We travelled on QR110 on 12th December (scheduled arrival at 01:10) and had an onward connection at 0200 from DOH-ISB on QR614.

There was a 25min delay to our departure due to ATC delays at LHR but we landed at DOH at 0113 (only 3min late).

On board approx 1hr before landing I saw on my app that we had automatically been scheduled onto the next DOH-ISB flight QR632 (approx 18hrs later).

We deplaned via stairs and we entered the terminal at 0155 (40min after landing) by which time all 21 pax for ISB were directed to transfer desks for hotel vouchers etc.

I’ve made a claim for EU261 and QR have cited extraordinary circumstances due to the ATC delay at LHR.

However, landing of the ATC-affected flight was only 3min after the scheduled time, and they could have made the connecting flight wait for us (I’m guessing that connecting flight was probably overbooked so they didn’t mind leaving on time without us), or had we parked at an air bridge / been taken off the plane first, we would have made the affected flight (probably a number of other operational steps QR COULD take if they wanted).

The 25min / 3min ATC delay resulted in a consequent 18hr delay.

Is QRs extraordinary circumstance valid or should I push back and if so, how?