Missed Connection - Know Your Rights
Missed your connection? The airline may be liable if all flights were on the same booking.
Whether it was a tight layover, a delay on your first flight, or a schedule change — missing a connection can be stressful and expensive. The good news? If your flights were booked together, you may be entitled to compensation or a refund.
When does compensation apply for missed connections?
You may be eligible if:
- Your journey involved connecting flights on a single booking
- You missed a connection due to a delay or cancellation of an earlier leg
- You arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late
- The delay or cancellation was the airline’s responsibility (e.g., mechanical issue, staffing problem)
This applies even if your connection was outside the EU — as long as:
- Your trip departed from an European airport (including the UK), or
- Your flight arrived in Europe (including the UK) on a European airline
What compensation can you receive?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, if your final destination arrival was delayed by 3+ hours because of a missed connection, you may be entitled to:
| Total Travel Distance | Delay at Final Arrival | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 1,500 km | ≥ 3 hours | €250 |
| 1,500 - 3,500 km | ≥ 3 hours | €400 |
| > 3,500 km | 3 - 4 hours | €300 |
| > 3,500 km | ≥ 4 hours | €600 |
What about missed connections outside Europe?
- Canada (APPR): if your first flight was delayed and caused a missed connection, and it was within the airline’s control, you may be entitled to up to $1,000 CAD
- Brazil: airlines are responsible for ensuring passengers reach their final destination. Delays or missed connections may entitle you to assistance and compensation
- United States: there’s no federal compensation for missed connections, but if you were rebooked on a much later flight or left stranded, airlines may owe you meals, hotel, or reimbursement depending on the cause
- Other countries may have similar protections. Submit your claim — our legal team will review the details and let you know your options.
What to do if you missed a connection
- Keep all flight details — boarding passes, confirmations, and delay notices
- Note your final arrival time (when you actually reached your destination)
- Ask the airline for a written reason for the delay or cancellation
- Save receipts for food, hotels, or alternate travel expenses
- Submit your claim — we’ll handle the legal details.
Not sure if your case qualifies?
Our system will check your full itinerary and tell you what you could be owed — with no upfront fees.
Check your flight in under 2 minutes. We’ll tell you if you have a case — and handle the rest.