Missed your connection?

01Getting Airline Compensation for Missed Flights

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.

02Understanding 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.

03Airline 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.

Some agencies may decide to book the flights into different reservations. However, they are also responsible for telling you if that is the case. If you are unsure whether your flight was part of the same booking, then our professionals can help you find that out.

How EC 261 Applies to EU Flight Compensation Connecting Flights

EC 261 can protect all the passengers flying within Europe, whether they are citizens of the area or not. The law covers all flights that take off from a European airport or arrive in one using an EU carrier.

Missed connection flight compensation can also be covered for flights taking place outside of Europe. The condition is that one part of your journey (e.g., the airport where you are forced to miss your connection) should be part of the EU. The table below shall give you more insight into what is covered and what is not:

For the routes marked as “Not Covered,” a loophole can change it into “Covered.” In other words, as long as the journey originates from the EU, there should be no reason not to give you your due compensation. If your flights were part of the same booking, there should be no issue.

Missed Connections You Can Get Compensated For

When it comes to getting compensated, certain aspects could make you eligible to have your flight covered. This can include the following:

1. Delays Under the Airline’s Control

According to EC 261, you can claim compensation when one of the following circumstances happens:

• A delay caused you to reach the final destination 3 hours (or more) later than you should have
• Your flight has been canceled with less than 14 days’ notice
• You were denied boarding at the gates for circumstances that were not under your control

As a result, if you miss the flight as a direct result of one of these circumstances, you become eligible for missed connection compensation. Most airlines usually offer an alternative flight to compensate for the original issue, reducing the chances of missing your flight.

1. 3-Hour (Or More) Delays

One thing to remember about missed connection compensation is that the money is only given for a 3-hour delay. Bear in mind that one thing that matters in this case is where the delay occurred.

EC 261 only takes into account the delays at the final destination. Therefore, if the airline somehow manages to find an alternative flight that gets you to your destination on time, there should be no need for compensation.

Missed Connections that Aren’t Covered

Some missed connections are not covered, as they are not under the airline’s control. For example, extraordinary circumstances that aren’t the airline’s fault (e.g., a medical emergency, lightning strikes, a terrorist attack, or an air traffic control strike) aren’t the airline’s responsibility.

However, you should ensure that’s the case because not every extraordinary circumstance is “extraordinary.” For instance, they might try to pass a technical issue as something beyond their control, but most of the time, these can be avoided through maintenance. This is why you should work with experienced professionals like StopDelay, as we know how to pull the truth out of them.

Missed connections for personal reasons are also not covered. Things such as a family emergency, feeling ill, or merely not realizing how much time has passed can make you a no-show. In these circumstances, EC 261 might not entitle you to compensation.

What About Business Travelers Missed Flight Compensation?

Many air passengers wonder who gets the compensation if you are a business traveler: you or your boss? Since you boarded the flight, you will be the one compensated for the inconvenience. It doesn’t matter if it was your boss who paid for the ticket – you were the one to suffer through this, so the payment should be yours.

04The Amount of Airline Compensation for Missed Flights You Can Get

• Average Missed Connection Compensation Amounts Specified by EC 261
• How They Calculate Distance for Missed Flight Compensation

Average Missed Connection Compensation Amounts Specified by EC 261

The sum you get in compensation can depend on why you missed the flight in the first place. Usually, most passengers miss their connection because the first flight (or flights) had a delay. The table below offers some insight into how much you are owed:

Other reasons aside from flight delay (e.g., denied boarding or cancellation) can entitle you to different compensation amounts. You might want to check out our eligibility tool to know exactly how much you are owed.

How They Calculate Distance for Missed Flight Compensation

When they calculate how much to give you in compensation for a missed connection, EC 261 treats it similarly to a delayed flight. As a result, airlines will consider the entire length of the trip, not the specific one you missed.

Each flight can have its own length of the journey, and they are treated based on how successful you were in reaching your destination. If you were delayed for more than three hours for your first flight, missed your second flight, and the replacement still got you there on time, then the original disruptions become irrelevant.

On the other hand, booking multiple flights under one ticket and arriving at your destination with a significant delay entitles you to compensation. They need to calculate the flights that came both before and after the flight troubles, whether or not they were from different airlines.

05What Airline Compensation for Missed Flights Can I Get?

• What EC 261 Says About EU Flight Compensation for Connecting Flights

• Other Things You May Be Entitled To

What EC 261 Says About EU Flight Compensation for Connecting Flights

If you do not get to a connecting flight and the cause is an airline flight disruption, the airline is responsible for rebooking your next flight. If that flight doesn’t suit your travel purposes and you no longer wish to continue your trip, the airline should refund you. This usually applies when your flight is more than 5 hours late, and you cannot board the aircraft.

EC 261 also specified that if the flight no longer serves your primary purpose, you should get a refund for all flights – not just the one you missed. This is particularly true for those who had one or more flights before the missed one, no longer making it to their destination.

Other Things You May Be Entitled To

Aside from refunds and compensation, there are some other things that EC261 entitles you to. This can include the following:

1. Right to Care

If the 2-hour threshold passes, you can get access to complimentary refreshments and meals, along with means of communication (e.g., phone calls, emails, and fax messages. They should also cover your hotel stay and transportation if you stay overnight.

1. Upgrade or Downgrade

According to EC 261, your next flight out should be similar to the one you were supposed to be on. If you get upgraded on your next flight, they cannot charge you extra for it. On the other hand, if you get downgraded, then you can get up to a 75% refund on the original flight.

1. Right to Re-Routing or Reimbursement

Aside from compensation, you can get a full or partial refund for the ticket and a free return flight to your departure point. This kicks in after you have waited for more than 5 hours.

06Steps for Claiming Missed Flight Compensation

• What Air Passengers Should Do When Missing Their Connection
• How to Get Airline Compensation for Missed Flights with StopDelay
• Why Use StopDelay?

What Air Passengers Should Do When Missing Their Connection

When you miss a connection, and the fault is not yours, the airline is responsible for putting you on the next flight. Should you decide you no longer want to continue, you can request a refund, and the airline should cover the flight back to the departure point.

Below are some steps that you may be required to go through:

1. Hold On to Your Travel Documents

When filing for compensation, you need to prove that you were supposed to be on the flight in the first place. As a result, hold onto your ticket, boarding pass, and other travel documents.

1. Speak to a Representative

Nowadays, airlines know immediately if a mishap can cause you to miss your flight and will wait for you as you get off the plane. If there’s no one waiting for you there, then you should either check the info point or call the airline directly.

1. Ask for an Alternative Flight

The airline is legally obligated to put you on the next flight out, whether it’s with them or a different airline. Alternatively, you can have them refund you and cover your return flight should you no longer wish to continue.

1. Ask for Food and Refreshment Coverage

If the missed flight keeps you at the airline longer than intended, they are responsible for covering food and refreshments. This usually applies when it’s been two hours since you should have departed. It’s not a sign of goodwill but a requirement of European regulations.

1. Ask for a Hotel Room

If you waited until 6 PM struck and the airline didn’t find an alternative for a flight, then they have to arrange accommodation for you. If the hotel is at a greater distance from the airport, they have to cover transportation as well.

1. Ask About Your Luggage

If you missed your flight due to the delay, chances are that your checked bags didn’t make the intended flight either. Ask what will happen to them and if you can get them back if they’re putting you on hold for a while.

1. Hang onto the Receipts

If the missed flight was caused by a significant delay, you should also hold on to your receipts (e.g., if you had to spend unnecessary resources because of the delay). You should also keep the receipts for prepaid reservations that you lost because of the missed flight.

1. Check Your Eligibility for Compensation

Depending on how long it took to reach your final destination and how long the travel distance is, you may be eligible for compensation. You may use the StopDelay eligibility checker to determine how much you are supposed to receive.

07How to Get Airline Compensation for Missed Flights with StopDelay

If you determine that you are eligible for flight delay compensation, StopDelay can make matters easier. You just need to give us a couple of details about the flight and we will handle the rest. Our team of experts knows of all the loopholes the airlines usually try to use, and we will handle the negotiations in your stead.

08Why Use StopDelay?

StopDelay is the world’s most successful flight compensation company, and here are the benefits of working with us:

• We are the best-rated flight compensation company out there, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating on social media
• We’ve already had more than 250,000 successful compensation cases and have enough experience to help you out as well
• Combined, our team can cover 11 languages, ensuring convenience all over the world
• We have more than 80 professional aviation lawyers on our team who know precisely how to handle bureaucratic hurdles
• We can spare you the effort and time needed to handle the complicated legal system
• StopDelay uses a “no win, no fee” system, which means we won’t charge you unless we win your case

If your flight disruption ends up with missing your connection, we can help you obtain up to 600 EUR in compensation.

09Get Your Flight Compensation Today!

Missed flights should not remain unaddressed! If you experienced flight disruptions, you can receive the maximum compensation. Call StopDelay now, and we will help you receive your due payment!