You have a KLM — Ryanair self-transfer flight.
What happens if your flight is cancelled or delayed and you miss the following flight? Who is going to be responsible in such a situation? Who is going to cover the compensation?
In this article, we will discuss who is responsible for covering compensation when stuck in this situation. For this example, we use KLM and Ryanair.
Self Transfer Flights: Definition
What is a self-transfer? What are your rights on self-transfer flights?
Self-transfer means arranging your flight connections.
It’s when you book two or more consecutive flights separately, each with its own booking reference number. These connections are not guaranteed by the airline/airlines you are flying with. This is simply because the flights are booked independently. People who choose self-transfer have less protection compared to those travelling on an airline-protected connecting flight.
On a self-transfer flight (including KLM — Ryanair self-transfer flight), you have to collect and recheck your baggage, go through passport control and check in for each of the flight legs separately.
Ryanair – KLM Self-Transfer
You have booked two (or more) separate flights.
One of these flights is with Ryanair and the other one is operated by KLM. What will occur if you miss one of your flights due to a delay or cancellation of the first flight?
1. Your First Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
First and foremost, managing your KLM — Ryanair self-transfer flight is your responsibility.
None of the airlines will be liable if you miss your next flight.
In such a situation, you will need to purchase a new ticket to reach your final destination and, if necessary, secure accommodation. These costs will be at your own expense. The reason for the delay or cancellation does not change this fact. It’s your responsibility if you don’t make it to your connecting flight. Keep this in mind and try to avoid short layover periods when planning your journey.
- If your flight is delayed or cancelled by the airline, you might be eligible to receive some services from them, but some conditions apply.
- If your first flight gets cancelled at the last minute (within 14 days of departure) or is delayed due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline.
However, this will only apply to the specific flight in question, and it will be processed afterwards; you will not receive compensation for the missed connection.
Read more:
- KLM Flight Delay Compensation,
- KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation (the EU law applies to Ryanair as well)
2. Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
It’s a less stressful situation.
In this case, you will still reach your destination without any losses. You won’t have to book a new flight, and you won’t need to find a hotel room for yourself.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Get a new ticket from the airline if your flight is cancelled;
- Wait for your delayed flight if it’s just delayed.
If you need to wait at the airport for 3 or more hours, you are entitled to receive care from the airline. If you need to stay overnight, the airline must provide you with a free hotel stay and transport. The rules are the same with all airlines operating in the EU. More details on this can be found further below.
To sum it all up – yes, you can get compensation from KLM. Yes, you can also get compensation from Ryanair. But only for their flight and if they are at fault. If you missed a KLM flight because of Ryanair flight delays (not KLM), you will not get any compensation or assistance. The same applies if you miss a Ryanair flight because of KLM flight delays.
How to Make Your KLM — Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight Safer?
The best option is to purchase a protected transfer (a regular KLM connecting flight).
However, this isn’t always possible. Another way to safeguard against flight disruptions is by securing travel insurance that covers missed self-transfer flights.
Before purchasing a travel insurance policy, review what it covers. You will need insurance that includes travel disruption coverage. This type of insurance will compensate you for missed flights, unused hotel reservations, and bus or rail tickets, as well as enforced stays caused by flight delays or cancellations.
Read more: KLM Missed Connection Compensation (if you have a regular connecting flight)
Right to Care
What happens if you have to wait at the airport?
There is this European flight compensation regulation we mention frequently on this site. It covers all passengers flying with any airline. With airlines like KLM and Ryanair, it applies to all their flights arriving in or departing from Europe. Even if you are not eligible for compensation due to a missed connection, you may still have a right to care from KLM or Ryanair.
If any of your flights are cancelled or delayed, and you are stuck at the airport for longer than 3 hours, you have the right to receive care from the airline. The airline must ensure you are looked after, regardless of the reason for the delay or cancellation, and whether it is the airline’s fault or not.
- If your wait is 3+ hours, your airline has to give you free meals and drinks.
- If the delay means staying overnight — a free hotel room and a ride to get there.
If any of your flights are cancelled less than 14 days before you are supposed to fly or delayed because of the airline’s fault, you might also get compensation from the airline. There is a common misconception — you cannot get compensation if you accept a free hotel room or a free meal. Keep in mind, that this is just a myth.
Remember, you have the right to care if your flight is delayed or canceled. Airlines won’t provide care if you miss your self-transfer flight. However, if you have a proper connecting flight (booked under one reference number), you’re entitled to care during a wait resulting from the missed connection.
Read more:
- Right to Care (applies to both KLM and Ryanair)
- KLM Self-Transfer Flight Compensation