What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight
If you miss a connecting flight, go straight to the airline’s transfer or customer service desk. Whether the airline must rebook you for free depends on whether both flights were on one ticket and why you missed it.
Single ticket or separate tickets?
- One ticket (one booking): if the first flight was late and you missed the connection, the airline that issued the ticket normally rebooks you on the next available flight.
- Separate tickets: each airline treats its flight separately. If your first flight is late and you miss the second, the second airline may not help, and your ticket may be lost. This is why single tickets are safer for connections.
Steps
- Go to the transfer desk or contact the airline immediately.
- Show your boarding passes and ticket.
- Ask to be rebooked, and ask about meals or hotel if the wait is long.
- Get the new itinerary in writing.
- Tell anyone meeting you.
If you were late for another reason
If you missed the connection because you were late (security, immigration) the airline may charge to rebook.
Prevent it
- Allow enough time between flights, longer if you must change terminals or clear immigration.
- Prefer a single ticket.
- Track the first flight; see track a flight.
See delay vs cancellation vs diversion and delayed in transit.
General information only, not legal or safety advice. Details change; check with your airline and the relevant authority. See our editorial policy.