Norwegian Missed Connection Compensation

Norwegian missed connection compensation.

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

In the event of a missed flight connection with Norwegian, you may have the right to receive compensation. Your nationality, ticket price, and travel insurance coverage will not impact your eligibility for compensation since Norwegian is required to comply with specific regulations mandated by European Union laws. If compensation is deemed necessary, Norwegian is obligated to provide it.

You have the option to file a claim yourself or with a flight compensation company.

1. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation

If you miss your connecting flight with Norwegian, you may be entitled to compensation.

The laws governing these situations are straightforward.

1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation 

You arrived at your destination 3+ hours later, and it was due to the fault of Norwegian.

If your Norwegian flight was delayed and you missed your connecting flight, you may be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. If the airline is at fault for the delay, you can receive up to €600. Since Norwegian is a European airline, these rules apply to all their flights. It’s important to note that legally there is no specific compensation for missed connections on Norwegian flights, it falls under flight delay compensation.

To sum it up, you can get Norwegian flight compensation if:

• You arrive at your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled;
• Delay is due to the fault of Norwegian;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

The same rules apply to connecting flights. In this case, your destination is your final destination (not any of the layover airports).

Here’s an example. You have a connecting flight with Norwegian from Warsaw to Malaga via Oslo. Your final destination is Malaga. Oslo Airport is only a layover airport. If you have made it to Malaga 3 or more hours later due to the fault of Norwegian, you will be entitled to compensation for missed connection flight for the whole “Warsaw – Malaga” trip.

Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

The rules are similar as with flight delays.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, and you reach your final destination 3+ hours later than scheduled, and it’s due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation from Norwegian. Compensation amounts are: €250, €400, €600. The amount of compensation depends on the distance of your flight.

To sum up, you can get missed connection flight compensation if:

• Your previous flight is cancelled (or delayed) due to the fault of the airline;
• You reach your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled;
• The flight is to/from Europe.

Compensation will only be given for connecting flights and not for self-transfer flights. If you have booked separate flights (with one of different airlines), and one flight is cancelled, the airline is only responsible for that particular flight, not your other flight. Here’s an example: you have booked one flight with Norwegian and another with Ryanair. Unfortunately, Norwegian cancels their flight. Norwegian will only be responsible for their own flight. You may be able to receive compensation for the cancelled Norwegian flight, but Norwegian will not provide assistance for your Ryanair flight.

Want to claim 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

Extraordinary circumstances in aviation refer to events or situations that are outside the control of the airline, such as bad weather, pandemic, natural disasters, security risks, etc. If you have missed your connecting flight due to any of these events, you will not be entitled to compensation.

However, it’s recommended to verify any information you receive from the airline if you are uncertain. When it comes to refunds and compensation, it’s best to double-check all the information provided by the airline. Because not always airlines are telling the truth to their customers.

Alternatively, you can enlist the help of a flight compensation company to review your case and ensure that you receive accurate information. For example, technical problems with the aircraft are typically the responsibility of the airline, and not considered extraordinary circumstances. If the airline claims otherwise, it’s likely incorrect.

3. Right to Care

In many situations, you may have a right to care from Norwegian.

If your flight is delayed, cancelled or if you are denied boarding, you have the right to receive assistance. This also includes missed connection due to delay or cancellation.

Under the EU Regulation 261/2004, if you have to wait at the airport for your delayed/replacement flight, Norwegian has offer you certain services for free.

• After 3 hours of waiting Norwegian must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, plus two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes.
• In case of an overnight delay, free hotel accommodation must also be offered (+ free transfer).

In case of missed connection due to delay or cancellation, the airline is obligated to provide you with a new flight free of charge.

4. How to Claim Norwegian Flight Compensation?

There are two methods of claiming EU flight compensation.

The first one is to directly contact Norwegian and request compensation for your flight through their customer support center on their website. However, it may take several months, and negotiation with Norwegian might be required. It’s advisable to keep evidence of your delayed arrival time to support your claim.

The second option is to obtain legal representation, which offers a more straightforward solution. Legal professionals handle all aspects of the claim, and our partners offer such services. See below for more information.

Read more:

• Norwegian Compensation Claim Denied: What’s Next?
• Your Norwegian Refund Is Taking Forever? Here’s Your Plan of Action

4.1 How Long Does It Take?

How long does it typically take to receive compensation from an airline?

In general, it takes at least a couple of months. However, if your case needs to be referred to a national enforcement body or court, the process may take at least a couple more months, and in some instances, up to six or more months, which should be added to the standard 2-3 months.

Several factors can influence the length of time it takes to receive compensation. If the airline accepts your claim and agrees to pay compensation promptly, the process is usually quicker. However, if the airline disputes your claim, it could take longer, and you may need to go through a lengthy legal process to receive compensation. Moreover, the complexity of your case can also affect the time it takes to receive compensation since not all claims are the same.

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 Norwegian 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 Norwegian Voucher Refund or Cash?

Although Norwegian may offer you a voucher as compensation, it’s worth knowing that you can choose to decline the voucher and instead opt for a cash refund or bank transfer. Please note that airlines are required to provide compensation and flight cancellation refunds in cash or by bank transfer, and not in the form of vouchers. This is the law in Europe.

6. Connecting Flights

6.1 What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight involves taking two or more flights in succession, which requires passengers to change planes at some point during their journey rather than taking a direct flight from point A to point B. In such cases, point C becomes part of the itinerary, where passengers will fly from A to C and then from C to B. At times, there may be additional stops in between. The time spent at the airport between flights is typically referred to as a layover.

If the layover lasts for an extended period of time (over 24 hours), it is called a stopover.

There are two types of connecting flights:

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

6.2 Airline-Protected Transfer

How to determine if you have an airline-protected transfer?

Consider the following criteria:

• You have booked a connecting flight either directly through the airline or via a third-party service such as Kiwi, Expedia, or eDreams.
• Your itinerary comprises two or more flights, and you possess a single booking reference number for the entire trip. It’s important to note that this reference number should be from the airline’s booking system rather than the travel agent’s booking reference number.
• When you access the airline’s website to manage your booking, you can view the entire itinerary using this one reference number.

6.3 Self Transfer

How to tell if you have a self transfer?

If the flights were booked separately and each has its own reservation number, then it is considered a self transfer. If you paid for each flight separately, then it is also a self transfer.

Differentiating between a self transfer and an airline-protected connecting flight may be challenging at times. However, one way to distinguish between them is by checking the tickets. If each flight has its unique reservation or booking reference number, it is more likely a self transfer. Additionally, online travel agencies such as Kiwi or Expedia indicate if the flight is a self-transfer.

7. Missed Connection

A missed connection occurs when a passenger is unable to board their connecting flight. This usually happens when a passenger is late for their flight or if there is a delay or last-minute cancellation of their previous flight. If the layover or connection time is short, such as one or one-and-a-half hours, it can be easy to miss the next flight.

It’s important to note that airlines often offer protection to passengers who miss their connecting flights. In some cases, experiencing a delay may even be beneficial since passengers may 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 simplest and most secure option for passengers.

If passengers miss their connecting flight due to flight delay or cancellation, the airline will provide protection. In such instances, the airline will arrange for a new flight, and in some cases, provide compensation.

To address the issue, passengers can contact Norwegian representatives at the airport.

What about refunds and compensation?

It’s not possible to obtain a refund for a missed flight. However, if your flight falls under the EU Regulation 261/2004, you may be eligible for missed flight compensation for your entire journey (that’s the same as flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation).

Don’t forget to file a claim for compensation!

Connecting flight example: Warsaw to Malaga with a layover in Oslo. Your final destination is Malaga. Oslo Airport is only a layover airport. This connecting flight is booked from Norwegian, and all flight legs are under one booking reference number.

7.2 Self Transfer

Self transfer involves booking multiple flights separately.

If you miss a connection on a self transfer journey, neither airline is responsible for your entire journey or any missed flights. If any of these flights is 3+ hours late, cancelled or you are denied boarding, then you might be entitled to flight compensation for that particular flight. But the airline is not responsible for your second flight. If you miss it, you will need to book a new flight yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Norwegian Delayed Flight > Missed Connection

Flight Cancellations

Other Situations

Do you have any questions about Norwegian compensation policies? Ask in the comments.

Featured photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels