Missed connection compensation

A missed connection can be more disruptive than a simple delay. Under EU261 and UK261, what matters is often your arrival delay at the final destination on a single booking - not only whether you missed the connecting gate.

Single booking vs separate tickets

Single booking (one PNR): If the airline’s delay caused you to arrive 3+ hours late at your final airport, you may claim fixed compensation (€250 / €400 / €600) even if the first leg was only slightly delayed.

Separate tickets: Rights are weaker. A delay on flight one does not automatically make the airline liable for a missed separately booked connection - though you may still have care rights on the delayed leg.

Example

London → Frankfurt → New York on one ticket: Frankfurt delay causes 4-hour late arrival in New York. EU/UK departure rules may apply to the whole journey’s final arrival delay. Use our calculator with the full route distance band.

Hub airports

Missed connections are common at major hubs. See airport-specific tips for Heathrow, Schiphol, Frankfurt, Paris CDG, and Barcelona.

Extraordinary circumstances

Airlines often cite weather or ATC when hubs are congested. Read when that defense fails before accepting a rejection.