Vueling Missed Connection Compensation

Vueling missed connection compensation.

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

If you miss a connecting flight with Vueling, you may be entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation varies based on the distance of your flight, and factors such as your nationality, ticket price, and travel insurance do not impact your eligibility for compensation. EU regulations require that Vueling pay compensation if due. You can either file a claim independently or seek help from a flight compensation company.

1. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation

If you miss your connecting flight, you might get compensation.

EU regulations require that Vueling pay compensation if due.

However, you need to make a claim in order to get it.

1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation 

You made it 3 or more hours later, and it was the fault of Vueling.

When your first Vueling flight is delayed due to the fault of the airline, and your journey involves Europe, you have the right to claim compensation of up to €600. This compensation rule applies to all Vueling flights (i.e., within, to, and from Europe), as Vueling is a European airline. It is important to note that “Vueling missed connection compensation” is not a separate category but falls under the same category as Vueling flight delay compensation.

To qualify for compensation, your final destination must be reached 3 or more hours later than originally scheduled. In summary, you are eligible for compensation if the following conditions are met:

• The delay is 3 or more hours.
• The delay is attributable to Vueling’s fault.
• The flight is to or from Europe.

These rules also apply to Vueling connecting flights. It is important to remember that, in this case, your final destination is the ultimate endpoint of your journey, not any of the layover airports.

Here’s an example. You have a connecting flight with Vueling from Tenerife North to Amsterdam via Barcelona. Your final destination is Amsterdam. Barcelona is only a layover airport. If you have made it to Amsterdam 3 or more hours later due to the fault of Vueling, you will be entitled to compensation for missed connection flight for the whole “Tenerife North – Amsterdam” journey.

Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

In the event that one of your flights is canceled, resulting in a missed connecting flight and a delay of 3 or more hours upon reaching your final destination, you may qualify for compensation from Vueling, similar to the compensation provided for flight delays.

This policy applies if the delay is caused by the airline’s fault and if you are traveling to or from Europe. The compensation amount can reach up to €600 and is calculated based on the distance of your flight.

In summary, you are eligible for compensation for a missed connection flight if:

• Your preceding flight is canceled or delayed due to Vueling’s fault.
• You arrive at your destination with a delay of 3 or more hours.
• The flight is either departing from or arriving in Europe (or is within Europe).

If you have made separate flight bookings for your journey, also known as self-transfer, these regulations do not apply. In such cases, if one of your flights is canceled or delayed, you will not be eligible for compensation for the other flight. For instance, if you have made one booking with Vueling and another with Wizz Air, and Vueling cancels their flight, you may be entitled to compensation for the canceled Vueling flight. However, Vueling is not accountable for your Wizz Air flight, and they will not offer any assistance if you miss it.

It is crucial to bear this in mind when making separate flight bookings.

Want to claim Vueling missed connection 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

These are circumstances that are beyond the control of Vueling.

Compensation is not applicable in circumstances that are beyond the control of Vueling, such as severe weather conditions, natural disaster or a pandemic.

It’s important to confirm any information provided to ensure accuracy, and it’s wise to double-check all details related to compensation to avoid incorrect information from the airline. Alternatively, you can seek help from a flight compensation company to review your case and ensure that you are not being misled. Technical issues with the aircraft are typically the responsibility of the airline and are not considered exceptional circumstances, despite some airlines making that claim.

3. Right to Care

If you find yourself stranded at the airport due to a delay, flight overbooking, flight cancellation, or missed connecting flight, you have the right to receive assistance (i.e., you have a right to care).

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, Vueling is obligated to offer you a free alternative flight and care if your waiting time exceeds three hours.

Vueling must provide you with free meals and drinks in reasonable relation to the waiting time, as well as two free phone calls, emails, or faxes after three hours of waiting. If the delay continues overnight, Vueling must also provide free accommodation and transfer services.

4. How to Claim Vueling Flight Compensation?

There are two ways of claiming EU flight compensation.

You have two options to claim EU flight compensation, including Vueling missed connection compensation:

The first option is to contact Vueling directly through their website (vueling.com). Keep in mind that this process may be lengthy, and negotiation with Vueling may be required to obtain the compensation you deserve. Providing evidence of your delayed arrival can aid your case.

The second, simpler option is to seek legal representation. By choosing this approach, legal professionals will handle your claim entirely. Our partners offer such services – see details below.

Read more:

• Your Vueling Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
• Your Vueling Refund Is Taking Forever? Here’s Your Plan of Action

4.1 How Long Does It Take?

How long does it usually take to receive compensation from Vueling?

Typically, it can take a minimum of 3 months to receive compensation.

If your case needs to be referred to a national enforcement body or court, the process may take an additional few months, and in some instances, even up to six months.

Several factors can influence the duration of the compensation process. If the airline promptly acknowledges your claim and agrees to provide compensation, the process can be expedited. However, if the airline disputes your claim, it may take longer, and you might need to engage in a prolonged legal procedure to obtain compensation.

Moreover, the complexity of your case can impact the time required to receive compensation. Each case is unique and may have specific considerations that affect the timeframe.

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 your Vueling 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 Vueling Voucher Refund or Cash?

Vueling may provide you with a voucher as an alternative to cash compensation.

Nevertheless, you may decline a Vueling voucher and choose to receive compensation through a bank transfer instead. It is essential to be aware that European airlines are obligated by European law to provide flight compensation and refunds in cash or bank transfers, rather than in the form of vouchers or coupons.

6. Connecting Flights

6.1 What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight refers to the situation where you need to take two or more flights to reach your final destination. During this journey, you will have a layover (i.e., stop) at one or more airports before getting to your desired endpoint. Instead of flying directly from point A to point B, you will make a stop at point C, and sometimes there may be multiple stops.

The duration spent at the airport between flights is known as a layover, and if it extends beyond 24 hours, it is termed a stopover.

Passengers opt for connecting flights when a direct flight is either unavailable or more costly compared to the connecting option.

There are two types of connecting flights:

1. Airline-protected transfers: This refers to connecting flights where the airline takes responsibility for ensuring a smooth transition between flights. They typically handle baggage transfers and provide assistance in case of delays or missed connections.
2. Self-transfer flights: In self-transfer flights, passengers have made separate bookings for each leg of their journey and are responsible for transferring themselves and their luggage between flights. The airline is not responsible for assisting or compensating passengers in the event of delays or missed connections.

6.2 Airline-Protected Transfer

To confirm whether you have an airline-protected transfer, follow these steps:

1. Check your reservation: You have made a booking for a connecting flight, either directly with the airline or through a third-party service such as Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams. To check if your transfer is protected, you can check your flight itinerary online. Typically, protected transfers will be indicated by a special symbol or notice on your itinerary.
2. Single booking reference number: Your entire trip comprises of two or more flights that have been assigned a single booking reference number by the airline. Please note that this refers to the airline’s booking reference number, not the travel agent’s booking reference number. This distinction is crucial.
3. Visit the airline’s website: Go to the airline’s website and navigate to the “Manage Booking” or a similar section. Enter your booking reference number provided by the airline. This will grant you access to view and manage your complete itinerary. All of your flight legs will be under one booking reference number.

6.3 Self Transfer

How can you tell if you have a self-transfer flight?

1. Separate bookings: If you have booked multiple flights individually, without combining them into a single reservation, then you are on a self-transfer flight.
2. Unique reservation numbers: Each flight in your itinerary has its own distinct reservation number or booking reference, indicating that you are on a self-transfer flight.
3. Individual payments: If you have made separate payments for each flight, rather than paying for the entire journey as a single transaction, it is considered a self-transfer.
4. Booking with Kiwi: If you have booked multiple flights on Kiwi.com (or other flight search engines) with a single click, and at least one flight is operated by a low-cost airline, then most probably you are on a self-transfer flight.

Distinguishing between self-transfer and airline-protected connecting flights can often be a confusing task. However, you can differentiate between the two by checking your tickets. If each flight has a unique reservation number or booking reference, it is likely to be a self-transfer. Additionally, online travel agencies like Kiwi or Expedia provide information on whether the flight is a self-transfer or not.

Keep in mind that self-transfer procedure differs from that of a connecting flight. With a self-transfer flight, you need to collect your baggage, clear customs and immigration, and check in for your next flight separately. This can require more time and effort, but it may also give you more flexibility and control over your travel plans. Self-transfer flights can also be cheaper, as you have more options for choosing different airlines and routes.

Just don’t forget that self transfers are not protected by the airline/airlines you are flying with.

7. Missed Connection

A missed connection refers to the situation when you are unable to board your connecting flight.

There are various reasons for a missed connection, such as being running behind schedule, or if your previous flight was unexpectedly canceled or delayed. Particularly, when the layover or connection time is short, like 1 or 1.5 hours, it becomes easier to miss your connecting flight.

It is important to note that in many cases, airlines offer assistance to passengers who have missed their connecting flight. While arriving at your destination later than planned may not be ideal, there is a potential advantage as you could be eligible for flight compensation of up to 600 euros per person.

Cancelled or delayed flight causes missed connection?

7.1 Airline-Protected Transfer

Opting for an airline-protected transfer is the best option for travelers.

When you miss your connecting flight due to circumstances beyond your control, the airline takes responsibility and provides assistance.

In cases where flight cancellations or delays lead to a missed connection, passengers are protected, and they may even be eligible for compensation. The airline typically arranges alternative flights and, if necessary, a complimentary hotel stay (if the next available flight is scheduled for the following day). To address the situation, it is advisable to contact airline representatives at the airport.

It’s important to note that compensation may be available in specific situations.

What about refunds?

Obtaining a refund for a missed flight is generally not possible.

However, if your flight falls under the EU Regulation 261/2004, you may qualify for Vueling missed connection compensation, covering your entire journey (that’s the same flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation).

Don’t forget to file a claim for compensation!

Connecting flight example: Tenerife North – Amsterdam, with a stop in Barcelona. Booked from Vueling, under one booking reference number.

7.2 Self Transfer

A self-transfer involves the separate booking of multiple flights.

What happens if you miss your self-transfer connection?

If any individual flights in your itinerary are delayed by 3 or more hours, canceled, or if you are denied boarding, you may be eligible for compensation specific to that particular flight. However, neither of the airlines involved will assume responsibility for your entire journey or any missed connections.

For instance, let’s consider an example: you have two separately-booked flights. The first flight is with Vueling. The second one is with Ryanair 4 hours later. Your Vueling flight is delayed, and you miss your Ryanair flight as a result.

If the first flight experiences a significant delay (3+ hours), you may be entitled to compensation from Vueling. In the case of a last-minute cancellation, you may be eligible for a new flight, full refund, and compensation from Vueling for the first flight, in accordance with ‎Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

But you won’t get a new flight. It’s not an airline-protected connection, so Vueling is not responsible for your next (Ryanair) flight.

If you have missed flight insurance, it is advisable to contact your insurance company. Depending on the circumstances, they might be able to provide assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Vueling Delayed Flight > Missed Connection

Flight Cancellations

Other Situations

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

Featured photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels