Flight Delay Compensation Germany

Reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

Regardless of your citizenship or residency, you may be protected by EC Regulation flight delay in case of long delays (including Frankfurt flight delays). You may be entitled to flight delay compensation Germany of up to €600. 

AirAdvisor explains what delayed flights are covered, what additional services you can claim along your Germany flight delay compensation and how much of flight delay compensation companies Germany you can get. 

You can also find out what are the responsibilities of airlines in case of Germany flights cancelled and what to do if your Germany flights cancelled today.

Flight delay compensation Germany: what are my rights?

According to the EU Regulation flight compensation, all air passengers arriving or leaving Germany may have the right to EC flight delay compensation. 

You may get flight delay compensation Germany only if:

• your flight arrived at the final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours
• your flight departed from EU airport or was operated by an EU airline 
• flight delay resulted from the airline’s fault (conflicting schedules, technical issues, airline staff strikes, etc.)
• you did check-in on time 
• you claimed compensation within the deadline

Check if your flight qualifies in less than 3 minutes with the help of our Germany flight delay compensation calculator.

EC Regulation flight delay: what flights qualify?

Your flight is eligible for flight delay compensation companies Germany only if a few conditions are met.

Regardless of where you are based, you may get compensation for:

• all flights operated by an EU airline
• all flights departed from an EU airport

Besides Germany, EC 261 Regulation covers the other 26 EU countries, 9 outermost regions, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. 

All the flights qualified for Germany flight delay compensation are shown in the table:

Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flight.Check Your Flight

How much Germany flight delay compensation can I get?

You may claim between €250 and €600 of flight delays compensation Germany. 

The exact amount of compensation depends on:

• travel distance of your flight
• length of the delay
• if you had a single flight or connecting flights, and others

Check how much flight delay compensation Germany you can get with this simple table: 

Travel distance between departure and arrival airports significantly affects the amount of compensation.

For example, compensation for flight delays Frankfurt - Helsinki is €400. Given the same flight delay circumstances, compensation for Berlin - Helsinki delay is €250. 

This is because the flight distance between Frankfurt and Helsinki is above 1,500km, while between Berlin and Helsinki is less than 1,500km. 

On the other hand, the compensation for delayed flight from Germany to USA only depends on the length of the delay.

It doesn't depend on the flight distance since the travel distance between all German and American airports is over 3,500km. 

Learn more about your passenger rights for EU flight delay compensation.  

EC Regulation flight delay: additional benefits

EU airline delay entitles you to additional benefits. Check your rights in the following table: 

*Be attentive when agreeing on travel vouchers. They usually contain a waiver of cash compensation. 

**If not offered free of charge by airline, it must reimburse you for all expenses.

If eligible, you may request a refund of all expenses you had while waiting for your flight. So, do not throw away the receipts. 

Disrupted flight? You might have a right to compensation - up to €600.Check Your Flight

Compensation and refund: Germany flights cancelled

Are your flights to Germany cancelled? Do not worry. You are protected by EU 261. 

It does not matter if your flights to Germany from UK cancelled, flights to Frankfurt cancelled, or other flights cancelled to Germany. The airlines must provide you with an alternative flight or a ticket refund for any flight cancellation.

Moreover, if Germany flights cancelled were due to the airline's fault, you may be eligible for compensation.

Find out what to do when your flight gets cancelled and how much you can get with the AirAdvisor Germany flights cancelled today calculator.

Why AirAdvisor?

We, the AirAdvisor team, can help you to get your flight delay compensation Germany. 

What is so special about AirAdvisor?

• we are industry experts with 7 years of experience
• we helped more than 240,000 travellers from 58 countries get their compensation
• more than 14,422 reviews rated us 4.6/5.0
• our international team speaks 13 languages
• we manage all the process of getting your compensation: from collecting the data to defending your rights in court
• everything that we do is free of charge: we work on a no win no fee basis so risk-free for you

We always have a solution for your flight disruption. Our team can get your compensation for Frankfurt flight delays, denied boarding in Cologne airport, Berlin or Frankfurt flights cancelled, or others.

All you need is a computer and the internet. Fill in your flight details on the AirAdvisor website. We will take charge of the rest. 

We will get your EC Regulation flight delay or cancellation compensation. Zero stress and entirely free of charge.

Claim with AirAdvisor and get up to €600 compensation. Find out how much you’re owed today.Check Your Flight

FAQ

Can you get a refund for a delayed flight in Germany?

Yes, you can get a refund for a delayed flight in Germany under certain conditions. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is delayed by more than five hours, you have the right to choose between a full refund or an alternative flight to your destination.

How long does a flight have to be delayed to get compensation in Germany?

In Germany, passengers are entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed for more than three hours.

How to benefit from my flight being delayed over 3 hours in Germany?

Depending on the length of the delay and the airline you are flying with, you could receive a refund of up to 600 euros per passenger. You can also claim reimbursement for meals and refreshments, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation if necessary. In order to benefit from these compensations, check if your flight is eligible or contact the airline directly and provide proof of the delay.

What if my flight is delayed by 1 or 2 hours?

If your flight to or from Germany is delayed by 1 or 2 hours, you are not be eligible for monetary compensation.

How do I know if my Lufthansa flight is refundable?

To determine if your Lufthansa flight is refundable, you can follow these steps:

1. Visit the Lufthansa official website and navigate to the "Manage My Booking" or "My Trips" section.
2. Enter your booking details, such as your reservation code and last name, to access your flight information.
3. Once you access your booking, look for the fare conditions or ticket terms. This section will outline the specific rules and restrictions associated with your ticket, including refundability.
4. Check if your ticket is labeled as "refundable" or "non-refundable." If it's refundable, you will be eligible for a refund under certain circumstances.
5. Review the refund policy provided by Lufthansa, which will detail the conditions under which a refund can be requested and any associated fees or penalties.
6. If you're unable to find the necessary information on the website, you can contact Lufthansa's customer service directly via phone or email for clarification on your ticket's refundability.

Is it more likely to have a flight delay later in the day?

Flight delays can occur at any time of the day due to various factors, including weather conditions, air traffic congestion, and operational issues.

How much time do I need for a connecting flight in Frankfurt?

To ensure a smooth connecting flight in Frankfurt, it is recommended to allow a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes for intra-European flights and 60 to 90 minutes for intercontinental flights. However, it's crucial to consider various factors such as the airline, terminal distances, immigration procedures, and security checks, which may require additional time. It is always advisable to check with your airline or consult the airport's official website for specific guidelines and updates regarding connecting flight durations in Frankfurt.