UKI missed my connecting flight due to a delay on the first leg. Who pays?
If your connecting flight was missed due to a delay on the first leg and both flights were booked together on a single ticket, you’re likely entitled to compensation and assistance under EU Regulation 261/2004 (still retained in UK law post-Brexit).
What the Law Says
Your rights depend on whether your journey was covered by the retained EU Regulation 261/2004 — now part of UK domestic law as the Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This applies to flights departing from a UK airport, or arriving in the UK on an airline licensed in the UK or an EU country — provided the flights were booked on a single ticket.
The regulation gives passengers rights to care (meals, refreshments, accommodation, communications) during long delays, and to compensation if the arrival at the final destination is delayed by 3 hours or more — unless the delay was caused by 'extraordinary circumstances' beyond the airline’s control.
Crucially, for connecting flights, the regulation treats the entire journey as one unit if booked under a single reservation (i.e., one ticket or booking reference). So even if the delay occurred on the first leg, the airline operating the final flight (or the marketing carrier, if different) is responsible for compensation if the total delay at your final destination exceeds 3 hours.
The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance: £220 for flights up to 1,500 km; £350 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500–3,500 km; and £520 for all flights over 3,500 km.
Statutory TextWhere a passenger is denied boarding or where a flight is cancelled or delayed, the passenger shall be entitled to compensation in accordance with Article 7.
— Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 4 — Common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers
Statutory TextThe operating air carrier shall pay compensation to passengers in accordance with Article 7 if the flight arrives at the final destination late by three hours or more.
— Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 6(1) — Delay
Statutory TextThis Regulation shall apply to passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies… and to passengers departing from an airport located in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State…
— Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 3 — Scope
What Courts Have Said
UK and EU courts have consistently held that airlines are liable for delays on connecting flights booked on a single ticket — even when the delay occurs on a non-EU/UK leg operated by a different carrier.
Confirmed that passengers arriving at final destination 3+ hours late due to earlier delay on same ticket are entitled to compensation, regardless of which leg was delayed.
Reaffirmed Sturgeon and clarified that the regulation applies even when the delayed leg was operated by a non-EU carrier under a codeshare agreement.
What to Do
Check that both flights were on a single booking reference (not two separate tickets).
Collect evidence: boarding passes, delay notifications, emails, and receipts for any expenses (e.g., meals, hotels).
Contact the operating airline of your final flight (or the marketing carrier) within 2 years to claim compensation and care costs.
If refused, escalate to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) via its online complaint form.
As a last resort, issue a claim in the County Court using Money Claim Online (MCOL).
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Ireland
European UnionNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.