Croatia Airlines Missed Connection Compensation

Croatia Airlines missed connection compensation.

What if you miss your flight? What’s the possible claim amount?

Should you miss a connecting flight with Croatia Airlines, you may be entitled to compensation. The sum that you can claim for this depends on the specifics surrounding your case. Regardless of your nationality, ticket cost, and insurance coverage, your eligibility for compensation remains unaffected. This is due to Croatia Airlines being obligated to adhere to the EU regulations, and if there is compensation to be given, the airline must pay it out.

Claiming can either be done independently or via professional help.

1. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation

In the event of a missed connecting flight with Croatia Airlines, you may qualify for compensation. The applicable regulations for such instances are quite straightforward.

1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation

Should a delay with your first flight with Croatia Airlines cause you to miss your connecting flight, you may be entitled to compensation as per EU regulations.

If the delay is due to an error on Croatia Airlines’ part, you could claim up to €600 for your flight travelling to or from Europe. As Croatia Airlines is a European airline, this rule is applicable to all Croatia Airlines flights whether within Europe, to Europe, or from Europe. Legally, the term “Croatia Airlines missed connection compensation” is non-existent, as it falls under the same rules as Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation.

Your arrival at your final destination must be delayed by 3+ hours for you to be eligible for Croatia Airlines flight compensation. In summary, you can claim compensation if:

• It’s a 3+ hour delay;
• It’s due to Croatia Airlines;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

The previous mentioned rules are applicable to Croatia Airlines connecting flights. Do remember that in such cases, your destination refers to your final destination (not any of the layover airports).

Here’s an example. You have a Croatia Airlines connecting flight from Zagreb to Los Angeles via Frankfurt. Los Angeles is your final destination, whereas Frankfurt is merely a layover airport. If you reach Los Angeles 3 or more hours late due to a Croatia Airlines error, you will be eligible to receive compensation for the missed connection flight for the entire “Zagreb – Los Angeles” trip.

Remember to file your compensation claim.

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

In the event of a flight cancellation leading to you missing your next flight and reaching your end destination with a delay of three or more hours, you may be entitled to compensation from Croatia Airlines. This is similar to the case of flight delays.

This applies only if the cancellation is attributable to the airline’s error, and your journey is originating from or leading to Europe. The potential compensation can amount to €600, and it’s calculated based on the distance of your flight.

To put it briefly, you may be eligible for compensation for a missed connection flight if:

• The preceding flight is cancelled (or delayed) due to Croatia Airlines’ mistake;
• You arrive at your final destination more than 3 hours late;
• The flight is to or from Europe.

Want to claim compensation?

Ensure you file a compensation claim!

1.3 What About Self-Transfer Flights With Croatia Airlines?

If your journey includes multiple flights booked separately (i.e., self-transfer), the rules outlined above do not apply. In such situations, if one of your flights is cancelled or delayed, you won’t be eligible for compensation for the other flight.

Let’s say you have one flight with Croatia Airlines and another with Wizz Air, and Croatia Airlines cancels their flight, you may be granted compensation for the cancelled Croatia Airlines flight. However, Croatia Airlines is not obliged to cover your Wizz Air flight and won’t offer any help if you miss it.

This is a crucial point to remember when booking flights separately.

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 situations that Croatia Airlines cannot control.

In these events, compensation does not apply. You can’t get missed connection compensation if isn’t airline’s fault that you missed the flight, or arrived later than planned.

Extraordinary circumstances could be extreme weather conditions or a global pandemic. It is always advised to verify any details provided if you are in doubt. To avoid any misinformation from the airline, double-check all the information you are getting regarding your compensations and refunds.

You may also consider the help of a flight compensation firm to evaluate your case and ensure you’re not being misguided. For instance, aircraft technical problems are typically the responsibility of the airline and are not considered extraordinary circumstances, despite what some airlines might suggest.

Situations that are not extraordinary circumstances:

• Most of the technical issues with the plane
• Most of Croatia Airlines staff strikes
• Croatia Airlines staffing shortages

3. Right to Care From Croatia Airlines

You are have a right to care if you are stranded at the airport.

If your flight with Croatia Airlines is delayed or cancelled, and as a result, you miss a connecting flight, Croatia Airlines is required to offer you aid while you wait for another flight. Furthermore, in the event of a missed connection, Croatia Airlines must offer a free alternative flight, as long as the delay wasn’t caused by your actions.

Regarding assistance, if your waiting time at the airport surpasses three hours, you have the right to receive it.

• After 3 hours of waiting Croatia Airlines must provide you with free meals and drinks in proportion to your waiting time, plus two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes.
• In case of an overnight delay, free hotel accommodation must be provided (+ free airport transfer).

4. How to Claim Croatia Airlines Flight Compensation?

How to claim Croatia Airlines flight compensation?

There are two methods of claiming EU flight compensation.

The first option is to get in touch with Croatia Airlines directly. You can go to their website and get in touch with their customer care centre to claim compensation for your flight. However, be aware that this process can be time-consuming, and you might have to negotiate with Croatia Airlines to receive the compensation you’re entitled to. Having evidence to show how much of a delay you experienced at your destination can be beneficial.

The second, more straightforward option, is to use legal services.

In this scenario, legal experts will manage every aspect of your claim. Our partners provide such services – see details below.

4.1 How Long Does It Take?

What is the expected timeframe for receiving compensation from Croatia Airlines?

Typically, it takes at least a couple of months to receive compensation.

If your case requires dealing with a national enforcement body or court, the process may take an additional couple of months, and in some cases, even an additional six to twelve months.

Several factors can impact the length of time it takes to receive compensation. If Croatia Airlines promptly acknowledges your claim and agrees to pay compensation, the process can be expedited. However, if the airline denies your claim, it may take longer, and you may have to go through an extended legal process to receive compensation.

Furthermore, the complexity of your case may affect the amount of time it takes to receive compensation. Each case is unique.

5. How Much Can You Claim?

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

Yes, you can get up to 600 euro as a missed connection compensation.

Here is how you can calculate the amount of your Croatia 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 Croatia Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?

It’s possible that Croatia Airlines may offer you a voucher instead of cash compensation.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines were offering vouchers instead of monetary compensation for flight delays and cancellations.

However, you have the right to refuse a voucher and opt for bank transfer compensation instead. It’s important to know that airlines are legally required to offer compensation and refunds in cash or bank transfer, and not in the form of vouchers or coupons, according to European law.

6. What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight can be defined as a travel itinerary that requires taking a minimum of two flights to arrive at your ultimate destination. This means your journey from the departure point (point A) to your end destination (point B) is not a straight route but includes stops at one or more intermediary airports (points C, D, etc.). These stops between flights are called a layover, and if it exceeds 24 hours, it becomes a stopover.

Many passengers opt for connecting flights when non-stop flights are either not available or are priced way higher than flights with layovers.

Connecting flights are usually of two types:

1. Airline-protected transfers.
2. Self-transfer flights.

6.1 Airline-Protected Transfer

How can one know if they have an airline-protected transfer?

1. A booking for a connecting flight has been made, either through the airline directly or via a third-party service such as Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams.
2. Your entire journey, involving two or more flights, has been given a singular booking reference number by the airline. You have only one booking reference number. It’s crucial to note that this refers to the booking reference number provided by the airline, not the travel agent. Inputting your booking reference number on the airline’s website, in this case, Croatia Airlines will allow you to access and manage your entire trip. If that’s the case, you have a protected connection.

6.2 Self Transfer

What are the indicators that you have a self-transfer flight?

1. If your journey involves consecutive flights that have been booked separately, you can consider it a self-transfer flight.
2. If each leg of your trip has a distinct reservation number, most likely it’s a self-transfer flight.
3. If each flight was paid for individually, it’s a self-transfer.

The difference between self-transfer and airline-protected connecting flights can sometimes be unclear. To tell them apart, you could examine your tickets. If every flight has a unique reservation number or booking reference, it is likely a self-transfer.

Online travel agencies, such as Kiwi or Expedia, also specify whether the flight is a self-transfer. You can see that when making a booking.

7. Missed Connection

A missed connection refers to the situation where you fail to board your next flight.

Such instances usually arise due to late arrivals unexpected delays or cancellations of the prior flight. Especially under tight transfer times, missing your connecting flight becomes an easy affair.

Many airlines, however, offer support to passengers who miss their connecting flight. If the delay doesn’t significantly impact your arrival time, it may work out in your favour as you could be eligible for flight compensation of up to 600 euros per person.

7.1 Missed Airline-Protected Transfer

The most reliable choice for travellers is an airline-protected transfer. If you fail to catch your connecting flight and it’s not your fault, the airline is obliged to offer protection and assistance.

If cancellations or delays cause you to miss your connection, passengers are protected and may be qualified for compensation.

The airline usually arranges for an alternate flight and provides free accommodation if the subsequent flight departs the next day. You should contact the airline representatives at the airport for resolution. Compensation may be available under certain conditions.

What about a refund or compensation?

Getting a refund for a missed flight is generally not an option. However, if your flight comes under the purview of EU Regulation 261/2004, you may be eligible for missed flight compensation for your entire journey (that’s the same thing as flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation).

Remember to file a claim for compensation!

7.2 Missed Self-Transfer Flight

In a self-transfer, you book multiple flights individually.

What happens if your self-transfer connection is missed?

If any separate flight in your itinerary is delayed by 3 or more hours, or cancelled, or if you are denied boarding, you may be eligible for compensation for that particular flight. However, none of the airlines involved will be liable for your entire journey or any missed connections.

Example: If you have a flight with Ryanair to Frankfurt, referred to as “flight 1,” followed by a 3-hour layover before boarding the next flight with Croatia Airlines to New York, referred to as “flight 2,” neither airline holds responsibility for any missed connection resulting from a delay or cancellation of flight 1.

In case of a significant delay (3+ hours) of flight 1, you may be entitled to compensation from Ryanair. If there is a last-minute cancellation, you may be entitled to a new flight, refund, and compensation from Ryanair for flight 1, in accordance with ‎Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

However, if this results in you missing your Croatia Airlines flight, it is up to you to buy a new flight to your destination (New York, in this case). Neither Ryanair nor Croatia Airlines will offer any compensation for flight 2, and you will not receive compensation for a missed flight connection.

The same applies to the Croatia Airlines flight – flight 2. If it’s delayed or cancelled at the last minute, you might be eligible for compensation for this specific flight. But, if it’s cancelled at the last minute and you are rescheduled to a flight that departs 2 hours earlier and you can’t make it, that problem is yours to solve.

If you have missed flight insurance, you should contact your insurance provider. Depending on the situation, they might be able to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Croatia Airlines Delayed Flight > Missed Connection

Flight Cancellations

Other Situations

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