Missing your connection is one of the most inconvenient things to happen as an air passenger, as it often leaves you stranded in a foreign country. Such a circumstance can occur for various reasons, but in most cases, it’s because your first flight was late. While the airline may delay one connecting flight if there are multiple passengers to board, they won’t do it for limited numbers and long delays.
If you miss your connecting flight and are stuck at a European airport waiting for long hours, chances are that EC 261 covers you. Should this happen, you are entitled to receive up to 600 EUR in compensation, depending on the distance you are traveling.
Understanding Missed Connection Compensation
As the name suggests, the term “connecting flight” is used to describe a flight that does not have a direct route. While these flights are generally booked under one trip, they involve you switching flights along the way, at different airports. This is very common for trips that have a longer route.
Should something disrupt a flight that you are booked on (i.e., a delay or denied boarding), you may end up missing the connection. This may sound bad at first but remember: if the airline is responsible for you missing it, they need to arrange for an alternative flight immediately. If you get to your destination with a delay, you are also entitled to compensation for your troubles.
This is all thanks to EC 261, a European regulation that covers flight disruptions. While there aren’t any specific mentions of missed connection compensation in it, certain kinds of flight troubles caused by it can make you eligible. For example, if the missed connection caused you to reach your destination with a significant delay, then you could have the right to be compensated.
Airline Compensation for Missed Flights – When Can You Get It?
Under EC 261, you can receive compensation for a missed flight connection under the following circumstances:
You missed your connection as a result of a delay, overbooking, or a cancellation
The missed connection caused you to reach your final destination with a 3-hour delay or longer
You had connecting flights that were part of the same booking
The flight originated from the EU (regardless of the airline) or arrived in the EU with a European carrier
The disruption was caused by something that was under the airline’s control
You did not miss the flight for reasons under your control (e.g., you showed up late at the gate)
The flight disruption occurred no more than 3 years ago
Compensation rules apply even if the airline arranged a replacement flight for you
Very often, figuring out how much you are owed for the missed flight connection is not straightforward. The simplest way to find out is to use our eligibility tool and see exactly how much you are owed. You can also ask our team at StopDelay more about your rights to compensation for missed connecting flights.
How to Determine If a Connecting Flight Was Part of the Same Booking
How EC 261 Applies to EU Flight Compensation Connecting Flights
Missed Connections You Can Get Compensated For
Missed Connections that Aren’t Covered
What About Business Traveler Compensation?
How to Determine If a Connecting Flight Was Part of the Same Booking
Compensation for missed connecting flights is only eligible if the flight was part of the same booking. As a result, if you reserved your flights under the same ticket and the airline automatically arranged for a connecting flight, they are responsible for seeing your journey through. Most flights are done with the same airline, but there can be exceptions.
If you booked the flights individually, things change. In this case, the missed connection may not be covered, as you technically ended your trip when you reached the first connection airport. You will be labeled as a no-show when you do not arrive on time for your second flight. However, you may be compensated for the original disruption if the delay was longer than 3 hours.