If you miss your flight, what happens next depends largely on the airline's policy and the reason why you missed the flight. Typically, missing a flight voluntarily (due to traffic, being late, or personal reasons) means your original ticket may become invalid, and you may lose its value. However, if you act quickly by contacting the airline or going to their service desk, you might be eligible for rebooking on the next available flight, although this might involve a fee especially with non-refundable or basic tickets. Airlines may also offer "rescue fares" or fees to get you on another flight soon after the missed one. If the missed flight is the airline's fault (such as delays or cancellations causing a missed connection), they usually rebook you for free and may provide additional care like food, hotel accommodations, and transport. Missing connecting flights booked under the same ticket generally leads to free rebooking as well. Communication with the airline as soon as you know you’re going to miss your flight or immediately after missing it is crucial to avoid being declared a “no-show,” which could cancel your entire itinerary including return or connecting flights. In some cases, documentation such as medical notes may help if the missed flight was due to illness or emergency, potentially allowing fee waivers or refunds. Summary:
- Contact the airline immediately upon realizing you will miss or have missed your flight.
- Voluntary misses often lead to fees or loss of ticket value; options depend on ticket type.
- Airline-caused misses typically result in free rebooking and additional passenger care.
- Missing a connecting flight on a single booking usually means free rebooking.
- Being proactive and clear with airline staff improves your chance of a favorable outcome.
This covers the general outcomes and what to do if a flight is missed.
