Missed Connection Compensation
Missed your connecting flight due to a delay? If you arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late, you could claim up to €600 compensation.
Flight Delayed or Cancelled?
Get up to €600 compensation
How Missed Connection Compensation Works
Missing a connecting flight is stressful, especially when it's not your fault. Under EU261 regulations, you have rights when a delayed first flight causes you to miss your connection.
The key principle is simple: what matters is when you arrive at your final destination, not how late individual flights were. If your journey was booked on a single ticket and you arrive 3+ hours late at your final destination, you're entitled to compensation.
The Critical Requirement: One Ticket
Compensation for missed connections only applies when all flights are on the same booking/ticket. This is often called a "through ticket" or "single reservation."
If you booked each leg separately (even if with the same airline), they are treated as independent journeys. You could only claim for the specific flight that was delayed, not the knock-on effects.
How Compensation is Calculated
When you miss a connection, compensation is based on the total journey distance (from origin to final destination), not individual flight segments:
- Total distance under 1,500 km = €250
- Total distance 1,500-3,500 km = €400
- Total distance over 3,500 km = €600
What the Airline Must Provide
In addition to compensation, the airline must provide:
- Rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost
- Meals and refreshments while you wait
- Hotel accommodation if you need to stay overnight
- Transport between the airport and hotel
- Two phone calls or emails
Common Missed Connection Scenarios
Single Ticket - Covered ✅
You booked London → Amsterdam → Tokyo on one reservation. The London-Amsterdam flight is delayed, you miss the Amsterdam-Tokyo connection.
Compensation based on total journey distance (London to Tokyo)
Separate Tickets - Not Covered ❌
You booked London → Amsterdam separately from Amsterdam → Tokyo. The first flight is delayed.
Only eligible for compensation on the delayed segment, not the missed connection
Codeshare Flight - Covered ✅
You booked with Airline A, but one leg is operated by Airline B. The operated flight causes a missed connection.
The operating carrier (Airline B) is responsible for compensation
Tips for Missed Connection Claims
📝 Keep Your Boarding Passes
Save boarding passes for all flights, even the ones you missed. They prove your booking and intended itinerary.
📱 Document Everything
Take photos of departure boards, save airline communications, and note the actual times of departure and arrival.
💳 Keep All Receipts
If you had to buy food, accommodation, or transport due to the missed connection, keep receipts for reimbursement.
⏰ Note Final Arrival Time
Record when you actually arrived at your final destination—this determines your compensation eligibility.
Claim Your Compensation
Check Your Eligibility with AirHelp
Free eligibility check in under 3 minutes. No win, no fee.
3 Minutes
Quick eligibility check
Up to €600
Per passenger
98% Success
When we take your case
AirHelp handles everything: paperwork, airline negotiations, and legal proceedings if needed. You only pay if you receive compensation.
Check Your Eligibility with Compensair
Free eligibility check in under 3 minutes. No win, no fee.
3 Minutes
Quick eligibility check
Up to €600
Per passenger
25% Fee
Only if you win
Compensair handles everything: paperwork, airline negotiations, and legal proceedings if needed. You only pay 25% if you receive compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim compensation for a missed connecting flight?
Yes, if you booked all flights on one ticket and you missed your connection because the first flight was delayed, you can claim compensation if you arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late.
What if I booked my flights separately?
If you booked flights separately (two different tickets), you cannot claim for the missed connection. Each flight is treated independently. You can only claim for the individual delayed flight.
Does it matter which airline caused the delay?
If your flights were on one ticket, the airline that operated the delayed flight is responsible for compensation. If you used multiple airlines on one ticket, the operating carrier is liable.
What if my layover was very short?
Airlines cannot deny compensation simply because your layover was short. If they sold you a ticket with that connection time, they accepted responsibility for getting you there.