Let’s talk about Wizz Air’s self-transfer flight compensation rules.
Travelling can be stressful, especially when self-transferring between flights. What happens if you miss your connection? Are you entitled to compensation? And what does it even mean to have a self-transfer flight? In this guide, we answer all of those questions, ensuring you know your rights and how to claim what’s rightfully yours.
Understanding Self-Transfer Flights
What is a Self-Transfer Flight?
A self-transfer flight involves booking two or more flights separately rather than buying a single connecting flight.
As the name suggests, this means you are responsible for this transfer. It’s your responsibility to make it in time for the other flight or flights, collect and re-check the baggage, etc.
Unlike with airline-protected connecting flights, no airline is responsible for ensuring you catch your next flight.
Why Choose Self-Transfer?
Imagine – you can choose from ALL flights.
You take one flight from London to Paris, and then another flight from Paris to elsewhere. There are SO MANY options when you don’t limit yourself to just one airline.
Self-transfer flights offer greater flexibility and potential cost savings.
You can choose your preferred airlines, layover times, and routes. However, the risk is higher because you are responsible for any missed connections.
Potential Risks of Self-Transfer Flights
The primary risk is missing your connecting flight.
If your first flight is delayed or cancelled, causing you to miss your next flight, you’ll need to cover the costs of rebooking flights and possibly accommodations. Travel insurance that covers trip interruptions can mitigate these risks.
What If You Have a Wizz Air Self-Transfer Flight?
The rules are the same as with other airlines – it’s your responsibility to make it on time. No matter what kind of self-transfer that is:
- Wizz Air – Wizz Air flight
- Wizz Air – another airline flight
- another airline – Wizz Air flight
In all situations, every one of those flights is considered a separate flight. If one of those flights is delayed or cancelled, the airline is not going to be responsible for the other flight or flights.
The Reality of Missed Connections
When you miss a self-transfer connection due to a delay or cancellation, the airline you’re travelling with is not liable. You’ll need to book a new flight yourself. If the wait is overnight, expect to cover hotel accommodations as well.
Always consider the potential costs and have a backup plan in place.
Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled (the Best Scenario)
This is the less stressful scenario.
Because in this case, you will get to your destination without any significant financial losses. Because you won’t need to book a new flight to do so. And you won’t need to book yourself into a hotel.
All you will have to do is to:
- Get a new ticket from the airline in case of flight cancellation;
- Wait for your delayed flight in case of flight delay.
Apart from that, if you have to wait at the airport for 3 or more hours, you will also be entitled to receive care from the airline operating this one flight. If you have to wait overnight, the airline must provide you with a free hotel stay and transfer. The rules are the same with all airlines operating in the EU. More on this further below.
Read more: Wizz Air — Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight: Who Is Going to Pay Compensation?
You Can Get Compensation for a Bad Flight (but not for the Connection)
In Europe, you have this right.
- If your first flight is cancelled last minute (less than 14 days before departure), and it’s due to the airline’s fault, you can get compensation.
- If your flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, and it’s due to the airline’s fault, you can get compensation.
But only for this one flight, not for the whole connection.
If only the last flight is delayed or cancelled, it may also be financially beneficial to you. You may get more in compensation than what you paid for the flight.
You Have a Right to Care (Sometimes)
Yes, your connection is not protected.
However, with every separate flight, you still have all the rights.
This means that, for example, if the flight is delayed for 8 hours and overnight or cancelled and the new flight is only on the next day, you still have a right to care from the airline while waiting for this problem to be solved – waiting for a flight to depart/waiting for the new flight.
Make sure to contact the airline if they aren’t offering you anything. The same goes for free assistance and also flight compensation and refunds.