How to obtain compensation for a cancelled Lufthansa flight

How to obtain compensation for a cancelled Lufthansa flight

Having a Lufthansa flight cancelled can be a stressful experience and cause problems for passengers with regard to both their plans and their rights. In this article we will provide you with detailed information on the causes of Lufthansa flight cancellations, passenger rights and how to get the right compensation.

Causes of Lufthansa flight cancellations

The most common causes of Lufthansa flight cancellations can be aircraft maintenance, flight crew shortages, adverse weather conditions, security problems and strikes. In some cases, Lufthansa may be forced to cancel a flight due to force majeure causes such as a medical emergency on board, a security emergency or unforeseeable technical problems. However, according to EU Regulation 261/2004, Lufthansa must provide assistance and compensation to passengers in the event of flight cancellation, unless the cancellation is due to force majeure.

Passenger rights

In the event of a Lufthansa flight cancellation, passengers are entitled to assistance and compensation according to EU Regulation 261/2004. Assistance includes things such as food, drink, hotel accommodation (if necessary) and transport to the destination or departure airport. Compensation depends on the distance of the flight and when passengers were informed of the cancellation. For flights of less than 1,500 kilometres, the compensation is EUR 250. For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, the compensation is EUR 400. For flights over 3,500 kilometres, the compensation is EUR 600. It is important to note that these amounts may be reduced or waived if Lufthansa offers an alternative flight that departs within two hours of the original time of the cancelled flight and arrives within four hours of the original time of the cancelled flight.

How to obtain compensation

To obtain compensation for a cancelled Lufthansa flight, passengers must follow these steps:

Keep track of expenses: passengers should keep all receipts for expenses incurred due to the flight cancellation, such as food, accommodation and transport.

Contact Lufthansa: passengers should contact Lufthansa to enquire about the options available to them and to request assistance and compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Fill in the claim form: passengers should fill in the claim form provided by Lufthansa and send it together with receipts for expenses incurred.

Wait for a reply: Lufthansa has a specific period of time to reply to the complaint. If the response is not satisfactory, passengers can turn to the air traffic regulatory authorities for further assistance.

Use an assistance service: passengers can also use an assistance service to help them obtain the compensation to which they are entitled.

Conclusion

Travelling on a cancelled Lufthansa flight can be a stressful experience, but passengers are entitled to assistance and compensation according to EU Regulation 261/2004. The most common causes of Lufthansa flight cancellations can be aircraft maintenance, flight crew shortages, adverse weather conditions, safety issues and strikes. However, in some cases, Lufthansa may be forced to cancel a flight due to force majeure.

If you have suffered a Lufthansa flight cancellation, we recommend that you use our tool to check whether you are entitled to compensation and to help you obtain the right compensation quickly and easily.