Compensation for Missed Connections

Did you miss your connecting flight? Don’t get discouraged! According to EU law, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600.

Passenger Rights for Missed Connections

A missed connection occurs when, due to a delay or cancellation of a previous flight, you miss one or more subsequent flights on the same journey.

How can you prevent missing a connection?

1. Make sure you have enough time between flights, especially if you need to go through customs or security checks.
2. Stay informed about possible delays or cancellations of your flights through the airline’s app or the airport's website.
3. Choose flights with a longer time gap between them to reduce the risk of missing your connection.

What rights do you have in case of a missed connection?

Under EU Regulation 261, if you traveled from or to Europe or had a connecting flight at a European airport, you can claim compensation of up to €600, depending on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay at the final destination. The airline is required to provide you with assistance, including food and drinks (after 2 hours of waiting), accommodation (in case of an overnight delay), and alternative transportation to your destination.

What should you do if you miss a connecting flight?

When facing an unpleasant situation like missing a connecting flight, the first step is always to get informed and document everything. You need to understand your rights and how to claim compensation for the missed connection. Ask airport staff or cabin crew about the reason for the delay and take note of their response.

An essential thing to keep in mind is to keep all your travel documents. The boarding pass, e-ticket, and any other evidence of additional expenses caused by the delay or cancellation, such as vouchers for accommodation or transport, are particularly important in the process of claiming compensation for the missed connection.

Situations where you can receive compensation for missed connections

According to EU law, you can claim compensation if:

• The plane encountered minor technical issues. These can range from aircraft malfunctions to crew problems.
• You arrived at your destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled time. It’s important to note that this delay doesn’t need to be your fault for you to claim compensation.
• The initial flight was delayed for reasons not communicated by the airline. If the airline doesn’t tell you the reason for the delay, the delay is considered their responsibility.

When are you not eligible for compensation for a missed connection?

There are some cases where, even though you missed your connection, you might not be eligible for compensation:

• The initial flight was delayed due to air traffic control issues. These are considered extraordinary circumstances, meaning situations beyond the airline’s control.
• The first flight was delayed due to weather conditions. Severe storms, dense fog, or other adverse weather conditions may affect pilots' visibility, leading to flight delays or even cancellations. Unfortunately, these are also considered extraordinary circumstances, and passengers cannot claim compensation in such cases.
• You didn’t have the necessary documents to board the connecting flight;
• You didn’t show up at the gate on time.

Compensation for Missed Connections: Amounts You Can Receive

Under EU Regulation EC 261, passengers who traveled from or to the European Union or had a connecting flight at a European airport can claim compensation of up to €600.

The amount of compensation varies depending on the distance traveled and the duration of the delay:

• Short-haul flights (the distance of the flight with a missed connection is less than 1,500 km) – Passengers receive compensation of €250
• Medium-haul flights (the distance of the flight with a missed connection is 1,500 – 3,500 km) – Passengers receive compensation of €400
• Long-haul flights (the distance of the flight with a missed connection is more than 3,500 km) – Passengers receive compensation of €600

Compensation for Missed Connections in the EU

In the EU, flights are classified based on the distance traveled. Short distances are those under 1,500 km, medium distances are between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and long distances are over 3,500 km. The amount of compensation you can receive depends on this classification.

Airlines also offer other benefits when delays or cancellations occur. These may include free meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation, free transportation between the airport and accommodation, and the option to make two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or emails. This is a measure to ease the discomfort caused by such unexpected situations.

If the delay is at least 5 hours, there is an additional right. Passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket cost or a return flight to the first point of departure as soon as possible. This is particularly useful when a delay or cancellation significantly disrupts your travel plans.

Compensation for Missed Connections in the US

Unlike the European Union, which has strict regulations, the US does not offer federal protection for passengers in the event of flight problems, including missed connections. It’s important to be aware of this so you have realistic expectations in case of issues.

US airlines have the discretion to offer or not offer compensation for problematic flights. In the absence of regulations, they can choose to provide free meals, hotel accommodation, or other perks such as travel vouchers or loyalty program upgrades.

Although the US doesn’t have strict regulations on compensation for missed connections, if you have connecting flights with a stopover in the European Union, the situation changes. In this case, you can claim compensation under EU Regulation No. 261/2004. It states that passengers are entitled to compensation of up to €600 for any flight that caused a delay at their final destination.

How to Submit a Claim for Missed Connections

To ensure the process of claiming compensation for missed flights runs smoothly and efficiently, follow these simple steps:

1. Use our free online calculator to check your eligibility. Enter your flight details, and our tool will immediately inform you if you’re eligible for compensation and how much you could receive.
2. If you’re eligible for compensation, submit your claim using our online form.
3. Once you’ve submitted your claim, our team of experts will handle it. We’ll contact the airline, represent you in all communications, and fight for your rights.
4. If your claim is accepted, you’ll receive the compensation directly into your bank account. You only pay us a fee if we successfully claim your compensation.

Remember if you want to receive compensation for a missed connection!

1. You can receive up to €600 if you missed a connection due to a delay or cancellation of a previous flight (EU Regulation 261).
2. The airline must provide assistance (food, drinks, accommodation) in case of a delay.
3. To be eligible, both flights must be on the same booking.
4. The total delay at the final destination must be at least 3 hours.
5. Eligible traveler types: holiday packages, paid child tickets, business trips, low-cost airline tickets.
6. Airlines may reject the initial complaint or ignore the claim entirely. The AirClaim team is ready to handle all the paperwork to get you the money you deserve!