You have a Lufthansa — Ryanair self-transfer flight.
What happens if your first flight gets cancelled or delayed and you miss your next flight? Who is accountable in this case? Who will take care of the compensation? What are your rights in such situations? Continue reading to find out.
In this example, we will focus on Lufthansa and Ryanair self-transfer.
Self Transfer Flights: Definition
What is a self-transfer? What happens on self-transfer flights?
Self-transfer is when you manage the connection on your own.
It means that you have two or more consecutive flights booked separately, each with its own booking reference number. These connections are not covered by the airline(s) you are flying with because the flights are booked independently. Passengers with self-transfer arrangements have fewer protections compared to those travelling on an airline-protected connecting flight.
On a self-transfer flight, you must pick up and recheck your baggage and check in separately for each flight. You might have to pass through passport control to reach baggage claim and check-in counters.
Ryanair – Lufthansa Self-Transfer
You have booked two (or more) separate flights.
One of the flights is with Ryanair and the other one is with Lufthansa. What will happen if you miss one of your flights because the earlier flight was delayed or cancelled?
Let’s discuss two Lufthansa — Ryanair self-transfer flight scenarios.
1. Your First Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
To begin with, self-transfer flights are your own responsibility.
None of the airlines will take accountability if you miss your self-transfer flight.
In such a scenario, you will need to arrange a new flight to your destination and, if necessary, book a hotel room for yourself. You are responsible for these expenses. The cause of the delay or cancellation does not change this fact. It’s your responsibility that you didn’t make your connection. Keep this in mind and try to avoid scheduling flights with tight connections. Get yourself a travel insurance to protect your journey.
- If the airline is responsible for the delay or cancellation, you might be eligible for some services from the airline, though certain conditions must be met.
- If your first flight is cancelled at the last moment (less than 14 days before departure) or delayed due to the airline’s error, you might be able to receive compensation from the airline.
However, this applies only to the specific flight that was affected; you will not receive compensation for the missed connection.
Read more:
- Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation,
- Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation (the EU law applies to Ryanair as well)
2. Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
This is the least stressful situation.
In this situation, you will reach your destination without any additional expenses. You won’t have to book a new flight or find a hotel. All you need to do is:
- Get a new ticket from the airline if your flight is cancelled;
- Wait for your delayed flight if there’s a delay.
If you are waiting at the airport for 3 or more hours, you have the right to receive care from the airline. If you need to wait overnight, the airline will provide you with a free hotel stay and transfer. The regulations apply to all airlines operating in the EU. More information on this follows below.
To sum it all up – yes, you can get compensation from Lufthansa. Yes, you can also get compensation from Ryanair. But it only applies to their own flights and if they are responsible for the issue. If you missed a Lufthansa flight because of Ryanair (not Lufthansa), you will not get any compensation or assistance. The same applies if you miss a Ryanair flight because of Lufthansa.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Connection?
The best choice is to purchase a transfer that is protected by the airline (a regular connecting flight booked under one booking reference number).
However, this isn’t always possible. Another way to safeguard yourself from flight disruptions is by getting travel insurance that covers these situations.
Before purchasing a travel insurance policy, review what it includes. You’ll need a policy that offers travel disruption coverage. It will compensate you for missed flights, unused hotel bookings, and bus or train tickets, as well as enforced stays due to flight delays or cancellations.
Do you have a Lufthansa — Ryanair self-transfer flight? Buy travel insurance to protect your connection!
Right to Care
What should you do if you have to wait at the airport?
There is this EU flight compensation rule we discuss frequently on this website. It protects all travellers flying with any airline. With airlines like Lufthansa and Ryanair, it applies to all their flights going to and coming from Europe. Even if you aren’t eligible for compensation due to a missed connection, you might still have a right to care from Lufthansa or Ryanair.
If one of your flights gets cancelled or delayed, leaving you stuck at the airport for over 3 hours, you are entitled to receive care from the airline. The airline must take care of you. Regardless of the circumstances and whether it’s the airline’s fault or not.
- If you have to wait more than 3 hours, your airline should give you free food and drinks.
- If there’s an overnight delay, the airline must provide you with a free hotel room and transportation to it.
If any of your flights are cancelled less than 14 days before departure or delayed due to the airline’s fault, you can still receive compensation from the airline. There is a myth that you can’t get compensation if you accept free hotel accommodation or food. Remember, this is just a myth.
Read more:
- Right to Care (applies to both Lufthansa and Ryanair)
- Lufthansa Self-Transfer Flight Compensation
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels