Missed Connecting Flight

A flight is not always the pleasant experience you had planned. Unfortunately, many passengers miss their connecting flights. If you miss a connecting flight, you may be able to receive compensation of up to EUR 600 per passenger under European law.

Read on for more comprehensive information on how to exercise your rights to financial compensation.

What are the conditions for receiving compensation in the event of missing a connecting flight?

Under European law, you may be entitled to financial compensation of up to €600 subject to the following conditions:

• Your first flight segment departed from an EU country.
• The last flight segment landed in an EU country if the airline is European.
• The missing of connecting flight was not due to unforeseen reasons beyond the control of the airline.
• The airline failed to allow sufficient transfer time between the flights’ segments.
• The final arrival delay is more than three hours.
• Your flight was in the last few years (see detailed time limits table according to the different countries).

How much compensation might you be entitled to for missing a connecting flight?

According to European law EU 261/2004, when the passenger experiences a missing connecting flight, he may be entitled to financial compensation depending on the direct distance between the point of departure and the final landing point of the flights (the last flight segment).

Calculation of the amount of compensation depending on the flight distance

The table below details the expected amount of compensation depending on the flight distance:

Which airlines are subject to EC 261/2004?

The table below details the entitlement to compensation in the event of missing a connecting flight depending on the identity of the airline:

* An airline incorporated in one of the European Union countries.

How long after the flights date can you claim compensation?

The table below lists the statute of limitations for filing claims for compensation in court according to the different countries:

Country	Time Limit (from time of the flight disruption)
Luxembourg, Sweden (you must inform the airline within 2 months), Switzerland	10 years
Cyprus, England, Ireland	6 years
France, Greece, Hungary (Wizz Air- 2 years to file a claim), Scotland, Spain	5 years
Iceland	4 years
Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic (you must inform the airline within 6 months), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany (the time limit is on the last day (December 31) of the 3rd year), Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Romania	3 years
Croatia, Italy (international flights), Malta, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey	2 years
Belgium, Italy (domestic flights), Poland	1 year

* Do not rely on the information in this table, as the statute of limitations may change from time to time in different countries, and therefore, you should update yourself on the current legal situation by reviewing the law applicable in that country as of the date of your request.

What is considered an extraordinary circumstance that will allow the airline not to pay compensation?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, “extraordinary circumstances” are events beyond the airline’s actual control that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. These include severe weather conditions, air traffic control restrictions, airport closures, political instability, security risks, strikes by third parties (such as air traffic controllers), and unexpected flight safety shortcomings like hidden manufacturing defects. Routine technical problems or crew shortages are not considered extraordinary.

Under what conditions will a passenger not be entitled to compensation in the event of a missed connecting flight?

Under EC Regulation 261/2004, a passenger is not entitled to compensation for a missed connecting flight if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security risks, or strikes by third parties. Compensation is also not payable if the missed connection resulted from the passenger’s own actions, such as arriving late at each flight segment, holding separate reservations for each segment. Additionally, no compensation is due if the final arrival delay is less than three hours.

How is the amount of compensation calculated in accordance with EC 261/2004 in the event of missed connecting flight?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers are entitled to compensation if their connecting flight was missed, provided certain conditions are met. The compensation amount is determined by the flight distance and it is meant to compensate for the inconvenience caused by the disruption.

Conditions for Compensation

1. 1. Eligibility: Compensation is applicable if you missed your connecting flight. The regulation covers both EU and non-EU airlines, but the airline must be based in the EU or the flight must depart from an EU airport.
2. 2. Extraordinary Circumstances: If you missed your connecting flight due to extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, strikes (not caused by the airline), or air traffic control restrictions, the airline is not required to pay compensation. However, if the missed connecting flight is within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues), compensation is owed.

Compensation Amounts

The compensation varies depending on the direct distance between the point of departure and the final landing point of the flights (the last flight segment):

• For flights up to 1,500 km:

Compensation: €250

• For intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km:

Compensation: €400

• For flights over 3,500 km:

Compensation: €600

Special Considerations

1. 1. Ineligibility for compensation in the event of a short delay: The airline is not obligated to pay compensation when the passenger arrives at the final destination less than 3 hours late from the scheduled time.
2. 2. Care and Assistance: Airlines must provide passengers with food, beverage, and accommodation if necessary.

What types of flights are subject to European Regulation EC 261/2004?

European Regulation EC 261/2004 applies to a variety of airlines, but its applicability depends primarily on the departure and arrival locations of the flight, as well as the airline’s operating base. The regulation is designed to protect passengers’ rights in the event of flight cancellations, long delays, and denied boarding. Here’s an overview of which airlines are subject to the regulation:

1. 1. EU-Based Airlines
2. EU-based airlines are automatically subject to EC 261/2004 for all flights they operate, whether within the EU, to the EU, or from the EU. This includes both domestic and international flights.
3. Examples of EU-based airlines: Air France (France), Lufthansa (Germany), British Airways (UK), KLM (Netherlands), Ryanair (Ireland), Iberia (Spain).
4. For any flight operated by these airlines, the regulation applies, regardless of whether the flight is within the EU or to/from non-EU destinations.

2. 2. Non-EU Airlines Operating from an EU Airport
3. EC 261/2004 also applies to non-EU airlines operating flights departing from an EU airport. This means that even if the airline is based outside the EU, if it operates a flight from an EU airport, it must comply with the regulation.
4. Examples of non-EU airlines operating from the EU: American Airlines (USA), Delta Airlines (USA), Emirates (UAE), Qatar Airways (Qatar), Singapore Airlines (Singapore).
5. These airlines are subject to EC 261/2004 when they operate flights departing from any EU airport. For example, a flight from London to New York on Delta Airlines is covered by the regulation.

3. 3. Non-EU Airlines Arriving at an EU Airport
4. EC 261/2004 does not apply to non-EU airlines flying into the EU, unless the flight is departing from an EU airport. Therefore, flights operated by non-EU airlines arriving in the EU, but departing from a non-EU airport, are not covered by the regulation. For example, a flight from New York to London operated by Delta Airlines (USA) would not be subject to EC 261/2004, as it is arriving from a non-EU country.

Frequently questions about missed connecting flight

When does EC 261/04 apply to missed connecting flights?

EC 261/04 applies to missed connecting flights when the journey is booked under a single reservation and at least one flight segment falls within the Regulation’s scope. This includes flights departing from an EU airport (regardless of airline nationality) or flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU carrier. If a delay on the first leg causes the passenger to miss the connection and arrive at the final destination with a delay of three hours or more, the Regulation may apply, even if the final destination is outside the EU.

Is compensation possible if the journey starts and ends outside the EU?

Yes, compensation may still be possible. It was ruled that a journey that starts outside the EU, includes a stopover in the EU, and ends outside the EU can fall under EC 261/04 if it is booked as a single itinerary and includes a segment that departs from an EU airport and the carrier is an EU carrier. In such cases, the journey is assessed as a whole, and compensation may be due if the final arrival delay exceeds three hours.

Does it matter whether the flights were booked together or separately?

Yes, this is crucial. EC 261/04 only applies to missed connections if the flights were booked under one single contract of carriage (one booking reference). If the flights were booked separately, each flight is treated independently, and the airline is not responsible for missed connections caused by delays on a different ticket.

How much compensation can be claimed for a missed connection?

Compensation depends on the total distance of the journey to the final destination and the length of the delay upon arrival. Under EC 261/04, passengers may receive:

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km;

€400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km;

€600 for flights over 3,500 km.

This applies if the arrival delay at the final destination is three hours or more, unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.

When is compensation not owed for a missed connection?

Compensation is not owed if the missed connection was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, or security risks, provided the airline took all reasonable measures to avoid the delay. Compensation is also not due if the arrival delay at the final destination is less than three hours, or if the passenger missed the connection due to personal reasons, such as late arrival at the gate.