Do I have enough transfer time for my flight?

Do I have enough transfer time for my flight? It’s a question we receive every day. And for good reason: you want enough buffer in case of a delay, so you don’t miss your connecting flight.

Today is Payday at EUclaim. 635 passengers are receiving their compensation. Among them are four travellers who missed their connection in Salt Lake City. Their case revolved around one key issue: insufficient transfer time.

Four passengers, one missed connection

On 3 July 2019, these passengers were travelling with a connection in Salt Lake City. Their first flight was delayed. As a result, the remaining transfer time dropped below the official Minimum Connection Time (MCT) at that airport.

In simple terms: even if you walk fast, you’re not going to make it.

The airline tried to argue that the Minimum Connection Time is merely an administrative guideline. They also suggested the passengers had “taken too long” themselves.

But without evidence, that argument doesn’t hold up. You can’t simply blame passengers for missing a connection without substantiating it.

What did the court decide?

The court was clear. The passengers had sufficiently demonstrated that they missed their connection due to the delay of the first flight. The airline failed to provide a concrete alternative explanation.

In other words: if your transfer time falls below the official Minimum Connection Time because of a delay, the responsibility lies with the carrier – not with you as a passenger.

The claims were granted. And today, these four traveller are receiving their compensation.

What is the Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?

Every airport has an official Minimum Connection Time (MCT). This is the shortest realistic time needed to transfer from flight A to flight B.

It varies depending on the airport, terminal and type of flight:

• Usually between 35 and 150 minutes

At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, for example:

• 40–50 minutes for European flights
• 50–60+ minutes for intercontinental flights

Our advice? Always check the Minimum Connection Time of the airport before booking your ticket. Not every ticket seller pays close attention to it. And you don’t want your holiday to start with a sprint through the terminal, only to find out at the gate that your aircraft has already departed.

A comfortable transfer time gives you peace of mind. And if your connection is missed due to a delay of your first flight, we’re happy to check whether you’re entitled to compensation under EU261.