Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation
As an EU/EEA/Swiss-licensed carrier, Lufthansa falls under EU261 for every flight departing an EU/EEA/Swiss airport (regardless of destination), and for flights arriving in the EU/EEA/Switzerland from outside it. Flights departing UK airports fall under UK261.
Compensation amounts
| Flight distance | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 | €250 |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | £350 | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | £520 | €600 |
Delay claims need arrival 3+ hours late at your final destination (CJEU Sturgeon line, retained in UK law). Cancellations: compensation depends on notice period and rerouting times — the free check applies the exact rules.
What Lufthansa will likely argue — and what actually counts
Airlines must prove "extraordinary circumstances" to refuse. Commonly accepted: severe weather (only when genuinely exceptional); air traffic control restrictions or decisions; strikes by airport staff, ATC or customs (not the airline's own staff); security risks or emergencies; airport closures; bird strikes (courts differ — worth arguing). Not extraordinary: technical problems with the aircraft; the airline's own crew or staff strikes; crew scheduling and unavailability; knock-on delays from an earlier flight of the same airline; overbooking.
Deadlines
For flights from England & Wales the limitation period is 6 years (Scotland: 5). EU countries vary from 1 year (rare) to 6 years — file early regardless. Airlines occasionally use Michaels/Weryński-style stop-the-clock arguments on long ATC strikes; courts have since restricted that tactic.
How to claim Lufthansa compensation
- Run the free eligibility check — 60 seconds, exact statutory result.
- Hand the case to ClaimPilot: we prepare the claim letter, file it with the airline's compensation channel, and chase every 14 days.
- Refused wrongly? We escalate to the national enforcement body (e.g. CAA in the UK) and prepare your court pack.
- You keep 85% — the airline pays you directly, then you pay our 15% fee. No win, no fee.
Other airlines
Informational content, not legal advice. Amounts are the statutory fixed compensation. Updated 3 November 2026.