What Is The EU261 Missed Connection Compensation Amount?

EU261 Missed Connection Rules Explained

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, a missed connection can qualify for compensation when both flights are part of a single booking and the delay on the first leg causes you to miss the second, resulting in arrival at your final destination at least three hours late. The amount is fixed by distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. These amounts apply per passenger and are not reduced by ticket price.

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There are exceptions. If the airline proves extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or strikes, no compensation is due. For long-haul journeys arriving two to three hours late, the payout may be halved. Claims must usually be filed within the time limits set by the country where the flight departed or arrived. Keep boarding passes and booking confirmations as evidence.

Compensation Amounts By Flight Distance

EU261 may cover a missed connection when flights are booked together and an earlier delay or cancellation makes you miss the next flight, causing at least a three-hour arrival delay. Compensation is based on the total distance from your original departure airport to your final arrival airport, not just the delayed first leg. Standard amounts are €250 for journeys up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for over 3,500 km.

These amounts can be halved if the airline reroutes you and your final delay stays below the distance-based threshold, such as two, three, or four hours, and no compensation is owed for extraordinary circumstances. Eligibility also depends on an EU departure or an EU carrier arriving into the EU. Keep booking records and delay proof to support your claim. AI Flight Refunds can check your itinerary and calculate the correct amount.

When Missed Connections Qualify

When a delayed first flight causes you to miss a connecting flight on the same booking, EU261 may entitle you to compensation based on the total delay at your final destination. If you arrive three or more hours late, the standard amounts apply: €250 for journeys up to 1,500 kilometres, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, and €600 for longer routes. The rule covers flights departing from an EU airport, or arriving in the EU on an EU-licensed carrier, provided the connection was part of one reservation.

However, compensation is not automatic. If the delay stems from extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes, the airline may be exempt. Separate tickets usually disqualify a claim, since each segment is treated independently. You should keep boarding passes and booking confirmations, then submit a claim promptly, as national limitation periods vary. Services like AI Flight Refunds can help assess eligibility and pursue the amount owed under EU261.

How To Claim Compensation

Under EU261, a missed connection can qualify for compensation when the delay at your final destination reaches at least three hours and the disruption is within the airline’s control. The amount is not based on the missed flight alone, but on total journey distance and arrival delay. Short routes of 1,500 kilometers or less generally qualify for €250, while journeys between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers usually qualify for €400. Longer flights beyond 3,500 kilometers can qualify for up to €600, especially on non-EU routes.

Airlines may reduce compensation by 50 percent if they offer rerouting that arrives close to the original schedule, and no payment is due for extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. Passengers should keep boarding passes, booking confirmations, and delay evidence, then submit a claim directly to the carrier or through a service such as AI Flight Refunds. If the airline rejects a valid claim, national enforcement bodies or alternative dispute resolution may help.

Exceptions That Reduce Payouts

Under EU261, missed connection compensation depends on final arrival delay and route distance, not just the first missed flight. If your itinerary is on one booking and the delay at final destination reaches three hours or more, you may claim fixed amounts: €250 for short routes, €400 for medium, and €600 for long-haul, subject to conditions. The amount can be reduced when the airline offers re-routing that arrives within certain time limits, or when extraordinary circumstances apply. For missed connections, the key is whether the carrier caused the disruption and whether the final delay crosses the threshold.

Exceptions that reduce payouts include re-routing that limits delay, extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or strikes, and cases where the passenger is informed in advance. If the airline arranges an alternative flight arriving close to the original schedule, compensation may be cut by half in some situations. Also, if the missed connection results from a passenger's own late arrival or separate tickets, EU261 may not apply. Always check booking details, final arrival time, and cause before claiming.

EU261 Missed Connection Compensation Table

EU261 missed-connection compensation is generally based on your final arrival delay and total journey distance, not only the first flight. You may claim €250, €400, or €600 when you arrive at least three hours late, unless extraordinary circumstances apply. If the airline reroutes you with a smaller delay, the payable amount can be halved.