How long does Lufthansa have to respond to complaints?

Officially, if you file with the U.S. Department of Transportation, they have 60 days to give a real response. But if you just use their online form? Good luck. You'll get that instant automated email saying 'we've received your feedback,' and then you might be waiting for weeks, if not longer, for a human to actually read it. For detailed contact information, check out our [Lufthansa customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-lufthansa-customer-service).

Can I file a complaint against Lufthansa online?

Yes, you can. They have a feedback form on their website. Just be prepared for it to be a bit of a pain, some users have reported the page timing out right before they hit submit, forcing them to start all over again. For detailed contact information, check out our [Lufthansa customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-lufthansa-customer-service).

What documents do I need for a Lufthansa complaint?

Get everything you can find. Seriously. You'll need your booking confirmation, ticket numbers, baggage claim tags, photos of any damage, and receipts for any expenses you had to cover yourself, even the soggy receipt for the emergency toothbrush you had to buy because your bag went to a different continent. The more proof you have, the harder it is for them to ignore you. Scan it all.

Is there a fee to file a complaint against Lufthansa?

No, there's no fee. It won't cost you cash, just your time and maybe a little bit of your sanity trying to navigate their system.

Can complaints affect my Lufthansa service?

Worried they'll give you a bad seat on your next flight? Probably not. Your complaint goes to a customer relations department, not the check-in counter. They aren't going to put you on a no-fly list for asking for your money back for a flight they canceled. It's business.

What happens after I file a complaint with Lufthansa?

You wait. You get a case number that feels like it goes into a black hole, and then you wait, and wait, and maybe send a follow-up email that gets another automated response referencing your original black-hole case number. It's a process that requires a lot of patience and persistence on your part. For detailed contact information, check out our [Lufthansa customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-lufthansa-customer-service).

Can I escalate my Lufthansa complaint to a regulator?

Absolutely, and you should. If your flight touched U.S. soil, file a complaint online with the Department of Transportation (DOT), which is a step that airlines take very seriously because they are legally required to respond to the government. It's the most effective tool you have when the airline itself is giving you the runaround. Don't hesitate to use it. For detailed contact information, check out our [Lufthansa customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-lufthansa-customer-service).

What's the deal with EU261 compensation?

Ah, the magic rule. It's a European regulation that gives you rights for long delays, cancellations, or being denied boarding on flights within, to, or from the EU on an EU carrier. It can mean you're owed up to €600 in cash, something airlines sometimes 'forget' to mention. Always check if your situation qualifies.

Complain About Lufthansa - File a Complaint Today

It's not just you. Trying to get a straight answer from Lufthansa can feel impossible. Seriously, their BBB page is a disaster, showing an 'F' rating and over 1,100 complaints filed in the last three years alone. Their Trustpilot score is just as bad, sitting at a 'Poor' 1.3 stars from thousands of reviews. Common complaints consistently flag major issues with refunds for canceled flights and completely lost baggage, leaving customers out of pocket and without their belongings. If you're tired of being ignored, you're in the right place. Official site: Visit Lufthansa

Last Edited on 08 Dec, 2025

Olivia Harper, Senior Content Manager

9 min read

Best ways to complain to Lufthansa

Contact Method	Details & Availability	Why use this instead...
Phone	1-800-645-3880 (Available 24/7)	Best for urgent issues like a flight cancellation happening right now or lost baggage at the airport.
Online Form	Lufthansa Feedback Form	Good for non-urgent complaints where you need to upload documents and create a paper trail.
Social Media	Twitter/X: @lufthansa	Use this for public pressure. They often respond faster when their brand image is on the line.
Mail	Lufthansa German Airlines, Customer Relations, 1640 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11553	A last resort. Use certified mail if you need proof of delivery for a serious legal complaint.

⏱️ Estimated Response Times from Lufthansa After Complaining

Honestly, getting a quick reply can be a real test of patience.

Method	Expected Wait Time
Phone	Immediate to 1 hour (including hold time)
Email / Online Form	7 days to 4 weeks (or never)
Social Media	1 to 48 hours
Mail	4 to 8 weeks

🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint

Have your booking reference or ticket number ready before you call or write.
Call during their off-peak hours, like mid-morning on a weekday, to avoid long waits.
Keep your initial complaint clear and concise. Stick to the facts.
Always ask for a complaint reference number to make follow-ups easier.

How to Escalate Your Complaint

If Lufthansa is ignoring you or gives you an unsatisfactory response, don't give up. You can escalate your complaint to an external body. For flights involving the U.S., your best bet is filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT requires airlines to acknowledge complaints within 30 days and provide a substantive response within 60 days. Filing with the DOT definitely gets their attention, but prepare to wait. You must show the DOT that you tried to resolve the issue with Lufthansa first, so keep records of your calls and emails. You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). While the BBB can't force a resolution, a public complaint can sometimes pressure the airline to act.

Email Template to Complain to Lufthansa

Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Issue with Booking [[Booking Reference #]]

Dear Lufthansa Customer Relations,

I am writing again to resolve an issue with my flight experience. This is my third attempt to get help regarding my lost baggage from flight [[Flight Number]] on [[Date]], and my patience is running out.

My bag, which contained essential personal items and medication, was never delivered upon my arrival in [[City]]. I immediately filed a report at the airport (Reference [[Baggage Report #]]), but I have received no meaningful updates since. Frankly, the lack of communication and the stress of being without my belongings has been incredibly frustrating and has significantly impacted my trip.

To resolve this, I require that you locate my bag immediately and arrange for its delivery. I also need you to process the full compensation I am entitled to for the delay and the items I had to purchase.

Please be aware that if I do not receive a substantive response and a resolution plan within 72 hours, my next step will be to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]] [[Your Phone Number]]

Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved

Go Public. Post your complaint on Twitter (now X) and tag @lufthansa. Be polite but firm. Many users on Reddit report that this is the fastest way to get a response from a real person.
Keep a Record. Write down everything. Note the date and time of your calls, the name of the agent you spoke with, and what they promised. Save all emails and chat transcripts.
Use Specific Keywords. When you write, use words like 'unacceptable,' 'formal complaint,' and 'regulatory escalation.' This can sometimes get your message routed to a more senior department.
Ask for a Supervisor. If the agent on the phone isn't helping, politely but firmly ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. Don't be afraid to insist.

Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to Lufthansa

Tired of being stuck in Lufthansa's customer service loop, listening to hold music for an hour only to be disconnected? Sound familiar? It's exhausting trying to get them to take your lost bag or refund request seriously. One person on Trustpilot said they felt like they were 'screaming into the void.' Pine AI can take over from here. We handle the formal complaint, the persistent follow-ups, and the escalation process for you. No more wasting your time navigating their broken feedback forms or waiting for emails that never come. Let us deal with the headache.