Missed connection compensation: how to claim your rights
Check how much the airline owes you. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
We help you enforce your passenger rights
Missing a connecting flight is a nightmare setback on a long journey. But if you were traveling to or from Europe you might be protected by regulation EC 261.
If you miss a connecting flight due to flight delay, cancellation, or being denied boarding, you could be entitled to up to €600 compensation.
If you missed a connecting flight because of delay, cancellation or overbooking you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Airline Compensation for Missed Flights: Are You Eligible?
You can claim EC 261 compensation for a missed flight connection if…
- You missed the connection due to a flight delay, flight cancellation or overbooked flight.
- In the case of delay: your missed connection caused you to be over three hours late arriving at your final destination.
- Your connecting flights were part of the same booking, not purchased individually.
- The flight took off in the EU (from any airline) or landed in the EU (provided the airline is headquartered in the EU).
- The disruption was within the airline's control (e.g. airline staff strike or technical difficulties).
- You did not miss your connection for a reason under your control (e.g. late at gate or incorrect documentation).
- You encountered these problems on a flight operated no more than three years ago.
- It doesn't matter whether the airline has already provided you with a replacement flight.
The simplest way to find out if you are owed compensation is to use an eligibility checker.
How to tell if your connecting flights were part of the same reservation
Missed connections are only eligible where both flights were part of the same reservation. That means you booked a single journey and received a ticket for connecting flights.
A simple check: if the booking reference number is the same for all flights, they are considered part of the same reservation.
EU flight compensation connecting flights: where EC 261 applies
EC 261 applies to all passengers on flights within Europe regardless of nationality. It covers flights departing Europe, and flights landing in Europe on a European airline.
| Itinerary | EU air carrier | Non-EU air carrier |
|---|---|---|
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | ✔ Yes | No - unless your journey originated in EU* |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | No - unless your journey originated in EU* | No - unless your journey originated in EU* |
* If flights were purchased under one booking, EC 261 considers them part of the same journey. Journeys departing the EU are generally covered regardless of where disruption occurs.
EC 261 also applies in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and outermost regions.
Which missed connections are covered?
Under EC 261, passengers are eligible to claim compensation when airline fault causes one of these disruptions:
- A 3-hour (or more) delayed arrival at your final destination
- Flight cancellation
- Denied boarding
Missed connections which are not covered
Extraordinary circumstances are excluded.
Extraordinary circumstances are events outside the airline's control (lightning strikes, medical emergencies, air traffic control strikes, serious adverse weather, acts of sabotage, political unrest, terrorism, etc.).
Airline strikes do not fall under extraordinary circumstances.
EU courts have ruled that internal strikes by flight staff are generally not “extraordinary circumstances”, so airlines must compensate when a strike is to blame.
Missed connections for personal reasons are not covered.
If you are responsible for missing the connection (late at gate, missing documents, etc.) you will not be entitled to compensation under EC 261.
Compensation for business travelers
Even if you're on a business trip, it is still you (the passenger) who is entitled to compensation, not the person who paid for the ticket.
How Much Can You Get in Airline Compensation for Missed Flights?
Missed connection compensation amounts under EC 261
The most common reason for a missed connection is flight delay. For delay-based missed connections, compensation is based on distance and how late you arrive at your final destination.
| Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights 1,500 km or less | € - | €250 | €250 | €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | € - | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km | € - | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | € - | €300 | €600 | €600 |
You may be entitled to different amounts if you missed a connection due to cancellation or denied boarding.
How distance is calculated for missed flight compensation claims
When claiming compensation for a missed connection, it is the total length of the journey that matters, not the leg you missed.
In many cases airlines are responsible for all affected flights in the same journey, even if later flights are with a different airline.
What Are Your Rights Regarding Airline Compensation for Missed Flights?
EU flight compensation for connecting flights: EC 261
If you missed your connection due to the fault of the airline, the airline should rebook you on the next available flight to your destination.
If the missed connection means the trip no longer serves your travel plan, you may also use your right of reimbursement. This applies if a flight is delayed five hours or more, canceled, or you are denied boarding.
You may ask the airline for a return flight to the first point of departure AND a refund for the journey not made. Refunds must also include parts already made if the trip no longer serves its original purpose.
Other entitlements under EC 261
Right to care
After several hours of delay, your airline must provide meals and refreshments and access to communications (two telephone calls, fax messages, or emails).
If overnight accommodation becomes necessary, they must provide a hotel room and transportation to and from the airport.
Right to reimbursement or re-routing
If your delay exceeds five hours, you are entitled to a full or partial refund of your original ticket and a return flight to your point of departure, if needed — in addition to compensation.
Upgrading and downgrading
Your new flight should be of a similar standard. If you are offered an upgrade, the airline can't charge extra. If downgraded, you can get 30–75% reimbursement of the price you paid.
Further compensation
Compensation under EC 261 doesn't affect your right to request further compensation, though the EC 261 amount may be deducted from additional compensation.
How to Claim Missed Flight Compensation
What should I do if I miss my connection?
In most cases you have the right to be rebooked on the next available flight, or ask for a refund and flight back to your point of departure.
- Hold on to your boarding pass and other travel documents.
- Speak to an airline representative.
- Request an alternative flight to your destination — or ask for a refund + return flight.
- Ask if the airline will cover your meals and refreshments.
- Ask the airline to provide you with a hotel room if needed.
- Check what will happen to your bags.
- Let people at your destination know.
- Keep your receipts if your missed connection ends up costing you extra money.
- See if your missed connection is eligible for compensation.
How Indemsy can help you claim
We make the claim process simple. Share your flight details and what happened, and our team can handle the case and negotiations.
- No win, no fee.
- We handle airline pushback and bureaucracy.
- Fast eligibility check.