What to do if you miss your flight or check-in. Missing a connecting flight: what to do

Even with careful planning of air travel, unforeseen situations can occur. They cause a flight delay. What to do in this case?

If you are late for check-in, but the plane has not yet taken off

There is a way out of this situation. The first option is to contact the airline employee. He will tell you how to proceed if you are late for check-in for the plane. What should a latecomer do? There is another option - you need to go to a special counter, where late passengers are registered for a flight. This service is paid, and can be quite expensive. But it's better than canceling the trip altogether.

If you are late for boarding

This can happen if the passenger was passing online registration. He no longer needed to arrive at the airport a few hours in advance. This time he could spend at his discretion.

It should be noted that the time frame for aircraft maintenance at the airport has been established. Boarding ends 20-25 minutes before departure. This time is allotted for all passengers to sit in their seats and prepare for the flight.

If you missed the plane, you need to contact the airline employee for help. Perhaps he will be able to take you on board, after informing you that the passenger is delayed.

Important! If the boarding for the flight is already over, being late may be fraught with penalties. They are used as a result of a delay due to the fault of the passenger.

To prevent this from happening, you need to check in in a timely manner and board the plane.

If you are late for check-in, and the plane has already taken off

And this situation is not considered hopeless. When it occurs, you need to seek help from an employee of the airline. He will tell you all the nuances of returning the boarding pass.

As a rule, passengers with business and first class tickets can exchange them for boarding passes for the next flight. In this case, you need to pay a small commission. If you have economy or tourist class air tickets on hand, you will have to hand them over and purchase new ones for a suitable flight.

The return of boarding passes to the aircraft is carried out in accordance with the established rules of the airline.

Before buying a ticket, you need to carefully read the fares and return conditions on the official website of the air carrier.

If the passenger missed the plane, and the ticket was purchased through an intermediary, he needs to contact him directly.

In doing so, the following should be taken into account:

  1. There are two types of air tickets - returnable and non-refundable. The latter will not accept returns and will not refund money for them. There are exceptions, which are described in the airline's boarding pass return policy.
  2. The commission will be written off not only in favor of the air carrier, but also in favor of the intermediary.
  3. When buying a single ticket for a flight with a transfer, subsequent tickets are canceled.

Get a small percentage of the cost of the ticket back.

If you miss your connecting flight

In this case, things are a little more complicated. If the passenger did not have time for the plane, and a transfer is provided in the flight, the ticket for the second flight will have to be canceled. It will not be possible to return the money for it. You need to buy a new ticket.

A similar situation can occur if the passenger did not get on the flight, and tickets were purchased on both sides of the route. Second boarding pass also subject to cancellation. For it, airlines return the money minus commission and service fees.

Advice! To avoid conflict situations, you need to familiarize yourself with the fares and rules for returning tickets on the website of the air carrier. This can also be done by calling the operator.

If you missed your connecting flight due to the fault of the air carrier

In this case, you need to contact a representative of the company. If the flight is served by another carrier, you need to go to its check-in counter and put a note about the delay in departure.

According to the established rules, the carrier is obliged to provide customers with the following:

  • free phone for calls;
  • a hotel room if the flight delay is more than 8 hours;
  • free meals.

Coupons for it can be obtained from the representative of the airline.

All this is possible if the passenger has purchased one ticket with a transfer. If he bought two separate boarding passes, the air carrier is not responsible for missing the second flight.

Can I get a refund if I miss my plane?

Many passengers are interested in how to get money for a ticket back. It can be done. For information on how to return money for a boarding pass, it is better to ask an employee of the air carrier. This information is also posted on the websites of all companies.

The money will be refunded in full in the following cases:

  • delay or postponement of the flight due to the fault of the carrier;
  • canceled boarding at the destination due to unforeseen circumstances;
  • delayed departure for several hours due to the fault of the airline;
  • aircraft model change;
  • death of the passenger or his close relatives.

Whether the money for non-refundable tickets will be returned is a moot point. If the ticket was purchased at a low cost, it is unlikely that you will be able to receive money for it. Business and first class tickets can be exchanged.

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Although flights with transfers are cheaper than direct flights, many people try to avoid them. And one of the reasons for this is the likelihood of being late for connecting flight. What if the plane takes off without you?

Today we will consider several cases.

Missed flight due to airline's fault

Situation #1: One ticket, one airline

Example: you are flying on a route with a change in Dubai. The Moscow-Dubai and Dubai-Bangkok flights are operated by Emirates. You missed your flight from Dubai to Bangkok due to a delay in Moscow.

In this case, Emirates is obligated to take you to Bangkok on the next available flight.

Please note that this may be a flight with a transfer, for example, Dubai - Delhi - Bangkok, etc.

While waiting for a flight, you have the same rights as passengers whose flight was delayed. After 2 hours of waiting - drinks, after 4 - hot meals, after 6 or 8 (in the afternoon) - a hotel.

Situation #2: One ticket, two airlines

Example: you are flying on a route with a change in Dubai. The Moscow-Dubai flight is operated by Aeroflot, the Dubai-Bangkok flight by Emirates. In Moscow, the flight was delayed and you missed your flight from Dubai to Bangkok.

If the ticket is issued on the same form, then a code-share agreement has been concluded between the carriers. In this case, Aeroflot will solve the problem of how to deliver you to the final destination.

As in the previous example, Aeroflot will transfer you to the next flight to your final destination, in some cases with a transfer.

Unfortunately, the representative of the offending airline may not be at the airport. Contact them by phone or contact the airline whose flight you missed.

Situation #3: Two tickets, one or two airlines

If you bought two separate tickets, for example, first Moscow - Dubai and then Dubai-Bangkok, then you are not considered transfer passenger. If you are late for the next flight, no one except you is responsible.

Those. even if two flights are operated by the same airline and a flight from Moscow is delayed, because of which you are late for the next one, your ticket will simply be lost and you will have to buy a new one.

For an unused ticket, in some cases, you can return part of the money, but it all depends on the fare rules. Part of the money can be returned only if the rules provide for a refund in the event of NO SHOW, when the passenger did not appear on the flight without warning the airline.

Pay attention to very important point, if you bought a round-trip ticket, for example Dubai - Bangkok - Dubai and missed the first part of the route, Dubai - Bangkok, then the return ticket will be automatically canceled. Those. you lose not only the ticket there, but also back.

What can be done in this situation? There is no universal solution to the issue, but in any case, you should definitely contact the airline operating the flight you missed. Carriers often meet passengers, transfer them to another flight, do not cancel the remaining segments, etc.

Delay due to the fault of the passenger

Not a common situation, but nevertheless, sometimes it takes place. The passenger got carried away in duty-free or, with a long connection, left the airport to take a walk around the city, the situations are different, but the culprit is always the same - the passenger.

What to do in this situation? Be sure to contact the airline whose flight you missed and, together with its employee, try to find a compromise. Perhaps you will be able to return part of the ticket or the airline will go to a meeting and transfer you, it all depends on your ability to negotiate.

Whoever is to blame for being late, resolve the issue with an airline employee as polite and calm as possible.. It depends on him how and when you get to your destination, and in some situations, and for how much.

If the next flight does not leave soon, for example, the next day, explain to the airline employee the reason why you urgently need to get to your final destination. If the reason sounds convincing enough, and even better, if you have supporting documents, then you can be transferred to a shorter flight, such as another airline.

15 Oct 2013 Anna Lump Tags:

They mixed up the departure date, stood in a traffic jam or overslept. What to do if you are late for check-in for a plane? Several useful tips will help in a critical situation to collect your thoughts and save a business trip, vacation, or at least save money and your own nerves.

According to the rules air transportation a late passenger may be denied boarding. In this case, the actions of the attendants are quite legal, and the passenger is to blame.

If you are late for registration

Passengers flying on Aeroflot airlines should keep in mind that check-in for all airline flights starts 2 hours and ends at least 40 minutes before the departure of the aircraft. Boarding of the airliner stops 20 minutes before the start of the flight. For international flights, this time is increased to resolve customs and visa issues.

If by the time you get to the airport, there are still more than 20 minutes left before departure, there is still a chance to fly.

In the event that the check-in for the flight has already ended, but the plane has not yet taken off, go to the counter where the latecomers are registered. This service will have to be paid separately, and the fee is high, but this is the only chance to get on the plane.

If you missed the plane after check-in

Most often this happens if the passenger has chosen to check in through the website on the Internet. In this case, you do not need to arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance. Those departing spend this time at their own discretion and, unfortunately, forget about the time frame.

If this happens, contact the airline employee. He might be able to get you on a plane at the last minute. If the boarding has already ended, the passenger may be fined.

Even if the plane has already taken off, there is an opportunity to minimize your damage. Contact the airport employee and he will tell you what to do.

As a rule, passengers traveling in first and business class easily exchange their ticket for a boarding pass for the next flight. Only commission is paid. Expired tourist or economy class documents will have to be handed over and bought new ticket on another suitable flight.

If tickets were purchased through an intermediary, and usually a travel agency, if you miss your plane, contact them directly. In doing so, keep the following in mind:

  • money for a non-refundable ticket is impossible;
  • when returning tickets, a commission will be charged both in favor of the airline and in favor of the intermediary travel agency;
  • if a ticket with transfers is purchased, all subsequent tickets will be cancelled.

Thus, it will be possible to return only a part of the total cost of air tickets.

If you missed the plane due to a flight delay

This happens on connecting flights. Despite the additional difficulties, such flights are popular because of the low price.

If the delay was due to the fault of the airline, it is obliged to take you to your destination on a subsequent flight. While the passenger is waiting, he enjoys the same rights as during normal delays:

  • drinks: after 2 hours;
  • hot meals: after 4 hours;
  • hotel: after 6 or 8 hours.

In the event that one ticket is issued, and there are two carriers, the problems that have arisen will be solved by the company that made the delay. As in the previous example, it provides space for the next flight.

If you missed the plane during a transfer

Missing a connecting flight most often happens for the following reasons:

  • the passenger was delayed due to his own fault: in this case, go to the airport employee and try to exchange the purchased ticket for another flight with a surcharge;
  • the passenger was late due to a flight delay or baggage problems.

What matters here is how it was acquired. travel document. If a passenger has one ticket for both flights, all additional costs are borne by the air carrier, through whose fault this delay occurred. In the case of such overlays, the passenger has the right to:

  • exchange of a ticket for a time convenient for him, without extra expenses for commissions and fines;
  • a hotel room for the entire time until the plane's departure;
  • free food and water;
  • communication with loved ones to inform about their delay.

If a downtime happened in tourist city, airlines offer free excursions as moral compensation.

If the ticket for each flight was purchased separately, all the risks fall on the shoulders of the passenger, even if he was late due to the fault of the airline. In this case, you will have to contact the airline representative and exchange your ticket according to the fare conditions.

To protect yourself from such problems, choose flights with large gaps between flights.

If you missed a plane in another country

Usually this happens due to problems with obtaining a visa on a trip abroad. This is a controversial situation and there is no money-back guarantee. For such a case, it does not hurt to take a certificate of refusal to obtain a visa from your embassy. In case of illness of a passenger who flies with you, the air carrier provides preferential check-in for a subsequent flight while maintaining the class of service. If the passenger himself falls ill, this does not give him any privileges for the return of funds.

If you fly to a country where a visa is required, the airline will refuse to check-in for the flight if you do not have a visa. According to international rules, the air carrier will have to send a passenger to the country of departure at its own expense if visa problems are detected upon arrival. Therefore, it is worth taking care of obtaining a foreign visa in advance.

Can I get a refund for a ticket?

Will the money for the ticket be returned if I missed the plane? Probably, such a thought occurs to everyone who follows the gaze of an aircraft flying away without him. It's a shame, but the ability to return a ticket and get a refund would be a good consolation bonus, given their prices. For information on how to return money for a boarding pass, ask an employee of the airline. This information is posted on the websites of each carrier. You will receive the full amount of funds spent in the following cases:

  • aircraft model change;
  • Departure delayed by more than 4 hours due to the fault of the air carrier;
  • delay or postponement of the flight due to his own fault;
  • death of a passenger or his close relative;
  • canceled landing at the destination airport due to unforeseen circumstances.

Get your money for non-refundable ticket possible in two cases: illness or death of a passenger, confirmed by a medical certificate, or improper performance by the airline of its duties. An example is the cancellation or delay of a flight for more than 4 hours.

Missing a plane is not the most pleasant moment in life. But no one is immune from it. In any case, do not be upset: sometimes just communicating with an employee of the air carrier solves all the problems that have arisen.

It is not always possible for travelers to correctly calculate the time to get to the airport. Someone is late for a flight because they are in traffic jams, someone has spent too much time on fees. And no matter how punctual and responsible you are, force majeure can occur for everyone. What to do if you find yourself in such a situation, that is, you miss your plane? There are two schemes.

Scheme one

1 step. If a person did not have time to register, he is considered late. Therefore, if you notice that the check-in time is running out, and the plane is not yet on the runway, hurry up to the special counters designed for late passengers. You can use this service if before departure international flight at least 30 minutes left; if we are talking about a domestic flight, the time is reduced to 25 minutes.

For example, this opportunity can be used by passengers departing from Domodedovo Airport. Remember that this counter in Domodedovo is located in sector C.

However, keep in mind that emergency check-in is not free. The cost of check-in for an adult passenger is 2200 rubles, and for a young passenger (child 2-12 years old) - 1100. One piece of luggage costs 350 rubles.

Dedicated counters are not available at all airports. So, in Sheremetyevo there are no such counters, but at this airport you can still go through it within 5-10 minutes after the end of registration, in agreement with the representative of the airline.

2 step. A number of airlines allow their passengers to check in for a flight using the Internet. For example, Vnukovo Airport provides such an opportunity. Online check-in is possible for most international, charter and domestic flights. Unfortunately, only those passengers who travel light, that is, without luggage, can use this service. The time frame for such registration is set by air carriers and tour operators.

Scheme two

1 step. If you arrived at the airport after the departure of your flight, you should contact the airline representative.

Please return your unused ticket first. If you are late for an international or domestic flight Article 108 of the Air Code of the Russian Federation is in force. According to this article, a passenger can cancel a flight one day before the departure of the aircraft, if the rules established by the air carrier do not determine the grace period. In this case, the failed passenger receives the amount for the unused ticket in full. If the period is less than 24 hours, a fee is deducted from the amount, the amount of which should not exceed 25% of the amount paid for the ticket.

Then ask an airline representative to help you find a ticket for the next flight at the best rates. If the matter is urgent, pay attention to the board with the destination you need, and then contact a representative of another airline.

A number of air carriers impose additional conditions for the refund of money for economy class tickets purchased under promotions or special fares. For example, the money may be refunded, taking into account the fine, or the ticket may be generally “non-refundable”.

2 step. You can count on a full refund of the ticket price in case of an involuntary refund. This is possible in the event of a flight cancellation, rescheduling, a delay of more than three hours, a canceled landing at your destination, a change in class of service, a change in aircraft type, the death of a passenger or a member of his family, a mismatch with the next flight on which you were planning to fly. With the latter option, you must be reimbursed for the cost of both tickets.

A controversial case is the return of money in case of refusal to obtain a visa. If you are going to fly abroad and purchased a ticket in advance, and the consulate refused to issue you a visa, you can get your money back by presenting a passport or a certificate of refusal. If you were issued a visa later than the day of departure, that is, with a delay, the airline may refuse to refund you for the ticket.

If you are ill and therefore unable to fly, paper ticket your relative can return for you. However, for this he must have the appropriate power of attorney in his hands.

When buying a ticket, the carrier always reminds that check-in for the flight ends 40-60 minutes before departure and recommends arriving at the airport in advance. But there are times when, for reasons beyond your control, you still miss the plane. What to do in this case?

The main thing - do not panic!

If there are 5 minutes left until the end of check-in, and there is a huge queue ahead, you can go to a special check-in counter for late passengers. At some airports, this service may be chargeable.

Once checked in, try not to be late for boarding, as a rule, it ends 25 minutes before departure. Exact time will be written on your boarding pass.

If you are delayed in duty free and yet they were late for boarding, i.e. the representative of the airline announced that the landing is over (this information is also on the scoreboard), then you are unlikely to get on board. "Why? you say. “After all, the plane is on the ground, it hasn’t flown anywhere yet!”

The fact is that there is a time frame for servicing the aircraft after the landing is closed, which must be met. Violation of them will lead to a delay in departure. In order to let you on board, you need the personal permission of the airline representative, which will lead to a delay in departure, which in turn is fraught with fines, losing the queue for departure and waiting for a free “window”, which can drag on for several hours.

Due to the delay of one passenger on the plane, all the rest, and sometimes more than one hundred of them, will have to wait for the departure for several hours. The same thing happens if the passenger is late for check-in. Dear passengers, do not be late!

What to do if you miss a direct flight?

If you arrived at the airport, and the plane has already left, then first of all contact the airline employee. If you are the holder of a business or first class ticket, then, subject to availability, you will be put on the next flight without any material loss. But it depends on the policy of the airline and the fare rules for which the ticket was purchased.

In the case of an economy class or a ticket purchased at a special fare, everything is more complicated. An airline employee can offer you a seat on another flight, but for changing the date or time of departure you will have to pay a fine or buy a new ticket(if yours was irrevocable). The amount of the fine depends on the conditions of the fare and the ticket itself.

What to do if you miss your connecting flight?

The situation is even more complicated on flights with transfers. If you are late for the first flight, then the airline will most likely cancel the second segment of the flight and you will have to. In most cases, it is impossible to return money for an unused segment.

The same situation may arise when buying a round-trip ticket, if you are late for the “outward” flight, the airline may cancel the “back” ticket as well. Be careful and always read the fare rules.

If you managed to catch the first flight, but for some reason missed the next flight during a transfer, then you can find all the answers to your questions in the article “What to do if you missed the next flight during a transfer?” .

Can I get a refund if you missed the plane?

The answer to this question depends on the fare rules for which you bought the ticket.

If the rules allow for a refund or exchange of a ticket after the so-called NO-SHOW, when the passenger did not appear for check-in or boarding, then you can return part or all of the amount.

Unfortunately, most of the tickets purchased at a promotion or at the cheapest fare are non-refundable and there is a line in the exchange and return rules:

TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF NO-SHOW.

Which means that in case of no-show on the flight, the ticket is non-refundable.

But do not despair ahead of time, read the rules further, it may not be returned, but you can change it!

For example, the airline "Belavia" in the rules states that in the case of a NO-SHOW, the money for the ticket is not returned, but nevertheless, you can change it to another time or date:

IN CASE OF NO SHOW UPGRADE PERMITTED TO ANY HIGHER
ECONOMY CLASS FARE. FARE DIFFERENCE COLLECTED PLUS
PENALTY EUR 60.00 APPLIES.

In the event of a no-show for a flight, you can change your ticket to a higher fare class by paying the difference between your ticket and your ticket by more than high class, plus a fine of 60 euros.

You can receive the full amount for the ticket only forced return. Forced refunds include cases of non-fulfillment by the airline of its obligations. This is for example:

  • rescheduling or canceling a flight,
  • more than three hours delay
  • canceled boarding at destination,
  • service class change,
  • aircraft type change,
  • death of a passenger or a member of his family.
24 Jan 2012 Anna Lump Tags: ,