SmartLynx missed connection compensation.
Are you entitled to compensation? What happens if you miss your flight?
If you miss a connecting flight with SmartLynx, you won’t usually qualify for missed connecting flight compensation. This is because SmartLynx doesn’t offer connecting flights. When you book multiple flights, and one of them is with SmartLynx, this journey is considered a self-transfer flight. Essentially, you are responsible for transferring with SmartLynx. However, you may be entitled to EU flight compensation for the SmartLynx flight that’s delayed or cancelled last-minute.
You have the option to file the claim by yourself or hire professional help.
SmartLynx Connecting Flights
Are you entitled to SmartLynx missed connection compensation?
SmartLynx does not offer connecting flights. So, you can’t get any compensation for a missed connection.
SmartLynx’s main goal is to provide direct routes to various destinations. If you choose to book multiple flights with SmartLynx, please note that these are considered self-transfer flights. This means passengers are responsible for managing their own transfers.
What is a Self-Transfer?
A self-transfer is a type of air travel where passengers book separate flights to reach their final destination. Unlike connecting flights managed by the airline, self-transfers require passengers to handle their own baggage and check-in procedures for subsequent flights. This means that if the first flight is delayed or cancelled, resulting in a missed second flight, the passenger is held accountable instead of the airline.
It is therefore crucial to allow adequate time between flights to handle potential disruptions.
Many budget airlines, such as SmartLynx, generally do not offer airline-protected connecting flights. Thus, compensation for missed self-transfers is not applicable.
SmartLynx Self-Transfer Flight Connection: What If You Miss a Flight?
SmartLynx does not offer connecting flights.
This means that your booking consists of two or more separate flights, and one (or both) of them is a SmartLynx flight. Each flight is booked and paid for independently, and each has a unique booking reference number. It’s crucial to understand that the airline does not protect this type of connection.
And, no, you can’t get SmartLynx missed connection compensation if you miss your next flight.
What happens if your connection is missed due to a delay or cancellation?
1. Your First Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
Should your initial flight be delayed or cancelled leading to a missed connection, it’s important to realize that missed connection compensation won’t be provided.
However, SmartLynx may offer care and compensation for the first flight if it was delayed for three hours or more or cancelled at the last minute, and this disruption was under the control of the airline. The “right to care” encompasses meals and refreshments, two complimentary calls, emails or faxes, and hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and place of accommodation (if an overnight stay is necessary).
You won’t get any of that, if the delay is shorter, and it isn’t a flight cancellation. In this case, if you miss a connection, you will also have to cover these expenses yourself.
In brief, you may be eligible for care and flight compensation (SmartLynx flight delay compensation or SmartLynx flight cancellation compensation). This applies to delays of 3+ hours and last-minute flight cancellations that were the fault of the airline.
The amount of compensation is based on the flight distance.
Read more:
- Your SmartLynx Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
- How to Claim SmartLynx Compensation?
- Your SmartLynx Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your SmartLynx Refund Is Taking Forever. What To Do?
2. Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
If your final flight is delayed or cancelled, you are in a better situation.
It’s less daunting, and you’ll likely reach your final destination without any losses. In this scenario, you won’t need to book a new flight or find accommodation, as your airline will handle these aspects.
Here’s what you might need to do, depending on the circumstances:
- Flight cancellation. If your last flight is cancelled, you should contact the airline to get a ticket for another flight. It should align with your initial travel plans. It can be a flight with another airline. Alternatively, you can request a flight cancellation refund.
- Flight delay. If there’s a flight delay, you’ll have to wait until your flight’s rescheduled departure time.
If you’re at the airport waiting for three hours or more due to a delay, you have a right to care. If the delay lasts 3+ hours, you’re eligible for a free meal and refreshments. If the delay necessitates an overnight stay, the airline must provide you with free hotel accommodation. They also need to arrange free transportation to and from the hotel.
If the flight disruption is due to the airline’s fault, you could also be eligible for European flight compensation. For more details, you can refer to our articles on SmartLynx flight delay compensation and SmartLynx flight cancellation compensation.
These same laws apply to other budget airlines as well.
SmartLynx Self-Transfer Flight: Different Airlines
Assume you have a self-transfer flight with SmartLynx & Ryanair.
The self-transfer includes 2 flights: one with SmartLynx and another with Ryanair.
Should you miss your connection, the responsibility lies with you. If your first flight is delayed or cancelled, regardless of the airline, and you miss your next flight, neither airline can be held responsible for the missed connection.
You’d need to navigate through the situation and organize a replacement flight.
However, there may be scenarios where you could ask for help from the airline. If your flight gets cancelled or delayed by three or more hours, you’re entitled to care. If it’s the airline’s fault, you may be eligible for compensation for that flight. However, please note that this compensation only applies to the affected flight and doesn’t cover missed connections.
SmartLynx Self-Transfer Flight: Baggage
Thinking about baggage handling during self-transfer flights?
In this process, there’s a significant difference compared to standard connecting flights. Unlike those, where your baggage is automatically forwarded for you, during a self-transfer flight, you are responsible for transferring your checked baggage. After each leg of your journey, you need to retrieve and recheck your bags.
Given that self-transfer flights are not on a single ticket, your baggage won’t be automatically sent to your end destination.
If you’re travelling with checked baggage, make sure to allow plenty of time between your flights. You’ll need enough time to collect your bags, go through passport control (if necessary), check in for your next flight, recheck your baggage, and pass through security.
For those wishing to circumvent the hassle, opting for a self-transfer with only carry-on baggage can be the best option.
When organizing a self-transfer involving different airlines, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand each airline’s specific baggage policies. As baggage rules can drastically differ among airlines.
Read more:
How to Protect Yourself Against SmartLynx Flight Delays and Cancellations?
Have you booked a SmartLynx self-transfer flight?
How can you protect this flight connection?
How can you make a SmartLynx self-transfer connection more safe?
One of the best ways to protect yourself, particularly during a self-transfer flight, against possible flight disruptions is to purchase travel insurance that covers flight disruptions. Make sure that your insurance policy specifically includes coverage for such situations. It is important to remember to purchase it prior to any potential issues arising. Ideally, you should make the purchase right after booking your flights.
This type of insurance can provide compensation for missed flights, unused hotel stays, bus or rail tickets, and any enforced stays due to lengthy flight delays or last-minute flight cancellations. Even if you are entitled to flight compensation due to the airline’s fault, your insurance will still come in handy as it typically deals with issues immediately, whereas flight compensations may take several months to process.
It’s recommended to purchase insurance for every trip.
SmartLynx Connecting Flights: FAQ
What Is a SmartLynx Self-Transfer Flight?
A SmartLynx self-transfer flight scenario is when you book multiple (separate) consecutive flights with SmartLynx. Alternatively, it occurs when you plan a trip where one of the flights is operated by SmartLynx, and the subsequent flight is operated by a different airline.
In these situations, you are responsible for managing the transfer process yourself. This means you’ll have to collect and check in your baggage again, and in case of any delays or cancellations on the initial flight, you’ll need to organize your new travel plans yourself.
How Many Hours Should Be Between Flights to Ensure a Safe SmartLynx Connection?
For self-transfer flights with SmartLynx, it’s generally recommended to allow a minimum of 3 hours between flights. The actual timing may vary depending on various factors.
This time frame allows for various tasks like collecting baggage, passport control (if required), checking in for the next flight, rechecking baggage, and going through security control. Keep in mind that this is a general guideline and unexpected delays can happen.
Hence, when you’re planning self-transfer flights, particularly those involving journeys to countries outside the EU and UK, it’s beneficial to schedule more time.
How Do You Insure a SmartLynx Self-Transfer Flight?
To ensure coverage for a SmartLynx self-transfer flight, you can purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes specific provisions for flight disruptions such as delays, cancellations, and missed connections. This type of insurance may compensate for missed flights, unused hotel bookings, unused bus or rail tickets, and any necessary accommodations due to significant flight delays or last-minute cancellations.
The key is to secure the insurance right away post booking your flights to ensure you’re covered. Remember, flight changes and cancellations can happen unpredictably, even one or two months before the departure date.
Insurance providers offer different coverage levels, so it’s essential to go through the terms and conditions in detail to understand what’s included and what’s not.
Do I Have to Buy Baggage for Every SmartLynx Flight Separately?
When booking self-transfer flights, you need to pay for baggage allowances for each flight separately. This is because each flight is treated as a separate journey.
Your baggage will not be forwarded automatically to your final destination as is the case with conventional connecting flights.
Keep this in mind when calculating your travel expenses. Remember to review the baggage charges and rules of each airline before booking.
What is your experience with SmartLynx connecting flights? SmartLynx self-transfer flights? Have you ever missed a connecting flight due to SmartLynx‘s fault?