Airplanes have become one of the most popular means of transportation, especially if you have to travel a longer distance. Unfortunately, as much as you might want a direct route to every point in the world, you occasionally have to take more than one flight to get to your destination. If the airlines have an excellent on-time performance, this is rarely problematic. However, if the flight is late, it can result in you missing your connection.
More than half of the missed connections in the EU in 2019 were caused by delays. Delays increased even more in the years after the pandemic, although average delays in Europe fell again by 16% in 2025. While there’s no way to bring back the plane you missed, it doesn’t mean you have to sit back and accept it. As an air passenger, you have rights. In this article, you will learn more about how to get missed connecting flight compensation for such circumstances.
01Understanding Air Passenger Rights
As an air traveler, you are protected by various bills of rights, depending on the land you leave or arrive in. For instance, if the flights take place in the European Union or leave from EU land, then you are protected by the EC261/2004. Flights operated by EU carriers that land in the EU are covered as well. You have the right to a certain compensation range based on the distance covered.
| Type of Flight | Distance | Compensation Right |
| Type 1 | Less than 1500 km | 250 EUR |
| Type 2 | 1500 km – 3500 km | 400 EUR |
| Type 3 | More than 3500 km | 600 EUR |
The only exception is when the flight originates from non-EU land and is done by a non-EU carrier. In that case, other rules may apply depending on the country: for US flights, for example, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regulations (the proposed S.3222 Airline Passengers Bill of Rights was never passed into law). It’s important to determine which category you fall in based on your connection so that you know where to file for compensation.
Very often, if you arrive more than 3 hours late and miss your connection, you have the right to file for compensation within the time limit set by national law (for example, 3 years in Germany and 6 years in England and Wales). The time frame depends on the country where you are filing the claim, but the sooner you do it, the better. For flights covered by EU rules, the revised EU regulation (Regulation (EU) 2026/2202), which applies from October 2027, will require compensation requests to be submitted within nine months of the flight. Since navigating through these bills of rights can be rather complex for the average traveler, hiring the best company for flight compensation is recommended. They’ll know what jurisdiction you fall in so that you can obtain your rights.
02How to Get Missed Connecting Flight Compensation
If you missed your flight and it was the airline’s fault, you can get compensation from flight delay. Below are some steps that should be followed to ensure your rights are respected.
Get Confirmation for the Delay
You need confirmation of the unfortunate event to get compensation for a missed flight caused by a delay. Airlines are bound by the law to be transparent, but even if they are trying to be vague, you can get that information using the best company for flight compensation.
Collect Relevant Information
Each claim for compensation needs to be accompanied by irrefutable proof. Airlines don’t want to give you back money because it is bad for their business. However, they won’t have anything to say if all the documents are “staring” right at them. Keep records of all details, such as the time on your ticket and the actual arrival.
Determine the Amount You’re Owed
It’s not in the airline’s interest to respect your rights, and if they can’t avoid it, they might just try to offer a voucher as an expression of goodwill. For this reason, you should determine how much you are owed. Flight claim companies can help in this regard, as they usually have calculators that can offer an approximation.
03The Bottom Line
Your rights as an air passenger should be respected, no matter how long the traveling distance is. If you miss your connecting flight as a result of a delay, you are entitled to missed connecting flight compensation. Contact StopDelay and find out how to get your rights respected!
