Czech Airlines missed connection compensation.
How much can you claim?
What happens if you miss your connecting flight?
Missing a connecting flight can mess up your travel plans and make you feel frustrated. Luckily, there are rules to help passengers get treated fairly and get compensation when this happens. This blog post will talk about how to get compensation if you miss your connecting flight.
You can get compensation no matter where you’re from, how much you paid for your ticket, or if you have travel insurance.
1. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation
If you miss your connecting flight with Czech Airlines, you could get compensation. Let’s look at the laws that help air passengers in these cases.
1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation
You miss your connecting flight due to delay.
If your Czech Airlines flight reaches your final destination 3 hours later than scheduled because of an issue on the airline’s part, you might qualify for compensation according to EU regulations. This applies to all Czech Airlines flights, including any connecting flights.
If the delay is due to the airline’s fault, you can claim up to €600. Legally, there is no such thing as “Czech Airlines missed connection compensation,” as it falls under the same category as Czech Airlines flight delay compensation.
Conditions for receiving compensation:
- You arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late;
- It’s the fault of Czech Airlines;
- Your flight is to or from Europe.
The same rules apply to Czech Airlines connecting flights. Remember, your destination refers to your ultimate arrival point, not any layover airports.
Connecting flight example: Czech Airlines connecting flight from Amsterdam to Varna, with a layover in Sofia. Varna is your final stop. Sofia Airport serves merely as a connection point. Should your arrival in Varna be delayed by 3 hours or more due to an airline issue, you are eligible for compensation for your entire journey from Amsterdam to Varna.
Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!
1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation
If your flight is cancelled and you miss your next flight, making you arrive at your final destination over 3 hours late, you might be entitled to compensation.
As long as the cancellation is caused by the airline’s fault. The compensation amount depends on how far you fly, up to €600 max.
To summarize, you can get missed connection flight compensation if:
- One of your flights is cancelled (or delayed) due to the airline’s fault.
- You arrive 3 or more hours late.
- The flight is to or from Europe.
If you’re doing a self-transfer, the rules we talked about will not apply. If one of your flights is cancelled or delayed, you can’t get compensation for the other flight.
For example, if you’ve booked a flight with Czech Airlines and another with Wizz Air, and Czech Airlines cancels their flight, you might get compensation for that cancelled flight. But remember, Czech Airlines won’t help with your Wizz Air flight if you miss it because of the cancellation.
When making separate flight bookings, it is important to keep this in mind and be aware of the potential limitations and responsibilities associated with each airline.
Want to claim compensation? Make sure you file a compensation claim!
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. Extraordinary Circumstances
Some situations are out of Czech Airlines’ control.
They are called extraordinary circumstances.
In cases like bad weather or a pandemic, you can’t get compensation. However, make sure to always double-check the information given by the airline, especially when it comes to flight compensations and refunds, to avoid any confusion about compensations.
You see, an airline may make a situation look worse than it actually is.
You can also get help from a flight compensation company. They’ll check your case to make sure you’re not tricked. For example, if there’s a technical problem with the plane, it’s the airline’s fault, not an “extraordinary circumstance,” even if some airlines say it is.
3. Right to Care
You have a right to care if you are stranded at the airport.
If your flight with Czech Airlines is delayed, or cancelled, or you have missed a connecting flight, and now, you have to wait for hours at the airport, the airline is obligated to provide you with care.
- If you have to wait for 3 hours, the airline must offer you complimentary meals and beverages that are reasonably proportionate to the waiting time. Furthermore, you are entitled to two free phone calls or emails during this period.
- If the delay extends overnight, the airline is also required to provide you with free hotel accommodation, including free transportation to the hotel.
If you miss your connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of the previous flight, the airline must issue you a new boarding pass for the next available flight completely for free.
4. How to Czech Airlines Air Flight Compensation?
There are two ways of claiming Czech Airlines missed connection compensation.
1. You can choose to contact Czech Airlines directly if you wish. To request compensation, email Czech Airlines’ customer support or use the contact form on their website, mentioning Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Include details about your flight, the delay reason, and its duration. Be aware, the airline’s response might take some time (up to 1-2 months mostly).
2. The simpler option is to work with a flight compensation company which will take care of all aspects of your claim. Our partners provide such legal services. You can find more information about them by clicking on the claim buttons on our website.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Please note that the compensation for missed connections is equivalent to compensation for flight delays, and the regulations for this compensation are identical.
Read more:
- Is Your Czech Airlines Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?
- Your Czech Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
4.1 How Long Does It Take?
Usually, it takes a few months to get compensation from Czech Airlines.
But if your case goes to a national enforcement body (NEB) or court, it could take a few more months, even up to 6 or 12 more months. How long it takes to get compensation can change for many reasons. If an airline quickly admits your claim and agrees to pay, things can move faster.
If the airline disputes your claim, it could take longer to get compensated, possibly requiring legal action. The complexity of your case also impacts the timeline since every case is different.
5. How Much Can You Claim?
You can claim from €250 to €600 for a single flight from Czech Airlines.
Here is how you can calculate the amount of your compensation:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
There’s one exception. When the distance is 3500 kilometres or more and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later, you are entitled to compensation of €300, not €600. If the delay is longer than 4 hours, you will get full compensation of €600.
5.1 Czech Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?
Czech Airlines may offer vouchers as an alternative to cash compensation, a practice that has become widespread among airlines after the COVID-19 pandemic.
You don’t have to accept Czech Airlines vouchers and can instead request compensation through bank transfer. It’s important to note that under European law, airlines must offer refunds and compensation in cash or via bank transfer, not through vouchers or coupons.
6. Connecting Flights
6.1 What Is a Connecting Flight?
A connecting flight means you switch planes at another airport to get to where you’re going. You get off one plane, might go through security again, and then hop on a new plane. This happens when there’s no direct flight from your starting city to your final destination.
Many also choose a connecting flight because it’s cheaper (when it is).
The main difference – a connecting flight stops at another airport or airports before reaching the final destination, but a direct flight goes straight there without stopping.
6.2 Connecting Flight Types
There are two types of connecting flights: airline-protected transfer and self-transfer.
- Airline-protected transfer: In airline-protected transfer, the airline is responsible for transferring you and your baggage to your connecting flight. This means that your baggage will be checked through to your final destination, and you do not need to recheck it in at the intermediate airport. Depending on the journey, you may not need to go through security again. Unless you are transferring between terminals.
- Self-transfer: Self-transfer is a type of connecting flight where you are responsible for transferring yourself and your bag to your next flight. In this case, you need to collect your checked baggage at every airport and recheck it in for your next flight. You may need to go through passport control, if you are traveling internationally. You will also need to go through airport security after every flight.
6.3 Airline-Protected Transfer
How to find out if you have an airline-protected transfer?
- You have made a booking for a connecting flight, either with the airline or a third-party service like Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams.
- Your itinerary includes two or more flights and has a single booking reference number assigned by the airline (not a travel agent). To confirm, go to the airline’s website and enter your booking reference number to view and manage your itinerary. You should be able to see the whole trip in one place.
6.4 Self-Transfer
How can you determine if you have a self-transfer flight?
Here are two examples:
- You have multiple separately booked flights in a row, each with its own reservation number.
- You paid for each flight separately.
Online travel agencies such as Kiwi or Expedia normally indicate whether the flight is a self transfer or a connecting flight.
7. Missed Connection
What is meant by missed connection?
A missed connection is an event where a passenger fails to board their connecting flight due to arriving late at the airport or failure to make it on time to the gate, and the aircraft takes off without them.
There are several reasons why missed connections occur. Firstly, it can be due to airline delays or cancellations, which can affect the timing of the flight and lead to missing connections. Secondly, a missed connection can happen due to mistakes on a passenger’s part, such as missing flight announcements or underestimating the time it takes to navigate through an airport.
If you missed your connecting flight due to flight delay or cancellation, you may get assistance and care from the airline. Unless it’s a self-transfer flight.
In some cases, you may be entitled missed flight compensation of up to 600 euros per person.
7.1 Airline-Protected Transfer (Missing a Flight?)
Choosing an airline-protected transfer is the most secure option for travelers.
Most airlines have procedures in place that help passengers who have missed their connecting flight due to flight delay or cancellation. Upon arrival at the airport, alert the airline of your missed connection, and they will advise on the best course of action.
If a new flight is required, the airline may book you on the next available flight without charging you a rescheduling fee. If the next available flight is a few hours later, the airline may provide you with meal vouchers, accommodation, and transportation to the hotel. If you missed your connecting flight, and it wasn’t your fault, you have a right to care.
If your flight falls under EU Regulation 261/2004, you may be eligible for missed flight compensation for your entire journey (flight delay compensation/flight cancellation compensation).
Don’t forget to file a claim for compensation!
Connecting flight example: Czech Airlines connecting flight Amsterdam – Varna with a stop in Sofia. Your final destination is Varna. Sofia Airport is just a layover airport. If your flight arrives in Varna 3 or more hours later than scheduled, and it is due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to compensation for the whole “Amsterdam – Varna” journey.
7.2 Self-Transfer (Missing a Flight)
A self-transfer involves booking multiple flights separately.
When booking multiple flights separately, neither airline is responsible for missed connections due to delays, cancellations or denied boarding. You may get compensation for individual flights that are delayed or cancelled, but you won’t get assistance or compensation for any missed flights.
If you missed a flight on your self-transfer itinerary, it’s your responsibility to book a new flight.
Travel insurance may provide assistance in certain situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My Czech Airlines flight was super cheap. Can I get compensation?
If your flight is eligible for the compensation, then yes.
The price of the ticket doesn’t matter. It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation. Neither does it affect the compensation amount that you can receive. You can get 400 euros even if the ticket was only 40.
Do I need to provide travel insurance to claim European compensation?
Do you need to have insurance to get Czech Airlines compensation?
No, you don’t need insurance for this. If your flight is eligible for compensation, you don’t need to have anything else, except for a boarding pass and passport or ID.
Can children get compensation from Czech Airlines too?
Can your child get compensation from the airline? Yes!
100%. Because that’s the law, it protects all passengers.
Even infants who have a special infant ticket, theoretically, can get a full compensation from Czech Airlines. Both of you should be getting the same amount — if you are entitled to compensation of 600 euros, your child will be too.
Can I claim compensation for another person? He/she doesn’t speak English.
Yes, you can. The reason why you are doing this isn’t important here.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself, you can help another person to apply for compensation from Czech Airlines. The only thing that they will need to provide is a boarding pass and a passport copy. Also, they might need to sign a couple of forms.
Can I get compensation for old flights?
It depends on the laws of the country, but yes.
In many European countries, you might get compensation for old or very old flights. If your flight was disrupted due to the airline’s fault 2-3 years ago, you might get compensation for that flight. In some countries, you can get the money also for 6-year-old flights.
What to do if Czech Airlines is refusing to pay compensation?
Czech Airlines is refusing to pay compensation.
You think you should be getting it, but the airline says no.
There are two ways how you can proceed. The best option is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They will finish the process on your behalf.
Or you could contact the respective national enforcement body (NEB) and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Is it a Czech Airlines flight? If yes, then yes.
Because you are protected under the EU law on all of its flights. Even on those flights that depart from a country outside the EU. If your Czech Airlines flight is eligible for compensation, you can get compensation, even if your flight departed from a country outside the EU, EEA or UK.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Is it a Czech Airlines flight?
If the answer is yes, then you are protected under the EU law on all of its flights.
I am not a citizen of the EU/UK/EEA. Can I get compensation?
Yes. Because your nationality doesn’t matter.
If you are eligible to compensation, you will get this compensation, no matter your nationality. Regulations 261/2004, and Regulation UK261, protect all passengers — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
Czech Airlines Delayed Flight > Missed Connection
If I miss my connecting flight due to delay or cancellation, what will happen to my checked bag?
If it’s an airline-protected transfer, Czech Airlines will take care of your baggage.
Airlines usually send your checked bag to your destination on the next flight. But, it’s a good idea to talk to the airline staff or customer service to make sure your bag is properly taken care of and gets to where you’re going. They’ll help you with what to do next and assist you in getting your bag back.
Learn more:
I have missed my connecting flight due to bad weather (or other extraordinary circumstances). Can I get compensation?
When bad weather or unexpected events like natural disasters or air traffic control issues cause you to miss your connecting flight, the airline usually doesn’t have to give you compensation. These situations are classified as “force majeure” and are deemed outside the airline’s control.
However, you will still be given a new flight to your destination for free.
Flight Cancellations
What to do if my flight is cancelled more than 2 weeks before the departure date and I miss my connecting flight?
If your flight is canceled more than 2 weeks before departure causing you to miss your connecting flight, verify if it’s an airline-protected connection. If so, you can choose a new flight and connecting flight at no extra cost. Should you encounter difficulties making these changes on your own, please reach out to Czech Airlines for assistance.
Or you can opt for a full refund from Czech Airlines.
However, as it is not a last-minute cancellation, you are not eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
If it’s a self-transfer, you can get a full refund for cancellation, too.
You can’t get a free flight instead of the missed connecting flight. But you can get a new flight instead of the one that the airline has cancelled.
Other Situations
Czech Airlines booked me on a new flight and provided me with a free hotel stay. Can I still get compensated for my disrupted flight?
Yes, you can. Apply for the compensation as soon as possible.
If your flight is eligible for compensation, you can get it even if the airline booked you on a new flight and provided you with a free hotel stay. Accepting these services doesn’t affect your chances of getting the compensation.
Czech Airlines took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
You might.
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than planned, and the delay/cancellation was due to the fault of the airline, not something unavoidable, you can get full compensation. Accepting the free replacement flight doesn’t affect your chances of getting the compensation.
Have you ever missed a connection? Was it a connecting flight with Czech Airlines? Share your experience. Do you have any questions about Czech Airlines’ missed connection compensation policies? Ask in the comments.
Featured photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels