Missed Connecting Flight: EU261 Compensation Rights Explained

I missed my connecting flight due to a delay — am I entitled to EU261 compensation?

Yes, if your flights were booked under a single reservation. EU261 applies when a delay to the first flight causes you to miss a connection and arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late. Critically, compensation is calculated based on the distance to your final destination — not just the delayed leg. Example: London → Frankfurt → Singapore delayed at Frankfurt causing 3+ hours late arrival in Singapore → €600 compensation for the entire journey (LHR–SIN distance over 3,500 km).

What is the 'single-booking rule' for missed connections?

The single-booking rule (confirmed by CJEU in case C-11/11 Air France v Folkerts) means that if all connecting flights were booked in one reservation (one booking reference), the entire journey is treated as a single itinerary under EU261. The compensation amount is determined by the distance from the original departure airport to the final destination. If you separately booked each leg as independent flights, each is assessed independently — a missed connection due to your own late arrival is not covered.

My first flight was operated by a different airline than my connection — who pays?

Under the single-booking rule, the airline operating the first delayed flight is primarily responsible for EU261 compensation for the entire missed-connection journey. However, if the booking was made through a single booking with the second carrier as the issuing airline, the operating carrier of the first leg is still liable under EU261 Article 5. Practically, claim first against the carrier that caused the delay (the first flight operator). They are legally responsible regardless of which airline operated the connection.

I was rebooked on a later flight after missing my connection — can I still claim compensation?

Yes, if you arrived at your final destination 3+ hours later than the original scheduled arrival. EU261 Article 7 compensation is triggered by the delay to your final arrival time. Re-routing does not eliminate the right to compensation — it only triggers a potential 50% reduction if the airline re-routed you to arrive within specific time windows (2 hours short-haul, 3 hours medium-haul, 4 hours long-haul of the original arrival). If you arrived more than those thresholds late, full compensation applies.

What about right to care (meals, accommodation) for missed connections?

EU261 Article 9 'right to care' applies immediately when a delay causes a wait of 2+ hours: meals and refreshments proportionate to the wait, 2 free telephone calls/emails, hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary, and transport between the airport and hotel. This right applies regardless of the cause of the delay — even if extraordinary circumstances exempt the airline from compensation, they must still provide care. Keep all receipts for meals and accommodation to claim reimbursement.