Originally Posted by
staciemalkus
Thank you so much for your help!
Unfortunately I booked the trip on 2 tickets because I wasn't able to combine them. See below:
That's not usually called a "connection". Some people call it self-connecting. When you do this you assume all the risk.
Additional details: Flight 1 was only delayed 42 minutes BUT I had to reclaim my bags and the bags took another 45 minutes to come out! Even though I had a TWO HOUR connection time in Stockholm, it wasn't enough.
It's too late now, but 2hr is nowhere near enough trying when self connecting, especially if you will have to reclaim bags. 45 minute delays are common, and the first airline doesn't owe you anything for such a short delay.
This all seems incredibly unfair since I had booked myself with a 2 hour connection and if it wasn't for. their delay, I would have easily made my connecting flight.
I can see how you would feel that way, but it is fair. The airline doesn't take any responsibility for short delays.
I would ask the 2nd airline (BA) if it's possible to retain the value of the 2nd ticket for future travel.
As far as future advice goes, remember that if you are going to self connect you bear all risk of missing the connection. So, you can live dangerously (as you did). It will usually work out but when it doesn't you will have to pay a fair amount of extra money. Another option is to give yourself a lot of extra time to make your flight. Overnighting is usually pretty safe (though not without cost). If you don't want to spend the night there, I would allow at least 4-5 hours, particularly if you need to pick up bags. You should also make sure that your second flight is either refundable or easy to change. You will usually need to do this before your flight departs.
The easiest option is just to book one ticket, even though it might be more expensive or add more travel time. You say that it was not possible to combine into one ticket, but it's certainly possible to get from VBY to JNB on one ticket. A quick search shows that Swiss sells these tickets, for example. It requires a 2nd connection, but in exchange for that inconvenience your whole trip is protected against mishaps like this.
It's really up to you -- there is no "right" answer. You need to decide how much risk you are willing to take in exchange for added convenience.