Compensation for a missed connection: how does it work?
Are you experiencing a flight delay that will inevitably affect your connection? Don't worry! Your airline is responsible for getting you to your destination. However, being taken care of doesn't mean you have to accept the situation. Be aware that you can claim compensation for a missed connection. This article provides all the information you need to handle a missed connection during your journey.
Claim compensation for a missed connection1. What are the reasons for a missed connection?
There are many reasons you might miss your connection: a cancelled flight, a delayed flight, a denied check-in, etc. Refunds and compensation vary greatly depending on the reasons for the missed connection and the circumstances.
If the missed connection is your own fault.
If the missed connection is entirely your responsibility, you are not entitled to compensation. However, you can request a refund from the airline for up to 25% of the ticket price. Visit your airline's website to process the refund. As for reorganising your journey, you'll have to handle the bookings yourself, likely at a higher cost.
If the missed connection is due to an exceptional event beyond the airline's control.
You might miss your connection due to an external event beyond the airline's control: airport staff strikes, weather conditions, or an abandoned luggage. In such cases, the airline may refund you if you choose not to fly and can book you on a later flight. However, in this scenario, it is also impossible to receive compensation from the airline.
If the missed connection is the airline's fault.
If the missed connection is due to the airline, they are obliged to find you a seat on another flight and ensure you reach your destination or return you to your departure airport.
To do this, go directly to the airline's counter to find a new flight. Since you won't be the only one in this situation, the airline representatives at the airport may be overwhelmed; note that you can also rearrange your flight over the phone. It's generally rare to get a seat on the next flight, but don't worry. If you have to wait several hours at the airport, the airline will cover hotel and meal expenses and offer you the possibility to communicate by phone, email, or SMS if needed.
2. Compensation for a missed connection
Your flight is now rescheduled, and you're relieved. But did you know you can also claim compensation for a missed connection?
What is compensation?
To understand this, it's important to grasp the concept of compensation. It provides financial recompense for a loss. This is very different from a refund, which is based on the price of your ticket. If you miss your connection, you can also request financial compensation from your airline. However, you must meet certain specific criteria: if you need help with your claim, feel free to visit Delayed to check the validity of your request.
Compensation for a missed connection with a single ticket reference.
If you miss your connection due to a delayed flight, you must first meet two specific criteria.
Firstly, your ticket must have a single reference for your entire journey. If you split your flights by purchasing them separately, compensation will not be applicable.
The delay must be three hours or more.
The second criterion concerns the duration of the delay. If you missed your connection due to a flight delay, you can only claim compensation if the delay is three hours or more.
The reasons for the delay affect your missed connection compensation.
Before claiming compensation, you need to gather all necessary information related to your flight delay. In some cases, the airline is not obliged to provide compensation because the circumstances are beyond their control. This may include:
- Airport staff strikes
- Weather conditions
- Acts of sabotage or terrorism
- Medical emergencies.
Compensation for a missed connection due to a cancelled flight.
You can also claim compensation if you missed your connection due to a cancelled flight. However, as with a delayed flight, you must meet certain criteria.
No compensation if the airline informs you in advance of the cancellation.
The airline must adhere to certain rules in the event of a cancelled flight.
- They must notify you at least 2 weeks before departure if they don't offer an alternative journey.
- They must notify you between 1 and 2 weeks before departure if they offer a replacement flight, departing no earlier than 2 hours before the original departure and arriving no later than 4 hours after the scheduled arrival.
- They must notify you less than 1 week before departure if they find a replacement flight departing no earlier than 1 hour before the original departure and arriving no later than 2 hours after the scheduled arrival.
If your flight cancellation doesn't fall into any of these categories and you miss your connection, you can claim compensation from your airline.
How long do I have to claim my compensation for a missed connection?
Even if reorganising your journey is stressful, you don't have to claim compensation immediately. For European flights, you have up to three years to request financial compensation from the airline concerned, regardless of the reason: whether it's a delayed flight, a cancelled flight, overbooking, or a missed connection.
Is it possible to combine compensations?
Be aware that the airline can compensate you, considering the conditions mentioned earlier, for your missed connection, but they can also compensate you for a delayed or cancelled flight. Feel free to check out our other articles on compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.
What are the amounts for compensation on missed connections?
If you miss your connection due to a delayed or cancelled flight, you can receive up to €600 in compensation. Don't hesitate to use our services to secure a substantial amount, all while avoiding the stress of paperwork.
Receive your compensation for missed connections with Delayed!
Because navigating compensation for flight issues can be complex, discover our Delayed platform. With a simple click, enter the details of your missed connection, and we'll assess your eligibility in less than five minutes. We handle your case from start to finish. Within three weeks to three months, you'll receive your compensation, from which we deduct our service fees.
If your case is not accepted and you cannot receive compensation, we charge nothing.
Which flights are covered by our offer?
To secure the best compensation for the inconvenience caused by the airline, we rely on EC Regulation 261/04, which applies to EU countries. Therefore, if you experienced a missed connection due to a flight delay or cancellation, you could be compensated if you are departing from or arriving in the 28 EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion Island, Saint-Martin, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands.
The European regulation also applies to travellers departing from Europe to an international destination and international travellers heading to Europe if they are flying with a European airline.
List of countries whose flights are eligible for compensation:
- The 28 EU countries
- The outermost regions of the European Economic Area
- Non-EU countries only if the departure or arrival country is in Europe and only if the flight is operated by a European airline
- Non-EU countries
Don't wait any longer to discover the amount of your compensation following a delay, missed connection, flight cancellation, or overbooking: browse our website to contact our teams and visit our blog for the latest air travel news.