I missed my flight due to security delays – can I get compensation?

I missed my flight home because I waited for over an hour at security, can I claim compensation?

I arrived at the airport more than two hours before my flight, but due to the long queues I did not get to my gate on time and missed my flight.

As a result, I had to book a new flight myself, is there any way I can get my money back for the additional costs I have faced? LH, via email

This is Money’s Harvey Dorset responds: It’s understandable that you feel wronged. Paying for a new flight yourself when you missed the one you had previously booked through no fault of your own doesn’t seem like a fair decision.

This is especially the case if you arrived at the airport more than the recommended two hours before takeoff.

Unfortunately, things are not as simple as if your flight was cancelled or delayed, as the airline you booked with is not at fault as the delays were due to the security process.

This means that seeking compensation from the airline is highly unlikely to get you anywhere.

While the airport is to blame, they do not have refund policies for passengers who have missed flights. To get anywhere, you may even have to resort to the courts, which may not be worth it even if you win.

If the delay was due to the check-in counter staff, the airline will be liable. However, it may not be easy to get payment for this.

If you have taken out travel insurance, your policy may cover missed flights due to delays at security checks. When deciding which policy to take out, it is worth checking the details of what your insurance will pay for.

> What are your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled? Read our guide

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: In general, airports try to do everything possible to ensure smooth operations and offer passengers a comfortable journey. However, we recognize that sometimes problems arise.

In the event that a passenger misses a flight due to a long queue at security, even if they arrived at the airport on time, an airline is unlikely to pay them compensation or feel obliged to offer them a free alternative flight. However, in some cases, airlines do help passengers find alternative flights on a voluntary basis.

We recommend that passengers contact their travel agent or airline for assistance in booking an alternative flight, but they may be required to pay extra to do so.

If a passenger has purchased travel insurance, they should contact their insurance provider to see if their expenses are covered and should be sure to retain receipts for these.

Flightright legal expert Adam Johnson responds: If you missed your flight due to long queues at security, you are usually not entitled to compensation for the missed flight. The responsibility for allowing enough time to get through security lies with the passenger. However, there are certain steps you can take to recover the additional costs.

Contact the airline to explain your situation. While they are not obliged to provide you with compensation, they may offer assistance or a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill.

If you have travel insurance, check your policy to see if it covers missed flights due to security delays. Some policies include coverage for these types of situations.

Gather evidence that you arrived at the airport with enough time (e.g. time stamps on boarding passes, receipts). This documentation can support your case if you file a claim through your travel insurance or the airline.

You can use Flightright to check if your specific case might be eligible for any type of refund or assistance from the airline.