

Lufthansa missed connection compensation.

How much can you claim? What happens if you miss your flight?

In case you miss a connecting flight with Lufthansa, you might be eligible for compensation. The amount of compensation you can claim varies depending on the specific circumstances of your case. It’s important to note that your nationality, ticket price, and travel insurance coverage do not affect your eligibility for compensation. This is because Lufthansa is required to follow specific regulations set by the EU, and if compensation is due, the airline must pay it.

You can either file the claim on your own or seek assistance from professionals.

1. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation

If you miss your connecting flight with Lufthansa, you might be eligible for compensation. The regulations that apply in such circumstances are simple.

1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation 

If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay on your first Lufthansa flight, you may qualify for compensation under EU regulations.

If the delay is attributable to the airline’s fault, you can claim up to €600, if your flight is to or from Europe. Since Lufthansa is a European airline, this rule applies to all Lufthansa flights within, to, and from Europe. Legally, there is no such thing as “Lufthansa missed connection compensation,” as it falls under the same category as Lufthansa flight delay compensation.

You must arrive at your final destination 3+ hours later than planned to be entitled to Lufthansa flight compensation. To sum it up, you can get compensation if:

• It’s a 3+ hour delay;
• It’s the fault of Lufthansa;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

The same rules apply to Lufthansa connecting flights. Keep in mind that in this case, your destination is your final destination (not any of the layover airports).

Here’s an example. You have a connecting flight with Lufthansa from Dresden to San Francisco via Munich. Your final destination is San Francisco. Munich is only a layover airport. If you have made it to San Francisco 3 or more hours later due to the fault of Lufthansa, you will be entitled to compensation for missed connection flight for the whole “Dresden – San Francisco” journey.

Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

If one of your flights is canceled, and you miss your connecting flight and arrive at your final destination with a delay of 3 or more hours, you may be eligible for compensation from Lufthansa, just like with flight delays.

This is applicable if the reason for the cancellation is due to the airline’s fault, and you’re traveling to or from Europe. The compensation amount can be up to €600 and is determined by the distance of your flight.

To sum up, you can get missed connection flight compensation if:

• Your previous flight is cancelled (or delayed) due to the fault of Lufthansa;
• You reach your destination 3+ hours late;
• The flight is to/from Europe.

Want to claim compensation?

Make sure you file a compensation claim!

1.3 What About Self-Transfer Flights With Lufthansa?

If you have booked separate flights for your journey (i.e., self transfer), the regulations mentioned above do not apply. In such cases, if one of your flights gets cancelled or delayed, you will not be eligible for compensation for the other flight.

For example, if you have booked one flight with Lufthansa and another with Wizz Air, and Lufthansa cancels their flight, you may be entitled to compensation for the cancelled Lufthansa flight. However, Lufthansa is not responsible for your Wizz Air flight, and they will not provide any assistance if you miss it.

It’s important to keep this in mind while making separate flight bookings.

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.

2. Extraordinary Circumstances

These are circumstances that are beyond the control of Lufthansa.

In these situations, compensation is not applicable. Extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather conditions or a pandemic are examples of this. If you are uncertain about any information provided, it is recommended to confirm it. To ensure that you are not receiving incorrect information from the airline, it is wise to double-check all the details related to compensations and refunds.

Alternatively, you can seek the assistance of a flight compensation company to review your case and ensure that you are not being misled. For example, technical issues with the aircraft are usually the responsibility of the airline, and not considered exceptional circumstances, despite some airlines claiming otherwise.

Situations that are not extraordinary circumstances:

• Most of technical problems with the airplane
• Most of Lufthansa staff strikes
• Lufthansa staffing shortages

3. Right to Care

You have the right to receive assistance if you are stranded at the airport.

If your flight with Lufthansa is delayed or cancelled, and it causes you to miss a connecting flight, Lufthansa is obliged to offer you assistance while you wait for another flight. Apart from that, in case of a missed connection, Lufthansa has to offer a free alternative flight. As long as it didn’t happen due to your fault.

Speaking of assistance, if your waiting time at the airport exceeds three hours, you are entitled to receive care from Lufthansa.

• After 3 hours of waiting Lufthansa must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, plus two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes.
• In case of an overnight delay, free hotel accommodation must also be offered (+ free airport transfer).

4. How to Claim Lufthansa Flight Compensation?

There are two ways of claiming EU flight compensation.

The first option is to contact Lufthansa directly. You can visit their website and reach out to their customer support center to request compensation for your flight. However, keep in mind that this process can be lengthy, and you may need to negotiate with Lufthansa to get the compensation you deserve. Having evidence to demonstrate how much later you arrived at your destination can be helpful.

The second, simpler option is to get legal representation.

With this approach, you’ll have legal professionals handling all aspects of your claim. Our partners offer such services – details below.

4.1 How Long Does It Take?

What is the expected timeframe for receiving compensation from an airline?

Typically, it takes at least a couple of months to receive compensation.

If your case requires referral to a national enforcement body or court, the process may take an additional couple of months, and in some cases, even additional six months.

Several factors can impact the length of time it takes to receive compensation. If an airline promptly acknowledges your claim and agrees to pay compensation, the process can be expedited. However, if the airline disputes your claim, it may take longer, and you may have to go through an extended legal process to receive compensation.

Furthermore, the complexity of your case may affect the amount of time it takes to receive compensation. Each case is unique.

5. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

Here is how you can calculate the amount of your Lufthansa flight compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the distance is 3500 kilometres or more and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later, you are entitled to compensation of €300, not €600. If the delay is longer than 4 hours, you will get full compensation of €600.

5.1 Lufthansa Voucher Refund or Cash?

It’s possible that Lufthansa may offer you a voucher instead of cash compensation.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines have been offering vouchers instead of monetary compensation for flight delays and cancellations.

However, you have the right to refuse a voucher and opt for bank transfer compensation instead. It’s important to know that airlines are legally required to offer compensation and refunds in cash or bank transfer, and not in the form of vouchers or coupons, according to European law.

6. What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight is when you have to take two or more flights to reach your final destination, with a stop at one or more airports in between. This means you won’t be flying directly from point A to point B, but will instead be making a stop at point C. Sometimes there may be multiple stops. The time spent at the airport between flights is called a layover, and if it lasts more than 24 hours it’s called a stopover.

Passengers use connecting flights when a direct flight is either unavailable or more expensive compared to the connecting option.

There are two types of connecting flights:

1. airline-protected transfers,
2. self transfer flights.

6.1 Airline-Protected Transfer

How to find out if you have an airline-protected transfer?

1. You have made a reservation for a connecting flight, either with the airline or a third-party service like Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams.
2. Your whole trip consists of two or more flights and has been assigned a single booking reference number by the airline. Airline booking reference number, not travel agent booking reference number — this is an important difference. By visiting the airline’s website and entering your booking reference number, you will be able to view and manage the entire itinerary.

6.2 Self Transfer

How can you determine if you have a self-transfer flight?

1. If you have multiple flights in a row that were booked separately, you are on a self-transfer flight.
2. If each flight has its own reservation number, you are on a self-transfer flight.
3. If you paid for each flight separately, it is considered a self-transfer.

It can be confusing to distinguish between self transfer and airline-protected connecting flights. To differentiate, you can check the tickets. If each flight has a unique reservation number or booking reference, it is probably a self transfer. Online travel agencies such as Kiwi or Expedia also indicate whether the flight is a self transfer.

7. Missed Connection

When you are unable to board your connecting flight, it is referred to as a missed connection.

This can occur if you are running behind schedule or if your previous flight was delayed or cancelled unexpectedly. In situations where the layover or connection time is short, such as 1 or 1.5 hours, it can be easy to miss your connecting flight.

It’s worth noting that in many instances, airlines will provide assistance to passengers who have missed their connecting flight. If arriving at your destination later than expected is not a major issue, experiencing a delay could potentially be advantageous as you may be eligible for flight compensation of up to 600 euros per person.

Cancelled or delayed flight causes missed connection?

7.1 Missed Airline-Protected Transfer

Choosing an airline-protected transfer is the most secure option for travelers.

If you miss your connecting flight through no fault of your own, the airline will offer protection and assistance.

In the case of flight cancellations or delays that result in a missed connection, passengers are protected, and they may even be entitled to compensation. The airline will typically arrange for a new flight, and a free hotel stay (if the new flight departs on the next day). To address the issue, you should contact representatives from the airline, at the airport.

Keep in mind that compensation may be available in certain circumstances.

What about a refund or compensation?

It is generally not possible to obtain a refund for a missed flight.

However, if your flight falls under the EU Regulation 261/2004, you may be eligible for missed flight compensation for your entire journey (that’s the same flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation).

Don’t forget to file a claim for compensation!

Connecting flight example: Barcelona (BCN) – New York, Newark Liberty International (EWR) with a stop in Frankfurt (FRA). Booked from Lufthansa, under one booking reference number.

7.2 Missed Self-Transfer Flight

A self-transfer involves booking multiple flights separately.

What occurs if you miss your self-transfer connection?

If any of the individual flights in your itinerary are delayed by 3 or more hours, cancelled, or if you are denied boarding, you may be eligible for compensation related to that specific flight. However, neither of the airlines involved will be responsible for your entire journey or any missed connections.

Example: If you have a flight with Ryanair to Frankfurt, which we shall refer to as “flight 1,” and then have a 3-hour layover before catching the next flight with Lufthansa to New York, which we shall refer to as “flight 2,” neither airline is responsible for any missed connection resulting from a delay or cancellation of flight 1.

In the event of a long delay (3+ hours) of the flight 1, you may be entitled to compensation from Ryanair. If there is a last-minute cancellation, you may be entitled to a new flight, refund, and compensation from Ryanair for the flight 1, in accordance with ‎Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

However, if you miss your Lufthansa flight as a result, it is your responsibility to purchase a new flight to your destination (New York, in this case). Neither Ryanair nor Lufthansa will provide any compensation for flight 2, and you will not receive compensation for a missed flight connection.

The same applies to Lufthansa flight – flight 2. If it’s delayed or cancelled last minute, you may get compensation for this one particular flight. At the same time, if it’s cancelled last minute and you are given a flight 2 hours earlier than you can’t make it for, it is your problem to deal with.

If you have missed flight insurance, you should contact your insurance company. They might be able to assist you, depending on the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Lufthansa Delayed Flight > Missed Connection

Flight Cancellations

Other Situations

Have you ever missed a connection? Was it a connecting flight with Lufthansa? Share your experience. Do you have any questions about Lufthansa compensation policies? Ask in the comments.

Featured photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels