Star Alliance Flight Delay: Who Owes You Money?

Star Alliance flight delay compensation depends on the operating carrier, not the alliance umbrella. Star Alliance comprises 26 carriers including United Airlines (US), Lufthansa (EU), ANA (Japan), Air Canada (Canada), Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Turkish Airlines (Turkey), and Avianca (Latin America). Each carrier operates under its home country regulation. A codeshare flight numbered United (UA) but operated by Lufthansa metal is a Lufthansa flight for EU261 purposes.

The Star Alliance brand does not create a uniform compensation regime. Each member carrier follows its own home regulation. Operating carrier identification is the first step in any Star Alliance claim.

1. 1

   Check your boarding pass: 'OPERATED BY' is printed below the flight number for codeshare flights.

2. 2

   Check the flight number prefix: UA-numbered codeshare with LH-prefix in fine print is operated by Lufthansa.

3. 3

   Check the aircraft livery and crew language at the gate.

4. 4

   Check FlightAware or Flighty for the operating carrier code (the IATA designator that appears in BTS or Eurocontrol data).

5. 5

   Cross-reference with the airline's own confirmation email (the operating carrier sends pre-flight notifications).

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  United Airlines (US): 14 CFR Part 260 cash refund on cancellation or significant delay (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) when you decline. No EU261.

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  Lufthansa (Germany): EU261 EUR 250-600 per passenger on 3+ hour delays.

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  Air Canada (Canada): APPR (Air Passenger Protection Regulations). CAD 1,000 cash compensation on 9+ hour delays caused by carrier-controlled events.

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  ANA (Japan): Japan-specific consumer rules. Generally weaker than EU261 or US DOT.

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  Singapore Airlines: Singapore consumer protection. Variable.

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  Avianca (Colombia): Colombian rules. Generally weaker than EU261.

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  Turkish Airlines: Turkish Civil Aviation rules; some EU261-compatible provisions on EU departures.

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  SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, TAP: EU-licensed; EU261 applies.

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  UA-numbered, LH-operated transatlantic: EU261 applies on the Lufthansa metal. EUR 600 per passenger on 3+ hour delays at European arrival.

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  LH-numbered, UA-operated transatlantic: US DOT applies on the United metal. EU261 does NOT apply (US carrier on a non-EU-licensed flight).

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  ANA-numbered, UA-operated transpacific: US DOT applies. Japan rules do not apply because operating carrier is United.

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  LH-numbered, AC-operated transatlantic: Canadian APPR applies on Air Canada metal. EU261 may also apply if departure is from EU airport.

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  Within Star Alliance Europe (LH, OS, LX, SN): EU261 always applies on EU-licensed metal.

1. 1

   Identify the operating carrier from boarding pass and BTS/Eurocontrol data.

2. 2

   File the claim against the operating carrier, not the alliance and not the marketing carrier.

3. 3

   Use the operating carrier's EU261 portal (Lufthansa: lufthansa.com/de/en/eu-air-passenger-rights, United: united.com/refunds, etc.).

4. 4

   Provide boarding pass, flight number (both marketing and operating), FIDS arrival photo, and delay reason if known.

5. 5

   If denied or ignored beyond 8 weeks, escalate to the relevant national enforcement body (LBA for Germany, AESA for Spain, etc.).

6. 6

   Track the claim with the carrier's case reference, not any alliance number.

A common pattern on codeshare claims is the marketing carrier (the airline whose flight number you bought) saying 'contact the operating carrier' and the operating carrier saying 'this is a marketing carrier issue'. The legal answer: file with the operating carrier. The marketing carrier's customer service may be the path to that contact, but the legal duty rests with the operating carrier.

The operating carrier is always responsible. Alliance customer service confusion is real, but the regulatory duty does not transfer to the marketing carrier or the alliance.

MileagePlus, Miles & More, ANA Mileage Club, Aeroplan, etc. are loyalty programs separate from compensation. Award tickets are subject to the same EU261 / US DOT framework as paid tickets.

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  EU261 on award tickets: applies regardless of whether the ticket was purchased with cash or miles.

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  US DOT cash refund: refund of the cash equivalent of the unused fare or refund of the miles, depending on the carrier's policy.

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  Mileage redeposit: separate from cash refund. Some carriers redeposit miles; others refund.

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  Status credits: typically not refundable on cancelled flights.

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  TravelStacks: $19 flat for US-leg US DOT refund, 25% for EU261 family claims.

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  AirHelp: 35% EU261 across the alliance.

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  Compensair: 25% EU261. EU focus only.

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  DIY: free, but operating carrier identification and NEB escalation are work.

For broader codeshare framework, see codeshare flight rights: which airline is responsible and skyteam delay rights: how codeshare affects your EU261 claim.

Star Alliance claims hinge on operating carrier identification. Start with the boarding pass to confirm. Use the delayed flight worth calculator to estimate, see codeshare flight rights: which airline is responsible for the broader framework, and the EU261 passenger rights pillar for the regulation. Start a claim.