Missed connecting flight due to delay? Read this
Have you ever missed a flight?
What if you have missed connecting flight due to delay of another flight? What happens if you miss your connecting flight? To put it simply, there are only a few most likely scenarious. And while missing a connecting flight due to delay is no fun, very often it's not too bad either -- as you don't have to do anything.
Some times you are entitled to compensation, other times - no.
Check your compensation online!
Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.
Missed connecting flight due to delay
Was your flight delayed, and you missed connecting flight?
First things first, what kind of connecting flight was it?
Generally speaking, there are two types of connecting flights. One is called airline-protected transfer or airline-protected connecting flight, the other - self transfer. As you may imagine, protected transfers are more safe. So, what was it?
- Airline-protected transfers (you’re protected)
If you have an airline-protected transfer, you’re protected.
Full service airlines like KLM, Air France and SAS sell flights like this. If there is a problem with a flight, and because of that you miss a connecting flight or flights, airline takes care of that. You are given a new flight or flights for free. All you have to do is to get in touch with your airline representatives at the airport.
And that’s it. Everything is very simple.
- You don’t have to make a claim.
- You don’t have to pay anything extra.
- You are simply given a new flight instead of your missed connecting flight. If you booked flights from one airline but any of the flights are operated by another airline, contact the airline you booked your flights from.
That’s how airline-protected transfers work all around the world. The easiest way to book one, is to book a connecting flight directly from an airline, from their website. If you go to the website of an airline and make a single booking, that includes two or more flights, that's it. If you have one reservation number / booking number, it’s an airline-protected connecting flight.
- Self transfer flights (most likely you’re not protected)
If you book flights separately, it’s a self transfer.
In this case, if there’s a problem, it’s your responsibility. If you miss a flight, you have to buy a new flight. Even if you have missed connecting flight due to delay of your previous flight. Even then it’s considered your responsibility.
You have to pay for it from your pocket.
But there are times, when you can get compensation.
You might be entitled to compensation for the bad flight.
Was it a 3-hour delay? Or maybe it was longer than that?
If yes -- it's worth checking the flight.
What happens if you miss your connecting flight?
What to do if you miss your connecting flight?
In the first scenario, often you don’t have to do anything.
Just wait for the information from your airline.
Or contact the airline yourself.
In the second scenario, there are a two possibilities:
- You simply had booked several flights. Now you have to find and book a new flight. You will have to pay for it yourself. You might be entitled to compensation -- you have to make a compensation claim.
- Your self-transfer is insured. Some flight booking websites offer protection. It's similar to travel insurance but only for flight disruptions. For example, kiwi.com does so. And kiwi also offers you to find a new flight for free, if there’s a problem with the first flight.
When possible and when in doubts, contact the company or travel agent you booked your flights from. They will know what applies in your situations, and what are your rights if things go bad.
In all situations don’t forget about a compensation. You might be entitled to compensation, if you make it to your destination 3+ hours late. With airline-protected transfers your destionation is your last destination, with self-transfers - destination of every single flight.
More on this further below.
Missed connecting flight due to delay: Compensation (in the EU)
If your flight is late, you can get EU flight delay compensation.
If a flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the departure - EU flight cancellation compensation. If you’re denied boarding due to overbooking - EU denied boarding compensation. But what about missed connecting flight compensation? What are your rights?
Can you make a claim for missed connecting flight?
Yes, sometimes you’ll be entitled to compensation.
- If you make it 3+ hours later than planned;
- If one of your flights is cancelled (you are given a new flight and reach the destination 3+ hours later than initially planned;
- Or if you have an insurance covering such cases.
Continue reading to learn more! The rules are simple.
What are the EU flight compensation rules? UK flight compensation rules?
What are the rules un these situations?
Again, what kind of connecting flight is it?
Airline-protected transfer
If it’s an airline-protected transfer, your destionation is your last destination or the destionation of your last flight. And you should be looking at how much later did you reach it. If you reach your destination more than 3 hours late, and if it’s your airline’s fault, then you’ll be entitled to compensation.
You don’t have to look at all your flights one by one.
If you miss one flight, your airline puts you on another flight for free. What matters is only how much later you reach your final destination indicated on your flight reservation -- this is your destination.
Don't forget to make a claim!
Self transfer
If it’s a self transfer, you have several destinations. You have several separate flights, each with its own destination. If any of these flights is 3+ hours late or cancelled less than 2 weeks before the departure, then you’ll be entitled to flight compensation for that flight.
But you won't get any new flights instead of missed connections.
In both situations, don’t forget to make a claim.
If you are flying with a European airline, these rules regarding flight compensations apply to all their flights to and from Europe. If it's a non-European airline, these rules apply only to flights that depart from Europe.
Check your compensation online.
Missed flight connection: Different airlines
What if you’re flying with two or more different airlines?
What happens when you miss a connecting flight operated by another airline? What if airBaltic or KLM missed connecting flight, that’s operated by Air France? What if your KLM flight was late, and because of that you didn’t make it to your Air France flight? Or if Lufthansa missed connecting flight?
And again, what matters is the type of the connection / transfer.
What type of connecting flight was it?
If it’s an airline-protected transfer, you’ll be taken care of.
When two or more airlines share a flight, it’s called a codeshare flight. If there’s a flight delay and you miss your connecting flight, the marketing airline is responsible for booking you into the next available flight for free. It’s the airline you’ve bought your flight from.
You should contact the airline you made the booking from.
Claiming compensation? Contact the airline operating the flight.
If it’s a self transfer, it's your responsibility.
Self transfer flights are always more risky.
The bottom line. Missing connecting flight due to delay is no fun. But very often it's not too bad either -- as you don't have to do anything, and you may also be entitled to compensation from airline (if you file a claim).
By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.