Times when you miss a flight, it becomes really hectic, and your brain gets clueless. Although travelling is an exciting adventure, it also revolves around unexpected challenges, one of which is missed flights. It is obvious that one becomes stressed, whether it’s a delayed connection, unforeseen circumstance or simply a last-minute rush at the airport.
As a passenger, you must know how to tackle and come out of these situations. Get all the valuable information regarding airlines missed flight policies and your options for rebooking, compensation and more. Be prepared and not overwhelmed in these times.
Explore all the possibilities of getting an alternative option for your airline's missed flight at the Get Human Desk. Connect with our travel team at +1-833-930-2006 and get assistance catching up on another plane if you missed the last one. Don’t worry; just give us a call.
Airlines Rebooking Policy For Missed Flights- Flat Tire Rule
If you miss a flight or a connection, you must immediately report to your airline. Your options here are to get the next available flight, rebook, purchase another ticket, or cancel your plan. Now that your ticket got wasted, are you eligible for compensation or a refund? It depends on the type of your ticket and why you missed your flight. Reasons can be your personal ones or due to inconvenience from the airline's side.
Condition 1: If Airlines Cause Your Missed Flight
When the airlines are at fault for your missed flight, you will receive fair compensation. The immediate effort of the airline is to rebook another flight for you or put you on standby. Otherwise, they will reimburse your ticket amount to your original payment form.
What is the Airlines Missed Connection Policy?
- When you have connection flights booked on the same itinerary, and you miss one, you can rebook.
- Airlines usually assign you the next flight available based on what leads you to miss the second flight.
- This applies when you have already taken the first flight but missed the second one due to long security, customs, or immigration lines.
- However, you must check that your connecting flight is booked using the same itinerary.
- If the connection was reserved on separate tickets, the operating airline of the second flight is not responsible for any delays caused by your first flight.
What will be your Missed Flight Compensation for Delays?
Flights missed from the airline's side are often caused by weather disruptions, operation or technical reasons, government orders, overbooked flights, and other factors that cannot be controlled.
Grounds for which you can claim compensation for your missed flight connection:
- Your connection was missed because of a flight delay, cancellation or overbooking.
- Due to a missed connection, you arrived more than 3 hours later than expected at your destination.
- You booked your connections on the same reservation.
- The airline's fault, such as a staff shortage or technical issues, caused you to miss the connection.
Flight Delay Compensation for Missed Connections based on Delay in Time:
| Flight Length |
Less than 3 hours (in $) |
3 – 4 hours (in $) |
More than 4 hours (in $) |
| All flights 1,500 km or less |
-- |
199-229 |
199-229 |
| Domestic flights over 1,500 km |
-- |
299-349 |
299-349 |
| International flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km |
-- |
299-349 |
299-349 |
| International flights over 3,500 km |
-- |
249-299 |
499-549 |
Condition 2: If You Missed Your Flight
Passengers who miss their flight due to traffic, rush, or delay lose their ticket value. However, you can ask for rebooking options, which will cost you a fee unless you have a specified reason for missing your flight. It can be:
- Weather issues
- Public Transit issues
- Extraordinary circumstances beyond your control.
*If you come across an extraordinary circumstance, you must provide proper evidence or documents to be eligible for compensation.
Airlines No-Show Policy
If you simply arrive late after your flight or you don’t show up at all for your flight, the airline cancels your flight. Plus, you did not cancel your reservation beforehand or inform your airlines. Thus, you are taken under the No-Show Policy and lose the entire value of your ticket.
- You cannot get a refund, especially if you have a non-refundable fare type.
- Subsequently, all remaining flights on your itinerary, like connections, get cancelled.
- Although, if you have a refundable ticket, your airline might allow a reimbursement.
- No-show policies are different for Government Fares and a lot less strict.
Missed Your Flight? What to Do Now?
Sometimes, even after you’ve checked in, you still miss your flight. It happens to many of us. Here’s what your Missed Flight Procedure should be.
- Inform Your Airlines—The first step should be contacting the airline agents present at the gate. You may either call or use your mobile app to reach out. Ask for a seat on the Next Available Flight.
- Know the Rebooking Policy – Inquire about rebooking fees and rules or pay for the fare difference. It solely depends on which airline you bought the ticket from and the nature of the ticket.
- Research Yourself—If you can’t get a confirmed rebooking, ask to be placed on standby. Some carriers allow travellers to stand by for free.
- Alternatively, you can search for flights that suit your travel needs.
- You may find available seats on budget flights and purchase a new ticket.
Pro tip: If you are enrolled in an airline's frequent flyer program, check your miles to see if they can be used for a last-minute deal. Furthermore, you can check your travel insurance and credit cards to see if they offer any perks for rebooking.
Missed Flight Refund Process
If you miss your flight due to unusual circumstances or the airline caused your missed flight or connection flight, you are entitled to a refund or compensation.
- Check your airlines missed flight policies. You can find the information on their website or contact their customer support number: +1-833-930-2006.
- Collect your documents—put all relevant papers together, including your flight ticket and boarding pass. This information will be required when filing a claim.
- Explain your Situation—You must communicate and express your circumstantial reasons for missing the flight, such as delays, missed connections, or unforeseen emergencies.
- Request for a Refund—Confirm your eligibility and ask for compensation for your missed flight. You must complete the refund request form found on your airline's website.
- Follow up – Keep track of your communication dates and follow up with the airline.
- Escalate If Necessary—If the agents don’t respond satisfactorily, consider contacting a higher authority at the airport, such as a supervisor. Also, submit your complaint if required.
- Know Your Passenger Rights – Understand the consumer rights regarding air transport. Read the missed flight guidelines of the Department of Transport in the U.S.
These steps will help you manage the situation calmly and increase your chances of a refund.
Flight Missed? Don’t Worry, Get Human Desk is Here To Help!
Navigating your airlines missed flight policy is a crucial point for every traveller, whether you face an issue or not. It is factual that when you miss a flight because of an inconvenience caused by the airlines, your options and eligibility criteria are maximum. Meanwhile, if you missed a flight, irrespective of the reason, the options are narrowed. But you can worry less when talking to a live agent at Get Human Desk, skilled at providing the best travel advice and services for every passenger’s needs. Connect with us at +1-833-930-2006 now.
Faqs
1. What happens if an airline makes you miss your flight?
Almost all airlines have a flat tire rule for travellers who miss their flights due to situations that aren’t in anybody’s control. The policy allows passengers to board a rebooked flight by the airlines for them. Reasons like disruptive weather, unforeseen incidents, government orders, a public transit problem and others that lead to missing a flight are considered.
2. What will happen if I don't attend a flight?
You’ll be listed in the No-Show Policy if you don’t show up. If you don’t arrive at the airport or check-in/board the flight with no prior notice from the airline, you will lose your ticket value. All connections and return flights may also be nullified. You don’t have a rebooking option here, only to purchase a new ticket. Your refund will be determined by the ticket type you missed flying with.
3. What to do if I miss my flight after checking in?
If you checked in but somehow missed your flight, contact your airline immediately. They can help you rebook, list you on standby, or ask you to buy a fresh ticket. You may also ask them about any eligible compensation for your checked bag (if you already checked the bag) and how you can fetch it.
4. Do airlines charge for missed flights?
If you miss a flight, you’ll lose your ticket and may be subject to a no-show fee. Airlines may assign you an alternative flight or put you on standby if you request, but a fee will still apply.
5. Can I get compensation for a missed flight?
Flight compensation is only entertained when you miss a flight due to an extraordinary situation that wasn’t in your control. If you miss a connection and reach your final destination three or more hours after your scheduled time, you can get compensation.
6. Do airlines rebook you if you miss your flight?
The airline tries to rebook a flight for you. Usually, the next available flight is the best suggestion, but if it is already booked, you’ll be put on standby. Also, if you choose not to rebook, you can claim your reimbursement for the same.
7. Do you get a refund if you miss a flight?
Refunding a missed flight is unlikely to happen if you missed a flight due to personal reasons. However, extraordinary times under no one’s control are eligible for a refund. But, most probably, if you miss a flight, airlines offer you an alternative flight option at no extra charge if your reason is extenuating.
