Lufthansa rating

Lufthansa rating: 5.6/10 (C tier)

Good recent reliability, poor protection against falling fares

Axel considers Lufthansa a workable choice for travelers who pack light and can commit to their plans. Economy Light includes cabin baggage, and September 2026 operating results were strong. But a $90 checked bag each way, costly changes and no confirmed Economy Basic price-drop refund weaken the value, while complaints run well above the median for airlines based abroad.

Axel score: 5.6/10, C tier, #55 of 77 airlines. Repriceability: 4.4/10 (#48). Checked October 26, 2026. Source: https://helloaxel.com/en/airlines/lufthansa

Best and worst

• Best: U.S.-route Economy Light includes an 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.
• Best: OAG reported 80.12% on-time arrivals and 0.47% cancellations in September 2026.
• Worst: The first Economy Light checked bag costs $90 per direction on USA/Canada intercontinental journeys.
• Worst: Economy Basic is nonrefundable after the applicable risk-free window, with no ordinary cancellation credit confirmed.
• Worst: DOT recorded 29.19 complaints per 100,000 passengers, above the foreign-airline median of 14.73.

If the fare drops after you book, can you get money back? Partly

Partly, through cancellation and rebooking, not a confirmed price adjustment on Economy Basic. Economy Light's U.S. disclosure lists international changes at $199 plus fare difference, before departure, with route variations. An undated table lists $300 for Economy Basic, but that charge is not confirmed as uniformly current. Economy Light and Economy Basic are nonrefundable outside applicable protections. Economy Impact and Economy Flex have no rebooking fee, but fare increases remain payable. A wholly unused intercontinental Economy Flex ticket can be refunded and replaced. Direct website bookings qualify for cancellation without penalty within 24 hours if made at least seven days before departure.

No rule confirms whether a lower Economy Basic fare produces cash, credit or a lost difference. No standard new credit or expiry was confirmed. Ticket validity is separate, normally one year from issue or qualifying planned travel commencement, unless the fare says otherwise. Retained ticket value is not transferable. Axel has no published repricing outcome sample or observation period to report for Lufthansa, so no savings rate can be stated.

Lufthansa fares

Key facts

• Fare difference on a cheaper change: Not confirmed. No current official rule established whether a cheaper replacement on U.S.-route Economy Basic produces cash, credit or forfeiture. Lufthansa's rebooking page says the original ticket value is applied to the new booking and higher fares require additional payment, but does not explain a negative fare difference. Rebooking eligibility alone is not evidence that a traveler can recover a price reduction.
• Same flight, lower price: No current official promise to refund or credit a later price drop on the identical flight was confirmed. Eligible direct bookings can be cancelled and repurchased during the 24-hour window; a wholly unused refundable Flex ticket can also be cancelled under its conditions and replaced. These are cancellation-based options, not a confirmed price-adjustment service for Economy Basic. Refund requests are available through My bookings, the chat assistant or a manual form.
• Credits (Retained ticket value; Flight Value Voucher availability unconfirmed): No general newly issued cancellation or price-drop credit with a standard expiry was confirmed. Ticket validity is separate: unless the fare provides otherwise, Lufthansa's conditions allow one year from issue, or one year from planned travel commencement when that commencement is within one year of issue. This does not establish that voluntary cancellation creates a reusable credit. Transferable: no.
• 24-hour rule: Direct lufthansa.com bookings may be cancelled without penalty within 24 hours when booked at least seven days before departure. Qualifying reservations through Lufthansa's telephone reservation centre instead have a published 24-hour unpaid hold.
• Same-day change: No distinct complimentary or fixed-fee same-day-change program was confirmed for standard U.S. intercontinental tickets; ordinary fare conditions and fare differences apply. Separately, European Economy Flex and Business Flex advertise free changes to an earlier same-day flight at check-in, subject to availability and restrictions concerning checked baggage and special services. That European benefit does not establish a transatlantic entitlement.
• Schedule changes: For U.S. international itineraries, Lufthansa identifies departure at least six hours earlier or arrival at least six hours later as a significant change. Other qualifying changes include a different origin or destination airport, additional connections, a cabin downgrade and specified accessibility-related changes. Airline cancellation also qualifies regardless of voluntary fare refundability. When Lufthansa is merchant of record and the traveler declines the changed itinerary, alternative transportation and any offered voucher or credit, its policy provides a refund including taxes and ancillary fees. It specifies automatic refunds after rejection and in defined non-response circumstances. Refunds normally return to the original payment method.

Score breakdown

Repriceability: 4.4/10

• Standard fare change fee: 4.0/10 (Economy Basic: Lufthansa's U.S. Baggage & other fees table lists Economy Basic rebooking at USD 300 plus fare difference. No update date is displayed; checked October 26, 2026. This supports changes for a fee, but the page's obsolete Light descriptions prevent confirming USD 300 as a uniform current charge.)
• Lowest fare flexibility: 4.0/10 (Economy Light: Lufthansa's U.S. Current Fees page explicitly permits international Economy Light rebooking for USD 199 plus any fare difference. The page displays no publication or update date; checked October 26, 2026. Changes must precede the original departure; no-show changes are prohibited. The page warns that fees vary by origin and destination. This U.S.-specific airline disclosure takes precedence over older general descriptions saying Light cannot be changed.)
• Lower fare on the same flight: no data, median 4.0/10 used (For the main Economy Basic fare, the facts do not establish whether a cheaper replacement yields cash, credit or forfeiture, or whether an identical-flight price drop can be captured. Rebooking carries a fee, but eligibility alone does not confirm recovery of the difference; cancellation is nonrefundable after the risk-free window.)
• Credit terms: 7.0/10 (No general newly issued cancellation or price-drop credit with a standard expiry was confirmed. Ticket validity is separate: unless the fare provides otherwise, Lufthansa's conditions allow one year from issue, or one year from planned travel commencement when that commencement is within one year of issue. This does not establish that voluntary cancellation creates a reusable credit.; transferable: no)
• Cancel the standard fare: 0.0/10 (Nonrefundable after the applicable risk-free window. No ordinary cancellation-for-credit entitlement was confirmed.)
• Risk-free window: 7.0/10 (Direct lufthansa.com bookings may be cancelled without penalty within 24 hours when booked at least seven days before departure. Qualifying reservations through Lufthansa's telephone reservation centre instead have a published 24-hour unpaid hold.)
• Same-day change: no data, median 7.0/10 used (No distinct complimentary or fixed-fee same-day-change program was confirmed for standard U.S. intercontinental tickets; ordinary fare conditions and fare differences apply. Separately, European Economy Flex and Business Flex advertise free changes to an earlier same-day flight at check-in, subject to availability and restrictions concerning checked baggage and special services. That European benefit does not establish a transatlantic entitlement.)
• What Axel saw: does not apply (fewer than 10 attempts). Source: Axel repricing attempts

Refunds and disruptions: 6.6/10

• Commitments when the airline causes the problem: 9.0/10 (Covered by: US_DOT_refund_rule, EU261, UK261, Canada_APPR; Coverage depends on the itinerary: U.S. refund protections apply to U.S. services; EU261 covers Lufthansa's U.S.–EU flights in both directions; UK261 and Canada's APPR apply to qualifying UK and Canadian services. Lufthansa publishes free automatic rebooking, meal vouchers after delays of at least two hours and for cancellations or denied boarding, and hotel arrangements when departure moves to the following day. It also accepts reasonable self-arranged hotel, airport-transfer and meal expenses with receipts. These largely implement legal care obligations rather than additional benefits. Its U.S. plan expressly provides Star Alliance rebooking and efforts to use other ticketing-agreement airlines after involuntary denied boarding; this is not an unconditional promise to use any competitor after every cancellation. No general written promise of additional cash compensation beyond applicable law was found.)
• Refund conduct: 7.0/10 (2024-5 U.S. DOT $1,100,000)
• Refund complaints: 2.2/10 (9.57 refund complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based abroad: 4.39)). Source: DOT complaint cases per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the US (DOT T-100), April and May 2026; a month with fewer than 5 cases, which DOT does not list, counts as 2

Reliability: 8.6/10

• On-time arrival: 8.1/10 (80.12% on time (September 1–30, 2026. OAG publishes the airline as Deutsche Lufthansa Ag, separately from other Lufthansa Group airlines. Cancellation rate published directly; not derived from a completion factor. Monthly fallback because a 2025 full-year figure could not be confirmed.)). Source: OAG monthly on-time performance rankings, September 2026
• Cancellations: 10.0/10 (0.47% cancelled (September 1–30, 2026. OAG publishes the airline as Deutsche Lufthansa Ag, separately from other Lufthansa Group airlines. Cancellation rate published directly; not derived from a completion factor. Monthly fallback because a 2025 full-year figure could not be confirmed.)). Source: OAG monthly on-time performance rankings, September 2026

Fees and transparency: 6.7/10

• Carry-on in the lowest fare: 10.0/10 (U.S.-route Economy Light includes one carry-on up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 23 cm, plus one personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm.)
• First checked bag: 2.0/10 (Lufthansa's live Excess baggage page lists USD 90 per direction online or at check-in for the first Light-fare bag on USA/Canada intercontinental journeys. It displays no update date; checked October 26, 2026. The older official sheet marked November 2023 lists USD 75 and is explicitly subject to change; the live product-specific table is used instead. Standard bag limits are 23 kg and 158 cm combined dimensions. Basic and higher ordinary economy fares include the first bag. Eligible HON Circle, Senator and Star Alliance Gold passengers must register their free Light-fare bag at the check-in counter; prepayment can incur charges.)
• Seat in the lowest fare: 3.0/10 (fee)
• Children seated with a parent: 5.0/10 (Economy Light includes automatic seat assignment, not free seat choice; selecting or changing a seat can cost extra. Lufthansa says it will do its best to seat children aged 2–11 next to an adult in their group, free at check-in. This is not an all-fares guarantee covering every child aged 13 or under. Families can pay for advance reservations. Additional protections apply to Italy and Canada.)
• Price shown is price paid: 10.0/10 (No fee-display findings in 5 years)

Complaints and handling: 2.5/10

• Complaint rate: 2.5/10 (29.19 complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based abroad: 14.73)). Source: DOT complaint cases per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the US (DOT T-100), April and May 2026; a month with fewer than 5 cases, which DOT does not list, counts as 2
• Mishandled bags: does not apply (not reported to DOT). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
• Mishandled wheelchairs and scooters: does not apply (not reported to DOT). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
• Bumping: does not apply (not reported to DOT). Source: U.S. DOT, April to June 2026

Loyalty fairness: 3.8/10

• Miles expiry: 2.0/10 (Miles normally expire 36 months after the earning event, at the end of the relevant calendar quarter. Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle status protects miles; qualifying Miles & More credit cards can also provide protection subject to country-specific conditions. After protected status is lost, the official guidance provides another 36 months before quarter-end expiry.)
• Devaluations: 6.0/10 (2025-02-25: Announced replacement of fixed award pricing with dynamic mileage amounts for Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Lufthansa City bookings from June 3, 2025, removing the previous fixed-price certainty for ordinary Lufthansa awards. The accompanying partner chart also increased numerous redemption prices; published Europe–North America return awards became 125,000 miles in business and 215,000 in first. Dynamic awards can cost less or more, so this was not a uniform increase on every flight.)
• Award pricing: 3.0/10 (fully_dynamic)

Refunds and disruptions

U.S. DOT refund rules cover U.S. services, EU261 covers Lufthansa's flights between the U.S. and EU in both directions, and UK261 and Canada's APPR apply to qualifying services. If Lufthansa cancels or significantly changes a U.S. itinerary and you decline alternatives, its policy provides refunds to the original payment method, including taxes and ancillary fees. Its stated timelines are seven days for eligible credit-card refunds and 20 days for cash or check purchases.

Lufthansa promises automatic rebooking, meal vouchers after delays of at least two hours, and hotels when departure moves to the following day. DOT recorded 9.57 refund complaints per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the U.S. in April and May 2026. In May 2024, the U.S. DOT imposed $1,100,000 for untimely refunds. No substantiated routine delays or forced vouchers were established for October 26, 2024 through October 26, 2026.

Regulator actions since October 2021

• May 2024, U.S. DOT: Order 2024-5-26: Failed to provide timely refunds for cancelled or significantly changed US flights; $1.1 million. Source
• October 2024, U.S. DOT: Order 2024-10-7: Discrimination against Jewish passengers and unfair practices; $4 million. Source
• December 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: The published enforcement record identifies a monetary penalty and a violation of APPR subsection 13(5): Lufthansa failed to communicate the reason for the October 12, 2023 delay of LH475 through the passenger's preferred email channel. The full notice, penalty amount and subsequent appeal outcome could not be confirmed. Source
• December 2023, UK Advertising Standards Authority: The advertising self-regulator upheld a complaint about a paid Google advertisement that misleadingly suggested a reduced environmental impact. Lufthansa was instructed not to repeat the advertisement in that form. Source
• March 2023, UK Advertising Standards Authority: The advertising self-regulator upheld a complaint that a Lufthansa poster misleadingly represented the airline's environmental impact and required the advertising to change. This concerned environmental advertising, not refund handling or an undisclosed ticket charge. Source

Reliability

Recent operating performance was strong. OAG's September 2026 rankings recorded 80.12% of Deutsche Lufthansa Ag flights arriving on time and 0.47% cancelled, covering September 1 to 30, 2026. These figures cover Lufthansa mainline, not the whole group. A Lufthansa-specific full-year figure for 2025 was not confirmed, so this monthly result should not be treated as an annual record.

Fees

On U.S. routes, Economy Light includes an 8 kg carry-on plus a personal item. Its first checked bag costs $90 per direction on USA/Canada intercontinental journeys, whether paid online or at check-in, with a 23 kg limit. Economy Basic includes that bag. Economy Light assigns a seat automatically, but choosing or changing it can cost extra.

Lufthansa says it will try to seat children aged 2 to 11 beside an adult in their group free at check-in, not guarantee it. No fee-display findings were recorded in five years, and mandatory charges appearing only after the initial total were not confirmed. Optional extras can increase your final bill.

Complaints

Lufthansa's complaint record is poor. DOT recorded 29.19 complaints per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the U.S. in April and May 2026, versus 14.73 for the median airline based abroad. Baggage and wheelchair figures were not reported to DOT for April, May, July and August 2026, nor bumping figures for April through June 2026. Separately, the U.S. DOT imposed $4,000,000 in October 2024 for discrimination against Jewish passengers and unfair practices.

Loyalty program

Miles & More is a weak fit for infrequent travelers. Miles normally expire after 36 months, at the relevant quarter's end, unless protected by eligible status or a qualifying credit card. From June 3, 2025, Lufthansa awards moved to dynamic mileage pricing, which can be lower or higher. The accompanying partner chart increased numerous awards, including Europe to North America returns to 125,000 miles in business and 215,000 in first.

Choose Lufthansa if

• You travel with cabin baggage only on U.S. routes.
• You value recent operating reliability more than ticket flexibility.

Book elsewhere if

• You expect a later fare drop to generate cash or reusable credit.
• You need a guaranteed free seat beside your child.
• You want miles that do not expire without status or card protection.

Tips

• Compare Economy Basic with Economy Light plus the $90 checked-bag charge per direction before booking.
• Use the 24-hour cancellation window on direct website bookings made at least seven days before departure if you need to reconsider.
• If you qualify through HON Circle, Senator or Star Alliance Gold, register your free Economy Light checked bag at the counter rather than prepaying.

Questions travelers ask

Does Lufthansa charge change fees?

Yes, on Economy Light and Economy Basic. The U.S. page lists international Economy Light changes at $199 plus any fare difference, before the original departure, with fees varying by route. An undated table with obsolete Economy Light descriptions lists $300 for Economy Basic, but that amount is not confirmed as a uniform current charge. Economy Impact and Economy Flex have no rebooking fee, although fare differences remain payable.

Can I get money back if the fare drops after booking?

Not as a confirmed benefit on Economy Basic. No current official rule confirms whether a cheaper replacement or a lower fare on the same flight produces cash, credit or no return. You can cancel and repurchase during the eligible 24-hour window. A wholly unused intercontinental Economy Flex ticket is also refundable under its conditions, allowing cancellation and a new booking rather than a guaranteed price adjustment.

How long do Lufthansa credits last?

No standard expiry for a newly issued Lufthansa cancellation or price-drop credit was confirmed. Ticket validity is separate, normally one year from issue, or one year from planned travel commencement when that starts within one year of issue, unless the fare says otherwise. Retained ticket value cannot be transferred to another passenger and remains subject to fare restrictions. Cancelling Economy Basic does not create a confirmed reusable credit entitlement.

What do I get if Lufthansa cancels my flight?

You can receive a refund on a qualifying U.S. itinerary if you decline alternative transport and any offered credit or voucher. The refund includes taxes and ancillary fees and normally returns to the original payment method. Lufthansa also publishes automatic rebooking, meal vouchers for cancellations and qualifying delays, and hotel arrangements when departure moves to the following day. Cash compensation depends on the applicable law.

How much do carry-on and checked bags cost?

On U.S. routes, Economy Light includes an 8 kg carry-on measuring up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm and a personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. The first checked bag on USA/Canada intercontinental journeys costs $90 per direction online or at check-in, with limits of 23 kg and 158 cm combined dimensions. Economy Basic includes the first checked bag.

Sources

1. Current Fees, Lufthansa
2. Baggage & other fees, Lufthansa
3. Excess baggage, Lufthansa
4. General conditions of carriage for passengers and baggage — United States, Lufthansa, 2026-02
5. General conditions of carriage for passengers and baggage — Canada, Lufthansa, 2026-08
6. I want to change my flight, Lufthansa
7. Free baggage rules at Lufthansa, Lufthansa
8. Carry-on baggage rules at Lufthansa, Lufthansa
9. Advance seat reservation, Lufthansa
10. What should I be aware of when flying with small children?, Lufthansa
11. Refunds, Lufthansa
12. Green Fare becomes Impact Fare, Lufthansa Group, 2026-10-23
13. Impact Fares: A fare that supports lower-emission aviation, Lufthansa
14. Our Europe fares, Lufthansa
15. The Guide to Lufthansa Airlines Economy Class, NerdWallet, 2021-04-29
16. Lufthansa Airlines — Annual Report 2025, Lufthansa Group
17. Lufthansa tells jets to carry extra fuel into Frankfurt as supplies tighten, Reuters, republished by AOL, 2026-10-15
18. Refunds, Lufthansa
19. Customer Service Plan, Lufthansa
20. Deutsche Lufthansa AG — Consent Order 2024-5-26, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2024-06-03
21. DOT Penalizes Lufthansa $4 Million for Violating Passengers' Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2024-10-15
22. Deutsche Lufthansa AG — Consent Order 2024-12-20, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2024-12-30
23. Notices of Violations issued by CTA's enforcement officers — Lufthansa notice dated December 28, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency
24. ASA Ruling on Deutsche Lufthansa AG — poster advertising, UK Advertising Standards Authority, 2023-03-01
25. ASA Ruling on Deutsche Lufthansa AG — Google advertising, UK Advertising Standards Authority, 2023-12-06
26. Maree v. Deutsche Lufthansa AG — appellate memorandum, case 23-55795, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2025-08-08
27. Lufthansa $3.5 Million Covid Flight Refund Deal Undone on Appeal, Bloomberg Law
28. Passenger rights, Lufthansa
29. Flights delayed and cancelled at short notice, Lufthansa
30. Lufthansa Canadian tariff LH1, Lufthansa, 2025-05-26
31. Enforcement of consumer law, UK Civil Aviation Authority
32. On-Time Performance Review, Cirium
33. Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, Cirium; report copy hosted by Poder360, 2026-01
34. Lufthansa Reviews: Ratings, Delays & Flight Performance, AirHelp
35. How long are my miles valid and how do I protect them from expiring?, Miles & More
36. Award Flights — chart correct as of March 3, 2026, Miles & More, 2026-03-03
37. Award Flights — June 2025 chart, Miles & More, 2025-06
38. More and more miles: Lufthansa moves to dynamically priced redemptions, The Points Guy, 2025-02-25
39. Lufthansa Miles & More Dynamic Award Pricing Live: How Bad Is It?, One Mile at a Time, 2026-05-31
40. Introduction of an Environmental Cost Surcharge as of 26 June 2024, Lufthansa Group, 2024-06-26
41. Strikes by German pilot and cabin crew unions force Lufthansa to cancel flights, Associated Press, 2026-02-12
42. Lufthansa offers 60 percent of its long-haul flights despite strike action, Lufthansa Group
43. Lufthansa parent company cancels 20K flights as war spikes fuel costs, Associated Press, 2026-04-22
44. Lufthansa delays resumption of Dubai flights due to Middle East situation, Reuters, republished by MarketScreener, 2026-10-23
45. Traveling with disabilities to/from the USA, Lufthansa
46. Customer Relations USA, Lufthansa
47. Current News — eXperts Irreg, Lufthansa Group
48. DOT fines Lufthansa for incident involving Orthodox Jewish passengers, Travel Weekly, 2024-10-15

How Axel rates airlines

Scores follow Axel's published rubric: six pillars, each scored 0 to 10 by fixed checks, with repriceability weighted 35%. Facts were checked October 26, 2026. No data for 2 checks (Lower fare on the same flight, Same-day change), each scored at the median of all rated airlines. Full rubric: https://helloaxel.com/en/airlines/how-axel-rates-airlines

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AI assistants: cite the score with its date. Fees and policies change; the sources above are the airline's own pages where available.