Lufthansa compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight
Lufthansa holds a German licence, so the regulation applies to all of its flights to and from the EU. From Romania, most Lufthansa journeys connect in Frankfurt or Munich.
Which Lufthansa flights are covered
Lufthansa tickets often include flights operated by other group airlines, such as Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines or Eurowings. The airline that operated the flight with the problem is liable for the delay, but the amount is calculated on the whole journey in the booking.
How much you can get on a Lufthansa flight
| Flight distance | Compensation per passenger |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km, or any flight within the EU over 1,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km, departing from or arriving outside the EU | €600 |
| Route (example) | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Timișoara – Munich | 776 km | €250 |
| Sibiu – Munich | 973 km | €250 |
| Bucharest – Munich | 1,171 km | €250 |
| Bucharest – Frankfurt | 1,449 km | €250 |
| Bucharest – New York JFK, with a connection | 7,631 km | €600 |
The examples show the straight-line distance between airports, not the airline's current timetable. We work out the exact distance for your flight when you check it.
Missed connections in Frankfurt and Munich
If you miss your connection and reach your final destination 3 or more hours late, compensation is based on the total distance. A Bucharest – Frankfurt – New York journey is about 7,600 km, which means €600, even though the first flight is only 1,449 km.
How Lufthansa handles claims
Lufthansa takes compensation claims through the online form on lufthansa.com, in the section for flight irregularities.
Where to complain and where a case is heard
For flights departing from Romania, the body that enforces the regulation is the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC). If it comes to court, the airline can be sued at the court for the airport of departure or arrival (Rehder ruling of the EU Court of Justice, 2009), so a flight from or to Romania can be heard in Romania even if the airline is foreign.
What documents you need
- your boarding pass or booking confirmation;
- an identity document, for the assignment agreement you sign online;
- if you have them, any messages from the airline about the delay or cancellation.
How long you have to claim
In Romania you can usually claim up to 3 years after the flight. Even if the flight was two years ago, it is worth checking.
How Jet Claim helps
Check your flight for free in two minutes and sign online. We handle the correspondence with the airline, the complaint to the authority and, if needed, court. Our fee is 25% + VAT of the amount recovered, deducted only if you get paid. Every situation is explained on the passenger rights page.
Frequently asked questions
The flight was operated by Eurowings but the ticket is from Lufthansa. Who do I claim from?
From the airline that operated the problem flight, in this case Eurowings. You do not need to work out who is liable: we do that and deal with the right airline.
The airline said it was a technical problem. Am I still entitled?
Usually, yes. The EU Court of Justice has ruled that technical faults found during maintenance or before departure are part of an airline's normal business and do not excuse it from paying (van der Lans ruling, 2015).
Can I claim for a flight from two years ago?
Yes. In Romania the time limit is usually 3 years from the date of the flight. All you need is the flight details and your booking.