Missing a connecting flight can be frustrating and disrupt your travel plans. However, there is no need to despair, as Regulation 261/2004 of the European Union protects passenger rights. According to EU 261/2004, a passenger is entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros if the missed connecting flight was due to the airline’s fault.
Passenger Rights in Case of Missed Flight Connection?
A lack of awareness of passenger rights can lead to significant losses of time and financial resources. Therefore, it is important to be fully aware of all the details regarding compensation. Read the information below to get a comprehensive understanding of your rights in case of a missed connecting flight:
- Compensation: In case your connecting flight was either delayed or canceled due to the airline company’s fault, you can expect to receive compensation.
- Alternative Flight: The airline company must offer an alternative flight to your final destination. Importantly, this can be the next available flight of the same airline or any other appropriate airline.
- Refund: You are also entitled to a full reimbursement of the ticket price if you decide that you do not want to use the alternative flight.
- Right to Care: In case your flight is delayed for 2 hours or more, the airline company must provide food, refreshments, and also two telephone calls or faxes. Additionally, if waiting for your alternative flight presupposes an overnight stay, then the airline must also provide you with accommodation (a hotel room, for instance), as well as a transfer to and from the airport.
When Are You Entitled to Missed Connecting Flight Compensation?
The following requirements must be satisfied to qualify for compensation for missed connection:
- You missed your connecting flight because your original flight was delayed, canceled, or denied boarding (due to overbooking).
- In the event of a flight delay, the missed connection caused you to arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours later than expected.
- Your booking or reservation included your connecting flights. This indicates that the airline booked both flights together and treated them as a single trip.
- You missed your connection because of an issue that was the airline’s responsibility. This might be due to operational problems, technological difficulties, or other factors under the airline’s control.
- The flight departed from the European Union territory (provided by any airline) or landed in the European Union (provided by the airline company that is headquartered within the European Union).
- You did not miss your connection flight for a reason under your control (for instance, you were late at the boarding gate or did not have all the needed documents).
If all of these requirements are met, you could be qualified for missed connecting flight compensation under the European Union Air Passenger Rights Regulation.
Missed Connecting Flight Compensation
According to EU 261/2004, passengers who miss connecting flights due to a reason within the airline’s control are entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation ranges from 250 to 600 euros per person. In addition, the amount depends on the distance of the flight. Here is a table showing the calculation of compensation in detail:
| Flight Distance and Itinerary | Compensation Amount |
| All flights 1,500km or less | 250€ |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | 400€ |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500-3,500km | 400€ |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500km | 600€ |
Which Flights Are Covered by EU261?
The EU 261 Law covers most flights within Europe and provides comprehensive protection for air travelers and compensation for missed flights. Generally, it covers all flights inside the EU and those whose route goes from inside the EU to outside or vice versa on the EU air carrier. However, if the air carrier is non-EU and you are flying outside of Europe to whichever destination – the EU law won’t cover the disturbances that could occur.
Learn more in the table below:
| Itinerary | EU Air Carrier | Non-EU Air Carrier |
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | ✅ Covered | ❌ Not Covered |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | ❌ Not Covered | ❌ Not Covered |
What Is Not Covered by EU 261?
Extraordinary circumstances, or situations outside the airline’s control, are one of the main exceptions. According to EU261, airlines are not obligated to provide compensation for missed connection if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
Events that fall under the category of “extraordinary circumstances” include:
- Staff-initiated strikes: Under EU 261, an airline is not entitled to reimbursement if a strike disrupts flights.
- Political crisis: Political instability, civil disturbances, or conflicts may be considered extraordinary.
- Bad weather: Extreme weather conditions that pose a risk to aviation safety or result in prolonged delays, including hurricanes, tornadoes, or thunderstorms, are classified as extraordinary circumstances.
- Security risks: Incidents involving credible threats to national security or acts of terrorism fall under the category of extraordinary circumstances.
How to Claim Missed Flight Compensation
Filling out a form to receive compensation for missing a connecting flight is an important step in the procedure. To successfully receive compensation, you need to know how to fill out the form correctly. Read on for the main steps of the claim process:
- Fill in the form: At this point, you need to be very specific while filling out the form; include all the required documents and details (flight date, number, the problem you had).
- Let our professionals assist you: Right after you submit your request, our team of experts will take on your issue. We have vast experience in cases related to flight disruptions. Besides, we know the European Union law thoroughly and will be glad to handle your case and ensure you get your compensation. What’s important, you will only be charged in case we win the case.
What To Do When You Miss Your Connection?
While missing a connecting flight might be annoying, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact and make sure you get to your destination as soon as possible. If you happen to have missed a connecting flight due to delay, you should do the following:
- Get an alternative flight. Speak to the staff at the airport and explain to them the situation calmly. They ought to get you an alternative flight to mitigate the situation.
- Remember your baggage. Make sure your baggage is retrieved and loaded onto your alternative flight.
- Keep all your documents. Do not forget your passports and tickets – these could serve when applying for flight compensation.
- Use your “right to care”. If your waiting time for the replacement flight for connecting flight cancelled exceeds 2 hours, you can request meals and refreshments from the airline. And if it exceeds 6 hours – you have a right to get accommodation from the airline.
- Check if you are eligible for compensation. See if you can get compensated for your missed connection through our service.
- Do not accept offers that do not align with the regulations of EU261.
- Turn to specialized services for protecting air passenger rights. They will expertly assess your situation, gather the necessary evidence, and defend your interests against airlines.
Finally, remain patient when talking to staff to minimize the disruption to your travel plans and potentially receive compensation for missed flights or reimbursement for any inconvenience caused by the missed connection.
FAQ
The minimum connection time (MCT) is the shortest period needed to go to an airport and connect to another flight. Every airport has a unique MCT, which is calculated by taking into account variables, including the distance between gates, the airport layout, and the effectiveness of the transfer process. Generally, if your first flight is delayed, and you have less time than the MCT to make your connection, you might be able to get compensation from the airline.
If the missed connection was solely the passenger’s fault, such as arriving late at the gate or failing to check in on time, no compensation can be requested.
However, if a missed connecting flight due to delay or cancellation was the airline’s fault, you may be eligible for compensation. This depends on the circumstances and applicable laws.
For instance, in case the airline is the one who is responsible for missing the connecting flight, the company must book an alternative flight to a passenger’s destination. It would help if a passenger talks to the airline staff about the issue so that they can help you arrange everything.
In case you are eligible for missed connection reimbursement, you generally have up to three years to submit a request.
If you want to claim missed connection compensation, you must have all the required documents. Normally, these include the following: boarding passes, tickets, booking confirmation, proofs of any communication you had with the airline company, and also receipts that show your additional expenses incurred by delay.
You do not have to pay if you miss your flight in case the reason is not under your control. Contrary, the airline company can pay you missed connecting flight compensation.