It is possible that you can only reach your destination by taking connecting flights. In these cases your on-time arrival can very well depend on the punctuality of the first leg of your journey. If the first leg is cancelled or delayed by only 30 minutes that could be already enough for you to miss your connecting flight and mess up your plans. Instead of panicking let’s see what can be done at this type of events. There are two options: First - single booking. This is the simplest, you have one ticket with all your connecting flights on it.
The only most important thing is that all flights have to be operated by the same airline. In this case a sole airline’s responsibility to fly you from A to B and there’s also no need for you to collect your luggage at the layover airport the airline takes care of transferring that for you so you can pick them up at your final destination. What happens if you miss your connecting flight because of a problem with the first one? At this event the airline is responsible to book you on the next available flight.
During your wait food and beverage vouchers also telecommunication possibility is supposed to be provided. Should there be need for an overnight accomodation the airline will take care of that as well as the transportation to a nearby hotel. The method can vary by the different airlines, sometimes the passenger is supposed to book their own hotel and pay for the accomodation and transport to be reimbursed up to a reasonable amount at a later time. Should you have a reservation made already at your final destination that you can not use because of the missed flight the airline might reimburse you that as well.
In case of an at least 3-hour-delay at your final destination that occured out of the airline’s fault you might be eligible for additional compensation. This type of compensation can be claimed for up to 3 years, depending on the country where the claim is made or the route of the flight in question. Second - two separate bookings. In this case you are responsible for choosing the adequate layover to have sufficient time to pick up and recheck in your luggage for the next flight. Should there be a missed connection in this case you won’t be eligible for any type of compensation mentioned above.
Please note that in case of budget airlines there are no such thing as connecting flights. All flights have to be booked independently and the airline is not responsible for missing the next one during your journey or for transferring your luggage from one to the other. In case of two separate tickets you can only be eligible for compensation if one of your flights is cancelled or more than 3 hours delayed and the amount of indemnity will be only for the affected flight not for your whole journey.
Compensation is only due if the reason for the delay or cancellation is not outside of the airline’s scope of operation (e.g. weather, strike or any other force majeure event). Should you be late for your flight don’t miss to notify the airline in time so there could be a possibility to buy a new ticket for the next one at a discounted price. If you have already checked in to the flight you’re about to miss there is no possibility to get the discount you will be marked as ’no show’ which can affect your return booking as well.
The amount of the compensation depends on the distance between your flight’s origin and its destination or as mentioned above in case of connecting flights operated by the same airline, in one booking the distance between your first flight’s origin and your final destination. The amount varies between EUR 250-600 per passenger. Should you have any questions regarding the above or an unfortunate event of delay or unexpected cancellation in the past 2 or 3 years please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our international team of experts are ready to take on your case without any hidden expenses. www.flightrefund.com
