AirBaltic missed connecting flight compensation.

If your airBaltic flight has been delayed or cancelled due to their mistake, and that made you miss your connecting flight, you might be entitled to compensation from the airline according to European laws. In this article, we will tell you more about missed connecting flight compensation, and share some tips on how to avoid flight delays and missed connections.

European laws apply to all airBaltic flights to and from Europe.

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Did you miss a connecting flight? File a compensation claim online.

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UK / EU Flight Compensation

We have several articles on these topics.

Here is a full guide on UK / EU flight compensation regulation. There we talk about all situations, when you can get compensation from the airline and when you have a right to care. We also have separate guides on what to do if you miss connection due to delay, strike, or cancellation of one of your flights.

Here, in this article, we will focus more on the compensation – UK / EU Missed connecting flight compensation.

1. AirBaltic Missed Connecting Flight Compensation

AirBaltic is a Latvian airline.

The airline operates flights to and from the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, as well as other destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The airline was founded in 1995 and has its main hub at Riga International Airport in Latvia.

As it’s a European airline, it has to follow European laws and regulations (the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004). When your airBaltic flight is delayed or cancelled last-minute, and it’s their fault that it has been disrupted, you are entitled to compensation.

If you experience a missed connecting flight as well due to this disruption, you might be entitled to compensation too. Here, in this article, we call it “missed connecting flight compensation”, but it’s the same as the regular flight delay compensation.

To put it simply, if you arrive at your destination later than planned, and it’s due to the fault of airBaltic, you might be entitled to flight compensation. As long as the delay is at least 3 hours.

There are two conditions that must be met:

• Your flight must be at least 3 hours late. Keep in mind that the length of delay must be calculated at the moment of arrival, not at the moment of departure.
• It must be an airline-protected connecting flight. These rules don’t apply to self-transfer flights – two or more separately-booked flights. Airlines are not responsible for self transfers (also known as DIY connecting flights).

1.1 European and non-European airlines

The country of origin of your airline matters.

When flying with a European airline (any airline registered in the EU, EEA or UK), passengers can be assured that their rights will be protected. If you are flying with a European airline, you will be protected under the EU law, regardless of whether you are arriving in Europe or departing from Europe. Since airBaltic is a European airline, you are protected on all of its flights.

What if it’s not a European carrier? If the flight is with a non-European airline such as Qatar Airways, Delta and Turkish Airlines, European regulations only apply to flights departing FROM Europe.

	EU/UK to EU/UK	EU/UK to Other countries	Other countries to EU/UK
EU airlines	+	+	+
UK airlines	+	+	+
Other airlines	+	+	–

1.2 Self-Transfer Flights

What if it’s a self transfer?

With self transfers, it’s not as easy and stress-free as it is with an airline-protected connecting flights.

For example, one of your flights is with airBaltic but the second one – with Ryanair, Wizz Air, or any other airline. You’ve booked these flights separately, so each of these flights has its own booking reference number. Such flights are called “self-transfer flights“. Self-transfer flights are very common. As common as they are, you are less protected with self transfers.

Let’s assume that you have a self transfer. Your first flight is delayed or cancelled, and this makes you miss your next flight. As you booked these flights separately, it’s not an airline-protected transfer.

Your flight is delayed for 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours, and it makes you miss your connection. But as it’s not delayed for the minimum of 3 hours, you won’t be entitled to compensation from the airline. Because it’s a self-transfer flight, and airlines are not responsible for such flights. Neither compensation nor a new flight ticket will be provided. Therefore it’s very important to consider this potential risk before deciding on a self transfer option.

• You won’t get a new flight to your destination for free, because it’s a self transfer. Airlines are not responsible for missed self transfers.
• Your flight isn’t at least 3 hours late upon its arrival. Even if it causes you to miss your next flight, no compensation will be due.

2. How Much Can You Claim for Missed Connecting Flight?

Mostly it’s 250, 400 or 600 euro per person.

The amounts are regulated by flight compensation regulations.

The longer the flight, the more you can get.

• 250 EUR – if the flight distance is less than 1500 km;
• 400 EUR – if the flight distance is between 1500 and 3500 km;
• 600 EUR – if the flight distance is more than 3500 km.

3. How to File a Claim for Missed Connection Compensation?

There are two options:

1. You can file a claim with compensation company.
2. Or, you can do it all on your own.

If you choose the latter (option number 2):

• Make sure you have all the information about your airBaltic connecting flight – flight number, booking reference number, flight times, original and actual departure times, length of delay, reasons for delay, etc.
• Complete and submit an online claim form. This form can be found on the airBaltic’s website and should take no more than a few minutes to fill out.
• You will need to enter all of your personal information including name, address, email address, flight details, and any other requested information in order to submit a request for missed connection compensation from airBaltic.
• Once you have submitted the completed claim form, you will need to wait for a response from airBaltic. It could take a while.
• If your claim is accepted, airBaltic will contact you and provide a compensation amount. If you agree to the proposed amount, airBaltic will then transfer the funds directly into your bank account within a few weeks.
• Keep in mind that you need to ask for the right compensation amount. Don’t agree to anything less. Also, don’t agree to airBaltic vouchers, unless you want them.
• If your claim is rejected or if you are not satisfied with the compensation offered, you may be able to take further action. In this case, it is recommended that you seek legal advice. See Option no 1.

4. Right to Care from airBaltic

On all airBaltic flights you have a right to care.

According to the EU Regulation 261/2004, the airline should provide:

• Free food and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time.
• Free hotel accommodation if a stay of one or more nights is necessary;
• Free airport transfer to hotel and back.
• Plus, two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails. So that you can notify your loved ones about a change in your travel plans. 

It applies to all domestic and international flights with airBaltic. Again, it’s because airBaltic is a European airline. With non-European airlines it applies only to flights departing from European airports.

5. Tips on Flight Delays and Missed Connections

The more informed you are, the better.

• Don’t book a connecting flight with a very short layover (connection time). When you book connecting flights, always make sure you have plenty of time for changing planes. Set aside some extra time. That way if there is an issue with a flight leg – such as a delay – it will decrease your chances of missing a flight. If you have a self transfer, make sure there’s at least a few hours between the flights (5 hours is OK).
• Check the airline’s or airport’s website for any warnings of potential delays or cancellations. Always do this before you leave for the airport. No, you won’t be able to avoid a delay, but it will certainly help reduce wasted time. And what’s more important – you will feel more in control when arriving to the airport informed.
• Use flight trackers like FlightStats to stay informed. This flight tracker will provide you with the latest information about your trip. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your flight status. This way, you will know about any changes that could affect your travel plans.
• Do not travel without travel insurance! Travel insurance can provide coverage for unexpected events that may cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip, such as a sudden illness or injury, a family emergency, or a natural disaster. Depending on the policy, you may be reimbursed for non-refundable travel expenses, such as airfare, hotel reservations, and tours. Travel insurance might come in handy if you have a self transfer. So make sure your travel insurance covers trip interruption.
• Know your rights! European aviation laws guarantee aid if you encounter an issue with your flight that is not due to any fault from you. Being aware of this prior to the trip will provide a sense of security during potential travel disturbances, allowing for expedient problem-solving.

What is your experience with airBaltic? Have you ever missed a connecting flight with airBaltic? How did the airline solve this? Did you receive missed connection compensation from airBaltic?