Many budget airlines don’t have connecting flights.
Besides that, they don’t collaborate with full-service airlines.
If you need a connecting flight with low-cost airlines, oftentimes the only option is to book a self-transfer. This can involve one or more airlines. Let’s say you have two separate flights. One with Wizz Air and another with Ryanair. This is just one scenario among many. So, what if your first flight gets cancelled or delayed and you miss the next one? Who will be responsible in this case? Who will pay for the inconvenience?
In this example, we are using Wizz Air and Ryanair.
The regulations are similar to other airlines.
Check your compensation online.
Self Transfer Flights: Definition
What does a self-transfer mean? Self-transfer flights?
A self-transfer flight means you plan the connection yourself.
It’s when you book two or more consecutive flights on your own separately, each with different booking reference numbers. These connections are not protected by the airline or airlines you are travelling with because you have booked the flights separately. This means passengers with self-transfer have fewer protections than those on airline-protected connecting flights.
Ryanair – Wizz Air Self-Transfer
You have booked multiple flights separately.
One flight is with Ryanair, and another is with Wizz Air. What happens if you miss a flight because your earlier flight was delayed or cancelled?
1. Your First Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
Firstly, it is your responsibility to manage a self-transfer.
None of the airlines are liable if you miss a flight.
In this scenario, you have to arrange a new flight to your destination, and if necessary, book a hotel stay. This responsibility is yours. It will be an out-of-pocket expense. The cause of the delay or cancellation does not matter here. You must ensure enough time for your connecting flights. Keep this in mind and avoid booking flights with short connection times.
- If your flight is delayed or cancelled by the airline, you may be eligible for certain services, under certain conditions.
- If your first flight is cancelled at the last minute (less than 14 days before departure) or delayed because of the airline’s fault, you could get compensation from them.
But this applies only to that specific flight and afterwards; you won’t be compensated for the missed connection.
Check your compensation online.
Read more:
- Ryanair Flight Delay Compensation,
- Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation (the EU law applies to Wizz Air as well)
2. Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
This is the less troublesome situation.
In this scenario, you will arrive at your destination without any setbacks. There will be no need to purchase another flight ticket. No need to independently book a hotel.
All you will need to do is:
- Get a new ticket from the airline in case of flight cancellation;
- Wait for your delayed flight in case of a delay.
If you have to wait at the airport for 3 or more hours, you have the right to care from the airline. If you have to stay overnight, the airline must give you a free hotel room and transfer. These regulations are the same for all airlines in the EU. More details about this can be found later below.
Overall – yes, you can receive compensation from Ryanair. And you can receive compensation from Wizz Air. This applies only to their specific flight and only if they are responsible for the issue. If you miss your Ryanair flight due to a delay or issue with Wizz Air, you will not be eligible for any compensation or assistance from Ryanair. The same rules apply if you miss a flight with Wizz Air because of Ryanair.
Check your compensation online.
Photo from Pexels
How to Protect Yourself and Your Connection?
The best choice is to purchase an airline-protected transfer.
But this isn’t always possible. Another way to safeguard yourself against flight issues is by getting travel insurance that covers these problems.
Before buying a travel insurance policy, check what it covers. You’ll need insurance that covers travel disruptions. It will compensate you for missed flights, unused hotel stays, and bus or train tickets, as well as stays forced by flight delays or cancellations.
Even if you are qualified for flight delay or cancellation compensation, insurance can still be useful. Mostly, insurance companies resolve these problems much faster. On the other hand, it may take several months, and sometimes up to 2-3 years, to get your money directly from the airline.
Right to Care
What happens if you have to wait at the airport?
There is this EU flight compensation rule we often mention on this site. It offers protection for all passengers flying with any airline. With airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair, this regulation covers all their flights to and from Europe. Even if you might not be eligible for compensation due to a missed connecting flight, you might still have a right to care from Ryanair or Wizz Air.
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, leaving you stranded at the airport for over three hours, you have the right to receive care from the airline. The airline is responsible for taking care of you. Regardless of the situation, and whether it’s the airline’s fault or not.
- If you have to wait more than 3 hours, your airline must give you free meals and drinks.
- For overnight delays, free hotel accommodation and transportation are provided.
If any of your flights is cancelled less than 14 days before the flight date or delayed due to the airline’s fault, you may also receive compensation from the airline. There’s a myth — you can’t get compensation if you accept free hotel accommodation or a free meal. Remember, that’s just a myth.
Read more:
- Right to Care (applies to both Ryanair and Wizz Air)
- Wizz Air Self-Transfer Flight Compensation
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels