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Missed connection compensation
Claiming compensation for a missed connection is simple with AioFlight. Just fill out our online claim form, and we’ll handle the rest. If your flight was missed due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation. Complete the form now, and we’ll quickly check if you’re eligible to claim.
Key Points about Missed connection compensation
Missing a connecting flight can be stressful, but if you’re traveling to or from Europe, EU Regulation EC 261 protects your rights. If you arrive at your final destination over three hours late due to a missed connection, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation. Airlines must also provide meals, refreshments, and, if needed, accommodation during long waits.
Learn more about your rights and how to claim your compensation.
Had a Missed Flight? You may be entitled to as much as €600 in EU cancelled flight compensation.
Air Passengers Rights and Protections
Missed Connection Compensation with AioFlight
Missing a connecting flight can disrupt your travel plans and cause unnecessary stress. If your journey involves flights to or from Europe, you might be protected by EC 261 Regulation, which entitles passengers to compensation of up to €600 ($650) for missed connections caused by delays, cancellations, or overbooking.
Even on U.S. domestic flights, while monetary compensation may not apply, you have specific rights, such as rebooking and care provisions. At AioFlight, we help you navigate these situations and ensure you get the compensation or support you’re entitled to.
What is Missed Connection Compensation?
A connecting flight involves changing planes at an intermediate airport before reaching your final destination. While these flights are booked as a single journey, they require stopovers at other airports along the way.
If a disruption causes you to miss your connection, it can be stressful, but don’t worry – the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight. Additionally, if you’re traveling to or from Europe, you may be entitled to compensation under EU regulation EC 261.
Compensation for Missed Flights: Are You Eligible?
You may be eligible for EC 261 compensation if:
In the case of missed connections, we realize some of the criteria might not be as straightforward as they seem. The simplest way to find out if you are owed compensation is to use our eligibility checker.
Think you’re entitled to money for a missed connection?
How to Confirm if Your Connecting Flights Are Part of the Same Reservation
To qualify for missed connection compensation, both flights must be part of the same reservation. Here’s how to determine this:
Single Booking: You purchased the entire journey—from departure to final destination—as one booking.
Ticket Issued: The airline provided a single ticket covering all connecting flights.
Airline Coordination: While usually on the same airline, connecting flights under a single reservation can sometimes involve different carriers.
This is different from booking flights separately and planning to connect them yourself. In such cases, missed connections are not eligible for compensation under EC 261, although you may claim compensation for any initial disruption.
Where EC 261 Applies for Connecting Flights
EC 261 regulations protect passengers on flights within Europe, regardless of nationality. Here’s how it applies:
- Coverage includes:
- Flights departing from any EU airport (on any airline).
- Flights landing in the EU, provided they are operated by an EU-based airline.
- Missed connection outside Europe:
- If your journey includes a European connection and was booked as a single reservation, EC 261 may still apply.
Coverage Overview:
| Itinerary | EU Air Carrier | Non-EU Air Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No (unless journey started in EU)* |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | ❌ No (unless journey started in EU)* | ❌ No (unless journey started in EU)* |
Note: Flights booked under a single reservation are considered part of the same journey, even if disruptions occur outside the EU. However, interpretations may vary by court.
Additional Coverage:
EC 261 also applies to flights departing or arriving in:
- Iceland, Norway, Switzerland.
- Outermost EU regions, such as French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Madeira, Azores, and Canary Islands.
Every year, millions of air passengers miss out on compensation owed under European Regulation EC 261.
Eligible Missed Connections for Compensation
Under EC 261, passengers can claim compensation for missed connections if the delay or disruption is the airline’s fault. This includes:
Delays at the final destination (3+ hours):
-
- If a flight delay caused you to miss your connection and resulted in arriving at your final destination over three hours late, you are eligible for compensation.
- The focus is on the total delay at your final destination, not the length of the initial delay.
Flight cancellations:
-
- If a cancellation led to a missed connection, compensation applies regardless of the total delay length.
Denied boarding:
-
- Being denied boarding due to overbooking or other airline-related issues, which caused a missed connection, makes you eligible for compensation.
Key Principle:
- Delays must be 3+ hours at the final destination for compensation related to delayed flights.
- For cancellations or denied boarding, any delay at the final destination qualifies.
Missed connections which are not covered
Missed Connections Due to Personal Reasons
-
- Personal circumstances like family emergencies, sudden illness, or losing track of time can lead to missed flights.
- While unfortunate, these instances are considered the passenger’s responsibility and do not qualify for compensation under EC 261.
- For tips on handling such situations, check the FAQ section.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Extraordinary circumstances are events outside the airline’s control, excluding them from compensation obligations.
-
- Examples:
- Lightning strikes
- Medical emergencies
- Air traffic control strikes
- Severe weather conditions
- Political unrest, acts of sabotage, or terrorism
- Examples:
In these cases, the airline is not liable for missed connections as they cannot influence these events.
You could be owed up to €600 for missed connecting flights within the last 3 years
How much compensation you can get?
Missed Connection Compensation Amounts Under EC 261
The amount of compensation you are entitled to for a missed connection depends on the reason for the disruption. If the cause was a flight delay, the table below outlines the compensation amounts (in Euros):
| Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3–4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flights 1,500 km or less | € – | ✔️ €250 | ✔️ €250 | ✔️ €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | € – | ✔️ €400 | ✔️ €400 | ✔️ €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights (1,500–3,500 km) | € – | ✔️ €400 | ✔️ €400 | ✔️ €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | € – | ✔️ €300 | ✔️ €600 | ✔️ €600 |
If you missed your connection due to cancellation or denied boarding, compensation amounts may differ. Check the specific compensation rules for these scenarios.
How distance is calculated for Missed Flight Compensation
When submitting a compensation claim for a missed connection, the total journey distance is considered, rather than just the portion of the flight you missed.
This means that earlier flights in your itinerary, if operated by the same airline responsible for the delay and without any intervening flights from other carriers, are included in the calculation.
In other words, the airline that caused the missed connection is typically accountable for the entire journey, including both the flights leading up to and following the disruption, even if a different airline operates the subsequent flights.
Understanding Passenger Rights for Missed Connections
When a missed connection occurs due to the airline’s fault, you have more rights than just compensation. Here are the key entitlements you should be aware of:
Rebooking
If your missed connection is caused by the airline, they must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination.
Right to Reimbursement
If the missed connection results in your travel plans no longer being viable, you are entitled to reimbursement. This applies if your flight is delayed by five or more hours, canceled, or if you’re denied boarding due to overbooking.
Refund for Disrupted Journeys
If a part of your journey is disrupted, you can request a refund for the unused portion of the flight. This includes any earlier legs of the trip that no longer serve your original travel purpose, which is especially relevant for connecting flights where some parts of the trip have already been completed.
Right to Care
During significant delays, the airline must provide essential services like meals, refreshments, and communication access (such as phone calls or emails). If overnight accommodation is needed, the airline must provide a hotel and transportation to and from the airport.
Right to Reimbursement or Re-routing
If your delay exceeds five hours, you are entitled to a refund or a re-routing to your destination. This is in addition to the compensation you may receive.
Upgrading or Downgrading
If you are rebooked on a new flight, it should be of a similar class. If you are offered an upgrade, you should not have to pay extra. Conversely, if you are downgraded, you are entitled to a partial refund of 30-75% of the ticket price.
Additional Compensation
Receiving compensation under EC 261 does not limit your right to seek further compensation, though any additional compensation may be reduced by the amount already provided under the regulation.
What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight Due to a Delay on US Domestic Flights
If you miss a connecting flight on a domestic US flight due to a delay, you will not be entitled to compensation, even if the delay is caused by the airline. However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) outlines several rights for passengers in this situation.
If your missed connection is due to an airline’s delay, they are required to rebook you on the next available flight. Additionally, for extended delays, the airline must provide meals or meal vouchers. These services are guaranteed by the ten major US airlines, including:
- Alaska
- Allegiant
- American
- Delta
- Frontier
- Hawaiian
- JetBlue
- Southwest
- Spirit
- United
In the event of long delays, many airlines also offer additional support, such as:
- Hotel accommodation for overnight cancellations
- Ground transportation to the hotel
- Rebooking on partner airlines
Here’s how the major airlines handle these situations:
| Airline | Rebook on Partner Airline | Hotel for Overnight Cancellations | Ground Transport to Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Allegiant | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| American | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Delta | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Frontier | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Hawaiian | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| JetBlue | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Southwest | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Spirit | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| United | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Right to a Refund
If your flight is significantly delayed and you decide not to travel, you are entitled to a refund. While the DOT does not define what constitutes a “significant delay,” it will be evaluated based on the specifics of the situation.
How to File a Claim for Missed Flight Compensation
Submit the compensation claim
It only takes 2 minutes to fill submit your claim and to find out your compensation amount and submit the request.
We advocate for your rights
Our experts will thoroughly assess your eligibility, contact the airlines, and coordinate with authorities to handle your claim efficiently
Get and Enjoy Your Compensation
After we secure your compensation, we’ll transfer the funds to you, minus our fee. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
If your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last 3 years, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
What to do if you Miss your Connection
If your missed connection is not your fault, you are generally entitled to be rebooked on the next available flight without any additional cost. In the EU, if you decide not to continue your journey, you also have the right to request a refund and a return flight to your departure point.
Here’s what you should do next:
Missed Connection Compensation
How to claim compensation for missed flights with AioFlight
AioFlight streamlines the compensation process. Simply provide the necessary details about your flights and describe the situation, and our experienced team will take care of everything.
We’ll review your flight information, prepare your case, and handle all communication and negotiations with the airline to ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Why choose AioFlight?
How long will it take to receive my flight compensation/flight refund?
When you use AioFlight.com to claim flight compensation or a refund, the process typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months. However, if the airline is uncooperative or the claim needs to be pursued through legal channels, the process may take longer — sometimes several months or even years.
Regardless of the timeline, our team will keep you updated on the progress of your case and will always be available to address any questions or concerns you may have.
If your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked within the past 3 years, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missed Connection Compensation
If your flight is part of the same booking reference, the airline should rebook you on the next available flight. If the flight is significantly delayed, e.g., departing the next day, they should either book you on an earlier flight with another airline or provide you with meals and a hotel while you wait. Under EC261, you can also get compensation if the delay was within the airline’s control and you arrive more than 3 hours late at your final destination.
To avoid missing your connecting flight, it’s important to allow ample time between flights. In most cases, a layover of at least 45 minutes is recommended.
Airlines typically offer connections with reasonable layover times, but if you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to check the recommended layover duration when booking. Opt for a flight with a longer connection time to ensure you have plenty of time to transfer between flights.
If your connecting flights are booked under a single reservation, the airline is usually responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your destination. Under EC261, you may also be entitled to compensation.
However, self-transfers and separate bookings are not covered. Sometimes, travel agents may book two flights as part of one journey but these may still be considered separate reservations. In such cases, the travel agent should clearly inform you if the flights are not under the same reservation and highlight the “self-transfer” requirement at the connecting airport.
If the airline is at fault for your missed connection, they are required to rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination. It’s best to speak with airline staff and let them handle the rebooking.
However, if you are responsible for missing the connection, the airline is not obligated to provide a refund or rebook your flight. In this case, you may need to arrange and pay for a new flight on your own.
Yes, business travelers are entitled to compensation for missed flights, just like any other passenger. Under EC 261, compensation is provided to the passenger who experiences the disruption, regardless of who purchased the ticket. The principle is that compensation is for the inconvenience suffered by the passenger, not the ticket purchaser.
If you intentionally miss your connecting flight, the airline is not required to provide a replacement flight or compensation. While they may assist you with rebooking, they are not obligated to do so.
It’s important to notify the airline about your situation, as they may cancel the remaining segments of your journey if they believe you have abandoned the flight.