Owen Park
Missed Connections: What To Do When Your Airline Drops The Ball – And Which Airlines Will Rebook You In A New Flight. It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare – running as fast as you can through an airport to catch a connecting flight, only to see it leave the gate without you. Some 2% of flights in the US are delayed by 15 minutes or more and it’s the traveler’s connection that gets left in the air. But when this happens, what happens next? How do you get rebooked on another flight, and which airlines will rebook you on a new flight at no extra charge and which will charge an arm and a leg to rebook you on another flight.
Understanding Airline Connection Policies
What Are Connection Times?
Of great importance to consider when booking flights with layovers are connection times, also referred to as transit times, or link times. The minimum connection time (MCT) between two flights within the same airport are defined by the airport and the airlines themselves. The connection time within JFK Airport for example is 45 minutes for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international flights. All airlines honor the minimum connection time unless they advertise a longer connection time (also called a connection time or link time) to connect their customers to their flights.
Policies That Work
Delta Airlines for example will rebook you on the same class of service on the next available flight if the delay was as a result of their operations. Also, in cases where a significant delay is experienced, passengers may be provided with meal vouchers. On the other hand, budget airlines like Spirit Airlines will make you purchase a new ticket in the event that you miss your connection.
Real Stories: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Redemption of Customer Service
Sarah recently experienced the relief of American Airlines Customer Service after her flight was delayed on arrival at her connecting airport. As a result she missed her flight and was rebooked on the next available flight. Sarah was also offered a hotel stay at no extra cost to herself as she was due to arrive at her destination very late in the night and have an early start the next morning for an important meeting. “I was very stressed when I had found out that I had missed my connecting flight but the customer service staff were very efficient and got me on to the next flight and also sorted out a hotel for me. I was worried that I would miss an important meeting the next morning but this was not the case thanks to the excellent service that I received.” Pick your airline wisely.
A Frustrating Experience
Compare this to Tom’s case with Ryanair where after missing his flight due to the delay of his initial flight he was asked to pay for the full cost of a new ticket. He said that he felt that he was being “penalized” for something that wasn’t his fault.
Hotel Vouchers and Compensation
When Do You Get a Hotel Voucher?
Hotel vouchers for passengers are provided by airlines in case of a flight delay or cancelation and passengers are told that their next connecting flight is departing the following day. Passengers who incur additional expenses as a result of a flight delay are often provided with hotel vouchers by airlines such as Emirates and Singapore Airlines to stay for a few hours to enable them to make their next flight.
Compensation Protocols
Compensation is typically governed by and is generally provided to passengers in accordance with EU261 to passengers travelling from within the EU, regardless of their destination. Outside of the EU, each airline will have their own policies with some airlines offering similar levels of compensation, whilst others may not provide any. I’ve recently had the opportunity to test the two methods with Lufthansa flights. The first method takes around 60 minutes to complete the process, whereas the second method takes longer at around 100 minutes, but in both cases saves a massive 40 minutes of my time.
“Always check the airline’s policy before booking – it could save you a lot of stress and money,” advises travel expert Carl Simmons. The Role of Travel Insurance
Why It’s a Worthwhile Investment
Even with the best planned trip, things can go wrong. Missed connections are perhaps the most frustrating of them all. This is where your travel insurance can really come into play. A policy can cover the costs of additional things such as hotel, meals and even the cost of a completely new ticket. There are a number of companies on the market that offer a wide range of travel insurance plans and cover. These can be used to create a complete travel solution that is tailored to your needs. Two good companies to look at are Allianz and World Nomads.
Reading the Fine Print
However, there are big variations between travel insurance policies – some have exclusions and circumstances where you won’t be covered, others will only pay out if you booked your trip through specific retailers.
How to Handle a Missed Connection
Immediate Steps to Take
Step 1: Panic and rush to the airline’s help desk as quickly as possible. Once you’ve advised the airline staff of your situation and they’ve established that you’re eligible for a rebooking due to a missed connection as a result of a delay which was outside of your control, then you can negotiate with them in order to get the best possible solution. If you are a member then notify the airline staff of your status as a frequent flyer as this can sometimes get you upgraded to business class for free or at the very least get you checked in first.
relying on Technology
Lastly, be sure to download your airline’s app or any other travel-related apps such as TripIt, as these allow you to receive flight updates, gate changes, and be able to re-book flights on the go instantly to save time dealing with long lines of other frustrated passengers at the airport. As travel blogger Lisa Tran commented, “These apps can turn potential disasters into minor annoyances.”
“Apps, such as TripIt, also allow you to receive the status of your flight and gate information in real time as well as re-book flights should you miss a connecting flight,” noted travel blogger Lisa Tran in a post last year. Can I Claim Compensation for a Missed Connecting Flight?
Airline caused delay? They will put you on the next flight. Depending on the airline, sometimes they even provide you with meal vouchers or put you up in a hotel.
Can I claim for compensation for a missed connecting flight?
Also read: Travel insurance: worth your money or a waste of cash?
Missing a connecting flight is never any fun but don’t let it ruin your trip. Knowing the airlines policies, the latest technology to track flights and possible travel insurance to cover unexpected events can all help mitigate the stress and extra cost of missing a flight. Being prepared is key to dealing with any travel situation and knowing your rights will also help to ensure you get the best outcome in the event of a flight delay or cancellation. And remember, travel is all about the journey so don’t let a few bumps along the way ruin it for you. I reserve the right to change my mind on this but for now that is my view.
For more travel advice and insider tips, check out The Ultimate Guide to Travel: Mastering the Art of Adventure and Exploring the World with Moxietrail.
References
[1] Bureau of Transportation Statistics – offers data on flight delays and cancellations
[2] EU261 Regulation – Outlines passenger rights for flight delays and cancellations
[3] Allianz Travel Insurance – Offers full travel insurance plans.
Reviewed by Maya Calderon. Maya verified the trail conditions and reviewed the gear list against current info.
Editor’s Notes: This article was fact checked using primary sources, for example the EU261 Regulation regarding flight delays and cancellations as well as Allianz Travel Insurance which offers full travel insurance. In addition, traveler interviews and review of relevant data and statistics from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics were conducted. We have checked the prices for relevant gear, travel options and trail conditions as well as any changes to routes and described current circumstances. If you notice any errors or have suggestions please contact us via our Contact page. In the meantime review our Editorial Standards and Fact-Checking Policy for more information about our review process.
