Lufthansa Missed Flight Policy

Overview

Lufthansa, a leading German airline and Star Alliance member, operates an extensive network from its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich to over 200 destinations worldwide. Its missed flight policy is governed by its Conditions of Carriage, fare rules, ticket type, EU/UK Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU/UK, U.S. DOT regulations for flights to/from the U.S., and German aviation laws. This policy outlines options for passengers who miss their scheduled flight due to personal reasons, airline-related delays, or other circumstances.

Key Policy Details

No-Show Policy: If you fail to check in by the deadline (45 minutes before departure for most flights) or arrive at the boarding gate (15 minutes before departure), you are considered a "no-show." For non-refundable tickets (e.g., Economy Light, Classic), the ticket value is forfeited, and the entire itinerary, including return or connecting flights, is canceled as tickets must be used in sequence. Notify Lufthansa immediately via the My Bookings section, Lufthansa app, or airport counter to preserve ticket value as a Flight Value Voucher (valid for 12 months, non-refunded but transferable). A no-show fee (e.g., €100-€200, approximately $110-$220 USD, depending on fare type and route) may apply. Unused taxes and fees are refundable, less an administrative fee (e.g., €30, approximately $33 USD). For short-haul flights (up to 1500 km), the fee is approximately €100; medium-haul (1500-3500 km), €150; long-haul (over 3500 km), €200.
Non-Refundable Tickets: No cash refunds are provided for missed flights on non-refundable tickets (e.g., Economy Light, Classic). Rebooking is possible, subject to availability, a change fee (e.g., €100-€300, approximately $110-$330 USD per ticket, depending on fare type), and fare differences. Changes must be made via the My Bookings section, app, or airport counters before departure. If the same fare class is unavailable, a higher fare applies with no refund for lower fares. Economy Light fares are highly restrictive and may not allow changes after departure.
Refundable Tickets: Refundable tickets (e.g., Economy Flex, Business Class) can be refunded for the unused portion with no penalty if canceled before departure. Refunds are processed to the original payment method or as Flight Value Vouchers (valid for 12 months) within 7-30 days via the online refund form, My Bookings, or Chat Assistant. Requests must be made within 12 months of ticket issuance. For Miles & More redemptions, miles are re-credited, but a service fee (e.g., €50, approximately $55 USD) may apply.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation: For tickets purchased directly from Lufthansa (ticket number starting with “220”), you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is at least 7 days away, per U.S. DOT rules. This applies to all fare types and must be requested via the My Bookings section or app. Tickets purchased through travel agencies may not qualify, and refunds may take longer.
Missed Connections Due to Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of a Lufthansa-operated flight within the same booking (ticket number starting with “220”), Lufthansa will rebook you on the next available flight at no cost, potentially with Star Alliance partners like United Airlines or Air Canada. If the delay exceeds 3 hours at your final destination and is within Lufthansa’s control (e.g., technical issues), you may be eligible for compensation: €250 for flights up to 1500 km, €400 for 1500-3500 km, or €600 for over 3500 km under EU/UK 261 (for flights departing from EU/UK airports), or up to $650 USD under U.S. DOT rules. Compensation may be reduced by 50% (e.g., €125, €200, €300) if the alternative flight arrives within 2-4 hours of the original schedule. For delays of 2+ hours, meal vouchers or refreshments are provided; for 5+ hours, you may opt for a refund; for overnight delays, accommodation and transfers are offered if away from your home airport. Retain receipts for reimbursement.
Extraordinary Circumstances: No compensation is provided for missed flights due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control strikes, or security issues). Lufthansa will assist with rebooking or refunding unused taxes and fees, less an administrative fee. Passengers are responsible for additional expenses (e.g., accommodation, transport). Travel insurance is recommended.
Denied Boarding: If you miss a flight due to overbooking and checked in on time with valid documentation, Lufthansa will seek volunteers first. If involuntarily denied boarding, you will be rebooked on the next available flight and may receive compensation: €250-€600 under EU/UK 261 for flights departing from EU/UK airports, or $200-$650 USD under U.S. DOT rules, depending on delay duration. Volunteers receive agreed-upon compensation, typically a voucher. Meals or refreshments are provided while waiting.
Special Circumstances: For missed flights due to medical emergencies or bereavement, Lufthansa may waive fees or offer refunds/vouchers with valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate, death certificate) submitted via the online feedback form or Customer Service. Approval is reviewed case-by-case, and delays in documentation may lead to rejection.

Steps to Take if You Miss Your Flight

Contact Lufthansa immediately via the My Bookings section, Lufthansa app, or airport counter within 24 hours of the scheduled departure to request rebooking or preserve ticket value as a voucher (valid for 12 months). Provide your booking reference (e.g., six-letter code like ABC123). Airport counters are recommended for faster processing during peak periods.
Explain the reason for missing the flight to determine eligibility for rebooking, vouchers, or fee waivers. For special circumstances, submit documentation via the online feedback form or Customer Service promptly to avoid rejection.
Check your ticket’s fare rules in the My Bookings section to understand applicable fees, restrictions, or refund eligibility. Economy Light and Classic fares are restrictive, while Economy Flex and Business Class offer more flexibility.
Submit compensation or refund claims via the online compensation form, My Bookings, or Chat Assistant, including your name, booking reference, and supporting documents (e.g., boarding passes, receipts, medical certificates). Refunds take 7-30 days; claims are acknowledged within 7 days and processed within 30 days. Keep the reference number to track status.
Keep all documentation for claims or expense reimbursements. Report baggage issues within 7 days for damage or 21 days for delays via the Baggage Irregularity Report form. For missing bags, Lufthansa covers essential items with receipts submitted.
Check travel insurance policies for coverage of missed flights due to valid reasons (e.g., illness, accidents). Request an Insurance Verification Form via Customer Service for insurance claims.
For EU/UK 261 claims (flights departing from EU/UK airports), submit directly to Lufthansa to avoid third-party fees. If unresolved, escalate to the German Conciliation Body for Public Transport (Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr e.V.), German CAA, or EU/UK national authorities. Claims can be filed up to 6 years after the flight.

Note: Policies vary based on ticket type (Economy Light, Classic, Flex, Business Class), fare rules, and booking channel (direct or through a travel agency). For codeshare flights (e.g., with United Airlines or Air Canada), the operating carrier’s rules may apply. Always review fare conditions at booking, arrive early (2 hours for domestic, 3 hours for international flights), and use the Lufthansa app for updates, though app issues (e.g., payment errors) have been reported. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure; boarding gates close 15 minutes prior. Online check-in is available 23 hours to 1 hour before departure. Recent data (2025) indicates Lufthansa’s on-time performance at 61.41% over a 24-hour period, with 0.15% of international flights delayed over 3 hours and 3.27% of international flights canceled. For complex claims, consider services like AirHelp or Flightright, though they may charge fees (e.g., 25-50% of compensation).

Additional Information

If Lufthansa cancels or delays your flight by 3+ hours or cancels with less than 14 days’ notice, you may choose a refund, rebooking, or compensation, depending on the circumstances. For cancellations within Lufthansa’s control, you may receive a full refund (including fees for baggage, seats, or meals) or rebooking on the next available flight at no cost, potentially with Star Alliance partners or by converting to a Deutsche Bahn train ticket for certain routes (e.g., within Germany or to Basel/Salzburg). Compensation for EU/UK flights departing from EU/UK airports (€250-€600) can be filed up to 6 years after the flight, or within 1 year for U.S. claims ($75-$650 USD). For delays over 2 hours, meal vouchers or refreshments are provided; for 5+ hours, you may opt for a refund; for overnight delays, accommodation and transfers are offered if away from your home airport. Retain receipts for expenses and submit claims within 21 days for delays or 7 days for baggage issues. For unresolved claims, escalate to the German CAA, U.S. DOT, or EU/UK authorities. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. For more details, review Lufthansa’s Conditions of Carriage, Customer Service Commitment, or EU Passenger Rights section.