Can you get compensation if you miss a connecting flight?

Missed Your Connection? You Might Be Entitled to Compensation

Missing a connecting flight is a travel nightmare. You’re stressed, potentially stranded, and wondering if your carefully planned journey has been derailed for good. While airlines often work to rebook passengers on the next available flight, many travelers are unaware that they might also be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience and disruption caused by a missed connection.

The key factor determining eligibility for compensation lies in how your flights were booked. If your connecting flights were booked together under a single itinerary – meaning you have one booking reference or confirmation number for both flights – you have a much stronger claim for compensation if the reason for the missed connection was within the airline’s control.

This protection exists because airlines take on the responsibility of ensuring you reach your final destination when you book a through-ticket. If your initial flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked due to reasons like mechanical issues, crew shortages, or over-sales, and this leads you to miss your connecting flight, the airline is responsible for mitigating the disruption.

What Kind of Disruptions Qualify You for Compensation?

Here are some common scenarios where you might be entitled to compensation:

• Flight Delay: If the initial flight is significantly delayed due to the airline’s fault, causing you to miss your connection.
• Flight Cancellation: If the initial flight is cancelled and the airline is unable to rebook you on a flight that allows you to make your connection.
• Overbooking: If you are denied boarding on your initial flight due to overbooking, resulting in a missed connection.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Expect?

The type and amount of compensation can vary depending on factors like the distance of your journey, the length of the delay, and the specific regulations in place (such as EU Regulation 261/2004 or the Montreal Convention). Typically, you may be entitled to:

• Reimbursement for meals and refreshments: If you are stranded for a significant period of time.
• Accommodation: If an overnight stay is required due to the missed connection.
• Re-routing to your final destination: The airline should arrange for you to reach your intended destination at the earliest opportunity.
• Financial compensation: In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for monetary compensation based on the length of the delay and the distance of your journey.

What to Do If You Miss a Connection:

1. Immediately inform airline staff: Speak to airline representatives at the airport as soon as you realize you’ve missed your connection. They can assist with rebooking and provide information about your rights.
2. Document everything: Keep records of your flight information, boarding passes, baggage tags, and any expenses incurred as a result of the missed connection.
3. Inquire about compensation: Ask the airline representative about your eligibility for compensation and the process for filing a claim.
4. File a formal claim: If the airline doesn’t offer adequate assistance or denies your initial request, file a formal claim with the airline’s customer service department.
5. Consider external dispute resolution: If the airline rejects your claim, you can explore options for external dispute resolution, such as contacting the relevant aviation authority or using a consumer protection agency.

Important Considerations:

• Independent bookings: If your flights were booked separately, the airline is typically not responsible for missed connections caused by delays on the other flights.
• Extraordinary circumstances: Airlines are usually exempt from paying compensation for delays or cancellations caused by “extraordinary circumstances,” such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, or political instability.
• Travel insurance: Travel insurance can provide additional coverage for missed connections, including reimbursement for expenses and alternative travel arrangements.

Missing a connecting flight can be incredibly frustrating, but knowing your rights can help you navigate the situation and potentially receive the compensation you deserve. By understanding the circumstances that qualify you for compensation and taking the necessary steps to file a claim, you can ensure that you are not unfairly penalized for disruptions within the airline’s control. Remember to always read the terms and conditions of your ticket and consider travel insurance for added protection.