Smartwings missed connection compensation.
How much can you claim? What happens if you miss your flight?
When it comes to missing a connecting flight with Smartwings, you are generally not eligible to request compensation for missed connecting flight. This is because Smartwings does not offer connecting flights. When you book multiple flights with Smartwings, they are considered self-transfer flights, not connections. However, there is a possibility of being eligible for another type of EU flight compensation if one of your flights is disrupted.
You can file the compensation claim independently or opt for professional help.
Smartwings Connecting Flights
Are you entitled to Smartwings missed connection compensation?
No. Smartwings does not offer connecting flights. The airline only offers point-to-point flights. If you decide to book multiple flights with Smartwings, it’s important to note that these are seen as self-transfers. This basically implies that passengers will have to manage their own transfers.
What is a Self-Transfer?
A self-transfer is a type of air travel where passengers independently book multiple flights to reach their final destination. Unlike connecting flights, which are managed by the airline, self-transfers require passengers to handle their own check-in process for the subsequent flights and manage their checked baggage. This means that if the first flight is delayed or cancelled, resulting in a missed connection, the responsibility falls on the passenger rather than the airline.
Budget airlines which don’t offer connecting flights (e.g., Smartwings, Wizz Air, Ryanair) generally don’t provide compensation for missed self-transfers either. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure plenty of time between flights to handle any possible disruptions.
Smartwings Self-Transfer Flight Connection: What If You Miss a Flight?
Just as previously mentioned, Smartwings does not provide connecting flights.
What you’ve actually done is made a self-transfer booking, which includes two or more independent Smartwings flights. Each of these flights is reserved and paid for separately and each has its own distinctive booking reference number. It’s crucial to note that this is not a connection guaranteed by the airline.
And, no, you can’t get Smartwings missed connection compensation if you miss your next flight.
What happens if you miss your connection due to delay or cancellation?
1. Your First Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
In a scenario where your initial flight faces delay or cancellation resulting in a missed connection, it’s important to remember that you will not receive missed connection compensation.
However, you may have the right to care from Smartwings and compensation for the initial flight if it was delayed for three or more hours or cancelled last minute, and this disruption was within the airline’s control. The “right to care” incorporates meals and refreshments, two free calls, emails or faxes, and hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and place of accommodation (if necessary and if it’s an overnight wait).
You won’t get any of that if the delay is shorter, or if it isn’t a last-minute flight cancellation. In the case, if you miss your self-transfer, you will have to cover these expenses yourself.
In summary, you might be entitled to care and flight compensation (Smartwings flight delay compensation or Smartwings flight cancellation compensation). This applies to 3+ hour delays and last-minute flight cancellations because of the airline’s fault.
The amount of compensation is calculated based on the flight distance.
Read more:
- Your Smartwings Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
- How to Claim Smartwings Compensation?
- Your Smartwings Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your Smartwings Refund Is Taking Forever. Here’s What You Can Do
2. Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
This is a less stressful situation for you.
It’s not as concerning because you’ll probably reach your destination without any losses. In this case, you don’t need to book another flight or find accommodations because your airline will take care of these matters.
Here’s what you might need to do, depending on the circumstances:
- Flight cancellation. If your last flight is cancelled, you should approach the airline to get a new ticket for an alternative flight. Ensure it aligns with your original travel plans. It can also be a flight with a different airline. Alternatively, you can opt for a flight cancellation refund.
- Flight delay. In the event of a flight delay, you will have to wait until the rescheduled departure time of your flight.
If you find yourself waiting at the airport for three or more hours due to delay, you have a right to care. For delays over 3 hours, you are eligible for a free meal and complimentary refreshments. For longer delays that require an overnight stay, the airline is required to provide you with free hotel accommodation. They also have to arrange gratis transportation to and from the hotel.
Furthermore, if the flight issues are because of the airline’s fault, you may also be eligible for EU flight compensation. For more details, you can refer to our articles on Smartwings flight delay compensation and Smartwings flight cancellation compensation.
The same regulations apply to other budget airlines as well.
Smartwings Self-Transfer Flight: Different Airlines
Imagine you’ve chosen a self-transfer flight with Smartwings & Ryanair.
This type of journey comprises 2 parts: a Smartwings flight and a Ryanair flight.
Should you find yourself missing your connecting flight, it’s important to remember that the onus is on you, just as it would be for a Smartwings-only self-transfer. This is due to the nature of self-transfer flights. So, if your initial flight is delayed or cancelled (regardless of the airline operating it), leading to a missed connection, neither airline will assume responsibility for the missed connection.
The task of dealing with the situation and rescheduling a new flight will fall on your shoulders.
Nonetheless, there are circumstances where you might qualify for assistance from the airline. If your first flight is cancelled last minute (less than 2 weeks prior to departure) or delayed by three or more hours, you are entitled to care. If the issue is the airline’s fault, you may be eligible for compensation for that specific flight. It’s important to note that this compensation applies only to the individual flight, not the missed connection.
Smartwings Self-Transfer Flight: Baggage
Pondering on how baggage is handled during self-transfer flights?
This can be quite different from typical connecting flights, where your baggage is automatically transferred. With a self-transfer flight, you are responsible for transferring your own baggage. After each segment of your journey, you will need to collect and recheck your checked bag.
Given that self-transfer flights are not on a single ticket, your baggage will not be directly forwarded to your final destination.
If you’re journeying with checked baggage, it’s prudent to leave ample time between flights. This will allow for baggage collection, passport control (if needed), check-in for your next flight, baggage re-check, and the security screening process.
For those looking to sidestep this hassle, considering a self-transfer with only hand luggage could be a feasible choice. Budget airlines like Smartwings often don’t offer free baggage allowance. By avoiding checked baggage, you can save a lot on baggage charges, especially when flying multiple times with budget airlines.
When planning a self-transfer involving different airlines, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the specific baggage rules for each airline. Baggage policies can differ greatly between airlines.
Further reading:
How to Protect Yourself Against Smartwings Flight Delays and Cancellations?
Have you secured a Smartwings self-transfer flight?
How can you make this flight connection more secure?
What measures can be taken to ensure a safer Smartwings self-transfer connection?
One of the most effective strategies to protect yourself, particularly during a self-transfer flight, from potential flight disruptions is by taking out travel insurance that covers flight disruptions. Make sure your insurance policy covers these situations. Remember to secure it before any potential issues arise. Ideally, get it right after booking your flights.
This insurance can cover costs for missed flights, unused hotel reservations, bus or rail tickets, and any unexpected stays due to long flight delays or last-minute cancellations. Even if you’re eligible for flight compensation due to the airline’s fault, having insurance is still beneficial as it usually resolves issues quickly, whereas flight compensations can take several months to process.
For every trip, purchasing insurance is advised.
Smartwings Connecting Flights: FAQ
What Is a Smartwings Self-Transfer Flight?
A self-transfer flight with Smartwings entails booking two or more consecutive Smartwings flights. Suppose you wish to travel from Berlin to Madrid; you book a flight from Berlin to Prague and later another one from Prague to Madrid.
In this scenario, you are in charge of managing the transfer process independently. This includes the need to collect and recheck your baggage and the responsibility of arranging new travel plans if your connection is missed due to disruptions or cancellations on the initial flight.
How Many Hours Should Be Between Flights to Ensure a Safe Smartwings Connection?
Although the precise time can fluctuate based on a range of factors, a general guideline for self-transfer flights with Smartwings is to allow at least 3-4 hours between flights.
This allows enough time for collecting luggage, clearing your passport (if needed), checking in for your next flight, rechecking your baggage, and going through security control. Keep in mind, this is a general guideline and unexpected delays may happen.
Therefore, when scheduling self-transfer flights, especially those involving non-EU or non-UK destinations, it’s prudent to leave a more generous buffer.
How Do You Insure a Smartwings Self-Transfer Flight?
To ensure coverage for a Smartwings self-transfer flight, you should choose a comprehensive travel insurance policy that explicitly includes protection for flight disruptions such as delays, cancellations, and missed connections. This insurance can help cover the costs of missed flights, unused hotel reservations, bus or rail tickets, and any necessary accommodations resulting from significant flight delays or last-minute cancellations.
Insurance should be procured promptly following the booking of your flights to ensure they are covered. Flight changes and cancellations can occur unexpectedly, sometimes one or two months before the departure date.
As coverage levels differ among insurance providers, it’s essential to carefully read the terms and conditions to fully comprehend what is covered and what is not.
Do I Have to Buy Baggage for Every Smartwings Flight Separately?
When booking self-transfer flights, especially with budget airlines like Smartwings, remember to pay for baggage allowances for each individual flight. This is because each flight is treated as a separate journey.
Your baggage won’t be transferred automatically to your final destination as it would be in traditional connecting flights.
This is a crucial aspect to keep in mind when tallying up your total travel expenses. Always remember to check the specific baggage policies and fees of each airline before finalizing your bookings.
What is your experience with Smartwings connecting flights? Smartwings self-transfer flights? Have you ever missed a connecting flight due to Smartwings’s fault?