What happens if you miss your connecting flight due to a delay? Your guide to compensation

Watching your connecting flight take off without you is every traveler’s nightmare. It’s even more frustrating when the delay was not your fault, yet you’re the one dealing with the fallout.

The good news? If the airline is responsible for the delay that caused you to miss your connection, you may be entitled to compensation. The challenge is that airline policies and passenger rights can be complicated, which is why many people give up before claiming what they’re owed.

In this guide, we’ll explain what happens if you miss your connecting flight due to a delay, how much compensation you could get, and how to file your claim.

We’ll also show you an easier way to get your money back. If you don’t want to deal with claims yourself, Settlemate can handle the entire process for you, from tracking deadlines to submitting claims.

What happens if you miss a connecting flight?

When you miss a connecting flight, what happens next comes down to two key factors: 

1. How you booked your ticket
2. Why you missed the connection

Let’s break down how each of these factors affects your right to compensation.

How you booked your ticket

There are two main ways to book connecting flights: as a single ticket or as separate tickets for each leg. This distinction is crucial because it determines who’s responsible if something goes wrong and whether you’re eligible for compensation:

One thing that often confuses travelers: even if you’re flying with two different airlines, your trip can still count as a single ticket. As long as both flights share the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) number, they are a part of the same reservation. 

Keep in mind that airlines can use different names for PNR, including:

• Booking reference
• Reservation number
• Booking number
• Booking code

If you booked everything under one ticket and a delay causes you to miss the connecting flight, the airline is generally required to:

• Rebook you on the next available flight
• Put you on a partner airline if needed

If you booked separate tickets, the second airline considers you a no-show. In this case, they’re not obligated to help, and you’ll likely need to buy a new ticket — often at a much higher last-minute price.

Why you missed the connection

The second factor is just as important: who’s at fault. There are two possibilities:

1. It’s your fault (e.g., arriving late, long security lines, delays getting to the gate): The airline isn’t required to rebook you or offer compensation.
2. It’s the airline’s fault (e.g., delayed or canceled first flight): You may be entitled to rebooking, assistance, and potentially compensation. 

What are your rights in case of missing a connecting flight due to a delay?

The consequences of missing a connecting flight due to a delay largely depend on where you were flying and which regulations apply to your journey. Passenger rights are governed by different frameworks, depending on the route:

1. United States (U.S.) domestic flights: Covered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
2. Flights to/from the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK): Covered by EU Regulation 261/2004 (often called EU261)
3. International flights worldwide: Covered by the Montreal Convention (1999)

Below, we’ll explain how each of these frameworks applies and what you can expect if you missed a connection flight due to a delay.

U.S. domestic flights

Under DOT regulations, airlines aren’t required to provide cash compensation for missed connections, even if the delay was their fault.

Instead, what you’re entitled to is defined in each airline’s Contract of Carriage. While policies vary slightly, most major U.S. airlines, such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, follow a similar approach:

• Rebooking: You’ll usually be rebooked on the next available flight (sometimes including partner airlines) at no extra cost. 
• Meals: Often provided for delays exceeding three hours.
• Hotel: Typically covered if the delay is airline-controlled and requires an overnight stay.

There’s one important protection the DOT does enforce: if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed (by more than three hours) and you choose not to travel, you’re entitled to a full refund. As of October 2024, the refund must be issued automatically in qualifying cases.

Flights to/from the EU and UK

For flights departing from or within the EU or the UK, passenger rights are much stronger thanks to EU Regulation 261/2004. 

The regulation requires airlines to provide cash compensation under the following conditions:

1. You missed a connecting flight due to a delay, cancellation, or overbooking.
2. Both flights were booked under the same reservation.
3. You arrived at your final destination three or more hours late.
4. The delay was within the airline’s control.

International flights (worldwide)

The Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99) is an international treaty governing flights between countries, including the U.S., EU, UK, and over 140 other nations. When you miss a connecting flight on an international itinerary, it’s the Convention that determines your rights.

If an airline delay causes you to miss your international connection, the Convention allows you to claim reimbursement for reasonable expenses rather than receive fixed compensation amounts.

To be eligible for this compensation, you need to meet the following requirements:

• At least one part of your journey crosses international borders.
• The missed connection was caused by the airline.
• All flights were booked under a single ticket.
• You have receipts for your expenses.
• Your expenses are considered reasonable (e.g., meals, clothing, toiletries, basic necessities).

Situations when you’re not entitled to compensation, even if you miss your connecting flight due to a delay

Even when you miss a connection due to a delay, there are situations where your right to compensation doesn’t apply. In most cases, this comes down to whether the disruption was outside the airline’s control.

Under both DOT rules and EU regulations, airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when delays are caused by “extraordinary circumstances.” These include:

• Severe weather that makes flying unsafe
• Air traffic control restrictions
• Security threats
• Political instability that affects the airspace

Compensation amounts for a missed connecting flight

How much you’re entitled to for a missed connection largely depends on which regulatory framework applies to your flight.

If your flight falls under EU261, the compensation amount is determined by: 

1. Flight distance 
2. Arrival delay at your final destination
3. Type of flight

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Under the Montreal Convention, the airline compensation for missed connections works somewhat differently. You can claim reimbursement for reasonable expenses caused by the delay, up to 5,346 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which is roughly $7,000.

To qualify for reimbursement, you need receipts for every purchase that supports the claim. Keep in mind that a “reasonable expense” would include a $30 meal or a $50 taxi ride, while a $200 dinner at a high-end restaurant would likely not qualify.

What to do if you missed a connection due to a flight delay

If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay, the first thing to do is check if you’re already automatically rebooked for a new flight by:

1. Checking the airline app for updated flight details
2. Going to the airline’s customer service or connection desk at the airport

If the airline hasn’t automatically rebooked you, make sure to request a new flight immediately to minimize further delays.

Even if you’re already rebooked, you can ask for other perks. After confirming your new flight details, politely ask the airline representative whether you’re entitled to:

• Meals or meal vouchers
• Accommodation if an overnight stay is required
• Transportation to and from the airport

If the airline confirms you’re entitled to reimbursement for some of the expenses, keep all receipts, as they’ll be needed to file your claim.

How to claim airline compensation for a missed connection

If your flight was international and governed by EU126 or MC99, you can request cash compensation or reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

The steps are generally the same in both cases:

1. Go to the airline’s website.
2. Fill out the online claim form.
3. Upload supporting documentation.
4. Wait for the airline’s response.

You will need to provide proof to support your claim, such as:

• Boarding passes for all flights involved
• Booking confirmation
• Proof of delay (such as photos of the departure board, airline notifications, or emails confirming the disruption)
• Receipts for any expenses you want reimbursed

Tip for EU261 claims: Always file a claim directly with the airline first. If you don’t get a reply within two months, you should complain to the relevant national enforcement authority in the country where the incident happened.

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

It’s best to file the formal complaint as soon as possible, but deadlines are generally generous to allow time to gather proof.

The timeframe for filing your claim depends on the regulatory framework covering your flight:

Why so many travelers miss out on the money they’re owed 

Millions of travelers deal with missed connections, yet only a small fraction actually claim the compensation they’re entitled to. Why? Because the process is full of hidden hurdles.

First, eligibility isn’t obvious. Airlines rarely volunteer this information, so you need to navigate their rules and understand the thresholds set by domestic or international regulations.

Even if you qualify for compensation, you need to navigate the submission process. Each airline handles claims differently — some hide online forms deep in their customer service portals, while others require email submissions you have to hunt down.

Then, you also have to tackle the documentation requirements. Airlines don’t always specify upfront what they need, leaving you to guess which receipts or proofs will satisfy them.

Finally, if you don’t get a response or receive an unjustified rejection, you need to deal with customer service. That could include getting transferred between departments, repeating your story several times, and having to send documents you already submitted.

It doesn’t have to be this complicated, though. Automation apps like Settlemate can handle it all for you: detecting missed connections, determining eligibility, and submitting claims, so you get the compensation you’re owed without lifting a finger.

Let Settlemate handle missed connection claims automatically

Missing a connecting flight is stressful enough without having to spend hours researching airline rules, filling out forms, and gathering proof. Settlemate takes all that off your plate, cutting through the regulations, paperwork, and jurisdictional confusion.

If you missed a connection due to a delay and it’s completely the airline’s fault, Settlemate can help you claim cash or other reimbursements with its Airline Compensation feature, often without you doing anything beyond connecting your email to the app.

Here’s what Settlemate does for you:

1. Scans your inbox for flight disruptions, including missed connections, delays, or cancellations.
2. Flags eligible claims under DOT, EU126, or MC99.
3. Pushes for cash compensation when airlines try to offer vouchers instead.
4. Keeps track of your claims and follows up when necessary until you get what you’re owed.

If you have travel insurance or credit card protection, Settlemate can help you unlock even more value. Not sure what coverage you have? The app identifies all available compensation sources and shows you exactly where and how to submit claims.

Settlemate isn’t just for missed connections, though. It also helps you claim compensation for:

• Lost or delayed luggage
• Overbooking
• Delayed flights
• Cancelled flights
• Flights affected by airline strikes
• Diverted flights

Just download Settlemate from the App Store or Google Play to put your airline compensation claims on autopilot. 

Settlemate backs its promise with a Value Guarantee. If you haven’t received verified value to cover your membership fees after a year, you’ll receive complimentary membership extensions until you do.

Frequently asked questions

If my flight is delayed, will my connecting flight wait?

Airlines generally don’t hold connecting flights when there’s a delay. They might decide to do so under specific circumstances, such as when it’s the last flight of the day, the delay is relatively short (15-30 minutes), or a large group from the same delayed flight needs to make that connection. 

Can I get compensation if I miss my flight due to airport security delays?

Security delays are considered outside the airline’s control, and you’re responsible for arriving at the airport early enough to clear security. If security delays cause you to miss a flight, you won’t qualify for compensation. However, if you miss a connection during a layover because of it, the airline should rebook you, since they should have built adequate connection time into your itinerary. 

How long is too short for a connecting flight?

Every airport publishes minimum connection times, which typically range from 40 minutes for domestic flights to 90 minutes for international flights.

Which airline companies offer airline compensation?

The compensation claim process largely depends on the airline you travel with. To ensure that you don’t skip an important step and miss out on what you’re owed, check our guides to major airlines’ compensation policies: