Missed your flight? What to do next

Contact the airline straight away

The single most important step is to contact the airline as soon as you know you will miss the flight, ideally before it departs. Travellers who make contact early generally have more options than those who simply do not show up.

Why it matters: if you miss a flight without telling the airline, it may treat you as a “no-show” and cancel the rest of your itinerary, including your return flight.

What happens next depends on why you missed it

• The airline caused it, for example a delayed first flight on the same ticket made you miss a connection: the airline is generally responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight at no extra cost.
• You were late, for example traffic or a long security line: options depend on your fare. Many airlines, at their discretion, will put travellers who arrive shortly after departure on standby or the next flight for little or no charge. This is not guaranteed.
• Separate tickets: if your connection was on a separate booking, the second airline has no obligation to help when the first flight is late. Contact both.

Your options

• Ask to be confirmed on, or listed for standby on, the next flight to your destination.
• Ask whether a change to a later flight is possible on your fare, and what the fare difference is.
• If you no longer need to travel, ask whether any value remains on the ticket as a credit.
• Keep receipts if the airline caused the problem; you may be able to claim reasonable expenses.

How FlightConnectors can help

If you would rather not work through this alone, an independent specialist can talk you through the options that apply to your ticket, explain the fare rules in plain English and help you decide what to ask the airline for. This is especially helpful when you are dealing with a missed connection on a multi-leg trip.

We are not the airline and cannot override its decisions, and you can always contact your airline directly at no charge. If our service involves a fee, we explain it before you decide to go ahead.

Common questions

Will my return flight be cancelled if I miss my outbound flight?

It can be. Airlines often cancel the remaining flights on a booking after a no-show. Contact the airline before departure, or as soon as possible afterwards, to keep the rest of the trip.

Do I have to pay for a new ticket?

Not always. It depends on why you missed the flight, your fare type and the airline’s discretion. Ask about standby and same-day options before buying a new ticket.

Am I owed anything if a delay made me miss a connection?

When both flights are on the same ticket, the airline normally rebooks you. Under DOT rules, if your trip is significantly changed and you decide not to travel, you can request a refund for the unused portion.