What to do if you missed the plane
Travels / / December 19, 2019
That awkward feeling when the plane flew without you ...
Rather than to convince myself that this could happen is not exactly you, find out what to do and how to behave if you missed the plane. This can save you money and hassle, especially if you are new in this business.
I remember 6 years ago I was going to his first flight in my life. During it, I experienced not only all the charm of this process (now I'm madly in love to fly), but also the feelings experienced by people who are late for your flight.
The most common reasons why you may miss the plane.
Do not have time to register
- Sleep or confuse the time / date of departure.
- Get caught in traffic on the way to the airport or you (the taxi driver) can break the car.
What to doIf check-in is over, it does not mean that the ticket can be discarded. Especially, if the ticket is already purchased in the two sides. Depending on the tariff, you can exchange it for another the next flight, in which there are empty seats. To do this, go to the counter of your airline at the airport (if you buy a ticket directly) or contact an intermediary (such as a travel agency), through which it was purchased. A company can put a fine for an exchange (the cheaper the ticket was, the greater may be fine), but it will still be cheaper than buying a new ticket.
Important: Such a scheme does not work if your ticket was bought on special or special rate and can not be exchanged. Most likely, you have to buy a new ticket at full price. Also, if your ticket has at least one transplant will have to resume all flights, as they will automatically be canceled.
Or have time to register, but to miss the connecting flight
- Lost in a strange airport.
- Late for a transplant due to the delay of its first flight.
What to do in the embodiment 1: Get your airline counter at the airport and explain the situation. In this case, the same rule will work - you can exchange your ticket for another flight on the tariff conditions (with or without a fine), or buy a new one.
What to do in Case 2: Being late for a flight, you can not fault of their own, for example, if your plane took off from the airport with a considerable delay and as a result you do not have time to your connecting flight.
Two flights - one ticket
If you have purchased a full flight just one ticket (even if it contains two different airlines), then all the costs required to take over the airline, the fault that you're late. On that you have the right in this case:
- exchange your boarding pass without fines and penalties;
- free phone to call relatives or friends, and tell about your delay;
- paid for a hotel room if your flight will take place on the following day;
- paid lunch or dinner, water (depending on the flight waiting period).
Just contact the airline representation and exchange your ticket.
Two flights - two different ticket
If you bought two flights separately, and as a result of the delay of the first flight late in the second, the responsibility for this lies solely with you, since you are not considered a transfer passenger. Therefore, contact the airline representation and exchange your ticket at the tariff conditions.
helpful hints
Having been personally in such a situation a few years ago, after hearing a familiar story, I want to share a few tips that can be useful to others.
Check the date and time of departure
Especially if you bought the tickets a few months or half a year. Remind yourself of the exact departure date a week before the planned trip, and then again - a few days. Do not rely on your memory, because the numbers can be very easy to confuse.
Count your time with a reserve
It is not necessary to schedule the arrival to the airport at the last minute, as the road may take longer than usual, for example, you can not arrive late or taxi. It is much easier to spare half an hour to read a book in the waiting room, you spend nerve cells, being late for a flight.
Do not buy tickets with short transfers
If you're a fan of extreme sports, you will like flights with 30-40-minute transfers. Otherwise, choose the intervals between flights of at least 1.5-2 hours. So you protect yourself from excessive haste and the consequences of possible departure delays.
Read the terms of its tariff
Buying the cheapest or promotional tickets, be sure to read the terms of their exchange and refund, to be alert to the amount of money you can make changes to their plans.
Learn about interchange airports
Before departure check out those in which terminal you arrive and from which it will take off, how far apart they It is and how much time it takes to travel through the territory of the airport (if you can walk or need to take a bus or train). So you will not be lost on the site and spend time searching for the information you need when every minute counts.
I hope this information and advice will protect you from being late on a plane and other problems during the flight.
Good luck!
P.S. And if you have something to add to this list, welcome in the comments :-).