Frankfurt Airport Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation

How much compensation for a Frankfurt Airport delay?

Compensation under EU261 depends on flight distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km (e.g. FRA–Amsterdam, FRA–London), €400 for 1,500–3,500 km (e.g. FRA–Istanbul, FRA–Antalya, FRA–Cairo), and €600 for flights over 3,500 km (e.g. FRA–Dubai, FRA–New York, FRA–Bangkok). A 3+ hour arrival delay or cancellation within 14 days triggers the right to claim.

What is the Germany 3-year deadline for EU261 claims?

Germany applies a 3-year civil limitation period under § 195 BGB (German Civil Code). The 3-year period starts from the end of the calendar year in which the delay occurred — meaning a January 2023 delay has until 31 December 2026 to file. The German enforcement body is LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) and the ADR scheme is SÖP (Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr).

SunExpress delayed my Frankfurt–Antalya flight — does EU261 apply?

Yes, EU261 applies on the Frankfurt FRA departure. SunExpress is registered in Turkey (despite being a Lufthansa–Turkish Airlines joint venture) and is therefore a non-EU carrier. EU261 applies to SunExpress on EU airport departures, including Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC. Frankfurt–Antalya is approximately 2,200 km — medium-haul tier, €400 per person. The return Antalya → Frankfurt on SunExpress is NOT covered (non-EU carrier, non-EU departure).

Lufthansa rejected my FRA delay claim — how do I escalate?

Escalate to SÖP (Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr) — the German ADR body. Lufthansa participates in SÖP. The process is free for passengers and SÖP decisions are binding on Lufthansa. Alternatively, file with LBA (the German aviation authority). Germany's 3-year deadline gives you time to pursue — but collect evidence (boarding pass, booking, delay confirmation) as soon as possible.

I transited through Frankfurt on a Lufthansa connection — who is responsible for my missed connection?

If your entire itinerary was booked in a single reservation, the single-booking rule applies. If your original departure was outside the EU (e.g. New York) and the delay occurred on the transatlantic leg causing you to miss your Frankfurt connection, EU261 may apply if the operating carrier is an EU carrier (Lufthansa) or if the departure was from an EU airport. The key question is whether the first delayed flight departed from an EU airport or was operated by an EU carrier.