Single booking or separate tickets?
This is the single most important question for a missed connection claim.
If you booked a single through-ticket (one booking reference covering both legs), the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination. If the first leg is delayed and causes you to miss the second, the airline should re-route you and you may be entitled to compensation based on your final destination arrival time.
If you booked two separate tickets, the airlines have no obligation to each other. If you miss the second flight, you are generally not entitled to compensation or re-routing under EU261 — you booked two independent journeys.
What "final destination" means under EU261
EU261 calculates compensation based on your final destination — the last stop on your itinerary, not the connecting city. This means:
- A 2-hour delay on the first leg may result in a 5-hour delay to your final destination
- The relevant compensation threshold (3+ hours) applies to the final arrival, not the individual legs
This can work in your favour if you are on a single booking. A small delay that cascades into a large one may still trigger compensation.
What to do at the airport if you miss a connection
- Go immediately to the airline's service desk or gate.
- Confirm you are on a through-ticket (or present your single booking reference).
- Ask to be re-routed on the earliest available flight to your final destination.
- Ask for written confirmation of the new arrangement and the cause of the original delay.
- Keep all boarding passes and communications.
Re-routing rights
If you are on a single booking and miss a connection due to the airline's delay:
- The airline must re-route you at no extra cost
- They must provide meals/refreshments and accommodation if required while you wait
- They should consider all available flights, including on partner airlines
What compensation might be available?
If your final destination arrival is 3+ hours later than originally scheduled, and the cause was within the airline's control, you may be entitled to fixed compensation under EU261.
The amount depends on the total distance of your itinerary:
- Up to 1,500 km: €250
- 1,500–3,500 km / within Europe: €400
- Over 3,500 km: €600
When claims become more complex
Missed connection claims can be disputed for a range of reasons:
- The airline may argue the connection time was technically sufficient
- One leg may be operated by a partner airline with different contract terms
- Codeshare flights can complicate which airline bears responsibility
In these cases, it can help to have a specialist assess your situation before filing a claim.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.