Missed Connection Compensation UK
Missed your connecting flight due to a delay? You could be entitled to up to £520 in compensation under UK and EU law.
Check If You Can ClaimWhen Do Missed Connections Qualify for Compensation?
Not all missed connections are eligible for compensation. There are specific conditions that must be met for you to have a valid claim.
You CAN claim if:
- • Both flights were on a single booking
- • The first flight was delayed, causing you to miss the connection
- • You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late
- • The delay wasn't due to extraordinary circumstances
You CANNOT claim if:
- • You booked the flights separately
- • You missed the connection due to your own fault (e.g., spent too long at duty-free)
- • The delay was due to extraordinary circumstances
- • You arrived at your final destination less than 3 hours late
The Single Booking Rule
Why does the booking matter?
When you book connecting flights as a single journey, the airline accepts responsibility for getting you to your final destination. They know about your connection and have agreed to transport you through it.
If you book flights separately, each flight is an independent contract. The airline operating your first flight has no knowledge of or responsibility for your onward travel.
Pro tip: Your booking confirmation will show all flights in a single reference number if it's a connected booking. If you have separate booking references, the flights are likely booked independently.
The 3-Hour Arrival Rule
For missed connections, compensation is based on how late you arrive at your final destination - not how late any individual flight was.
Example: Eligible
Original journey: London → Frankfurt → Tokyo
Original arrival: 10:00 AM
First flight delayed by 45 minutes
Missed Frankfurt connection
Next available flight gets you to Tokyo at 4:00 PM
= 6 hours late = Compensation due
Example: Not Eligible
Original journey: London → Paris → Nice
Original arrival: 2:00 PM
First flight delayed by 30 minutes
Just missed Paris connection
Rebooked on next flight, arrive at 3:30 PM
= 1.5 hours late = No compensation
Missed Connection Compensation Amounts
Compensation is based on the total distance of your journey to your final destination.
Compensation amounts are set by EU261 and UK261 regulations. Each passenger can claim individually.
The distance is calculated based on the great circle method from your departure to your final destination.
Which Airline Is Responsible?
Determining which airline to claim from can be confusing, especially with codeshare flights or different operating carriers.
General Rule:
Claim from the airline that operated the flight that caused the delay. This is the airline whose crew and aircraft you were on, not necessarily the airline you booked with.
Codeshare Flights:
If you booked through British Airways but the flight was operated by Iberia, you would claim from Iberia (the operating carrier). However, you can contact the airline you booked with for assistance.
Multiple Airlines:
If different airlines operated different legs, claim from whichever airline's delay caused you to miss your connection.
What To Do When You Miss a Connection
Go to the airline desk immediately
Find the transfer desk or the airline's service counter. They're required to help you get to your destination.
Get rebooked on the next available flight
The airline must rebook you on the earliest available flight to your destination at no extra cost.
Ask for care and assistance
If you have a long wait, you're entitled to meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if needed.
Document everything
Keep your boarding passes, take photos of departure boards, and get written confirmation of the delay reason.
Keep receipts for expenses
If you have to pay for meals, transport, or accommodation, keep all receipts for reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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