QUALIFY IT
The rule agents get wrong
A connecting itinerary booked as one journey counts as one flight in law (Folkerts, C-11/11). The compensation band follows the total distance from first origin to final destination, and the delay that matters is the arrival delay at that final destination.
The small leg’s fault, the whole journey’s money. This is the single most valuable thing on this page.
THE MONEY
What is it worth?
£220
Under 1,500 km
£350
1,500–3,500 km
£520
Over 3,500 km
Per passenger, measured on the journey’s great-circle distance.
Banded on total great-circle distance from first origin to final destination. Edinburgh–Heathrow–New York is a £520 itinerary even though the delayed leg was 530 km.
THE PUSHBACK
What BA will say
Expect the claim to be assessed against the delayed leg alone — a short hop, small band, or no compensation at all. Answer with Folkerts and the single-booking evidence.
If the connection was missed because of a re-timed feeder rather than a delay, the cancellation rules may apply instead. Check which one you are arguing.
THE EDGE
What’s specific to British Airways
Heathrow connections are where BA claims concentrate: the feeder slips, the long-haul goes without them, and the rebooking lands the next morning.
A same-ticket BA-to-BA misconnection is unambiguous. If a partner operated the delayed leg, that operating carrier owes — check the metal before you address the letter.
Six years to file in England and Wales, and CEDR arbitration free after eight weeks — a long runway for a claim agents often never make.
THE PLAY
How do you file it?
Prove one booking: a single PNR or ticket number covering both legs.
Claim on the total distance and the final arrival delay, citing Folkerts.
Diary eight weeks, then CEDR.
Or forward the booking confirmation to MyAirAdvocate and this claim is prepared for you — flights watched, the missed connection detected, evidence assembled, deadlines tracked.
See how it works →AGENTS ASK
Questions agents ask
The legs were on separate tickets — same claim?
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No. Separate tickets are separate journeys and the protection breaks at the ticket boundary. Worth knowing before you build an itinerary that way.
BA rebooked them the same day — still claimable?
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Yes, if the final arrival was three or more hours late.
Which airline owes on a codeshare connection?
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The operating carrier of the leg that caused the delay.
Distance measured from where?
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First origin to final destination, great circle, ignoring the connecting point.
Does a tight legal connection time matter?
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If the itinerary was sold with a legal connection, the airline accepted it. The delay is still the airline’s.
General information for travel professionals, not legal advice. Compensation depends on the facts of each disruption and the airline’s evidence. MyAirAdvocate prepares claims; it does not represent passengers and takes no percentage of any compensation.