Educational passenger-rights overview only — not legal advice. Compensation bands cited below come from published regulation text; eligibility and amounts depend on your itinerary, operating carrier and the cause of disruption. Verify current official figures before you claim.
Missed connection compensation under EU261, UK261 and APPR — when the airline must rebook you, when cash applies and why self-transfer itineraries have no protection.
Key takeaways
- On a single ticket with a protected connection, EU261 and UK261 assess delay at final arrival — a short first-leg delay that causes a long overall arrival delay can…
- The operating carrier of the disrupted segment must rebook you to final destination at no extra cost. If final arrival exceeds three hours late on a qualifying…
- Verdict: never book impossible self-transfers to save £40 — statutory protection lives on one ticket.
- One ticket: airline rebooks and may pay statutory bands.
Can you claim compensation for a missed connection?
On a single ticket with a protected connection, EU261 and UK261 assess delay at final arrival — a short first-leg delay that causes a long overall arrival delay can trigger EUR/GBP bands when airline-responsible. On separate tickets (self-transfer), the second airline owes nothing for the first flight's delay — you rebook at your own cost unless a Kiwi-style guarantee applies.
Protected versus self-transfer is the whole game. Read what is a protected connection and what is self-transfer before booking tight connections.
What rights apply on one-ticket missed connections?
The operating carrier of the disrupted segment must rebook you to final destination at no extra cost. If final arrival exceeds three hours late on a qualifying EU/UK itinerary and the cause is airline-responsible, standardised compensation may apply — distance bands per Article 7.
Document each segment's scheduled and actual times. Airlines sometimes argue the passenger should have made an impossible connection — your itinerary PDF proves what they sold.
| Ticket type | Rebook duty | Cash compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Single PNR, protected | Airline must rebook | Possible if 3h+ at arrival |
| Separate tickets | No cross-airline duty | Usually none statutory |
| Kiwi virtual interline | Kiwi Guarantee may apply | Read product terms — not EU261 by default |
Missed connection compensation — verdict
Verdict: never book impossible self-transfers to save £40 — statutory protection lives on one ticket. Not for passengers who knowingly bought separate tickets without reading self-transfer risk.
Framework checked August 2026 — final arrival delay governs EU261 maths.
Missed connection FAQ
One ticket: airline rebooks and may pay statutory bands. Separate tickets: you are the connecting bank.
Minimum connection time? Airlines sell below MCT at their risk on protected tickets.
Insurance? Missed connection cover varies — read policy for separate tickets.
Evidence note
How we checked this guide
Research basis
Structured desk research with 3 relevant primary or independent sources linked below.
Experience standard
No first-hand test or trip is implied unless the article explicitly states who tested it, when and under what conditions.
Review date
Editorially reviewed on 8 August 2026. Time-sensitive prices, rules and eligibility must be checked again before purchase or travel.
Commercial independence
This guide currently carries no configured commissioned partner link. Editorial conclusions are not sold.
See the editorial policy, method notes, or report a correction.