Compensation for missed connecting flights
Missing a connecting flight can be stressful, especially when it causes long delays at your final destination. The good news: you may be entitled to missed connecting flight compensation under EU261 passenger rights regulations.
If your missed connection was caused by a flight delay, cancellation or overbooking, you could claim up to €600 in compensation. Flightright helps you enforce your rights. Check your eligibility in just 2 minutes with our free compensation calculator.
Everything You Need to Know to Claim Compensation for Missed Connecting Flights
You may be eligible to claim compensation between €250 and €600 based on flight distance and delay
You must have a single booking for all flights
Your delayed initial flight must arrive more than 3 hours late
The airline is responsible for arranging alternative transport
You have up to 6 years to file for compensation
You had a flight delay or a flight cancellation? Check your rights now and increase your chances of compensation
Can I Claim Compensation for a Missed Connection?
You can claim missed connecting flight compensation if ALL of the following apply:
The missed connection was caused by a delay, cancellation or overbooking
Both flights were under one single booking reference
You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late
The delay was the airline’s fault (not weather/extraordinary circumstances)
Your flight departed from or arrived in the EU
The incident occurred within the last 2 to 10 years, depending on your airport of origin
You are NOT eligible if:
You booked flights separately (different booking references)
You missed the connection due to your own actions (late arrival at gate or missing travel documentation)
The delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g. extreme weather)
What Is a Connecting Flight?
A connecting flight is a journey made up of two or more flights where you change planes before reaching your final destination. For your passenger rights to apply, all flights must be booked under one single reservation.
If a delay or disruption on your first flight causes you to miss the next one, this is known as a missed connection.
Understanding Single Booking vs. Separate Tickets
The most important factor in determining your passenger rights to claim for a missed connecting flight is the type of booking. In general, these are distinguished between:
Single Booking (You’re Protected)
This means that all your flights share ONE booking reference number. Further, these flights must have been purchased together in one transaction.
Your rights:
Automatic rebooking at no cost
Compensation for delays 3+ hours
Care and assistance while waiting
An airline’s responsibility is to get you to your final destination
Example: You book London → Paris → Rome on one confirmation number (ABC123). If you miss the Paris to Rome connection due to the London to Paris flight being delayed, you’re fully protected.
Separate Bookings (You’re NOT Protected)
In this case, you have purchased flights in separate transactions and have therefore received different booking reference numbers for each flight. This way, you have built your own flight connection.
Your situation:
Must purchase a new ticket yourself if you miss the connection
Not eligible for missed connection compensation
Each airline is only responsible for its own flight
You bear the risk of tight connections
Example: You book London → Paris (Ref: ABC123) separately from Paris → Rome (Ref: XYZ789). If you miss your connecting flight, you must buy a new ticket to Rome at your own expense.
Good to know
Look at your confirmation email and check if you have one booking reference covering all flights. Should you have multiple booking references, you have separate bookings. Still unsure? Enter your flight details in our calculator, and we’ll verify your booking type.
What Happens When You Miss a Connecting Flight?
When you miss a connecting flight due to an airline delay, here’s what should happen:
The Airline Must:
1. Rebook You Automatically: The airline is legally required to place you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. This applies whether the next flight is in 2 hours or tomorrow.
2. Provide Care and Assistance: While waiting for your rebooked flight, the airline must provide:
Free meals and refreshments (usually as vouchers)
Two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages
Hotel accommodation if your rebooking is the next day
Transport to and from the hotel
3. Offer a Refund Option: If you’ve been delayed more than 5 hours and no longer wish to travel, you’re entitled to:
Full ticket refund
A free return flight to your original departure point (if you’ve already started your journey)
Compensation Amounts for Missed Connections
Passengers who miss a connecting flight due to the shortcomings of an airline and are delayed for over 3 hours will be able to claim between €250 and €600 compensation. The amount of compensation available is dictated by the distance of the entire journey, from the starting airport to the final destination. The following table explains how the compensation amounts are calculated:
Short distances – up to 1500km – Passengers are due £220 compensation
Medium distances – Between 1500km and 3500km – Passengers are due £350 compensation
Long distances- over 3500km – Passengers are due £520 compensation
Missed connecting flight? You are entitled to
Short distance up to 1500 km | Medium distance up to 3500 km | Long distance from 3500 km |
|---|---|---|
e.g. London – Edinburgh | e.g. Berlin – Athens | e.g. Amsterdam – Tokyo |
€250* | €400* | €600* |
*Minus commission (usually 20 to 30% [if nec. plus attorney’s fee of 14% ] plus VAT) if claimed through our service
Your Right to Care at The Airport
Should you miss your connecting flight and the airline is at fault, you are eligible to claim for free assistance and care after a wait time of 2 or more hours. In this case, the airline is responsible for providing you with free meals and refreshments, usually in the form of vouchers. Further, you are also eligible for two free communication methods (phone/email).
Should your flight be delayed overnight, the airline must also provide you with free hotel accommodation as well as transport between the airport and the hotel.
If your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, the EU261 regulation gives you the right to reimbursement. This means you can get a full refund on your ticket, and the airline must pay within seven days. Further, they must also provide you with a free return flight to the first point of departure.
Step-by-Step: What to Do If You Miss Your Connection
At the Airport – Immediate Actions:
1. Request a rebooking: Go directly to the airline’s customer service desk or transfer desk in the terminal. Ask to be placed on the next available flight. The airline should do this automatically, but confirm it.
3. Get Written Confirmation: Request written confirmation of:
The cause of the delay
Your new flight details
Any compensation or vouchers provided
3. Ask for Care Assistance: If you’re waiting 2+ hours, request:
Meal vouchers
Refreshment vouchers
Phone call allowance
Hotel accommodation (if overnight)
4. Keep All Documentation: Save and photograph:
Original boarding passes
New boarding passes
Receipts for any expenses
Vouchers provided
Staff names and times
After You Reach Your Destination:
5. Calculate Your Delay: Determine exactly how late you arrived at your final destination compared to the original schedule.
6. Check Your Eligibility: Use our compensation calculator to verify if you can claim and how much.
7. File Your Claim: Submit your claim within 6 years of the incident. Don’t wait – airlines may try to claim time has expired.
Have you missed your connecting flight?
Different Airlines, Same Booking: Can I Still Claim?
Yes, absolutely. If your connecting flights were on different airlines but booked together under one reference, you can claim compensation. For example: You booked a journey from Manchester to Bangkok via Dubai with separate airlines but under one reference for both.
Flight 1: Manchester → Dubai (Emirates)
Flight 2: Dubai → Bangkok (Thai Airways)
Unfortunately, the Emirates flight is delayed, and you will miss the Thai Airways connection to Bangkok. Emirates Airlines is responsible for rebooking you AND for compensation. You can now file a claim against Emirates for the missed connection.
Important: The delay is calculated based on the ENTIRE journey distance from your first departure airport to the final destination, not just the missed segment. Since the flight distance from Manchester to Bangkok would be over 3,500km, you are eligible to claim £520 compensation.
Partner Airlines and Code-Shares
Many airlines have partnerships (like OneWorld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam). Flights on partner airlines under one booking are fully protected for missed connections.
Code-share flights: If your flight has multiple airline codes (e.g., operated by British Airways but sold as American Airlines), your rights remain the same.
When You’re NOT Entitled to Compensation
Sometimes flights are cancelled or delayed for reasons beyond an airline’s control. These situations are known as “extraordinary circumstances“. When such unforeseen events occur, the airline is not required to pay compensation. Examples of extraordinary circumstances include:
Severe weather conditions: Heavy snow, storms, volcanic ash, hurricanes
Air traffic control strikes: When ATC staff strike (not airline staff)
Political unrest: Wars, civil disturbances, riots in the country
Security risks: Terrorism threats, airport evacuations
Bird strikes: Birds flying into aircraft engines
Medical emergencies: Passenger or crew medical issues requiring flight diversion
Hidden manufacturing defects: Unexpected aircraft faults discovered during routine checks
However, as mentioned before, there are circumstances when indeed the airline is at fault. The following are a few examples of when you can claim:
Technical issues: Known aircraft problems, maintenance delays
Airline staff strikes: Pilots, cabin crew, or airline ground staff strikes
Crew scheduling issues: Not enough crew, crew out of hours
Overbooking: Too many tickets sold
Operational delays: Airline inefficiency, late aircraft positioning
Refuelling delays
Previous flight delays: If a plane is late because a previous flight was delayed
Important: Airlines often claim “technical issues” are extraordinary circumstances. This is usually not true. Technical problems are typically the airline’s responsibility.
How Long Do I Have to Claim?
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004, you have between 2 to 10 years to file a claim. This time period depends of your airport of origin. In Germany, for example, you have three years, in the UK six and in Sweden ten years to file a claim.
Claim Your Compensation with Flightright
While you do have the option to file for a missed connecting flight yourself, claiming with Flightright is far easier than you think. Having over 15 years of experience dealing with airlines – and their excuses not to pay! Further, our legal experts will handle all airline negotiations and aim for fast processing.
✓ 99% success rate in court – We know how to win
✓ No win, no fee – Zero financial risk to you
✓ 12 million customers – Proven track record
How It Works:
1. Check Your Eligibility: Enter your flight details in our compensation calculator. We’ll instantly tell you if you can claim and how much.
2. Submit Your Claim: Upload your booking confirmation and boarding passes. That’s all we need to get started.
3. We Handle Everything: Our legal team contacts the airline, handles all negotiations, and takes them to court if necessary. You do nothing.
4. Receive Your Money: Once successful, we transfer your compensation directly to your bank account.
Our fee: Only 20-30% + VAT if we win. You never pay if we don’t succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missed Connection Compensation
Protect Your Future Flights Now!
You have planned a flight trip in the future and want to be sure you won’t miss any compensation payments in advance? No problem. You can enter your flights in advance in our Flightright Portal and we will inform you if you are entitled to compensation.
Have You Missed Your Connecting Flight?
Time is often short on transfer connections. A delay can quickly lead you to miss your next flight. The EU air passenger law protects you and grants you compensation.
Patience and Persistence Pay Off: Flightright Resolves the Unexpected Cost of Marie’s Missed Connections
An Unforeseen Travel Setback
Marie’s July trip was meant to be a smooth journey with a few connecting flights along the way. However, things took a frustrating turn when her Air Dolomiti flight, part of Lufthansa’s network, was significantly delayed, triggering a domino effect of missed connections. Her subsequent three flights were all impacted, leading to substantial additional costs. When Marie initially contacted Air Dolomiti for compensation, she received a promise that the costs would be covered. Yet, weeks went by, and no reimbursement came through.
Turning to Flightright for Help
As time passed without a response from the airline, Marie started searching for alternatives and came across Flightright’s services online. Although unsure at first, she decided to give us a try, drawn by the simplicity and clarity of the claims process. Flightright’s online platform – free compensation calculator allowed Marie to upload all necessary documents quickly and easily. “I wasn’t certain this would work,” Marie admits, “but the interface was reassuring, and I appreciated the clear guidance each step of the way.”
Patience and Persistence Pay Off
Flightright took on Marie’s case, communicating directly with Air Dolomiti on her behalf. Despite her initial concerns, Flightright consistently kept her updated, even when the airline wasn’t responsive. A few months later, when Flightright informed her that the claim might have to close if no response was received, Marie prepared herself for disappointment. But just as she was moving on, she received an unexpected email: Flightright had succeeded in securing the compensation she was owed, and the funds were on their way to her account.
A Satisfying Resolution
Marie’s relief was palpable. Not only did Flightright secure the payment from Air Dolomiti, but they also made sure the funds were transferred to her swiftly, handling every detail from start to finish. Reflecting on her experience, Marie praises Flightright for their unwavering communication and thorough handling of her claim. “The updates were invaluable,” she notes, “and having the funds arrive after I’d nearly given up hope made it all the more satisfying.”
Marie’s Final Thoughts
For Marie, Flightright proved to be a crucial ally, and she encourages other travelers dealing with missed connections or compensation issues to turn to Flightright directly. “Skip the hassle of dealing with airlines alone—go straight to Flightright,” she advises. “They’re reliable, efficient, and take the stress out of the whole process.” We’re proud to have helped Marie receive her due compensation and are grateful for her positive feedback! ❤️
Overall: Top service – a very good experience with Flightright!!!
This is the review Marie left us after Flightright successfully helped her get compensation for her missed connecting flights.
Flightright just sorted it out! Don’t give up!
I went to Flightright after incurring substantial costs due to our delayed flight from Air Dolomiti in July 2022 which created a domino effect for all other 3 connecting flights. Air Dolomiti (Lufthansa’s Italian branch) agreed to pay the costs but never did so I had to find other options to ensure I could be compensated so I went to Flightright. I wasn’t sure at first whether this was a legitimate process and unfortunately after a few months my claim was closed as Flightright didn’t hear back from the airline. It was definitely a surprise to see an email from Flightright after 2 months to advise that Air Dolomiti had paid our claim, which was transferred to our account very quickly. Couldn’t fault Flightright’s communication – which provided updates along the way and the quick transfer of funds. Don’t bother going to the airline if you want compensation (who don’t even reply) GO STRAIGHT TO FLIGHTRIGHT, they’ll sort it out. Fantastic service and even better when you’re not expecting the funds and they just arrive! Thank you Flightright!
We will help you claim compensation for:
Your flight did not go as planned?
In the event of flight delays, cancellations and overbooking, passengers may be entitled to compensation or ticket reimbursement. Flightright enforces your rights.