Compensation for a missed connection
When your first flight is late and you miss the connection, what counts is how late you reach your final destination, not how late the first flight was.
The conditions
- all flights are on the same booking;
- you reached your final destination at least 3 hours late;
- the journey started at an EU airport, or the flights into the EU were operated by an airline with an EU licence;
- the cause was not an extraordinary circumstance.
How the amount is worked out
The amount is based on the straight-line distance between your first departure airport and your final destination, not on the length of each flight. A Bucharest – Frankfurt – New York journey is calculated on the Bucharest – New York distance of about 7,600 km, which means €600 (or €300 if you arrived 3 to 4 hours late).
| Flight distance | Compensation per passenger |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km, or any flight within the EU over 1,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km, departing from or arriving outside the EU | €600 |
Examples of connecting journeys from Romania
| Route (example) | Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Bucharest – Vienna – Bangkok | 7,735 km | €600 |
| Bucharest – Warsaw – Toronto | 7,763 km | €600 |
| Cluj-Napoca – Munich – Dublin | 2,241 km | €400 |
| Bucharest – Athens – Tel Aviv | 1,592 km | €400 |
The examples show the straight-line distance between airports, not the airline's current timetable. We work out the exact distance for your flight when you check it.
A connection outside the EU
The regulation also applies when the connection is outside the EU, for example Bucharest – Istanbul – Bangkok on a single booking. The journey started in the EU, so it is covered all the way (Wegener ruling of the EU Court of Justice, 2018).
Tickets bought separately
If you bought the flights separately, even from the same airline, each flight is treated on its own. You can only claim for a flight that was itself 3 or more hours late.
What documents you need
- your boarding pass or booking confirmation;
- an identity document, for the assignment agreement you sign online;
- if you have them, any messages from the airline about the delay or cancellation.
How long you have to claim
In Romania you can usually claim up to 3 years after the flight. Even if the flight was two years ago, it is worth checking.
How Jet Claim helps
Check your flight for free in two minutes and sign online. We handle the correspondence with the airline, the complaint to the authority and, if needed, court. Our fee is 25% + VAT of the amount recovered, deducted only if you get paid. Every situation is explained on the passenger rights page.
Frequently asked questions
My first flight was only an hour late, but I missed the connection and arrived 6 hours late. Am I entitled?
Yes, if the flights were on the same booking. Only the delay at your final destination counts, not how late the first flight was.
The flights were with different airlines but on one ticket. Who do I claim from?
From the airline that operated the delayed flight that made you miss the connection. We work out who is liable and deal with that airline directly.
Can I claim for a flight from two years ago?
Yes. In Romania the time limit is usually 3 years from the date of the flight. All you need is the flight details and your booking.