Missing a connecting flight can be one of the most nerve-racking experiences during your travel through the air. If your initial flight got delayed because of the weather, technical problems, air traffic or other operational problems, the consequence will always remain the same. Namely, you will arrive at the airport and see that your next flight has left.
But what if you miss a connecting flight due to delay? Don’t get nervous. Often airlines have policies regarding such situations, especially if the missed connecting flight delay is caused by something that is not under their control. Knowing your rights and the right way to handle such situations will help you save your time, nerves and even money.
Bookyourairticket is here to assist you in learning airline policies and making smart decisions regarding your travels. And here’s all the information you will need.
What is a Connecting Flight?
A connecting flight is the experience of changing planes at an intermediate airport on your way to the destination point. A connection might be either international or domestic depending on your itinerary. The airline often specifies the minimum connecting time.
But sometimes, a Missed Connecting Flight is unavoidable when delays on your initial flight make it impossible to catch your next plane.
What Happens After a Missed Connecting Flight Caused by a Delay?
It all depends on the way flights were booked.
1. In Case of One Single Booking
If both connecting flights were booked on one ticket, it means that it is the responsibility of the airline to provide assistance to a traveler.
Usually, in such case, the airline will:
- Rebook a person on the next flight without extra charges.
- Find another possible route in case there is no possibility of replacing the flight.
- Help with finding a hotel and giving meals vouchers if there is a need of staying overnight.
It is the best case for travelers.
2. In Case of Separate Booking
If the flights were bought separately, then the problem will be more complicated.
As the second airline does not take responsibility for delays that occurred because of the other company, it may happen that you have to:
- Buy a new ticket.
- Pay for the changes, if it is required.
- Contact the airline right away to find out if there is some possibility of providing help.
Insurance may help to cope with these additional costs.
Some Common Causes of Flight Delay
Here are some of the most common causes of delay that may result in missing the connecting flights:
- Weather problems
- Technical or mechanical failure
- Flight traffic
- Airport security problems
- Crew scheduling problems
- Operational problems
The liability of the airline depends upon the reason for the delay and the aviation rules in the jurisdiction.
What to do right away?
In case you think you will miss your connecting flight, act immediately.
Contact the Airline
Inform the airline staff even before landing. Airlines often begin rebooking passengers automatically during the process of handling a Missed Connecting Flight.
Head to Transfer Desk
Upon landing, immediately head to the transfer or customer service desk of the airline where representatives can update you about your travel arrangements.
Use Mobile App of the Airline
Most airlines have a mobile app where you can see rebooking, boarding pass, etc.
Maintain All Documentation
Make sure to maintain all the following documentation:
- Boarding passes
- Flight tickets
- Delay information notices
- Food, hotel or transport receipts
This will be useful if you need to file a claim or seek insurance.
Are You Eligible for Compensation?
There are a number of things that determine eligibility for compensation:
- Departure country
- Airline policy
- Reason for the delay
- Duration of the delay
As an example, in case of certain international flights, passengers can get compensated according to the rules and regulations of passenger rights if the delay falls within the specified criteria.
Delays caused by weather conditions usually are not eligible for monetary compensation since they fall outside of the airline’s responsibility.
Always make sure to check the airline’s compensation policy beforehand.
Does the Airline Provide Accommodation?
If the airline is responsible for the delay and there are no more flights on the same day, most of them will provide:
- Hotel accommodation
- Meal vouchers
- Airport transportation
- Access to phone or Internet connection in some cases
The policies differ from airline to airline, so make sure to ask the representative at the customer service department.
Does Travel Insurance Help?
It does. Full travel insurance helps greatly if you delay.
Connecting Flight Tips to Prevent Connection Issues
Despite the inevitability of delays, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of a Missed Connecting Flight:
Get Long Layover Times
Never book very short layovers, especially when flying into major international airports.
Make One Reservation
Where possible, try booking your entire journey on a single itinerary, not separate tickets.
Keep Track of Flight Status
Always monitor your flights online via the airline website or app for any changes in flight times.
Use Only Hand Luggage
Try traveling with only hand luggage in order to make transitions easier.
Know Your Airport
Larger airports can involve long walks or even train rides from one terminal to another.
Helping Bookyourairticket Can Provide You With
Bookyourairticket helps you get acquainted with all sorts of information regarding airlines policies, ways of booking flights, changes and cancellations, baggage and some other pieces of advice on traveling. Whether you travel around your country or abroad, our company wants to help you have a more convenient journey.
Being informed about the procedures in case of your flight’s being delayed will help you cope with this problem.
Conclusion
When asking yourself what if I miss my connecting flight due to delay, it will greatly depend on your itinerary and cause of your flight being delayed. It is likely that those people who made one ticket for both flights will be helped by airline companies while those who bought separate tickets should find solutions on their own.
The best way to avoid any sort of inconvenience will be careful booking of your connecting flights, enough transfer time, keeping track of your flight’s condition and buying travel insurance.
