What Happens if You Miss Your Flight?

You’ve missed your flight and you’re not sure what to do. Don’t panic — this guide will help you navigate this situation:

• What to do if you miss your flight (before and after check in)
• What happens if you miss your connecting flight
• Can you get a refund?

You’ve missed your flight—a frustrating situation, no doubt, but it’s not the end of the world. With quick action, you may still reach your destination with only a slight delay.

The first step is acceptance. If the plane is still on the tarmac but the airline staff confirms you’re too late to board, it’s best to come to terms with the reality that flight is no longer an option.

So, instead of panicking, it’s time to spring into action. Here’s what happens if you miss your flight and what you need to do.

1. What to do if you miss your flight

The first thing you need to do if you miss your flight is contact your airline.

If you’re yet to arrive at the airport, but know you’re going to miss your flight, call your airline’s customer service number. Just arrived at the airport? Some airports have airline desks in the check-in hall, so if you’re at the airport but haven’t gone through security, you can head to the right desk and speak to representatives in person. If not, visit your airline’s check-in desks and alert an employee.

If you’ve gone through security but you haven’t reached your gate, your best course of action will be to call your airline, unless you can find cabin crew to point you in the right direction. By your gate? Representatives from your airline should be able to explain where you need to go next.

Ask your airline when the next flight from your departure airport to the destination is scheduled to take place and whether you can rebook onto that flight or subsequent ones.

If the next flight isn’t for days or the airline won’t allow you to rebook, you’ll want to start looking at other airlines. Perform a search on the Booking.com flights tool to find out which airlines fly that route, when the next departure is and how much it will cost. If you find a flight that works for you, simply book it online.

At this point, if you still can’t find any flights that work for you, then it’s time to consider other departure and arrival airports.

For example, if you were originally trying to fly from New York’s JFK Airport to London Heathrow, there may be more options if you fly from Newark or to London Gatwick — or both. If you go down this route, just make sure you have time to get to your new departure airport before your flight — and remember to rearrange any transfers on the other end.

2. Can you rebook a missed flight?

You can usually rebook a missed flight by contacting your airline. The airline will generally try to put you on their next available flight. If the next flight is fully booked, they might put you on standby, which means that you can take the place of any passengers that don’t show up.

However, some airlines have time limits on rebooking a flight. For example, budget carrier easyJet requires you to arrive at the airport within two hours of your missed flight to be eligible. Others, like Delta, will only facilitate rebooking if you have a good reason for missing your first flight. If not, they might help you book a ticket for the next flight, but you’ll likely have to shoulder the cost yourself. Whether you’re eligible for rebooking can also depend on the type of ticket you have. For example, if you have a flexible ticket, it’s often easier to rebook.

Often, passengers will need to pay a rebooking fee, which is generally lower than the price of the plane ticket and sometimes you’ll also need to pay the difference if your new fare is priced higher than your original one. There are also some airlines, generally budget carriers, that don’t facilitate rebooking at all, which means you’ll need to pay full price for a new plane ticket.

3. Can you get a refund for a missed flight?

If you miss your flight and choose not to rebook, will your airline give you a refund? Generally speaking, no. After all, it’s not the airline’s fault you missed your flight.

There are some rare exceptions to this rule. For example, some carriers may refund your fare if you miss your flight for medical reasons. However, airline policies vary.

4. Does travel insurance cover a missed flight?

Travel insurance usually covers missed flights under specific circumstances. For example, if you missed your flight due to severe weather, medical emergencies, road accidents, public transport delays, a car breakdown or other unexpected delays getting to their airport, you may be able to make a claim. However, your level of coverage depends on the travel insurance policy you took out.

But if the airline was responsible for your missed flight, due to overbooking or technical issues, for example, you’ll typically need to claim from the carrier rather than your travel insurance provider.

Additionally, if it’s your fault you missed your flight — for example, if you confused your departure time or didn’t leave enough time to get to the airport — then you’ll usually have to cover the costs yourself.

5. What happens to my baggage if you miss a flight?

Already checked your bag, but then missed your flight? There are a few routes your luggage can take.

If you miss an international flight, your airline is required to offload your luggage before departure. Simply contact the airline's baggage service or customer service desk to find out how and where to retrieve it. On domestic flights, your bags will often continue on to your destination. Your airline will hold them there until your arrival. Again, it’s important to contact your carrier’s baggage service for more information. And if you’re re-routed, most airlines will send your bags to your new destination.

What happens if you miss your connecting flight? Your airline should be able to locate your bags and get them to you. Contact your carrier to find out how.

6. How do different causes of missing your flight affect your rights?

The circumstances around your missed flight can impact whether you’re entitled to claim any money back from the airline or your travel insurance provider.

If the airline is at fault – for example due to a delay, missed connection or overbooked flight – you may be entitled to compensation.

What if you miss your flight due to circumstances beyond your control such as severe weather, medical emergencies, road accidents, public transport delays, a car breakdown or other unexpected delays getting to their airport? In some cases, your travel insurance provider will cover these instances, but other policies won’t. This is why it’s super important to double check your policy before purchasing it.

However, if you’re at fault, you’re unlikely to be able to claim any money back. This includes if you simply didn’t give yourself enough time to get to the airport, forgot your passport or if you mixed up your flight times and dates.

7. What happens if you miss your flight after checking in?

If you miss your flight after checking in, you’ll need to contact your airline immediately. They will either rebook you on the next flight, put you on standby or – in certain circumstances – advise you to purchase a new plane ticket. Your airline will also be able to tell you whether you’re entitled to any compensation from them. If you’ve checked in luggage, you should also ask your airline how to retrieve it.

8. What happens if you miss your connecting flight?

If you booked all legs of your journey with one airline and that airline is responsible for your missed connection, they should rebook you onto the next flight at no extra cost. In some cases this flight won’t be until the next day, in which case the airline will usually pay for overnight accommodation and food vouchers. Please note, however, that some carriers offer more limited compensation in these circumstances.

What if you booked different legs of your journey with different airlines? You may have to pay to rebook your connecting flight or book an entirely new flight yourself. In this case, you’ll also have to collect your luggage from the carousel and check in again.

In this circumstance, if the first airline is at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. However, if your first flight was delayed or canceled due to weather conditions, your airline is not obligated to compensate you as they are not technically at fault. However, they may still be willing to assist you.

You may also have missed your connection because you only allowed yourself a short layover in the connecting airport. In this case, contact your airline’s helpdesk to find out what to do next. It’s also worth checking your travel insurance policy. While many policies won’t cover missed connections, some do.

8 tips to make sure you never miss a flight

1. Arrive at the airport early – this means more than two hours before take-off for domestic flights and more than three hours for international flights.
2. Build in a margin for error when traveling to the airport to counteract any traffic or public transport issues.
3. Check in online in advance so you can skip check-in queues.
4. Set multiple alarms and put your phone or alarm clock on the other side of your bedroom so you have to stand up to turn it off.
5. Be mindful of boarding time as well as departure time and aim to be at your gate at least 15 minutes before boarding starts.
6. Locate your gate once you’re airside even if you’re not planning to stay there until boarding. Some gates are a long walk from security.
7. Download the airline app to track gate changes and delays in real time.
8. Use a checklist for documents and essentials to ensure you don’t leave your passport at home.

FAQs

Is there a fee for missing a flight?

While you won’t be charged for missing your flight, you may have to pay a fee to rebook onto the next available flight. If it’s your fault you missed the flight, you’ll likely lose your fare and shoulder the cost of a new ticket.

Can you get the return if you miss a flight?

Some airlines allow you to take a return flight, even if you’re a no show for your outward journey. However, others may automatically cancel your return flight if you miss the first one. To find out whether you can still take your return flight, check out your airline’s no show policy — and if in doubt contact your carrier.

Can airlines ban you for missing flights?

Yes, airlines can ban you for missing flights. However, they will generally only do this if you’re a no show for multiple flights or if they believe you never intended to fly the full route you booked.