Missing a connecting flight in Turkey can be stressful.

Especially if you are unsure which passenger rights apply. And, if you don’t know what the airline is required to do next.

The good news is that in most situations, clear rules exist, and your rights depend mainly on how your journey was booked and which airline operates the flight.

• If your connection is part of a single booking, you are usually protected. You contact the airline staff at the airport, and they help you.
• If it is not, your rights are very limited.

In this article, I’ll explain exactly what steps to take, when Turkish SHY Passenger Regulation applies, and when other rules may apply instead.

Summary: If your connection is part of a single booking, you are usually protected. You contact the airline staff at the airport, and they help you. You get a new flight, and may be entitled to flight delay compensation under the EU, UK or Turkish air passenger rights regulations. If it’s a self transfer – you will need to buy a new flight yourself, and may get compensation for the bad flight.

If It’s a Self-Transfer Flight

If you have a self-transfer flight in Turkey, your connection is not protected.

The same is true with 99% of self-transfer flights.

This is the same all around the world, not only in Turkey.

• If you book two or more flights separately, every flight is treated as a separate flight.
• If you miss one of these flights because of problems with another of your flights, you can’t get compensation for the missed connection or a new flight. Because no airline is responsible for that.

What about the flight you are missing? You will need to book a new flight.

At the same time, you may be entitled to flight compensation for the bad flight.

But only for that one flight, and only if the flight qualifies for flight compensation (under the UK261, EC261, or, for example, Turkish SHY Regulation).

What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight in Turkey?

If you’re having a proper connecting flight, not a self-transfer, you are protected. First, you’ll get a new flight. Second, you may also be entitled to flight compensation.

Here, I’m assuming that it wasn’t your fault. Otherwise, if you miss a flight and it’s due to your fault, this is your responsibility, not the airlines.

There are several possible scenarios.

Scenario 1: You Miss the Connection Because the First Flight Was Delayed

This is the most common situation.

If your first flight is delayed and you miss your connecting flight in Turkey:

• The airline is responsible for your journey
• You must be offered a replacement flight to your final destination

If the flight was from the EU or the UK and the delay was long, the airline must also provide*:

• Meals and refreshments
• Hotel accommodation (if you have to wait throughout the night)
• Transport between the airport and the hotel

This is called the “Right to care“.

If you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, you may also be entitled to financial compensation, provided the delay was caused by the airline and not extraordinary circumstances.

Scenario 2: You Miss the Connection Due to a Flight Cancellation

If your first flight is cancelled and this causes you to miss your connection in Turkey:

• The airline must offer you a rebooking or a refund
• If you choose rebooking, the airline must get you to your final destination. That means new flights must be offered (to replace the one that is canceled, and also the one or ones that you are going to miss as a result of that)
• If the flight is from the EU or the UK, care and assistance must be provided while you wait

You are also entitled to flight delay compensation if

• The cancellation was announced on short notice (up to 14 days before the planned date of departure), and
• The airline is responsible for the disruption. It’s their fault

Scenario 3: The Connection Time Was Too Short

Sometimes passengers miss a connection because the scheduled connection time is unrealistic, especially at busy airports like Istanbul.

If:

• All flights were booked on one ticket, and
• The connection time was set by the airline or booking system

Then, missing the connection is not your fault.

In this case:

• The airline must rebook you
• You may still qualify for compensation if the delay leads to a late arrival at your final destination

Scenario 4: Immigration, Security, or Airport Delays

If you miss a connecting flight because of:

• Long passport control queues
• Additional security checks
• Airport operational delays

Then, your rights depend on the specific situation.

If these checks were:

• Required as part of the transfer, and
• The connection was sold as one booking

Then, the airline may still be responsible.

However, compensation is less likely if the delay was caused by:

• Border control authorities
• Security services outside the airline’s control

In this case, your rights to compensation will depend on whether it can be considered the airline’s fault or not. It’s always worth checking.

Does Turkish SHY Regulation Apply to Missed Connections?

Turkish SHY Passenger Regulation may apply if:

• Your journey starts in Turkey, or
• The flights are operated by a Turkish airline, or
• The missed connection happens on a domestic segment within Turkey (you are flying from Turkey to Turkey, via Turkey)

If SHY does not apply, other rules such as EU261 or UK261 may apply instead, depending on the route and airline.

The practical outcome is often similar: rebooking, care, and possibly compensation.

Read more: When Does Turkish SHY Regulation Apply and When It Does Not?

What You Should Do at the Airport If You Are Missing a Connecting Flight? (Important)

If you miss a connecting flight in Turkey:

• Go to the airline transfer desk immediately
• Do not leave the airport without instructions if rebooking is possible

Keep:

• Boarding passes
• Booking confirmation
• Delay or cancellation notifications (email, sms, or written confirmation)

Avoid paying for a new flight unless the airline clearly refuses assistance.

Featured photo by Alireza Akhlaghi