Icelandair missed connecting flight compensation.
Missed connecting flight compensation can be obtained in several situations. Generally, if a passenger has a confirmed ticket and is delayed by their airline, they may be entitled to compensation. This is typically the case when the original connecting flight is cancelled or delayed due to an airline fault – for example, if a flight was delayed due to mechanical problems or a lack of crew. These rules apply to all Icelandair flights to and from Europe.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about how to receive compensation for a missed connecting flight.
Did you miss a connecting flight? File a compensation claim online.
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. Icelandair Missed Connecting Flight Compensation
Icelandair is the flag carrier of Iceland.
When your Icelandair flight is delayed or cancelled, you might be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience. Passengers may receive up to €600 in compensation if their flight has been delayed or cancelled due to the airline’s fault (mechanical issues or other problems entirely within the airline’s control). The same applies to missed connecting flights. If you experience a missed connecting flight due to such incident, you are entitled to compensation too.
Simply put: if you arrive at your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled due to the airline’s fault, you could get compensation from Icelandair.
However, your flight must meet these criteria:
- Your flight must be at least 3 hours late (i.e., 3 hour-delay, calculated at the moment of arrival).
- It must be an airline-protected connecting flight. If it’s self-transfer flight, the airline is not responsible for your connection.
1.1 European and non-European airlines
The country of origin of your airline matters.
If you’re flying with a European airline such as Icelandair, your rights are protected no matter if you’re traveling to or departing from Europe. Icelandair must comply with European regulations which state that if it’s a EU airline, they must guarantee full protection on all of their flights.
But when it comes to non-European airlines like Air Canada, Air India, American Airlines, etc., the same customer protections only apply when travelling FROM Europe; journeys originating in any other country aren’t covered by these laws.
| 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
With self-transfer flights, it’s more complicated.
For instance, purchasing separate tickets that require you to transfer between airlines (such as Icelandair + Ryanair, easyJet or any other airline) is termed a self-transfer flight.
Sadly when it comes to these types of transfers, you are less protected than with regular connecting flights. If your flight delay falls short of three hours causing you to miss your connecting flight then neither compensation nor another ticket will be offered. Therefore it’s paramount for travelers to consider this risk before selecting the self-transfer option.
- You won’t get a new flight to your destination for free, because it’s a self transfer. It is not the airline’s responsibility to manage your self-transfer flights. It was you who created this connection, and none of the airlines are obliged to assist in such cases.
- Your flight isn’t delayed for the minimum of 3 hours. If you miss your connection, you won’t get any compensation from the airline. It’s a self transfer — separately booked flights. These flights are considered to be separate entities, and compensation is not due.
When it comes to air passenger rights, unless otherwise stated, we talk about air passenger rights in the EU, EEA and UK. When we say Europe or European, we mean EU, EEA or UK. This is done for the simplicity, since the according laws in these countries are about the same.
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:
- You can file a claim with compensation company.
- Or, you can do it all on your own.
If you choose the latter (option number 2):
- Make sure you have all documents, such as tickets and boarding passes as you will need them later on. You’ll also need to provide details of the disruption, including the length of time it lasted, and what was the reason for disruption.
- Contact Icelandair directly to make a claim. Use a flight disruption claim form on their website. It could be found in the “Contact Us” section.
- Make a claim citing the European regulations. Make sure you mention your rights.
- 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 Icelandair.
- You will receive an automatic confirmation email from Icelandair with further instructions regarding your claim process.
- If Icelandair rejects your claim or fails to respond within a couple of months, you can contact an independent legal expert (a flight compensation company). In this case too, you’ll need to provide evidence of the delay or cancellation and its effects on your journey.
- Depending on the outcome of your case, you could potentially receive up to 600 Euro in compensation.
4. Right to Care from Icelandair
On all Icelandair flights you have a right to care.
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004 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. You’ll need to notify your loved ones about changes in your travel plans, right?
It applies to all domestic and international flights with Icelandair. Again, it’s because Icelandair 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.
- Plan extra time between flights to ensure that you make it on board. Especially if you have a self transfer. If it’s a self transfer, plan a few hours between the flight legs. If there is an issue with any leg of your journey, it won’t ruin your trip.
- Stay informed of any weather updates that may affect your journey.
- Before you set off, be sure to search your airline’s or airport’s website for any potential delays or cancellations so that you can plan ahead and avoid feeling unprepared! Not only will this help keep your journey running smoothly, but it’ll also make you feel more in control of the situation if anything goes awry with your travel plans.
- Check your flight status constantly and be prepared for delays. Use FlightStats, an app that provides real-time flight tracking and airport information. It covers over 30,000 airports worldwide and displays current flight information, including expected arrival and departure times, delays, gate assignments, and more.
- If possible, book direct flights and avoid connections through multiple airports (make less stops).
- Consider purchasing travel insurance for protection against flight delays or missed connections. Having travel insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that if something unexpected comes up, you’ll be financially covered. For example, if your flight is cancelled or delayed, and as a result you miss your self transfer, you may be able to get reimbursed for the cost of your ticket and any other costs. Travel insurance can also cover lost or stolen luggage.
- Learn more about your rights! Knowing your passenger rights in the EU is essential, as having a basic understanding of your rights helps protect you from potential problems during your journey. In the European Union, there is a regulation in place to ensure that all passengers have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable trip. Read about it here.
What is your experience with Icelandair? Have you ever missed a connecting flight with Icelandair? How did the airline solve this? Did you receive missed connection compensation from Icelandair?
Featured photo by Max Walter
