We all know that we have to leave plenty of time when heading to the airport for a flight. But there are a number of different ways that things can go wrong. Traffic jams, flat tires, cancelled buses, trains, bad weather… or perhaps something more pleasant like, perhaps you took a little too long packing your surfboards (ok, that’s semi pleasant). Perhaps you spent just a little too long enjoying the surf and chilling out on that beach (yeah!). Or perhaps you missed a connection due to no fault of your own, just because the first flight was delayed. Whatever the reason that you miss your flight, it can be a stressful experience. This is how it happened to me and some tips on how to solve the problem and what are your options.
Missing My Connecting Flight on the Way Back From Bali and Meeting an Off Duty Pilot With Girlfriends in Every Port :)
I have been pretty lucky so far, I’ve only missed my flight once. It was on my way back home from Bali. Bali airport is notoriously jammed with flights and so is Jakarta airport. So delays are not that rare. In my experience you need about 3h in Jakarta to safely pick up your bags, change the terminals and check them in again. So this is how much time I had in between my local Bali-Jakarta flight and the international flight that would take me back home. Soon after checking in my bags at Bali the DELAYED signs started popping up all over the screens. Then the waiting began. 1h passed, 2h passed… it was going to be tight. A was walking up and down the terminal and there was this guy that seemed familiar. Turned out I’ve never met him before, but we started talking. He was an off duty pilot for one of the airlines travelling to Jakarta on the same plane as me.
Dude was such a legend. He texted one of the employees at the check in counter in Jakarta if they can wait for me. Arriving to Jakarta he flashed his pilot badge and I was the first one to get my bags. And then the car that came to pick him up drove me to my departure terminal. And he gave me some tips on how to hit on stewardess haha. But I already knew it was all in vain. We arrive at the check in gate 20min past plane takeoff. Plane was gone.
I spent the night at the airport. Had to buy another plane ticket because mine was bought on promotion and allowed no refunds, changes etc… Paid more for one way ticket then for the return one. And witnessed a pissed off older guy stealing cutlery from the plane while mumbling: “Number one Europe airline my ass.”
So. Here’s what to do when this happens to you.
If the Flight Is Delayed
Delayed flights happen. Depending on your itinerary a delayed flight can only be a small nuisance, you have to spend some extra time on the airport waiting and watching people come and go. And that is it. Or it can cause all sorts of problems. Like missing your next connecting flight. Getting to your destination late and missing all sorts of important things like evening surf session* or a wedding for instance. Most of the things you can do to solve a delayed flight are listed below.
One important distinction between missing a flight and a delayed flight is that when the flight is delayed, it is never your fault (except if you are the guy slamming on the cockpit door, see footnote). So apart from getting some food and a place to sleep if it is required, you may be also be able get some money out of it. This, as far as I know, only works in Europe, because it is regulated by European legislation. Anyway, to find out how flight delay compensation works check the link from AirHelp. Airhelp will also help you find out if you are eligible for a compensation or not.
If You Miss the Flight
Stop, and Take a Deep Breath
First things first – try to stop, take a deep breath, and assess the situation. When you miss a flight, it is understandable to be in a bit of a flap. But it is not the end of the world. You will get through it. It’s not a terminal disease or something. It might cost you some money and nerves but that’s it. First of all, it is important to work out what exactly has happened, and why. Is it your own fault, or the airline’s? Working out whether or not you are at fault is crucial. This will let you know you need to do, and what it will cost you.
Speak To a Member of Airport Staff
If you are through security, rushed to the gate but did not quite make it, the first step will be finding a member of airport staff and explaining the problem. If boarding has closed but you are airside, the airport staff will not be able to stop the plane. But they will be able to notify your airline of the problem, and take you back through security and passport control to the arrivals hall, where you can work out what to do next.
Assess Your Options, Decide What You Want to Do
Before you speak to anyone, it is important to work out yourself what you want to do. What do you want to achieve, and who do you need to speak to?
If you missed your flight (and it was not the airline’s fault):
- You may be put on standby. But there is no guarantee that you will be allocated a seat on the next flight, or even a later flight on the same day with your airline.
- It may be easier to re-book on a later flight for a confirmed seat.
- You will likely have to pay full-price for your new ticket, or at very least, it is likely you will have to pay a ‘missed departure’ or ‘rescue’ fee. These vary depending on which airline you have chosen.
- Your return flight may be cancelled if you miss your outbound flight.
- You will likely not get a refund for the flight you missed.
- You may have to look at booking a new flight through a different airline if your airline won’t co-operate.
- If you booked through a tour operator, they should cover your costs, including overnight accommodation if required.
- Check your insurance to see whether or not the costs will be covered.
If you missed your connecting flight due to airline delays:
- If you booked a connecting flight on one ticket, it is up to the airline to arrange another flight.
- If you booked on two separate tickets, it is up to you to find another flight.
Speak To Your Airline
What can be done depends on the terms that were valid when you were purchasing your ticket. These terms very from ticket to ticket (regular ticket, promo ticket, flexible ticket…) and from airline to airline. So to resolve the issue you need to speak to the airline to see what arrangement you can come to. Even where you are at fault, kindness and politeness can go a long way. Often, if you are polite and friendly, they will do their best to help you get out of your predicament.
Of course, if you can at all manage it, not missing your flight in the first place is the best way to go, predict the unpredictable and be at the airport early.
*We once spent two days searching and organizing flights in a way that would get us to Bali early enough so we could score an evening surf session. Everything went according to plan, Bali was already there, just looking through the airplane window. Then the plane turned around a we landed back in Java. Bali airport was closed when a pissed of passenger on one of the flights wanted to come into the cockpit thinking it was a toilet. He was slamming on the doors so hard the pilot panicked and pushed some sort of teror attack button, plane landed, airport closed, passenger arrested, evening surf session missed.