Missed connecting flight
Check your compensation claim online in just 2 minutes
Fast &
Easy:
No success –
no costs
Satisfied customers speak for us
Safe and confidential
When am I entitled to compensation for a missed connecting flight?
A missed connecting flight can be very annoying. The EU Passenger Rights Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 also protects passengers in such situations. However, in order to be able to claim compensation, certain conditions must be met:
Requirements for a claim
- Total booking:
- The connecting flight must be part of a single booking. This means that both flights must be booked under a single booking number.
- If the flights were booked separately, the regulation does not apply to the missed connecting flight.
- delay at final destination:
- The flight must arrive at the final destination with a delay of at least three hours in order to be entitled to compensation.
- The delay is therefore measured from the final destination and not from the stopover at which the connecting flight was missed.
- flight from an EU airport or with an EU airline:
- The regulation applies to flights departing from an airport in the EU or flights operated by an EU airline and landing in the EU.
- Examples:
- A flight from Frankfurt to New York with a European or non-European airline is covered.
- A flight from New York to Frankfurt is only covered if it is operated by a European airline.
- no extraordinary circumstance:
- The delay must not be due to an extraordinary circumstance beyond the airline’s control.
- Examples of extraordinary circumstances:
- Bad weather conditions
- Security risks or terrorist attacks
- Strikes by airport staff or air traffic controllers
What rights do I have if I miss a connecting flight?
If you miss a connecting flight and meet the requirements of the EU Passenger Rights Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, you have various rights, including the right to compensation and assistance.
entitlement to compensation The amount of compensation depends on the total flight distance and the duration of the delay at the final destination:
- flight distances up to 1,500 km:
- Compensation: € 250 euros.
- Delay at final destination: at least 3 hours.
- flights within the EU over 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km:
- Compensation: 400 euros.
- Delay at final destination: at least 3 hours.
- flights over 3,500 km:
- Compensation: 600 euros.
- Delay at final destination: at least 3 hours.
- care services
The airline is obliged to provide you with certain care services during the waiting time, which are staggered according to the waiting time:
- meals and refreshments:
o Depending on the waiting time, you are entitled to appropriate meals and refreshments.
- communication facilities:
o The airline must provide you with the opportunity to make free phone calls or send emails.
- accommodation:
O If a replacement flight is not available until the next day, you are entitled to hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required.
- transportation:
o The airline must arrange and pay for transportation between the airport and the accommodation.
Check here free of charge and without obligation whether you are entitled to compensation
Check your compensation claim online in just 2 minutes
Reimbursement or alternative transportation
If the missed connecting flight leads to the cancellation of the rest of the flight or to a delay of more than 5 hours, you have the right to choose between the following options:
- reimbursement of the ticket price:
o You can have the price of the unused flight ticket refunded.
- alternative transportation to your final destination:
o The airline must offer you alternative transportation to your final destination under comparable travel conditions.
- rebooking to a later flight:
o You can also rebook to a later flight at a time of your choice, subject to availability of seats.
Exceptional circumstances
It is important to note that the airline is not liable to pay compensation if the missed connecting flight is due to extraordinary circumstances.
These include, among others:
- bad weather: e.g. severe storms or snow.
- security risks: e.g. terrorist attacks.
- external strikes: e.g. by airport staff or air traffic controllers
- bird strike: e.g. collisions with birds.
Conclusion
If you miss a connecting flight, you should know your rights under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. In addition to potential compensation, you are entitled to assistance depending on the waiting time, and you can choose between a refund, alternative transportation or rebooking