Missed connection

What to do right now

1. Go straight to the airline's transfer desk in the connecting airport. Don't leave the secure area.

2. If on a single ticket: the airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. Most airlines do this automatically.

3. If on separate tickets: only the delayed first leg qualifies for compensation. You'll need to buy a new second-leg ticket and claim the original from the first airline.

4. Save boarding passes from both flights and the original delay confirmation.

Your rights

• Single ticket: free rebooking, care during wait, full EU 261 compensation if final arrival is 3+ hours late versus original schedule.
• Separate tickets: only EU 261 from the delayed-segment airline (if applicable). The second airline owes you nothing.
• Care during wait: meals if delay > 2h, accommodation if overnight.

How to claim

1. File a single claim with the operating airline of the delayed segment.

2. Include both boarding passes and a screenshot showing the original connection time.

3. If the airline argues the connection was 'not theirs' but it was on the same booking reference, point to EU 261 case law (e.g. Folkerts ruling) and escalate to enforcement body if denied.

When compensation is NOT due

• You booked separate tickets and the airline of the delayed segment doesn't operate from/to the EU.
• The connection was tight enough to violate the airline's minimum connection time (MCT) — you should have booked more buffer.
• Delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Other scenarios