American Airlines Missed Connection Compensation

American Airlines missed connection compensation.

What is the compensation amount you’re entitled to?

If you’ve experienced a missed connecting flight with American Airlines, there’s a possibility that you may qualify for compensation. The amount you can claim depends on your unique circumstances. Your eligibility for compensation remains unaffected by factors like your nationality, ticket price, or travel insurance coverage. This is because American Airlines must adhere to specific regulations set by the EU. Keep in mind that these EU regulations only apply to American Airlines flights originating from Europe.

You have the option to process the claim by yourself or seek assistance from professionals.

1. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation

Is it possible to claim American Airlines missed connection compensation?

If you miss your American Airlines connecting flight, there’s a chance you might be eligible for compensation. The regulations relating to such scenarios are clear.

As American Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to American Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.

1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation

If a delay on your initial American Airlines flight causes you to miss a connecting flight, you might be eligible for compensation under EU regulations.

If the delay is the fault of the airline, you could be entitled to as much as €600 if your flight originated from Europe. Legally, “American Airlines missed connection compensation” is under the same category as American Airlines flight delay compensation.

For a legitimate claim towards American Airlines flight compensation, you should arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours later than originally planned.

You can receive compensation if:

• The delay exceeds 3 hours (determined at the time of arrival);
• The error is on American Airlines’ part;
• The flight is from Europe.

The same rules apply to American Airlines connecting flights. It’s essential to note that in this instance, your final destination is the very last airport (not any of the transit airports).

For instance, let’s say you have an American Airlines connecting flight from Madrid to Los Angeles via Dallas. Your final destination is Los Angeles. Dallas is only a layover on the way. If you experience a delay of 3 or more hours upon arrival in Los Angeles due to an incident with American Airlines, you are eligible for compensation for the missed connecting flight for the entire “Madrid – Los Angeles” trip.

Don’t forget to submit a compensation claim!

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

If your flight is cancelled and causes you to miss the connecting flight, resulting in a delay of 3 hours or more at your final destination, you may be eligible for compensation from American Airlines. This applies only when the reason for the cancellation can be considered the airline’s fault, and your journey initiates from Europe. The compensation could go up to €600, the calculation of which is based on the distance of the flight.

In summary, you may be entitled to compensation for missed connection on American Airlines if:

• The prior flight gets cancelled (or delayed) due to the mishandling of American Airlines;
• You reach your destination 3+ hours late;
• The flight departs from Europe.

Ready to claim compensation?

You can do it online.

As American Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to American Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.

1.3 What About Self-Transfer Flights With American Airlines?

In case you have independently booked your flights (referred to as self-transfer), the rules mentioned above do not apply. If, in such scenarios, one of your flights is delayed or cancelled, you will not receive any compensation for the subsequent flight.

For example, if you have a flight booked with American Airlines and another one with Ryanair, and if American Airlines cancels their flight, you may be eligible for compensation for the cancelled flight. However, it’s important to note that American Airlines is not responsible for your Ryanair flight and won’t provide assistance if you miss it.

Exercise caution when booking flights individually.

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

These are scenarios that fall beyond the control of American Airlines.

In these unexpected situations, compensation is not provided. Examples of such unpredictable events include severe meteorological conditions, political instability, or a global health crisis. If you are uncertain about the information provided, it’s recommended to validate it. To make sure the airline is not providing misleading information, it’s a good idea to double-check all data regarding refunds and compensations.

You might want to consider hiring a flight compensation firm to review your case and make sure you’re not being misled. For instance, the technical issues with the aircraft are typically the airline’s responsibility and should not be considered unforeseen circumstances, regardless of any claims made by certain airlines.

Situations that are not classified as unexpected events:

• Most of the technical problems with the aircraft
• Most of American Airlines’ staff strikes
• American Airlines’ staff shortages

3. Right to Care from American Airlines

If you are stuck at the airport due to flight delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding or missed connection, you have a right to care.

In these situations, American Airlines is obligated to assist you while you wait for another flight. Additionally, if you miss a connection and it’s not your fault, American Airlines must provide a free alternative flight.

While talking about assistance, if your waiting period at the airport extends beyond three hours, you are entitled to receive care from American Airlines.

• After waiting for 3 hours, American Airlines must provide you with complimentary meals and drinks in proportion to the waiting duration, along with two free calls, emails, or faxes.
• In the event of an overnight delay, free hotel accommodation must also be provided (+ free airport transfer).

4. How to Claim American Airlines Flight Compensation?

How to claim American Airlines missed connection compensation?

There are two ways how to claim American Airlines compensation.

Your first option is to reach out to American Airlines directly. You can visit their website and contact their customer support centre to request compensation for your flight. Keep in mind that this process can take some time, and you may need to negotiate with American Airlines to get the compensation you deserve. It can be helpful if you can provide evidence of the delay you experienced.

Your second, more effortless option is to get legal representation.

With this method, you will have legal experts managing all aspects of your claim. Our partners offer such services – details below.

4.1 How Long Does It Take To Get Compensation?

What is the usual time taken to receive compensation from an airline?

Typically, it might take at least a few months to receive compensation.

If your case requires an escalation to a national enforcement body or court, the process might stretch an additional couple of months, and in some scenarios, even an additional six months.

Several factors can influence the time taken to receive compensation. If an airline promptly acknowledges your claim and agrees to pay compensation, the process can be sped up. However, if the airline disputes your claim, it may take longer, and you may need to navigate through a prolonged legal process to receive compensation.

Moreover, the complexity of your case can affect the time taken to receive compensation.

Each case is different.

5. How Much Compensation Can You Claim?

How much is American Airlines missed connection compensation?

The compensation amount is set and ranges from €250 to €600.

Your end stop is your final destination for these calculations.

Here is how you can find out the amount of your American Airlines flight 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 American Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?

There is a possibility that American Airlines might present you with a voucher instead of cash compensation.

However, you have the right to decline a voucher and choose bank transfer compensation instead. It’s critical to understand that airlines are legally obliged to offer compensation and refunds in cash or bank transfer, and not in the form of vouchers or coupons, according to European law.

Keep in mind that EU regulations only apply to American Airlines flights from Europe. If your American Airlines flight departs from a third country, accepting vouchers as compensation or refund may be your only option.

6. What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight is a flight itinerary that involves multiple separate flights to reach your final destination.

Instead of a direct journey from point A to point B, you will make a stop at point C, and possibly more, breaking up your journey. It’s like taking a short break between your flights at one or more airports. These pauses are called layovers if they last for less than 24 hours. If they extend beyond 24 hours, they are referred to as stopovers.

Choosing connecting flights could be either due to the unavailability of a direct flight or because it’s more economical. There are two primary categories of connecting flights:

1. airline-protected transfers,
2. self-transfer flights.

6.1 Airline-Protected Transfer

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

1. Your flight itinerary, which consists of one or more connections, was booked through either the airline itself or a third-party service like Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams.
2. The airline has assigned a unique booking reference number to your entire journey, including all of your flights. It’s crucial to note that this should be an airline booking reference number, not the travel agent’s booking reference number. You can manage your entire travel itinerary by entering your booking reference number on the airline’s website.

6.2 Self Transfer

What are the indications of a self-transfer flight?

1. If your journey involves multiple flights that were each booked separately, that’s a self-transfer flight.
2. If each of your flights has its booking reference number, you’re on a self-transfer flight.
3. If you had to pay separately for each flight, there’s a 99% chance it’s a self-transfer flight.

Differentiating between self-transfer and airline-protected connecting flights can be confusing. One way to tell them apart is by checking your tickets. If each flight segment has a different booking reference or reservation number, it’s likely a self-transfer. Online travel agencies like Kiwi or Expedia also usually mention if it’s a self-transfer flight.

7. Missed Connection

A missed connection refers to an event where a passenger fails to board their onward flight.

Several factors may contribute to this, such as the preceding flight being delayed or cancelled, or the time allotted for the connection being insufficient. Short transit times, such as 1 or 1.5 hours, often lead to missed connections.

Passengers who miss their connecting flight due to flight delay or cancellation are usually assisted by the airlines and may even receive compensation of up to 600 euros per person if they are willing to arrive at their destination later than expected.

Did you miss your connection because of a delayed or cancelled flight?

7.1 Missed Airline-Protected Transfer

Opting for an airline-protected transfer is a wise choice for travellers.

If you miss your connecting flight due to reasons beyond your control, the airline lends support and provides certain safeguards.

For passengers who miss their connection due to flight cancellations or delays, the airline usually arranges for the next flight and might provide a complimentary hotel stay, should the subsequent flight be scheduled for the following day. For assistance, approach the airline’s staff at the airport.

What about a refund or flight compensation?

Refunds are typically not offered for missed flights. Nonetheless, if the EU Regulation 261/2004 covers your flight, you may be eligible for compensation for the whole journey. This applies to flight delay compensation or flight cancellation compensation.

7.2 Missed Self-Transfer Flight

A self-transfer involves booking multiple flights independently.

What is the procedure if you miss your self-transfer connection? If any of the standalone flights in your itinerary are delayed by 3 or more hours, or cancelled, or if you are denied boarding, you may qualify for compensation for that specific flight. However, neither of the airlines involved will assume responsibility for the entire journey or any missed connections.

For example, suppose you have a flight with Ryanair to Frankfurt, referred to as “flight 1,” and after a 3-hour layover, you have a subsequent flight with American Airlines to Miami, referred to as “flight 2.” In the event of a delay or cancellation of flight 1 which results in a missed connection, neither airline bears responsibility.

If flight 1 is significantly delayed (3+ hours), you might be eligible for compensation from Ryanair. In case of a last-minute cancellation, Ryanair might offer a new flight, refund, and compensation for flight 1, in line with Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

Nonetheless, if this means you miss your American Airlines flight, a new flight to your destination (Miami, in this case) will have to be purchased. Neither Ryanair nor American Airlines offers any compensation for flight 2 nor for the missed connection.

The same applies to the American Airlines flight – flight 2. If it’s delayed or cancelled last minute, you may receive compensation for this particular flight. However, if it’s cancelled and an earlier flight is offered that you can’t make, you will have to handle the situation independently.

Contact your insurance provider if you have insurance for missed flights. They may be able to assist you, depending on the circumstances.

As American Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to American Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

American Airlines Delayed Flight > Missed Connection

Flight Cancellations

Other Situations

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