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 at the earliest opportunity, as required by EU regulations. This can be the next available flight of the same airline, an outbound flight with another carrier, or any other appropriate airline.
- Refund: You are also entitled to a full reimbursement of the ticket price (full refund) 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. Passengers can also claim reimbursement for additional costs such as meals, accommodation, and transportation incurred due to the delay.
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 or previous flight was a delayed flight, canceled, or denied boarding (due to overbooking). Delays on the previous flight can impact your eligibility for compensation for the missed connection.
- In the event of a flight delay, you must have arrived at your final destination more than three hours late due to the delayed flight or missed connection. Compensation applies if you are three hours or more late at your final destination. The timing is calculated based on the actual flight departure and arrival times. If the delay is more than five hours, you may be entitled to a refund.
- Your booking or reservation included your connecting flights as one booking or single booking, even if the flights are operated by different airlines. Compensation eligibility depends on whether the entire journey was booked under one booking or single booking. The entire journey, from departure to final destination, must be affected for compensation to apply.
- You missed your connection because of an issue that was the airline’s responsibility, such as 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 departing from or arriving in an EU country, as well as those whose route goes from inside the EU to outside or vice versa on an 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.
Passengers traveling as part of a package holiday are also protected under EU261 if their flights are disrupted, provided the flight meets the regulation’s criteria.
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.
- Technical problems with the aircraft: Issues with the aircraft may be considered extraordinary circumstances only if they are not due to poor maintenance or preventable issues.
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). Make sure to collect and submit all relevant documentation, such as boarding passes, tickets, airline confirmation, and proof of delay, to support your claim.
- 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.