Compensation for missed connecting flight
In the event of a missed connecting flight, you are often entitled to compensation of up to €600 per person. Passengers friend uses your flight details to check whether you are entitled to compensation and enforces your rights:
It is often not possible to book a direct connection, especially for longer trips to distant countries. It is particularly annoying if the feeder flight is delayed and you therefore miss the connecting flight.
Requirements for a successful refund:
- The delay at the final destination must be at least 3 hours
- Sufficient transfer time has been scheduled.
- The flights must have been booked together: If all flights were purchased in one booking, the airline is responsible for ensuring that you arrive at your destination on time. This also applies if the flights are operated by different airlines.
- The feeder flight took off in the EU or outside the EU but landed in the EU and was operated by an airline headquartered in the EU.
What you should do if you have missed your connecting flight
- Request written confirmation from the airline.
- Collect the most important evidence, e.g. take a photo of the ticket and flight plan.
Passengers have these rights if they miss a connecting flight
Long waiting times at the airport
If the flight is delayed by at least 2 hours, you are entitled to care services on site in the form of food and drink.
Flight delayed by more than 3 hours
If you miss your connecting flight because the feeder flight was delayed and you arrive at your destination with a delay of more than 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 per person under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation.
Flight postponed to the next day
If you have missed your connecting flight or it has been postponed to the next day, the airline must cover the costs of an overnight hotel stay and transportation.
Time is gold - plan properly in advance
Allow sufficient transfer time
It usually takes a while before you can actually get off the plane. The plane has not yet reached its parking position, the airplane stairs are taking a while or the bus shuttle is not yet ready. Plan time for all eventualities and the distances that need to be covered. To get an overview of distances in the airport in advance, we recommend that you take a look at the airport map before you travel. This will allow you to better estimate travel times and reach your destination more quickly.
Unnecessary loss of time should be avoided
If you want to buy a little something for yourself or friends before your connecting flight, keep an eye on the clock. The plane won’t wait and you have an obligation to be at the gate on time for boarding.
Frequently asked questions about compensation for missed connecting flights
If the airline is responsible for your missed connecting flight, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 per person under the EU Passenger Regulation. If your flight is delayed by 2 hours or more, you are also entitled to care services. If you are responsible for the missed connecting flight yourself, you are unfortunately not entitled to compensation.
The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance traveled and can amount to a maximum of €600 per person.
The EU Passenger Rights Regulation applies to all flights departing from a European airport. The destination airport does not have to be in Europe, nor does it have to be a European airline. Passengers departing from a non-European airport may also be entitled to compensation if they miss a connecting flight. In this case, however, the destination airport must be within the EU and the operating airline must also have its headquarters in the EU.