Picture this: you’re rushing to the airport, heart racing, bags in tow, only to find out that your flight has already taken off without you. It’s a traveler’s worst nightmare, especially if you have business meetings or plans upon arrival. But fret not, missing your flight doesn’t have to be the end of the world.
It’s important to maintain a clear head when this happens. (This is easier said than done though as I have ugly-cried a few times in front of airline staff after missing my flight). Once we get through the tears, and numerous apologies for my behavior, there are a few things you can do if you miss your flight.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on what to do if you miss your flight. From contacting the airline immediately to considering alternate transportation options, we’ve got you covered. So take a deep breath, and let’s focus on the next step.
What to do if you THINK you’re going to miss your flight?
Life happens right? Sometimes we can’t get to our flight and if you think you’re going to miss it, get in contact with the airline. They can’t hold the plane for you, but they might be able to help you rebook onto a new flight (and thus give your unused ticket to someone on standby). This may incur a small fee, but it’s cheaper than buying a new flight.
In the BEST of circumstances, they’ll tell you the flight is running late as well and they’ll tell you when it’s delayed til.
If you think it’s going to be a close call, one hack that I learned is to check in online. This way the airline tries to wait for you and calls your name numerous times in hopes you’ll make it.
Contact the airline immediately
If you’ve missed your flight, the first thing you should do is contact your airline immediately. Don’t wait until you get to the airport to try and resolve the issue. The sooner you speak to a representative, the more options you’ll have for rebooking. Explain your situation and ask what your options are. The airline may be able to put you on standby for another flight or offer you a seat on a later flight.
It’s important to note that some airlines may charge a fee for rebooking or changing your itinerary. If this is the case, be prepared to pay the fee or try negotiating with the representative. Airlines do want to keep their customers happy, so it’s worth asking if there’s any leeway in terms of fees or availability.
Thanks to the “flat-tire rule” you may be able to rebook your flight without penalty. The rule varies by airline (and is always changing). For example, American Airlines currently allows travelers who miss their flight and arrive within two hours to get booked on the next flight as a standby traveler without a fee. On the other hand, Delta does their flat tire rule on a case-by-case basis.
If you’re already at the airport when the original flight departs, head to the airline counter and talk to the airport staff. They’ll be able to get you quicker answers than calling someone on a customer service line.
Overall, contacting the airline immediately is the best course of action when you’ve missed your flight. It can save you time, money, and stress in the long run, and increase your chances of getting to your destination on time.
See if there are any available flights
If you missed your flight, your initial instinct may be to give up and accept your fate as stranded at the airport. However, it’s important to not lose hope just yet. One of the first things you should do is see if there are any available flights on the same day or the following day. This can be done by contacting the airline directly or using their online booking system.
It’s important to note that some airlines may charge a fee for rebooking or changing your itinerary. If this is the case, be prepared to pay the additional fee or try negotiating with the representative. Airlines do want to keep their customers happy, so it’s worth asking if there’s any leeway in terms of extra charges, fees, or availability.
If you’re lucky, there may be an open seat on the next flight out. However, keep in mind that availability can be limited, especially during peak travel seasons. It’s important to act quickly and not waste any time booking the next available flight.
Don’t be afraid to book on another airline. Airline representatives can look for flights on other airlines such as low-cost carriers (like Spirit). While it might not be as nice as your initial flight, it might be a same-day flight! Take the pros and the cons together.
If there are no available flights, consider alternate transportation options such as renting a car or taking a train or bus to your destination.
Consider alternate transportation
If you’re lucky, there may be an open seat on the next flight out. However, keep in mind that availability can be limited, especially during peak travel seasons. It’s important to act quickly and not waste any time in booking the next available flight.
But what if there are no available flights? In that case, it’s time to consider alternate transportation options. One option is to rent a car and drive to your destination. This may be a good idea if your destination is within a reasonable driving distance and you have some flexibility in your travel plans.
Another option is to take a train or bus to your destination. While this may take longer than flying, it can be a more relaxing and enjoyable way to travel. Plus, you’ll get to see some beautiful scenery along the way.
Overall, contacting the airline immediately is the best course of action when you’ve missed your flight. It can save you time, money, and stress in the long run, and increase your chances of getting to your destination on time. If there are no available flights, consider alternate transportation options such as renting a car or taking a train or bus to your destination.
Don’t worry if you need to take an alternative form of transportation, as it can be a fun adventure.
Find accommodation for the night, if needed.
After figuring out your transportation plan, it’s time to start looking for accommodation for the night. Depending on where you are, there could be a variety of options available to you. If you’re lucky, the airline may provide vouchers for a hotel stay, so be sure to ask about that when you’re speaking with them.
If not, there are plenty of online resources that can help you find a place to stay. Sites like Airbnb and Booking.com are great for finding affordable accommodations quickly. If you’re looking to save some money, consider staying at a hostel or a budget hotel. Be sure to check out my tips for saving money on hotels. These options may not be as luxurious as a five-star hotel, but they can be a great way to meet other travelers and save some cash.
Once you’ve found a place to stay, try to make the most of your unplanned layover. Take the opportunity to explore the city you’re in, even if it’s just for a few hours. Check out local restaurants and bars, take a stroll through a park, or visit a museum. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, so make the most of your unexpected detour.
It’s important to note that depending on your airport, you may need visa/entry requirements to leave the airport. If you don’t have them, then you may not be able to leave the airport. In this case, there may be places to sleep/shower in the airport, feel free to ask a gate agent.
Stay calm and make the most of your time
Now that you find yourself with unexpected time on your hands, it’s important to stay calm and make the most of it. While it’s easy to get frustrated or stressed out, remember that your attitude can make a big difference in how enjoyable your unplanned layover ends up being.
One way to make the most of your time is to explore the city you’re in. Even if you only have a few hours, take the opportunity to visit a local attraction or grab a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. Not only will it help pass the time, but it could also lead to some unexpected and memorable experiences.
Another option is to use the extra time to catch up on work or personal projects. Find a quiet spot to work on your laptop or take advantage of the downtime to read a book or listen to a podcast.
No matter how you choose to spend your time, try to approach the situation with a positive attitude and an open mind. Making the most of a missed flight may not have been part of your original plan, but it could end up being a surprisingly enjoyable detour.
Check your Travel Insurance
Some (not most though) can cover travel insurance. If you think it might, check your policy! You will have to prove that you’ve had a valid reason for missing your flight (sleeping in doesn’t count). You will most likely have to show that you did everything in your power to make your flight.
Can you complain to the airlines if you miss your flight?
No. Unless the airline moved UP the flight (which I’ve never seen/heard of) then it’s on you to be at the airport. If the flight is canceled/delayed, then sure, but remember to complain nicely – it’s not the person at the front desk’s call if the flight takes off or not.
Also, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. If you’re nice to people, they’re nice back. If you’re rude, chances are they won’t get you on the next flight. Be nice to people.
Final Thoughts
Remember, missing your flight may not have been part of your plan, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. Approach the situation with an open mind and a positive attitude, and you may end up having an unexpectedly enjoyable detour. And if you’re ready to move on to your next destination, it’s time to explore other transportation options.,
In conclusion, missing a flight can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can take charge of the situation and make the most of it. Remember, staying calm and positive is key, and making the most of your unexpected free time can lead to unexpectedly enjoyable experiences. So, next time you miss a flight, don’t panic, take control, and make it an adventure. As the famous quote by Winston Churchill goes, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Read More Flight Tips
Long Haul Flight Survival Guide
6 Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
How to Move Through the Airport Quickly
Save “What to do if You Miss Your Flight” for later!
I like how you stress that a positive attitude can calm the situation, result in getting more assistance and might actually turn it into something good.
Good tips about making sure to check in online and contacting the airline immediately you know you will miss the flight.
I’ve missed connecting flights due to delays but never missed any primary flights. Each time, I was met by airline reps with information (sometimes my new boarding pass).
That’s awesome. I’ve never been met by an airline rep but I have been let off the plane first so I wouldn’t miss a connection!
Is it really called the flat tire rule? I had no idea. Really great tips though. I imagine it’s super easy for all of this to go out of the window when you actually experience it, but good to remember to keep a level head. I’ve (luckily) never missed a flight – I’m more likely to arrive 4 hours early – but still, really helpful ideas of things to try in the unfortunate event. The only ones I’ve been close to missing are the kind that fly a few times a day, but this has me checking all my upcoming flights now for timing changes
Yes the flat tire rule got it’s nickname for people ‘getting a flat tire’ on their way to the airport. So it gives you some leeway time. I am with you in getting to the airport early,but I have missed connecting flights unfortunately. Luckily I talked to the airline staff and got us moving forward.
Great practical advice on what to do if you miss your flight. We’ve been lucky (so far) that we’ve always made it to the airport on time (although we once got stuck in traffic and made the flight 2 mins before boarding closed!) but have had airlines mess around with our schedules – although that’s been their problem to fix. Your advice to keep calm and don’t let it ruin the trip applies in this situation as well. And treating people with respect is absolutely the best approach – they are far more likely to help!
Thank you for sharing these tips. True that keeping calm is key and considering all options to avoid or reduce any further fees! Good shout on the travel insurance if it covers you for any predicaments such as missing your flight. And I agree with you – It doesn’t have to be the end of the world and ruin the whole trip. I haven’t heard of an Airline doing what American Airlines does if you are late, but that could be very useful!
It is undoubtedly a pertinent issue and one that can affect everyone who travels by air. The article is well structured and the suggestions made are a valuable help.
Missing your flight is definitely every traveler’s nightmare. But maintaining a clear head and knowing what to do if you miss your flight is definitely an advantage.
I always check in online and try to arrive at the airport a couple of hours early, but life happens!
The flat-tire rule is a piece of new information to me. I would definitely check with the same airline first for an alternative flight.
Once I had a trip during which I missed 3 of 4 flights; it was awful. The first was my error and then it spiraled from there. One thing to note is that when you book a new flight with a different airline or take alternate transportation, as you suggest, you’ll be booted from the return flight–I learned that the hard way 🙁
Now I *always* arrive 3 hours in advance and it feels great haha!
Fortunately, I’ve never missed a flight, but you give exciting tips on how to deal with such a situation. I always arrive at the airport a few hours before the flight; I’d rather be bored than miss my flight. But this can happen to anyone. The best hints are that you can contact the airline, try to change your flight or verify your insurance. Valuable tips!
Fantastic tips to remain calm when under immense stress and pressure on your travels. I would follow your advice and try to speak to the airline first, depending on the next available flight option I would then sort out accommodation. It’s not an ideal scenario and incredibly frustrating as you’ll end up with more costs but I’m positive there’s always a solution to any problem.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I once arrived at the front of La Guardia in New York (in the 1980s) with literally only 15 minutes to go before the gate closed. And I made it to my seat on the plane!!!! I still can’t believe it even now. And today I am pretty certain that would be impossible.