Your rights
Missed Connection Compensation rights
You may be entitled up to £730 missed connection compensation.
Unfortunately travel doesn’t always go according to plan. Read on to find out what your air passenger rights are and how to claim missed connection compensation.
Missed connection compensation
1. Are You Eligible for Compensation due to a Missed Connection Flight?
- You have encountered a missed connection due to factors such as flight delay, flight cancellation, or an overbooked flight.
- In the event of a flight delay, your missed connection resulted in a delay of over three hours in reaching your final destination.
- Your connecting flights were all included in a single booking, not booked separately.
- The flight either originated in the UK or the EU (regardless of the airline), or it landed in these territories, provided the airline’s headquarters are located in the UK or the EU.
- The disruption that led to your missed connection was under the airline’s control, such as an airline staff strike or technical issues.
- Your missed connection was not a result of something within your control, such as arriving late at the departure gate or lacking the necessary documents.
- These circumstances occurred on a flight that took place within the last three years.
2. Filing a Claim for missed connection compensation: Step-by-Step Guide
Quick tip
If you’re unsure if your journey is a single reservation an easy way of knowing is by looking at your booking reference number.
If this is the same for all flights they are considered as one reservation.
Where EC 261 and its UK equivalent apply
When can you claim?
Which missed connections are covered?
Delays which are the fault of the airline
Under UK and EU law, you are eligible to claim compensation when airline fault leads to one of these three flight disruptions:
Delays over 3 hours at final destination
If a missed connection results from a delayed flight, the specific duration of that delay doesn’t matter; the key factor is the length of the delay at your final destination, which must be three hours or more to qualify for compensation.
However, if your connection was missed due to a cancellation or denied boarding, there is no requirement for a minimum total delay duration to your final destination to be eligible for compensation.
Missed connections which are not covered
Extraordinary circumstances are excluded
These include scenarios such as lightning strikes, medical emergencies, air traffic control strikes, severe adverse weather conditions, acts of sabotage, political instability, acts of terrorism, and so forth.
In cases where a missed connection results from such extraordinary circumstances, the airline is not obliged to provide compensation, as they are solely accountable for factors within their control.
Missed connections due to personal circumstances
We understand that there are valid reasons why you might miss a connection. Unexpected events like a family emergency, sudden illness, or even just losing track of time can result in you missing your flight.
Regardless of the cause, if you are accountable for missing a connection, you will not be eligible for compensation under EC 261 regulations.
Beware! Airline strikes are not classified as extraordinary circumstances.
In April 2018, the European Court of Justice issued a ruling, which was adopted into UK law as well, specifying that internal “wildcat strikes” initiated by flight staff do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
Consequently, airlines are now obligated to provide compensation to air passengers for flight delays and cancellations when the cause is an airline strike.
Compensation for Business Travellers
Even in the case of a missed connecting flight during a business trip, it is the passenger who is entitled to compensation.
The fundamental legal principle dictates that compensation is owed to the passenger who has experienced the inconvenience, regardless of whether the ticket was paid for by someone else.
You may be entitled up to £520 for missed connecting flights within the last 3 years!
3. How Much Can You Get in Airline Compensation for Missed Flights?
Compensation amounts under EC 261
How distance is calculated for missed flight connection claims
Missed connection compensation amounts in UK and EU law
The most common reason for a missed connection is flight delay. If that’s the case, you can use the following table to understand how much you are owed
How distance is calculated for missed flight compensation claims
When you are seeking compensation for a missed connection, what matters is the overall duration of the entire journey, not just the specific segment you missed.
This implies that any preceding segments of the journey may also be considered if they were operated by the same airline responsible for the delay (with no other intervening flights operated by a different carrier).
To clarify, if an airline is the cause of a missed connection, they typically bear responsibility for all their own flights, even those occurring prior to the disruption. They are also accountable for any subsequent flights affected, even if those flights are operated by a different airline.
4. What Are Your Rights Regarding Airline Compensation for Missed Flights?
Compensation for Connecting Flights: EC 261 and its UK Equivalent
If you miss your connecting flight due to the airline’s fault, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight to your destination.In cases where the missed connection renders your flight no longer aligned with your original travel plans, you can also consider exercising your right to reimbursement.
This entitlement comes into effect if your flight experiences a delay of five hours or more, gets cancelled, or if you are denied boarding due to overbooking.According to this segment of the regulation, you have the right to request the airline to provide you with both a return flight to your initial point of departure AND a refund for the portion of the journey that you could not complete.
EC 261, which has been incorporated into UK law following Brexit, stipulates that refunds must also encompass segments of the journey that have already been completed if the flight no longer serves its original purpose. This is particularly pertinent for passengers on connecting flights who have already undertaken part of their trip before the disruption occurred.
Other entitlements:
Right to Care
If you find yourself waiting for the airline to reorganise your travel plans after a delay, UK law ensures that you’re entitled to certain essentials, contingent upon the specifics of your flight.
After a substantial delay, your airline is obligated to provide you with meals, refreshments, and access to communication facilities (including two phone calls, fax messages, or emails).
Should an overnight stay be necessary, they are required to furnish you with hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the airport.
Right to Reimbursement or Re-Routing
If your delay surpasses five hours, you have the right to request a full or partial refund of your original ticket, along with a return flight to your initial point of departure if it becomes necessary. This is in addition to any compensation you may be entitled to.
Upgrading and Downgrading
The legal requirement stipulates that your new flight should be of a similar standard to the one you missed. However, if you are offered an upgrade, the airline is prohibited from charging you any additional fees. Conversely, if the class of the alternative flight is of a lower standard, you can receive a refund ranging from 30% to 75% of the original ticket price you paid.
Further Compensation
Even if you receive compensation initially, it does not affect your right to seek additional compensation. It’s worth noting that the legally entitled amount may be deducted from any additional compensation you receive.
Find out how much you are entitled to
5. How to Claim Missed Flight Compensation
What to Do If You Miss Your Connection:
If you find yourself at your connecting airport only to discover that your next flight has left without you, you typically have two options: request to be rebooked on the next available flight at no additional cost, or request a refund and a flight back to your initial point of departure.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Keep Your Travel Documents: Ensure you hold onto your boarding pass and any other relevant travel documents as you will need these when making a compensation claim.
- Speak to an Airline Representative: Most airlines are now aware of missed connections and will make efforts to contact you with alternative flight options. If you don’t find anyone waiting for you when you disembark the plane, locate the customer service desk or contact your airline by phone.
- Request an Alternative Flight: Your airline is obliged to rebook you on the next available flight to your destination. Alternatively, if this doesn’t suit your plans, you can ask for a refund and a return flight to your point of origin.
- Ask About Meals and Refreshments:If you end up at the airport for a longer period than originally planned, the airline should provide food and beverages to ensure your comfort. This is not just a matter of hospitality; it’s a legal requirement in the UK and Europe.
- Inquire About Hotel Accommodation: If, by 6 pm, the airline has not managed to rebook you on another flight, find a seat on a night flight, or arrange a flight for the following day, the airline is obligated to arrange hotel accommodation for you. They should also cover transportation to and from the airport if necessary.
- Check Baggage Handling: If your luggage also missed the connecting flight, ask if it can be returned to you, especially if you anticipate a lengthy wait for your replacement flight.
- Notify Your Destination: Inform friends, relatives, or your hotel at your destination about the delay so they are not alarmed by your absence. Your airline should provide a means of communication as part of your “right to care.”
- Retain Receipts: If your missed connection leads to extra expenses, such as missing a prepaid reservation, additional hotel costs, or rental car charges, passengers on international flights may be eligible to seek reimbursement for expenses incurred due to travel disruptions.
- Check Eligibility for Compensation: Utilise our eligibility checker to promptly and easily determine what compensation you may be entitled to.
6. How to claim airline compensation for missed flights with Claim’n Win
Submit your details in minutes and instantly see if you are eligible for compensation.
Our team of specialists will fight for your rights and handle your claim from A to Z.
As soon as we receive compensation we send you your money.
Why Claim ‘N Win
We understand that most passengers lack the time, experience, or desire to engage in disputes with airlines. That’s why Cliam’N win steps in to claim their rightful compensation for delayed flights.
- We swiftly assess your eligibility for compensation.
- We manage all communication with the airline on your behalf.
- With no risk involved, we only charge a fee when we successfully secure your compensation
7. FAQs About missed connection compensation
If your connecting flight is part of the same booking reference, the airline should rebook you on the next available flight without any additional charges. In cases of substantial delays where the next available flight is on the following day, the airline must also provide accommodation, meals, and transportation to and from the airport.
If you arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours later than originally scheduled and the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation. The specific laws vary depending on your flight’s origin and destination, but flight delay compensation can be a significant amount, making it worthwhile to check your eligibility.
Please be aware that if your connecting flight was booked separately, you will likely need to arrange and cover the cost of another onward flight yourself, as the airline is not legally obligated to do so.
To prevent missing a flight connection, always ensure you have an adequate amount of time between flights, typically at least 45 minutes between one flight landing and the next taking off. When booking your tickets, check the time between your flights. Airlines usually offer feasible connections, but if you have concerns or anticipate needing more time, you can research each airport’s minimum connection time and select a flight with a longer connection.
Factors that may affect the time you need include customs checks, terminal changes, and airport size.
In most cases, when a cancellation or delay causes a missed connection, the airline will automatically rebook affected passengers on the next available flight to their destination. Start by contacting your airline to inquire about the arrangements they have made.
In rare instances where the airline cannot find a substitute flight for you, you may need to book one yourself. Ensure you keep the receipt for the replacement flight to seek reimbursement.
However, if you are responsible for missing the connection, the situation is different, and the airline is not obligated to rebook or refund your flight.
If you decide not to show up for the next leg of your connecting flight, be aware that the airline has no obligation to provide compensation or rebook you. It’s advisable to inform the airline in such cases, as they may label you as a “no-show” and could potentially cancel the remainder of your itinerary.
Typically, passengers have approximately 3 years to file a compensation claim. However, the precise time limit varies from one country to another and depends on the flight’s origin and destination, as well as the airline’s headquarters. Therefore, it’s advisable to initiate a claim as soon as possible to ensure you meet any applicable deadlines.
If you qualify for compensation, most regulations base the compensation amount on your entire journey, from your initial departure airport to your final destination, regardless of any connecting flights along the way. However, this applies only when the flights are booked together as part of a single reservation and not individually.
Have a different question?
Pop in your details and a member of our team will get back to you within 24 hours.
