Brussels Airlines Missed Connection Compensation

Brussels Airlines missed connection compensation.

How much can you claim? What happens if you miss your flight?

If you encounter a missed connection with Brussels Airlines (due to the airline’s fault), you may be eligible for compensation. The specific amount of compensation you can claim depends on the distance of your journey. It is important to understand that factors such as your nationality, ticket price, and travel insurance coverage do not affect your eligibility for compensation. Brussels Airlines is obligated to adhere to the specific regulations set by the EU, and if compensation is due, they are required to provide it.

You can either file the claim on your own or seek assistance from professionals.

1. Brussels Airlines Missed Connection Compensation: EU Compensation

If you miss your connecting flight with Brussels Airlines, you might be eligible for compensation, in accordance with EU regulations, namely Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

1.1 Compensation for Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay

You arrived at your final destination 3 or more hours later than planned, and it was caused by Brussels Airlines’s fault.

If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay on your first Brussels Airlines flight, you have the opportunity to claim compensation in accordance with EU regulations.

If the delay is attributable to the airline’s fault, you can potentially receive compensation of up to €600. As Brussels Airlines is a European airline, this regulation applies to all of its flights (within, to, and from Europe). It is important to note that legally, there is no specific category of “Brussels Airlines missed connection compensation,” as it falls under the same umbrella as Brussels Airlines flight delay compensation.

To sum it up, you can get Brussels Airlines flight compensation if:

• It’s a 3+ hour delay;
• It’s the fault of Brussels Airlines;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

The same rules apply to Brussels Airlines connecting flights. Keep in mind that in this case, your destination is your final destination (not any of the layover airports).

Here’s an example. You have a connecting flight with Brussels Airlines from Paris to Nairobi with a stop in Frankfurt. Your final destination is Nairobi. Frankfurt is only a layover airport. If you have made it to Nairobi 3 or more hours later due to the fault of the airline, you will be entitled to compensation for missed connection flight for the whole “Paris – Nairobi” journey.

Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

If your flight is canceled, resulting in a missed connecting flight and a delay of 3 hours or more at your final destination, you may be eligible for Brussels Airlines missed connection compensation.

This applies when the disruption is caused by the airline’s fault. The compensation amount can reach up to €600, with the specific amount determined based on the distance of your flight.

In summary, you may be eligible for compensation for missed connection flight if:

• Your first/preceding flight is canceled (or delayed) due to Brussels Airlines’s fault.
• You experience a delay of 3 hours or more upon reaching your final destination.
• The flight is either departing from or arriving in Europe.

If you have booked separate flights for your journey (i.e., self transfer), the regulations mentioned earlier do not apply. Consequently, if one of your flights is canceled or delayed, you will not be eligible for compensation for the other flight.

For instance, suppose you have booked one flight with Brussels Airlines and another with Ryanair (or any other airline), and Brussels Airlines cancels their flight. In this scenario, you may be entitled to compensation for the canceled Brussels Airlines flight. However, Brussels Airlines holds no responsibility for your Ryanair flight, and they will not offer any assistance if you miss it.

It’s important to keep this in mind while making separate flight bookings.

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 (Events Beyond the Control of an Airline)

These are circumstances that are beyond the control of Brussels Airlines.

And in such situations, flight compensation is not applicable.

Examples of extraordinary circumstances include severe weather conditions, natural disasters, security issues, or a pandemic. If you have any doubts about the information provided, it is advisable to verify it. To avoid receiving incorrect information from the airline, it is recommended to double-check all the details pertaining to compensation.

Alternatively, you can seek assistance from a flight compensation company to evaluate your case and ensure that you are not being misinformed. It is important to note that technical issues with the aircraft are generally the responsibility of the airline and are not considered exceptional circumstances, despite some airlines claiming otherwise.

3. Right to Care (Right to Assistance)

If you find yourself stranded at the airport, you have the right to receive necessary assistance.

In the event that your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed, canceled, or causes you to miss a connecting flight, resulting in the need to wait for another flight for 3 or more hours, Brussels Airlines is obligated to provide you with care in accordance with the regulations outlined in EU Regulation 261/2004. This is called “right to care“.

Additionally, if you miss your connection, the airline is required to offer you a free alternative flight to your destination.

After a waiting period of 3 hours, Brussels Airlines must provide you with free meals and beverages that are reasonable in relation to the duration of the wait. Additionally, you are entitled to two free phone calls, emails, or faxes. In the case of an overnight delay, the airline must also offer you free hotel accommodation, including complimentary transfers.

4. How to Claim Brussels Airlines Flight Compensation?

To claim EU flight compensation, you have two options.

The first one is to contact Brussels Airlines directly through their website or customer support center. Do note that this process can take some time, and negotiating with the airline may be necessary to receive the compensation you are entitled to. It is also helpful to have evidence showing the delay time in reaching your destination. Make sure you mention your rights. Refer to the EC Regulation 261/2004.

The simpler option is to obtain legal representation. This means that professionals in the field of law will take care of everything regarding your claim. Our partners offer such services, and you can find more information below.

Read more:

• Your Brussels Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
• Is Your Brussels Airlines Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?

4.1 How Long Does It Take?

The timeframe for receiving compensation from an airline typically takes a minimum of a few months. If your case needs to be referred to a national enforcement body or court, the process may take an additional few months or even up to six months in some instances.

The duration of the process can be influenced by various factors. If the airline promptly acknowledges your claim and agrees to provide compensation, it can expedite the process. However, if the airline disputes your claim, it may prolong the timeline, requiring you to engage in a lengthier legal process to obtain compensation.

Additionally, the complexity of your case can impact the time required to receive compensation as each case is unique.

5. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

Here is how you can calculate the amount of Brussels Airlines missed connection compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

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 Brussels Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?

You may be offered a Brussels Airlines voucher as an alternative to cash compensation.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have commonly provided vouchers instead of monetary compensation for flight disruptions.

Nonetheless, you have the right to decline a voucher and request compensation via bank transfer. It is crucial to note that airlines are obligated by European law to provide compensation and refunds in cash or bank transfer, rather than vouchers or coupons.

6. Understanding Connecting Flights

6.1 What Is a Connecting Flight?

Connecting flight is a flight route that involves stopping at least once at a connecting airport before reaching the final destination. Instead of flying directly from point A to point B, passengers make a stop at point C, and sometimes there can be additional stops. The time spent at the airport between flights is called a layover, and if it exceeds 24 hours, it’s referred to as a stopover.

People book connecting flights for three main reasons: lower cost, more flight options, and access to destinations with no direct flights.

There are two types of connecting flights:

1. airline-protected transfers – a booking that includes multiple flights in which the airline is responsible for ensuring the passenger makes all necessary connection;
2. self transfer flights – a type of trip where the passenger is responsible for connecting between flights themselves, without the airline’s assistance.

6.2 Airline-Protected Transfer

How to find out if you have an airline-protected transfer?

1. You have booked a connecting flight through the airline or a third-party service like Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams.
2. Your entire trip has a single booking reference number assigned by the airline (not the travel agent’s reference number).
3. If you visit the airline’s website and enter your booking reference number, you can view and manage your entire itinerary.

6.3 Self Transfer

To determine if you have a self-transfer flight, consider the following:

1. You have multiple flights that were booked separately and each has its own reservation number.
2. You paid for each flight separately.
3. Each flight leg has a unique reservation number or booking reference.
4. Additionally, online travel agencies like Kiwi or Expedia may indicate whether the flight is a self-transfer.

7. Missed Connection

A missed connection occurs when you are unable to board your connecting flight, typically due to running late or an unexpected delay or cancellation of a previous flight. When layover or connection times are brief, such as 1 or 1.5 hours, missing connecting flights can easily happen.

It is important to note that airlines often provide assistance to passengers who have missed their connecting flight. Additionally, experiencing a delay may result in flight compensation of up to 600 euros per person, making it advantageous in some cases.

Cancelled or delayed flight causes missed connection?

7.1 Airline-Protected Transfer

Opting for an airline-protected transfer is the safest choice for travelers.

If you miss your connecting flight through no fault of your own, the airline will provide assistance and protection. In the event of flight cancellations or delays leading to missed connections, passengers are covered, and may even qualify for compensation. The airline will usually arrange a new flight and lodging (if needed) for free, if the next available flight departs on the following day. To address such issues, reach out to the airline representatives at the airport.

It’s essential to note that compensation may be available in some instances.

If your flight is covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, you may be entitled to missed-flight compensation for the entire itinerary (that’s the same flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation).

Regarding refunds, missed flights are generally not refundable.

Don’t forget to file a claim for compensation!

Connecting flight example: Paris – Nairobi, with a layover in Frankfurt. Booked from Brussels Airlines, all flights are under one booking reference number.

7.2 Self Transfer

Self transfers involve multiple flights booked separately.

If an individual flight in your itinerary is delayed by 3 or more hours, cancelled, or if you are denied boarding, you may be eligible for compensation related to that particular flight. However, neither airline is responsible for missed connections or the entire itinerary.

For example, if you have a flight with Ryanair to Frankfurt (flight 1), then a 3-hour layover before catching the next flight with Brussels Airlines to Nairobi (flight 2), neither airline is liable for any missed connections from flight 1 delays or cancellations.

If there is a long delay, (3+ hours) or last-minute cancellation of flight 1, you may be entitled to compensation from Ryanair. However, if you miss flight 2 as a result, it is your responsibility to purchase a new flight to your destination, and neither Ryanair nor Brussels Airlines will provide compensation for flight 2.

The same applies to the flight 2. If it’s delayed or cancelled, you may receive compensation for that specific flight, but you are responsible for managing any missed connections.

If you have missed flight insurance, contact your insurance company for assistance based on the situation.

7.3 How To Avoid Missing Your Connecting Flight: Tips

Missing a connecting flight can be frustrating, and time-consuming as it can disrupt your entire travel itinerary. However, with a few helpful tips, you can reduce the stress and avoid missing your connecting flight.

1. Book a flight with a long layover.

It may sound counterproductive, but booking a flight with a long layover can increase the likelihood that you’ll not miss your connecting flight. This is because a long layover gives you enough time to rest, freshen up, and prepare for your next flight. Furthermore, if your first flight is delayed, you’ll have enough time to catch the next flight without having to sprint through the airport.

2. Choose the right seat.

Choosing the right seat can help you avoid missing your connecting flight. If your connecting flight is in a different terminal, try to choose a seat near the front of the plane. This can help you get off the plane quickly and reduce the time spent navigating the airport.

3. Consider a direct flight.

If possible, opt for a direct flight rather than a connecting flight. Although direct flights may be more expensive, they can save you a lot of time and minimize the risk of missing your connecting flight. A direct flight also eliminates the need for you to navigate multiple terminals, which can be confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with the airport layout.

4. Stick to major airports.

Opt for connecting flights through major airports. Large airports often have better infrastructure, more frequent flights, and a higher likelihood of alternative options in case of flight disruptions.

5. Check for minimum connection times.

Some airports have published minimum connection times for different types of flights. These guidelines can help you determine the recommended layover duration. Be sure to consider these recommendations when planning your itinerary.

6. Book connecting flights on a single ticket.

Make sure to check for minimum connection times when planning your itinerary, as some airports have published minimum connection times for different types of flights. These guidelines can assist you in determining the ideal duration of your layover, reducing the chances of missing your connecting flight. Take these recommendations into consideration for a stress-free travel experience.

7. Consider travel insurance.

It’s always a good idea to consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers missed connections. When buying your policy, make sure it includes compensation for any additional expenses, rebooking fees, or alternative transportation arrangements in case of missed connections. This can provide valuable peace of mind during your travels. Especially if you have a self-transfer flight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Brussels Airlines Delayed Flight and Missed Connection

Flight Cancellations and Missed Connection

Other Situations

Have you ever missed a connection? Was it a connecting flight with Brussels Airlines? Share your experience. Do you have any questions about Brussels Airlines missed connection compensation policies? Ask in the comments.

Featured photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels