What to Do If You Miss Your Connection Because of a Delayed Flight
Missing a connecting flight can turn a perfectly planned trip into a stressful and frustrating experience. But what happens if the delay of the first flight wasn’t your fault? Are you entitled to compensation? Is the airline obliged to help you? In the 2025, with the boom in travel and international layovers, such cases are increasingly common. Let’s see what to do and what your rights are.
With the rise of low-cost carriers, seasonal routes, and multi-leg journeys, booking flights with layovers has become a common choice for many travellers. It often allows saving money or reaching destinations not served by direct flights. However, every connection carries a risk: even a short delay can cause you to miss your next flight and end up stranded at the airport.
During the summer months, when airports are busier and flights are at peak traffic levels, the chances of something going wrong increase. A delay at departure can have a domino effect, especially if the connection time is short. That’s when many passengers realize they don’t know what to do or who to turn to.
Knowing whether you are entitled to immediate assistance, rebooking, or even compensation is key to avoiding further inconvenience. This guide explains clearly what the law says and how to respond effectively.
Step One: Check if You Have a Single Ticket
The first important distinction concerns your booking type. If you purchased a single ticket (or reservation) that includes both flights, the airline is responsible for the entire journey. In this case, if you miss the connection because of a delay attributable to the first flight, you are entitled to assistance (rebooking, meals, hotel accommodation if needed) and may also receive financial compensation.
Conversely, if you booked the flights separately, the airlines are not obliged to help you if you miss the connection. You’ll have to buy a new ticket and bear the costs yourself—unless you have travel insurance that covers such situations.
Passenger Rights Under EU Regulation 261/2004
In the event of a long delay on the initial flight that causes you to miss your connection, EU Regulation 261/2004 may entitle you to compensation of up to €600, depending on the total distance of the journey and the delay at final arrival.
Key requirements include:
-
A delay of more than 3 hours;
-
Flights included in the same booking;
-
The flight operated by an EU carrier or departing from an EU airport;
-
The delay not caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., severe weather or ground staff strikes beyond the airline’s control).
If these conditions are met, passengers can receive both rebooking and financial compensation.
Immediate Assistance at the Airport
As soon as you realize you won’t make your connecting flight, head to the airline’s help desk or your tour operator. They must offer you an alternative flight to your final destination as soon as possible. In the case of long waits, you are entitled to meals, drinks, two free phone calls, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation with transport included.
Always keep your boarding passes, receipts, and airline correspondence—they’re essential for any claim. If the airline doesn’t offer a proper solution, you can make your own arrangements, but keep proof of all expenses.
Get Professional Help: DelayFlight24
If you miss a connection due to the airline’s fault and believe you’re entitled to compensation, seeking expert help is the best choice. With DelayFlight24, you can check for free whether you qualify for compensation—just enter your flight details on their website.
DelayFlight24 assists you through every stage, from filing to legal action, with no upfront costs. If successful, they only retain a commission on the recovered amount. It’s the simplest and safest way to claim your rights without stress. Verify if you are entitled to compensation
Conclusion
Missing a connection is inconvenient, but knowing the rules makes all the difference. If you travel under a single booking, EU law protects you. Otherwise, plan with enough connection time or consider specific insurance coverage.
And if it happens, don’t panic: stay calm, keep all documentation, and rely on services like DelayFlight24 to get what you’re owed. Being informed is the first step to travelling with peace of mind.
