Missed connection: what are your rights

Single booking or separate tickets: it changes everything

If the two flights are part of a single booking, even with different airlines in codeshare, the carrier is responsible for the entire itinerary and must rebook the passenger on the first available flight to the final destination. If instead the tickets were purchased separately, responsibility stops at the single delayed flight: the cost of the second missed ticket generally falls on the passenger, unless specific insurance was activated in advance.

Compensation calculated on total delay, not first leg

When applicable, compensation for a missed connection is calculated on the total delay with which you reach the final destination, not the delay of just the first flight: a detail that often increases the amount owed compared to what you might expect, applying the same bands of 250, 400 or 600 euros provided for cancellations.

Assistance, baggage and codeshare

During the wait for the rebooking flight, the duty of care remains valid (meals, communications, possible accommodation) with the same rules as any other prolonged delay. Checked baggage for the entire itinerary is generally automatically transferred to the new flight, but it's still worth confirming with ground staff. When the connection involves different airlines in codeshare, responsibility generally falls on the carrier that operated the delayed flight. If the connection is already missed, the practical steps to take immediately are in the guide on what to do when you miss a connection.

Before contacting assistance, check your booking confirmation to see if the flights appear as a single itinerary or as two separate tickets: that's the first element that determines the protections that apply.