Missing your flight has to be one of the most nerve-wracking things when travelling and can throw your whole trip into chaos. Whether it’s due to heavy traffic on the road or delays at security, the outcome will be stress and uncertainty. The silver lining is that you may be able to rebook onto the next available flight or use travel insurance. In this article, we will walk you through what happens if you miss your flight, explain your rights, and provide options to get things back on track including when you might be entitled to compensation.
Cover Photo Image Credit: jeshoots
Immediate Steps to Take After Missing Your Flight
Contacting the Airline: What happens if you miss your flight
The first thing you should do when you realise you won’t make your flight is contact the airline immediately since what happens if you miss your flight often depends on how quickly you act. So whether you’re still rushing to the airport or you’re already there, you should speak to a customer service agent or to airline staff.
Acting fast can help you rebook without hefty penalties and in many cases airline staff can help you with options for the next available flight. It also helps you avoid being labeled as a “no-show” which means your entire itinerary could be canceled, including even your return flights on top of connections.
Just as important: stay calm and be courteous. A polite attitude can go a long way. From personal experience, this writer once received a free rebooking on a flight to Japan simply by being friendly and respectful—while the frustrated, demanding traveler next to me shouting at the airline staff ended up paying a rebooking fee of several hundred dollars.
Checking for Next Available Flights
Once you’ve spoken to the airline about your situation, the next step in what happens if you miss your flight is getting back into the air. Ask your airline if they can place you on the next available flight or if you can fly standby which lets you take the spot of a no-show passenger.
It also pays to take matters into your own hands. Use travel apps or booking sites like Expedia to search across multiple airlines—you might spot a better option the airline agent didn’t mention.
Understanding Airline Policies on Missed Flights
Airline rules vary, so what happens if you miss your flight depends on who you booked with. Full-service airlines are often more flexible, while budget carriers may charge high fees. The type of ticket you have also matters as flexible tickets usually let you change your plans more easily.
Rebooking: What happens if you miss your flight?
If you miss your flight, rebooking is often possible—but there might be costs involved. The rebooking fee can change based on the airline and your ticket type. For example, if you have a non-refundable ticket, you might have to pay for the new flight or face a change fee and also if the new fare for the rebooked flight is higher, you may need to pay the fare difference.
The good news is that some airlines have rules such as the “flat tyre rule” to help with unexpected situations, where airline staff may be able to put you on a standby list for the next flight if a seat is available.
Refund Policies for Non-refundable Tickets
Another common concern is what happens if you miss your flight and have a non-refundable ticket. Most airlines will not refund non-refundable tickets unless there is a serious reason for this refund like a medical emergency.
While refunds are not common, some airlines may provide credit towards your future trips. Also if you bought your ticket with a credit card, check if your card has travel protection benefits that may cover missed flights.
Impact of Missing a Flight on Connected Bookings
A big part of what happens if you miss your flight is the impact on your connecting flights if you have an indirect flight. Many airlines will cancel all future legs of your itinerary if you are listed as a “no-show” for any part. Naturally these problems can affect your hotel bookings and car rentals, leading to more issues. To avoid these problems act fast and let the airline and your other service providers know about the delay.
Managing Missed Connecting Flights
What happens if you miss your flight due to a missed connection due to an airline delay or cancellation? Some good to know information is if your flights were booked together as connecting flights on the same ticket reservation, the airline must help rebook your journey at no extra charge.
However, if your connecting flights were booked separately, you will likely have to pay for a new flight. To avoid this, always pick flights with enough layover time. If an airline delay or cancellation makes you miss your connection, the airlines have to help. This help can be meals, places to stay, or even refunds, based on what happened.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Passengers
EU Regulation EC 261/2004, the UK 261, and Compensation
What happens if you miss your flight due to an airline delay or cancellation which affects your next flight? This and certain other passenger rights for flights to and from the EU are covered by EU Regulation EC 261/2004. Meanwhile flights to and from the UK are covered by the UK261 Regulation. The scenarios in which you are protected under both these regulations are:
- If you’re delayed at your final destination by 3 or more hours
- Your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the departure date
- You are denied boarding due to overbooking
In addition, while flights departing from the UK or the EU on any airline will be covered by the EU261 regulation or UK 261 regulation, only flights arriving at an airport in the UK or an EU airport when using a UK or an EU airline will be covered.
It’s extremely important to highlight here that what happens if you miss your flight often depends on the reason for the flight delay or cancellation. The airline will not be required to pay compensation if the fault can be demonstrated not to lie with the airline. This means that any delays or cancellations that happen due to extraordinary circumstancesー such as adverse weather conditions or more recently the power outage at Heathrowー will not be entitled to compensation.
When it comes to the compensation amount, this will depend on the flight distance and how long the delay was. It can be as much as £520 for a flight that arrives more than 3 hours late for a long-haul flight such as from London to Tokyo. If you believe you are eligible for compensation, remember to save all documentation, and then file your claim through a reputable company like AirHelp who also have an expected flight compensation calculator for delayed or cancelled flights.
Exceptions and Special Circumstances
Sometimes exceptions apply to what happens if you miss your flight. Airlines might wave fees for valid medical reasons if you show the right documents. On the other hand, if you forget your passport or mismanage your time, that may not count for waivers. This table summarises the airline policy for what happens if you miss your flight depending on the cause.
| Cause | Airline Policy | Passenger Action |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Emergency | Flexible policies; may waive fees | Submit medical proof |
| Personal Oversights | Limited to no flexibility | Contact, but expect additional costs |
| Airline’s Fault | Full rebooking or compensation | Retain receipts and file claims if needed |
Conclusion
We hope that this article on what happens if you miss your flight is helpful and will prepare you for your upcoming trip. If you would like some more Japan inspiration please check our travel section, or if you would be interested to know how flight times to Japan, we’ve included them in our article on how long is a flight to Japan?
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you miss your flight?
Your options typically include booking the next available flight with your airline, checking for other flight routes, or depending on the situation, requesting a refund. Consider the options available as airline staff may offer rebooking assistance or travel vouchers. Also, always review your airline’s policies for specific guidelines related to missed flights. If you’re lucky, you may be able to get onto the next flight without extra fees.
What is the flat tyre rule and how can it help?
The flat tyre rule lets passengers who missed their flight because of things they cannot control (like a car breaking down) get rebooked without any fees. Several airlines follow this policy, but you will need to show documentation to prove what caused the delay, and you may need to arrive at the airport within a certain time of your flight departing. This rule can be helpful for rebooking onto the next flight on the same day providing there are seats available.
What happens if you miss your flight from London Heathrow to Tokyo due to an airline issue?
You may be eligible for compensation for a missed connecting flight that departs from London Heathrow if the fault lies with the airline. Please check our section on EU Regulation EC 261/2004, the UK 261, and Compensation.
What happens if you miss your flight from Tokyo Narita to London Heathrow due to an airline issue?
You may be eligible for compensation for a missed connecting flight that departs from Tokyo Narita if the fault lies with the airline and it is a UK or an EU airline. Please check our section on EU Regulation EC 261/2004, the UK 261, and Compensation.
