Lufthansa
Flight Compensation
Lufthansa's initial settlement offers are sometimes below your legal entitlement. Check before you accept.
Lufthansa passengers have higher average claim values than any other European carrier — due to longer routes, frequent business class bookings, and multi-leg itineraries. The 2022–23 strike waves (9 separate disruption events) created one of the largest batches of valid claims in European aviation history. Under the Krüsemann ruling, most of those strikes remain eligible for compensation.
SkyVolo is an independent claims management service. Airline names are used only to identify the carrier involved in your disruption. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Lufthansa.
€600
Max per passenger (long-haul)
EU+UK
Dual regulation coverage
6 yrs
Claim time limit (varies by jurisdiction)
Potential Payout
€600
up to per passenger, depending on eligibility
Processing time: varies by case
Initial checks are preliminary only. Final eligibility depends on claim review, disruption cause, and supporting documents.
Free eligibility check · 3 years (Germany, from flight date) · up to 6 years for UK-departing flights time limit · Fee disclosed before signature
01We Know Lufthansa
Lufthansa is Germany's flag carrier and Europe's second-largest airline group, operating under the LH, Swiss (LX), Austrian (OS), Brussels Airlines (SN), and Eurowings (EW) brands. LH-operated long-haul routes (FRA hub) have an average notable delay rates for 3hr+ arrivals. The 2022 and 2023 strike waves — involving Lufthansa's own cabin crew (UFO union) and ground staff (ver.di) — affected large numbers of passengers across multiple disruption events.
Our Success Rate
Assessed individually
on contested Lufthansa claims
Average Payout
Varies by route
per passenger, Lufthansa claims
Common Challenges With Lufthansa Claims
Lufthansa's initial response to delay claims sometimes cites 'extraordinary circumstances' in relation to ATC restrictions or weather, even where the primary cause was crew positioning or fleet utilisation.
For passengers affected by 2022–23 strikes, Lufthansa has sent rejection letters citing 'extraordinary circumstances' — this is legally incorrect under the Krüsemann ruling and is being challenged successfully by SkyVolo and other claim firms.
Lufthansa may make partial settlement offers (e.g. €250 on a valid €600 claim) framed as 'goodwill compensation' — these are legally non-binding but many passengers accept them.
Business class passengers entitled to Article 10 downgrade compensation (75% of segment price for 3+ distance) are often offered a smaller voucher or miles credit by Lufthansa's customer relations team.
Lufthansa's response time on formal claims is typically 6–10 weeks. LBA ADR decisions (the German regulatory body) are binding and typically returned within 3 months.
SkyVolo Approach
How We Handle Lufthansa Differently
For strike claims, we cite the Krüsemann ruling in every submission and include the specific UFO/ver.di industrial action timeline that matches your disruption date. For partial settlement offers, we document the full statutory entitlement and formally decline on your behalf. For downgrade claims (Article 10), we calculate the exact 75% segment value based on your original ticket price. LBA escalation is our standard second step when Lufthansa rejects — German regulatory enforcement is among the strongest in Europe.
02Common Lufthansa Disruptions
Disruption patterns specific to Lufthansa — and what each one means for your claim.
2022–23 cabin crew & ground staff strikes
9 major disruption events affecting ~2M passengersKrüsemann v TUIfly (C-195/17): Lufthansa's own cabin crew (UFO union) and ground staff (ver.di) industrial action does NOT qualify as extraordinary circumstances. Claims from all 9 strike events remain valid under EC261. German 3-year limitation period — all 2022 strikes expire by end of 2025, all 2023 strikes by end of 2026.
Flight delays (3hr+) — FRA hub congestion
Recurring on FRA hub departures, higher in peak seasonFrankfurt Airport has Europe's highest ATC restriction frequency. Where delay is attributable to genuine ATC strikes (not flow restrictions), extraordinary circumstances may apply. We assess each case individually.
Business class downgrade (Article 10)
Low frequency, very high claim valueUnder Article 10 of EC261, if you are involuntarily downgraded to a lower class than booked, you are entitled to: 30% refund for flights up to 1,500km, 50% for 1,500–3,500km, 75% for flights over 3,500km. This is calculated on the ticket price for the downgraded segment, not the whole journey. Lufthansa must pay within 7 days.
Missed connections (Frankfurt hub)
Higher than average due to FRA congestionEC261 missed connection rights apply if the whole journey is on a single booking and the first leg delay caused the missed connection. LH's minimum connection time (MCT) at FRA is 45 minutes — connections booked tighter than this may not be covered if LH can demonstrate reasonable scheduling.
03Highest-Disruption Routes
Routes where Lufthansa passengers commonly experience eligible disruptions. Based on general industry knowledge and regulatory information.
| Route | Disruption Notes |
|---|---|
| FRA → LHR (Frankfurt–London Heathrow) | Elevated disruption, peak season |
| FRA → CDG (Frankfurt–Paris Charles de Gaulle) | Elevated disruption, year-round |
| MUC → LHR (Munich–London Heathrow) | Frequently disrupted |
| FRA → IST (Frankfurt–Istanbul) | Moderate disruption, summer |
| FRA → MAD (Frankfurt–Madrid) | Moderate disruption, year-round |
04How We Handle Your Claim
You submit your flight details
Takes a few minutes. We need your flight number, travel date, and what happened. No paperwork required from you upfront.
We build your Lufthansa-specific case
We submit a formal EC261 claim letter to Lufthansa AG's Customer Relations department in Frankfurt, citing the specific Krüsemann ruling for strike claims or Sturgeon/Wallentin-Hermann for delay/technical claims. For 2022–23 strike claims, we include a precise timeline matching your flight date to the documented UFO/ver.di industrial action calendar. If Lufthansa issues a partial settlement or rejection, we escalate to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) — the German civil aviation authority. LBA adjudications are binding and carry enforcement weight.
Submission, escalation, and payment
Lufthansa payouts following LBA adjudication are typically processed within a few business days. For Article 10 downgrade claims, Lufthansa is legally required to pay within 7 days of the flight.
05Regulation & Jurisdiction
Applies to This Airline
EC261/2004 applies to all Lufthansa flights departing EU/EEA airports
Claim time limit: 3 years (Germany, from flight date) · up to 6 years for UK-departing flights from the date of your flight.
06Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lufthansa flight compensation claims.
My Lufthansa flight was cancelled or delayed during a 2022 or 2023 strike — can I still claim?
Yes, and this is time-sensitive. Under Krüsemann v TUIfly (C-195/17), Lufthansa's own cabin crew (UFO) and ground staff (ver.di) industrial action does not qualify as extraordinary circumstances. All 2022 strike claims expire under German law by 31 December 2025 — act now. 2023 claims expire by 31 December 2026. Disruption dates include: July 2022, September 2022, February 2023, March 2023, April 2023, June 2023, and July 2023.
Lufthansa offered me €250 as 'goodwill compensation' for a long-haul delay — should I accept?
Only if you were on a short-haul flight (under 1,500km). For medium-haul (1,500–3,500km) you are owed €400; for long-haul (over 3,500km) you are owed €600. Lufthansa's 'goodwill' offers are sometimes below the statutory rate. Do not sign any settlement form until you have confirmed the correct legal amount for your route. Accepting a partial settlement without a waiver still allows you to claim the balance — contact us before accepting.
I was downgraded from business class on my Lufthansa flight — what am I owed?
Under Article 10 of EC261, you are entitled to a refund of 75% of the ticket price for the downgraded segment (for flights over 3,500km), 50% for 1,500–3,500km, or 30% for flights up to 1,500km. Lufthansa must pay this within 7 days. This is in addition to any delay compensation if the flight was also delayed. Lufthansa's customer service team often offers miles or vouchers for downgrades — these are not a legal substitute for the Article 10 cash entitlement.
My Lufthansa flight was operated by Swiss, Austrian, or Eurowings — which company do I claim against?
You claim against the operating carrier — the airline whose crew operated the actual flight, not the airline you booked with. If your ticket shows 'operated by Swiss' (LX), your claim is against Swiss International Air Lines, not Lufthansa AG. Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines are separate Lufthansa Group subsidiaries and each has its own EC261 liability. If you booked through Lufthansa.com but flew on a codeshare, the operating carrier is still the responsible party.
Lufthansa rejected my strike claim citing extraordinary circumstances — what are my options?
Escalate immediately to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) ADR scheme. The Krüsemann ruling is binding precedent — Lufthansa cannot lawfully cite their own staff's industrial action as extraordinary circumstances. LBA adjudications are typically returned within 90 days and are enforceable. LBA ADR escalation is available for Lufthansa strike claims.