Missed connecting flight compensation - when it is due and what rights you have

If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay on the previous flight and arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation of €250, €400 or €600 per passenger under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. This applies provided the flights are on a single booking - if tickets are purchased separately, each flight is assessed on its own merits. Compensation for a missed connection is not payable if the problem with the previous flight was caused by extraordinary circumstances.

In brief:

When it comes to compensation for a missed connection, what matters is the delay on arrival at the final destination, not how late the first flight was.
To claim compensation for a missed connection, the flights must be on a single booking, which means they are treated as one journey, including where they are operated by different airlines.
On a single booking where a flight operated by a non-EU carrier is part of a code-share agreement with a European carrier, compensation for a missed connecting flight may also be claimed from the European carrier that operated another leg of the same journey.
When travelling from an airport in the EU, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 also applies where the connection point or final destination is outside the EU.
The amount of compensation depends on the distance between the first airport of departure and the final destination, rather than on the sum of the individual legs.
If the airline refuses to pay compensation on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, it must prove that these circumstances caused the flight disruption that led to the missed connection, and that they could not have been avoided by taking all reasonable measures.

When are you entitled to compensation for a missed connecting flight?

You may be entitled to compensation for a missed connection under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 where:

you have arrived at your final destination 3 or more hours late because you missed your connecting flight due to a delay on the previous flight;
the flight departs from an airport in the EU (with any airline) or arrives in the EU on an EU airline;
the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances which the airline could not have avoided even if it had taken all reasonable measures.

In the case of connecting flights on a single booking, whether Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies is assessed on the basis of the entire journey from the first airport of departure to the final destination, and stopovers do not in themselves alter this.

If you have missed your connecting flight because the previous flight was cancelled or you were denied boarding, your right to compensation is assessed in accordance with the rules for cancelled flights or denied boarding.

Similar rights in the event of a missed connecting flight are also provided by UK261 for flights from the United Kingdom and SHY-PASSENGER for flights from Turkey.

What does a single booking mean, and what happens when tickets are bought separately?

Connecting flights are regarded as a single journey when they are part of a single booking. The Court of Justice of the EU also treats as connecting flights an itinerary that a travel agency has put together from flights operated by different airlines, where the agency has charged a single price for the entire itinerary and issued a single ticket for it (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-436/21).

A purchase made via an online platform is not necessarily a single booking across different airlines. The platform may have combined two separate tickets into a single order - for example, a flight with Wizz Air and a flight with Ryanair.

In the case of separately purchased tickets, the flights are not regarded as a single connected journey for the purposes of compensation for a missed connection. Each flight is assessed separately - if the first flight itself arrived 3 hours or more late or was cancelled, compensation may be payable for that flight.

Which airline should compensation be claimed from when flights are operated by different carriers?

The Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that, in the case of connecting flights on a single booking, where a leg operated by a non-EU carrier forms part of a code-share agreement with a European carrier, compensation for a missed connecting flight may be claimed from the European carrier that operated the other leg of the same journey:

when travelling from an airport in the EU - from the European carrier that operated the first leg of the journey, even if the delay occurred on the second leg (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-502/18);
when travelling from a non-EU country to an EU airport with a connection in the EU - from the European carrier that operated the second leg of the journey, even if the delay occurred on the first leg (order of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-367/20).

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 does not apply where both the first airport of departure and the final destination are outside the EU, even if the transfer takes place at an airport within the EU.

If the journey begins outside the EU and all flights are operated by a non-EU carrier - for example, Shanghai - Istanbul - Sofia with Turkish Airlines - Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 does not apply. However, SHY-PASSENGER may apply to the flight from Istanbul - see flights to, from and via Turkey.

By way of comparison, for a journey Varna - Vienna - New York on a single booking with Austrian Airlines, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to the entire journey - the flight departs from an EU airport and is operated by an EU carrier. If you miss your connection in Vienna and arrive in New York 3 hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation of €600 (€300 if the delay is less than 4 hours).

When is an airline not liable to pay compensation for a missed connecting flight?

Compensation for a missed connecting flight is not payable where:

the flights are on separate bookings - in which case the delay is assessed for each flight individually, rather than in relation to the final destination on the subsequent ticket;
you missed your connection due to a delay on the previous flight, but arrived at your final destination with a delay of less than 3 hours;
you have missed your connection for a reason that is not related to the previous flight - for example, you did not reach the gate in time, even though the previous flight arrived on schedule;
the flight disruption that led to the missed connection was caused by extraordinary circumstances, which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

Which reasons for missing a connecting flight might be extraordinary circumstances?

Extraordinary circumstances in the event of a missed connecting flight may include, for example:

a strike by airport staff or air traffic controllers;
severe weather conditions which prevent the flight from being carried out safely;
a bird strike;
restrictions or decisions by air traffic control;
security risks, acts of terrorism or political instability.

However, the mere existence of an extraordinary circumstance does not automatically exempt the airline from its obligation to pay compensation for a missed connecting flight - the circumstance must have caused the flight disruption that led to the missed connection, and its consequences must have been unavoidable even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

It is the airline that must prove that the problem with the flight, which led to the missed connection, was caused by an extraordinary circumstance and that its consequences could not have been avoided by taking all reasonable measures. Claims of extraordinary circumstances often prove to be unfounded, which is why each specific case warrants individual scrutiny.

Which reasons for missing a connecting flight are not usually considered extraordinary circumstances?

The following reasons do not, as a rule, exempt the airline from its obligation to pay compensation for a missed connecting flight, although airlines often cite them:

technical faults with the aircraft, including unexpected ones, where these are related to its normal operation;
absence or shortage of crew;
organisational and operational issues facing the airline;
a strike by the airline’s own staff - this forms part of the carrier’s normal operations (judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU in Cases C-195/17 and C-28/20).

Even an unexpected technical problem does not, in principle, exempt the airline from liability if it is connected with the normal operation of the aircraft and arises from it (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-257/14).

How do you check the reason for a missed connecting flight?

The explanation provided by the airline does not, in itself, determine whether you are entitled to compensation for a missed connecting flight. Depending on the reason given, the assessment may include:

whether the circumstance referred to by the airline actually occurred;
whether there were any restrictions at the airport in question or imposed by air traffic control;
whether there is a genuine causal link between the circumstance in question and the specific delay;
whether the airline took all reasonable measures to avoid or minimise the delay.

For example, if a connection in Frankfurt is missed due to a delayed flight from Sofia, attributed to air traffic restrictions, the crucial factor is whether the restrictions affected that specific flight, and not just other flights on the same day.

When investigating each case of a missed connecting flight, Aeroisk analyses the evidence regarding the stated reason and assesses it in the light of the applicable rules and case law. The investigation must establish whether this reason does indeed exempt the airline from its obligation to pay compensation for the missed connecting flight.

How much is the compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004?

The amount of compensation depends on the distance between the first and the final airport of the journey and does not depend on the ticket price:

€250 - for flights of up to 1,500 km;
€400 - for flights over 1,500 km and up to 3,500 km, and for all flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km;
€600 - for flights of more than 3,500 km that are not entirely within the EU.

In certain cases, the compensation amount may be reduced by 50%, depending on the arrival delay and the conditions of re-routing.

Compensation amount by flight distance - €250, €400 or €600

€250 ≤ 1,500 km

€400 1,500 - 3,500 km

€600 > 3,500 km (not entirely within the EU)

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How is compensation calculated for a missed connecting flight?

In the event of a missed connecting flight, the amount of compensation is determined by the straight-line distance between the first airport of departure and the final destination. Stopover airports do not increase the amount of compensation, and the sum of the individual legs is not taken into account (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-559/16).

For flights of over 3,500 km that are not within the EU, the compensation of €600 may be reduced by half, to €300, where the delay at the final destination is 3 hours or more, but less than 4 hours.

Route	Distance between the first airport and the final destination	Passenger compensation
Sofia - Vienna - Zurich	around 1,280 km	€250
Varna - Vienna - London	around 2,300 km	€400
Sofia - Amsterdam - Lisbon	around 2,760 km (the total length of the legs is around 3,600 km)	€400
Sofia - Frankfurt - New York	around 7,580 km	€600 (€300 if the delay is at least 3 but less than 4 hours)

How long do you have to claim compensation for a missed connecting flight?

At present, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 does not specify a single European deadline for submitting a claim for compensation to an airline. The deadline by which you can pursue your claim through the courts is determined by the applicable national law. In Bulgaria, the limitation period for bringing a legal claim is three years. The time limits in other countries are summarised in the table on the delayed flights page.

From 23 October 2027, claims against the airline must be submitted within 9 months (see all changes).

What other rights do you have if you miss a connecting flight?

If you miss a connecting flight, the airline must offer you a choice between re-routing to your final destination and a refund of the ticket price and, where the journey no longer serves any purpose, a return flight to your original point of departure. Whilst you are waiting, you are also entitled to care. The right to choose and the right to care are separate from compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

What rights do you have to continue your journey if you miss a connecting flight?

If you miss a connecting flight on a single booking, the airline must offer you a choice between:

re-routing to the final destination under comparable conditions at the earliest opportunity;
re-routing under comparable conditions at a later date of your choice, subject to availability;
a refund of the ticket price for the unused parts of the journey, and for the parts already used, if the journey no longer serves any purpose, together with a return flight to the original point of departure at the earliest opportunity.

The airline must offer you these options at the same time and cover the costs of re-routing or a return flight.

When are you entitled to care if you miss a connecting flight?

If you miss a connecting flight on a single booking, the airline must provide you with care whilst you wait to be re-routed to your final destination. Care is also provided at the transit airport and must be commensurate with the actual waiting time. This care includes:

food and drink, in accordance with the length of stay;
hotel accommodation and free transport between the airport and the place of accommodation, where necessary, for one or more nights;
two free telephone calls, faxes or emails.

Where care is due under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, the airline must provide it even if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances may exempt the airline from the obligation to pay compensation, but not from its obligation to provide care (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-12/11).

The airline must offer you this care itself - passengers are not expected to arrange and pay for accommodation or meals themselves. If the airline fails to provide the necessary care and you pay for food, drinks, a hotel or transport between the airport and your accommodation yourself, you can request a refund of necessary, appropriate and reasonable expenses. Keep your receipts and invoices as proof of the expenses incurred.

Can you claim back the costs you’ve incurred if, after missing your connection, you buy a new ticket or pay for a hotel yourself?

Where the airline is obliged to re-route you - for example, in the event of a cancellation or denied boarding - but fails to offer you re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity and under comparable conditions, you may organise your own journey and claim reimbursement of the cost of suitable alternative transport to your final destination. The airline may refuse to reimburse the additional costs if it can prove that it contacted you and offered you the necessary re-routing, but you nevertheless organised your journey yourself.

Reimbursement of the costs of alternative transport or accommodation following a missed connecting flight does not affect your right to claim compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

What information should the airline provide you with if you miss a connecting flight?

Where a connection is missed due to cancellation, denied boarding or a delay of at least 2 hours on the preceding flight, the airline is obliged to provide each affected passenger with written notification setting out the rules on compensation and care under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, as well as the contact details of the competent national authority.

Keep your boarding passes, booking confirmation and messages from the airline. These can serve as proof of your itinerary, flight connections, scheduled times and any changes to your journey.

What does the new EU Regulation stipulate in the event of a missed connecting flight?

Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 has now been adopted, but will apply from 23 October 2027.

9 months to claim compensation. The claim must be submitted to the airline within 9 months of the flight date shown on the ticket. The time limit for bringing a legal claim continues to be determined by national law.
30 days for the airline to respond. Once the airline has received your claim, it has 30 calendar days to pay the compensation or send you a reasoned refusal.
Re-routing and care provided by the carrier of the previous flight. For flights under a single contract of carriage, the carrier of the flight that caused the missed connection is responsible for your re-routing and for your care whilst you wait. If they do not re-route you within 5 hours of the departure time shown on the ticket for the missed connecting flight, they must also offer you a refund.
Arranging your own re-routing after 3 hours. If you have requested to continue your journey but the airline has not offered you suitable re-routing under comparable conditions within 3 hours, you may arrange transport to your final destination yourself, provided you notify the airline, and claim reimbursement of the necessary, reasonable and appropriate expenses - up to 400% of the full price of the ticket or tickets, including any applicable intermediary fees.
Compensation from the carrier operating the flight on which the problem occurred. Compensation for a missed connecting flight will be payable by the airline that operated the flight on which the problem occurred, if you arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late. The delay is calculated based on the arrival time at the final destination as stated on the ticket prior to the missed connection.
Notice regarding separate tickets. If an airline or travel agent sells you flights under several separate contracts, they must clearly inform you before purchase that, in the event of a missed connecting flight, the rights under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 regarding compensation, refunds, re-routing and care do not apply to the missed connection, and must provide you with this information in a form that can be stored (more on missed connecting flights).

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We communicate with the airline and take the necessary action, including when the airline has refused to pay or the case is more complex.

How does the process of collecting your compensation work?

You register a claim

You enter the flight details and provide the necessary documents.

Aeroisk takes on your case

We contact the airline and pursue the claim on your behalf. If it refuses to pay, we take the necessary administrative and legal action.

You receive up to €600 in compensation

If successful, the airline pays the compensation. A commission is only due if you receive compensation.

You can follow the progress of your claim in your personal account, and we email you whenever there is a change in your case. If you have any questions, you can always contact us by phone too.

Did the airline refuse to pay you?

The airline’s refusal does not necessarily mean that you are not entitled to compensation. The reason given in the refusal is not always sufficient to release the airline from liability.

See why airlines refuse to pay compensation and how you can proceed.

Sources and updates

This information has been compiled by the Aeroisk team, which specialises in protecting passengers’ rights and securing compensation for flight disruptions.

Reneta Yovkova is responsible for ensuring that the legal information is up to date.

Legal basis and sources: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and its official summary on EUR-Lex in English; Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004; the European Commission’s Interpretative Guidelines C/2024/5687 on Regulation (EC) No 261/2004; the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU, including the judgments in cases C-11/11 (Folkerts), C-537/17 (Wegener), C-257/14 (Van der Lans), C-502/18 (České aerolinie), C-436/21, C-559/16 (Bossen), C-12/11 (McDonagh), C-321/11 (Rodríguez Cachafeiro and Martínez-Reboredo Varela-Villamor), C-195/17 (TUIfly) and C-28/20 (SAS), the joined cases C-402/07 and C-432/07 (Sturgeon and Others and Böck and Lepuschitz) and the order in Case C-367/20 (KLM); the passenger rights regime in the United Kingdom, known as UK261; the Turkish Regulation on passenger rights SHY-YOLCU (SHY-PASSENGER).

Last updated: 23 October 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The first flight was only half an hour late, but because of that I missed my connecting flight. Am I entitled to compensation?

Yes, you may be entitled to compensation. What matters is how late you arrived at your final destination, not how late the first flight was. If the flights are part of a single booking and you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation of €250, €400 or €600 (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-11/11).

They arranged a hotel, meals and transport for us at the transit airport. Does that mean we are not entitled to compensation?

No. Care and financial compensation are two separate rights. Accommodation, meals and transport to the hotel do not extinguish the right to compensation for a missed connecting flight, nor are they deducted from it.

I was re-routed after missing my connection. Am I no longer entitled to compensation?

No. If you have missed your connecting flight due to a delay on the previous flight, being re-routed does not affect your right to claim compensation. For the purposes of compensation, what matters is how late you arrived at your final destination following the re-routing - under the current rules, the delay must be 3 hours or more.

I missed my connecting flight because the security check at the transit airport took too long. Am I entitled to compensation?

As a rule, no. The European Commission’s interpretative guidelines state that missing a connecting flight due to significant delays at security checks or failure to meet the boarding deadline does not give rise to a right to compensation. The situation is different if you were unable to reach the gate because your previous flight was delayed - in that case, the delay at the final destination is taken into account.

My first flight was delayed and the airline wouldn’t let me board the second one, even though I got to the gate on time. Am I entitled to compensation?

Yes, provided the flights are on a single booking and you arrived at the gate in time for the second flight. If the airline has denied you boarding on the connecting flight because it wrongly assessed that, due to the delay of the first flight, you would not be able to reach the second flight on time, this is denied boarding (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-321/11). In that case, you may claim compensation of €250, €400 or €600 under the rules on denied boarding, rather than those for a missed connection.

I was flying from Sofia via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and missed my connecting flight because the first flight was delayed. Am I entitled to compensation?

Yes, you may be entitled to compensation. Where the journey starts from an airport in the EU and all flights are on a single booking, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to the entire journey, even if the stopover and final destination are outside the EU and the flights are operated by a non-EU airline. If you miss a connection due to a delay on the previous flight and arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation (judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-537/17).