I miss a connection during my trip: what should I do?

A long journey is often broken into several stages. Connections are usually designed to give you enough time between flights and let you travel smoothly. But sometimes the first plane is delayed—due to mechanical, weather, or operational issues—and you’re left racing to catch the next, or even the one after that. Before you know it, you’ve missed the flight you were supposed to take. What do you do in that situation?

What to do first if you miss your connection

The immediate steps depend on how your tickets were booked. If you made two separate reservations for two different flights, you’ve already allowed extra time for the connection, and the airline isn’t responsible. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to arrange and pay for a new ticket yourself.

If, however, you held a through ticket covering multiple flights, you’re entitled to a replacement flight. Airlines are expected to allow enough time for you to reach your next leg, and if your first flight is delayed so that you miss the connection, they’re required—within reason—to put you on a later flight. As soon as you learn your flight is delayed or you aren’t going to make the next one, tell the cabin crew right away. They’ll try to let you disembark as quickly as possible when you land.

Still miss your connection? Head straight to your airline’s check-in or service desk. They’ll find you an alternative flight, and may even provide food, drinks, or a hotel voucher if your new departure is scheduled for the next day.

The security and customs bottleneck

One of the likeliest causes of connection delays is the systematic identity and baggage checks. Double-check that all your travel documents are accurate and up to date. Make sure your passport or national ID card is valid—some countries require six months’ validity beyond your entry date. Confirm you have the correct visa, either pre-arranged or issued on arrival, and review all hand-luggage rules, such as the 20 cl liquid limit.

Scan the route through the airport ahead of time. If you miss your connection because of slow processing at security, the airline may argue it isn’t responsible.

What are your options once you miss your connection?

If you decide to cut your trip short and cancel the remainder, certain airlines will refund the unused segment in full—provided the delay was their fault, such as a delayed inbound flight. Always check the fare conditions to understand your refund rights. You may also qualify for compensation depending on the flight distance and why you missed the connection.

💡 Tools like Delayed or AirHelp can help you pursue airlines for compensation on flights departing from or arriving in Europe.