Flight Missed, Compensation Gained: Your Step-by-Step Guide

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 OTA percentage, this is rarely problematic. However, if the flight is late, it can result in you missing your connection. 

missed connecting flight compensation

More than half of the missed connections in the EU in 2019 were caused by delays. These have increased even more over the past few years. 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. 

Understanding 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. Most flights that are either EU carriers or land in the area are covered. You have the right to a certain compensation range based on the distance covered. 

The only exception is when the flight originates from non-EU land and is done by a non-EU carrier. In that case, you are protected by the S.3222 Airline Passengers Bill of Rights and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regulations. It’s important to determine which category you fall in based on your connection so that you know where to file for compensation. 

compensation from flight delay

Very often, if you arrive more than 3 hours late and miss your connection, you have the right to file for compensation within the next 1 to 3 years. The time frame depends on the country where you are filing the claim, but the sooner you do it, the better. 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. 

flight compensation

How 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. 

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.

The 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!