You have just learned that your Lufthansa flight is delayed by checking the flight status online. Now you might be wondering what you should do next. Should you still head to the airport as planned or should you wait at home or your hotel? Flight delays can vary from a brief 30-minute delay to a lengthy 23-hour delay, leaving you potentially stranded at the airport for a day. The question arises as to whether or not you really have to wait at the airport for 23 hours until Lufthansa finds a solution?
The answer is not straightforward and depends on a few factors.
However, in most cases, the answer is quite simple.
Should You Wait or Proceed as Planned?
Where are you right now? At your home? Or at the airport?
1. You Are at the Gate, Waiting for Your Flight
You are currently waiting at the gate for your flight when an announcement is made that your flight has been delayed. What should you do now?
Simply continue to wait at the gate for further updates regarding your flight status.
2. You Haven’t Gone Through Airport Security
If you are at the airport and waiting to go through security, and you find out that your flight has been delayed, it is recommended that you stay where you are. Before proceeding any further, make sure to check if there are any updates regarding your flight’s check-in time. If the check-in time has been delayed, it is best to hold off on going through security.
Wait until further notice before passing through security.
Have you already checked in online?
Wait anyway. Don’t proceed until check-in starts.
3. You Are at Home or Hotel
Find out whether check-in has been postponed or not.
You can do this by calling Lufthansa or checking with the airport information desk.
If the check-in time is delayed, you don’t have to hurry to the airport immediately. You can wait at your hotel or home. But if the check-in time is unchanged, it’s better to stick to your original plans and head to the airport as scheduled.
If check-in is delayed — wait at home or hotel.
If check-in is not delayed — go to the airport as planned.
How to Check Lufthansa Flight Status Online?
Here are some options to check your flight status online:
- The website of the airport from where your flight is departing;
- Your airline’s website (lufthansa.com in this case);
- Flight trackers like Flightradar24.
It’s advisable to check your flight’s status before heading to the airport, particularly for early morning flights. You wouldn’t want to arrive at the airport at 5 am only to find out that your flight has been delayed or canceled, and have to wait for several hours. To avoid getting up up too early, it’s best to check the status right after waking up. It’s also recommended to check the status again just before leaving your home or hotel to ensure there are no last-minute changes.
Usually travellers find out about the delay:
- By SMS or email notifying of the delay;
- When checking the flight status online;
- Already at the airport, or even at the gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss Connecting Flight?
If you have a connecting flight with Lufthansa, you’re covered in case you miss your connection. Lufthansa will arrange a new flight for you at no additional cost, so you don’t need to worry about finding a new flight on your own. Just approach the Lufthansa staff at the airport for assistance if you miss your connecting flight.
But if you have a self-transfer flight, missing your connection is your responsibility, and you’ll need to purchase a new flight. However, if your Lufthansa flight is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to Lufthansa flight delay compensation or Lufthansa flight cancellation compensation, depending on the circumstances.
Right to Care at the Airport
Passengers who are forced to wait at the airport due to a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding are entitled to certain benefits (“right to care“).
- During a relatively short delay of 3 hours or more that occurs during daytime, Lufthansa is obligated to provide complimentary food and drinks, as well as two forms of communication (such as phone calls, emails or faxes), typically provided through coupons.
- In the event of an overnight delay, Lufthansa is required to provide free hotel accommodation, transportation to and from the airport, and a meal or two at no cost to the passenger.
If you haven’t received any of these benefits, contact Lufthansa for assistance.
Could You Be Entitled to Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation?
Yes, you could be entitled to Lufthansa flight delay compensation.
If your flight has been delayed for more than three hours, or if it has been cancelled without a notice of at least 14 days, you may be eligible for a compensation of up to 600 euros under EU law, unless the delay or cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances.
This right applies regardless of the ticket price and the nationality. Remember to keep your boarding pass and other travel documents, as you may need them when claiming compensation. If you need help with the process, there are services available that can assist you in claiming your compensation from Lufthansa – our partners offer such services. You can use the compensation claim form to make a claim. See the link below.
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a Lufthansa Strike?
If your Lufthansa flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, there are two possibilities – it’s either a strike of Lufthansa staff or some other kind of strike.
Generally, if the strike is initiated by airport staff, air traffic control, or a labor strike that does not directly involve Lufthansa, you will not be eligible for compensation. This is considered an extraordinary circumstance, and airlines are not typically held accountable.
However, if the strike involves Lufthansa’s own employees, the airline most likely will be required to compensate passengers. Always check the specific circumstances surrounding your delay or cancellation, and double-check what you are told by the airline.
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Lufthansa flight is delayed due to technical issues with the airplane, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation.
Mostly, these issues are not considered extraordinary circumstances.
However, there may be exceptions in certain cases, such as if the technical problems were caused by hidden manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Lufthansa flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Lufthansa? How did the airline resolve the situation?
Featured photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels