Airline Lufthansa
In Germany, Lufthansa is the major national airline. Its full name is " Deutsche Lufthansa ", which translates to " German Air League ".
Founded in 1953 in its current form, it was owned by the Federal Republic of Germany before being gradually privatised in the 1990s.
In terms of passenger numbers, it is the largest airline in Europe, ahead of Ryanair and Air France-KLM. This aviation giant also owns several other airlines, such as Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, and Swiss International.
Lufthansa is a European airline, with all the obligations that entails under EU law.
Is it possible to get a refund for a scheduled Lufthansa flight?
Lufthansa's refund conditions are limited. If you travel in economy class, you will have fare options, accompanied by more or less advantageous offers.
In economy class, there are four options:
- Economy Light: ticket changeable with a €90 fee and non-refundable
- Economy Classic: ticket changeable with a €60 fee and non-refundable
- Economy Green: ticket changeable without a fee but non-refundable
- Economy Flex: ticket changeable without a fee and refundable within certain limits
In Business class, there is a more advantageous option: Business Flex, with changes and refunds possible without a fee.
Unlike other airlines, Lufthansa does not offer cancellation insurance.
All these options are beneficial if you cancel the flight.
In the event of cancellation by the airline, significant delay, or overbooking, European regulations take precedence. Such situations fall under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Your rights in the event of flight disruption with Lufthansa
In the event of flight disruption, this regulation guarantees a number of rights for air travellers.
This includes:
- Re-routing in case of cancellation or overbooking
- The right to meals and drinks in case of significant delay
- The right to hotel accommodation if you have to wait until the next day to depart
- The right to two phone calls covered by the airline
What compensation is available?
In the event of delay, flight cancellation, or denied boarding due to overbooking, European regulation (EC) No 261/2004 provides for a fixed compensation. It amounts to:
- €250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 2 hours or more
- €400 for an extra-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an intra-EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €600 for an extra-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more
Which flights are covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004?
This regulation does not apply to all flights. It applies to:
- Any flight departing from an airport within the European Community (including Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland)
- Any flight to the European Community operated by an airline based in this community (including Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland)
As a German airline, Lufthansa is covered by this second point.
Compensation is excluded in three cases:
- If the airline informed you at least 15 days in advance
- If you are re-routed on a flight that allows you to depart and arrive at the same times
- In case of extraordinary circumstances (weather, risks to passengers and staff, strike)
What to do in case of a Lufthansa airline strike?
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 considers a strike as an extraordinary circumstance.
This refers to strikes by personnel outside of Lufthansa. In an airport, not all staff are dependent on airlines. Air traffic controllers and baggage handlers are employed by third-party organisations.
If the strike is within Lufthansa, the airline is responsible and is considered to have been able to anticipate the disruptions. Therefore, it must compensate you.
What to do if your flight is delayed?
In case of a flight delay, compensation is not always due. It only becomes payable after a certain delay.
Your flight must be delayed by at least two hours, longer if it exceeds 1500 km.
What to do if your flight is cancelled by Lufthansa?
A flight is cancelled when it is removed from the schedule. Lufthansa must rebook you on a new flight. If your flight is cancelled, you are eligible for compensation. However, if the delay you experience is below a certain threshold, the compensation will be reduced:
- From €250 to €125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with less than 2 hours delay
- From €400 to €200 for an extra-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an intra-EU flight of more than 1500 km with less than 3 hours delay
- From €600 to €300 for an extra-EU flight of more than 3500 km with less than 4 hours delay
Lufthansa: compensation for overbooking
Overbooking occurs when the airline issues more tickets than there are seats available on the aircraft. In this case, the airline may deny you boarding and rebook you on another flight.
The airline is responsible for this situation. Compensation is therefore payable. It is calculated on the same basis as for a flight cancellation, with the same reduction in case of a shorter delay.
What to do in case of a flight issue with Lufthansa?
In case of an incident, it is not always easy to determine who, between the airline, the airport, or another party, is responsible.
If your Lufthansa flight is delayed or cancelled, you will be informed either by the displays in the terminal or by email alert. In case of overbooking, you are likely to find out on the spot, at the time of boarding.
However, Lufthansa has an obligation: to take care of you until your arrival. In case of an incident, they are always your point of contact.
You can contact them for:
- Knowing the reason for the incident
- Information about your re-routing
- Coverage of your expenses (meals, accommodation, phone calls)
- Information on how to claim compensation
On this last point, they are likely to direct you to the airline's website to claim compensation online.
A flight disruption with Lufthansa? Delayed is here to help!
While European regulations guarantee you certain rights, it is not always easy to enforce them.
The process can be lengthy and uncertain (an airline may wrongly deny you compensation).
One solution: let specialists handle it for you. Delayed, an expert in air passenger rights, assists you in your claims.
Contact us, and claim up to €600 on your flight ticket.