Airline Compensation for Missed Flights

Missing a connecting flight is a nightmare setback on a long journey. But if you were traveling to or from Europe you might be protected by regulation EC 261. This says if you miss a connecting flight due to flight delay, cancellation, or being denied boarding you could be entitled to up to €600 compensation

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If you missed a connecting flight because of delay, cancellation or overbooking you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.

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What is missed connection compensation?

A connecting flight is the term used for a flight which is not direct. Though these flights are bought as one booking, they involve flying into or ‘connecting’ via other airports on the way.

If something disrupts one of your flights, it may cause you to miss your connection. This sounds like a nightmare but don’t worry – your airline should arrange a new flight for you. Plus if you are flying in or out of Europe you may be entitled to additional compensation.

That’s because of an EU regulation, EC 261. Although there is no specific category of missed connection compensation, if the airline has caused you to miss your connecting flight due to flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding, you can still make a claim for compensation.


Airline Compensation for Missed Flights: Are You Eligible?

You can claim EC 261 compensation for a missed flight connection if…

  • You missed the connection due to a flight delay, flight cancellation or overbooked flight.

  • In the case of flight delay: Your missed connection caused you to be over three hours late arriving at your final destination.

  • Your connecting flights were part of the same booking, not purchased individually.

  • The flight took off in the EU (from any airline) or landed in the EU (provided that the airline is headquartered in the EU).


  • The disruption which caused you to miss your connection was within the airline's control (e.g. airline staff strike or technical difficulties).

  • You did not miss your connection for a reason under your control (for example, you showed up too late at the departure gate, or did not have the correct documentation).

  • You encountered these problems on a flight operated no more than three years ago.

  • It doesn’t matter whether the airline has already provided you with a replacement flight,

Think you're entitled to money for a missed connection?

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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.

Or read on if you’d like to understand more about your right to compensation for missed connecting flights:

How to tell if your connecting flights were part of the same reservation

Missed connections are only eligible where both flights were part of the same reservation. That means that you booked a single journey from your departure to your destination, and the airline issued you with a ticket for connecting flights. Most often the connecting flights are with the same airline, but that isn’t always the case.

This is different to if you made two (or more) bookings for flights and plan to catch one following another. This situation would not be covered for missed flight connection – although you may be able to claim compensation for the original disruption.

Some travel agents will book two separate flights as part of the same journey. But they should make clear if they are not part of the same reservation and highlight the “self-transfer” at the connecting airport.

If you’re not sure if your journey is a single reservation, a simple way to tell is by looking at your booking reference number.

If this is the same for all flights they are considered part of the same reservation.

EU Flight Compensation Connecting Flights: Where EC 261 applies

The EC 261 regulations apply to all passengers on flights within Europe – regardless of where the passenger is from. The definition covers all flights that depart from a European airport, and those that land in Europe on a European airline.

Missed connection compensation may even apply to flights outside of Europe, if part of your journey includes a European connection. This chart makes the coverage clear:

ItineraryEU air carrierNon-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✔️ YesNo - unless your journey originated in EU*
From outside the EU to outside the EUNo - unless your journey originated in EU*No - unless your journey originated in EU*

* If flights were purchased under one booking, EC 261 considers them part of the same journey. Consequently, journeys departing the EU are covered by EC 261 regardless of where disruption occurs or where you miss your connection. This rule generally holds true, though some EU courts interpret the regulation differently.

EC 261 also applies in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the so-called “outermost regions” (French Guiana and Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe and La Réunion, Saint-Martin, Madeira and the Azores, and the Canary Islands).

Which missed connections are covered?

Delays which are the fault of the airline

Under EC 261, passengers are eligible to claim compensation when airline fault causes one of these three flight disruptions to occur:

  • A 3-hour (or more) delayed flight at your final destination

  • Flight cancellation

  • Denied boarding

Therefore, if you miss a flight connection as a result of these flight incidents, you are eligible for missed connection compensation.

Note that in many cases airlines will reroute passengers on canceled or overbooked flights, negating the possibility of a missed connection.

Delays over 3 hours at final destination

One important point in relation to missed connection compensation is the 3-hour (or more) delay principle.

If you miss a connection due to a delayed flight, it is immaterial how long the delay is that caused the missed connection. The focus is on the length of delay of your final destination – which has to be three hours or more to be eligible for compensation.

If you missed your connection due to a cancellation or denied boarding, the total delay to your final destination can be any length.

Missed connections which are not covered

Extraordinary circumstances are excluded

Extraordinary circumstances are events deemed to be outside the control of the airline.

These include situations like lightning strikes, medical emergencies, air traffic control strikes, serious adverse weather conditions, acts of sabotage, political unrest, acts of terrorism… you get the idea.

If you miss a connection due to these kinds of extraordinary circumstances the airline isn’t obligated to pay compensation, since they are only held responsible for things that they control.

Airline strikes do not fall under extraordinary circumstances

In April 2018, the European Court of Justice made a ruling stating that internal ‘wildcat strikes’ by flight staff do not constitute as ‘extraordinary circumstances’.

Therefore, airlines must now compensate air passengers for flight delays and cancellations when an airline strike is to blame.

Missed connections for personal reasons

We know there are sometimes good reasons why you’ll miss a connection. Mishaps like a family emergency, a sudden sickness, or simply losing track of time can make you a no-show on your flight.

Regardless of the reason, if you are responsible for missing a connection you will not be entitled to compensation under EC 261. We do have some advice on how to handle a missed connecting flight in our FAQ section.

Missed Flight Compensation for Business Travelers

Even if you are on a business trip when you miss a connecting flight, it is still you, the passenger, who is entitled to compensation.

The general principle set out by EC 261 is that the passenger who has suffered the inconvenience is owed compensation, not the person who paid for the ticket.

You could be owed up to €600 for missed connecting flights within the last 3 years

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How Much Can You Get in Airline Compensation for Missed Flights?

Missed connection compensation amounts under EC 261

How much compensation you are owed depends on the reason for your missed connection.

The most common reason for a missed connection is flight delay. If that’s what happened in your case, you can use the following table to understand how much you are owed (in Euros).

Compensation based on length of delay:

DistanceLess than 3 hours3 – 4 hoursMore than 4 hoursNever arrived
All flights 1,500 km or less€ - ✔️ €250✔️ €250✔️ €250
Internal EU flights over 1,500 km€ - ✔️ €400 ✔️ €400 ✔️ €400
Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km€ - ✔️ €400 ✔️ €400 ✔️ €400
Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km€ - ✔️ €300✔️ €600✔️ €600

You may be entitled to different amounts of compensation if you missed a connection for reasons other than flight delay.

Check out how much you are entitled to for cancellation or denied boarding.

How distance is calculated for missed flight compensation claims

When you are claiming compensation for a missed connection, it is the total length of the journey that is important, not the leg of the journey that you missed.

That means any legs of the journey that came before the disruption might be included as well, if they were operated by the carrier responsible for the delay (and there were no intervening flights operated by a different carrier).

To put it another way, if an airline causes a missed connection, they are usually responsible for all of their own flights, even if they came before the disruption. They are also responsible for any later flights that are affected, even if they are with a different airline.

Find out how much you are owed for missed connections in the past 3 years

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What Are Your Rights Regarding Airline Compensation for Missed Flights?

EU Flight Compensation for Connecting Flights: EC 261

If you missed your connection due to the fault of the airline, the airline should rebook you on the next available flight to your destination.

If the missed connection means that the flight is no longer serving the purpose of your original travel plan, you may also want to make use of your rights of reimbursement.

This right kicks in if your flight is delayed for five hours or more, if your flight is canceled or if you are denied boarding for overbooking.

Under this part of the regulation, you may ask the airline to provide you with a return flight to the first point of departure AND a refund for the journey not made.

EC 261 is clear that refunds must also include parts of the journey that have been made if the flight is no longer serving its original purpose. This is particularly relevant to passengers on connecting flights, who have already flown part of their itinerary before the disruption occurred.

Other entitlements under EC 261

Right to care

If you’re waiting for the airline to get you back on track toward your destination, EC 261 says you’re entitled to a number essentials, depending on your flight details.

After several hours of delay, your airline must provide meals and refreshments as well as access to communications (two telephone calls, fax messages, or emails).

If overnight accommodation becomes necessary, they must provide you with a hotel room, and transportation to and from the airport.

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

If your delay exceeds five hours, you are entitled to a full or partial refund of your original ticket and a return flight to your point of departure, if needed. That’s in addition to your compensation.

Upgrading and downgrading

EC 261 says your new flight should be of a similar standard to your missed connection.
However, if you are offered an upgrade, the airline isn’t allowed to charge you anything extra. On the other hand, if the class of the alternative flight is lower, you can get a reimbursement of between 30-75% of the price you originally paid.

Further compensation

Even if you are compensated under EC 261, this doesn’t affect your right to request further compensation. But bear in mind that the amount you are entitled to under EC 261 may be deducted from whatever additional compensation you receive.

You can use AirHelp's eligibility checker to find out if you're owed flight compensation

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How to Claim Missed Flight Compensation

What should I do if I miss my connection?

You just arrived at your connecting airport and seen that your next flight has already left without you. In most cases you have the right to be rebooked on the next available flight, or ask for a refund and flight back to your point of departure.

Here's the steps to take:

1) Hold on to your boarding pass and other travel documents

You’ll need these later to make a compensation claim.

2) Speak to an airline representative

Today most airlines are aware straight away and will try to contact you with a replacement flight. If there’s no-one waiting when you disembark the plane find the customer services desk or speak to your airline on the phone.

3) Request an alternative flight to your destination

Your airline is obligated to get you on the next available flight to your destination.
Or, if that doesn’t work for you, ask them to refund your flight and put you on a return flight to your original point of departure instead.

4) Ask if the airline will cover your meals and refreshments

If you’re at at the airport longer than planned, the airline can provide food and drinks to keep you comfortable. It’s not just good hospitality, in Europe it’s a requirement.

5) Ask the airline to provide you with a hotel room

If by 6pm the airline has still not managed to rebook you to another fight, hasn’t found a seat on a night flight or for the next day, the airline must arrange your hotel accommodation. They must also cover transportation to and from the airport, if necessary.

6) Check what will happen to your bags

Did your luggage also miss the connecting flight? Ask if they can be returned to you if you’re going to be waiting a while for your replacement flight.

7) Let people in your destination know

If you’re visiting friends or relatives you don’t want them to worry when you don’t show up on time. If you’re staying in a hotel you should also contact them. They might put you down as a no-show and cancel your booking otherwise. The airline should offer you a way of communicating as part of your right to care.

8) Keep your receipts if your missed connection ends up costing you extra money

Whether it’s missing out on a pre-paid reservation, hotel, rental car, or other unexpected costs, passengers on international flights may be able to recover expenses caused by travel disruptions.

9) See if your missed connection is eligible for compensation

Use our eligibility checker to quickly and easily find out what you’re entitled to.

Missed Connection Compensation

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How to claim airline compensation for missed flights with AirHelp

AirHelp makes the claim process simple. Fill in a few details about your flights, tell us what happened, and our team of expert claim agents will handle the rest.

We’ll check the details of your flight and build a case for compensation. And we’ll handle all the negotiations with the airline on your behalf.

Why use AirHelp?

  • AirHelp is the biggest and most successful flight compensation company in the world - you're in safe hands with us.

  • We're the best-rated flight compensation company in the world with a 9.2 score on Trustpilot.

  • We have already helped more than 16 million passengers

  • Avoid spending lots of time and effort navigating the complex legal system.

  • Airlines may deny your initial claim or ignore your claim request entirely, our team tackle bureaucratic hurdles to get you the money you deserve.

  • We work on a no win, no fee basis. So AirHelp will charge no fee unless you get compensated.

If your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last 3 years, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.

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Common questions about missed connection compensation

What happens if a flight is delayed and you miss your connection?

If you miss your connection due to a delay, usually the airline is responsible for providing you with a replacement flight to your destination. They will have to book you on the earliest possible flight available. In cases of long delays, they are also obliged to provide you with food, water, and if needed, accommodations and transport to and from the airline.

If the airline is at fault for the delay, you may also be eligible for compensation. If you arrive more than 3 hours late at your final destination, you could get up €600 compensation.

Note however, that if your connecting flight is part of another booking, you will have to rebook your own flight — airlines are only responsible with connections you booked through them.

How can I avoid missing a connecting flight?

To avoid missing a connecting flight, give yourself enough time between flights.

When booking your tickets, check how much time you'll have to get on the next flight — most airports will need a minimum of 45 minutes to transfer onto your connecting flights, and airlines should only offer connections that are realistic. But you can check online to see what the recommended layover time is and adjust accordingly.

Factors that can affect how much time you will need include:

  • Health and safety protocols (e.g. Covid-19 protocols).

  • Customs checks.

  • Terminal changes (especially if you need transport between terminals).

  • If your flight is on a different airline.

If I miss my connection, should I book my own replacement flight?

In cases where the airline is responsible for you missing your connecting flight, they are obligated to book a replacement flight to your destination. It is best that you talk to the airline staff about this so that they can help you arrange it.

In rare cases when the airline can't find you a substitute flight, you will have to book one yourself — just be sure to keep the receipt and let the airline know to refund you.

If you are responsible for missing your connection, however, the airline is not obligated to rebook or refund your flight.

What happens if you choose to miss a connecting flight on purpose?

If you purposely choose to miss a connecting flight, or if you are otherwise responsible for missing it, the airline is under no obligation to pay you compensation or to rebook you. You can ask them to help you book a new flight, but this will have to come out of your own pocket.

If you choose to miss your connection, let the airline know, as they will otherwise label you as a "no-show" and may cancel the rest of your itinerary.

What is the time limit for making a missed connection compensation claim?

If you are eligible for compensation following a missed connection, you generally have up to 3 years to claim compensation. This varies from country to country, however.

I have a connecting flight—is the whole journey eligible for compensation?

In most cases yes, it is the whole journey that is taken into account for your flight compensation claim, rather than just one leg. However, do check that the following apply:

  • The flights were under one booking, not purchased individually

  • Your flight was protected by a law like EC 261 in Europe or Brazil's ANAC 400.

  • The airline was responsible for your missed connection.

In some unique cases, EU courts interpret the regulation differently and may not include prior connecting flights in the eligible distance. The quickest way to check is to let us work it out for you! Click here and we'll get started.

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