What to do if you miss your plane

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Being late for your plane is not the most pleasant thing that can happen on the way. But knowing your rights and possible solutions to the problem, you can significantly save your money and nerves.

That awkward feeling when the plane took off without you …

Instead of assuring yourself that this might not happen to you, learn what to do and how to behave if you miss your plane. This will save you money and hassle, especially if you are new to the business.

I remember how 6 years ago I was getting ready for my first flight in my life. During it, I experienced not only all the delights of this process (now I am madly in love with flying), but also the feelings experienced by a person who is late for his flight.

The most common reasons why you might miss your plane

Don't be in time for registration

1. To oversleep or confuse the time / date of departure.
2. Get stuck in a traffic jam on the way to the airport or your (taxi driver's) car may break down.

What to do: if the check-in for the flight has already ended, this does not mean that the ticket can be discarded. Especially if the ticket has already been bought in two directions. Depending on the fare, you can exchange it for another next flight with free seats. To do this, you need to go to the counter of your airline at the airport (if you bought a ticket directly) or contact the intermediary (for example, a travel agency) through which you purchased it. The company may impose a penalty for the exchange (the cheaper the ticket was, the greater the penalty may be), but it will still be cheaper than buying a new ticket.

Important: This scheme does not work if your ticket was purchased at a special or promotional rate and cannot be exchanged. You will most likely have to buy a new ticket for the full price. Also, if your ticket has at least one connection, all flights will have to be resumed, since they are automatically canceled.

Or be in time for check-in, but be late for a connecting flight

1. Lost in someone else's airport.
2. Late for your connection due to a delay in your first flight.

What to do in option 1: Find your airline counter at the airport and explain the situation. In this case, the same rule will work - you can exchange your ticket for another flight under the terms of the fare (with or without a penalty) or buy a new one.

What to do in option 2: it is possible to miss your flight through no fault of your own, for example, if your plane took off from the airport with a significant delay and as a result, you did not make your connecting flight.

Two flights - one ticket

If you purchased a full flight with one ticket (even if it contains two different airlines), then all costs must be borne by the airline that caused you to be late. What are you entitled to in this case:

• exchange your boarding pass without fines and penalties;
• a free phone to call relatives or friends and inform about your delay;
• paid hotel room if your flight takes place the next day;
• paid lunch or dinner, water (depending on the duration of waiting for the flight).

Just contact the airline office and exchange your ticket.

Two flights - two different tickets

In the event that you bought two flights separately, and as a result of the delay of the first flight, you are late for the second, you are solely responsible for this, since you are not considered a transfer passenger. Therefore, contact the representative of the airline and exchange your ticket according to the terms of the fare.

Useful Tips

Having personally been in such a situation several years ago and having heard the stories of my acquaintances, I want to share a few tips that may be useful to others.

Check departure dates and times

Especially if you bought tickets for several months or six months. Remind yourself of the exact departure dates a week before your planned trip, and then again a few days before. Don't rely on your memory, because numbers can be confused very easily.

Calculate your time with a margin

You should not plan to arrive at the airport at the last minute, as the journey may take longer than usual, for example, a taxi may not arrive or be late. It is much easier to read a book in the waiting room for an extra half hour than to waste nerve cells when you are late for your flight.

Don't buy tickets with short connections

If you are a fan of extreme sports, you will love flights with 30-40 minute connections. Otherwise, choose intervals between flights of at least 1, 5-2 hours. This will protect yourself from excessive haste and the consequences of possible flight delays.

Read the terms of your tariff

When buying the cheapest or promotional tickets, be sure to read the terms of their exchange and refund in order to be prepared for what money it will cost to make changes to your plans.

Explore information on transfer airports

Before departure, familiarize yourself with which terminal you are arriving at and from which you will depart, how far from each other they are and how long it takes to move around the airport (whether you can walk or need to take a bus or train). So you will not get lost in place and spend time looking for the necessary information when every minute is precious.

I hope this information and advice will keep you safe from missed flights and other problems during your flight.

Good luck!

P. S. And if you have something to add to this list, welcome in the comment:-).