What happens if I miss my transfer?

What should I do if I miss my connection? You just arrived at your connecting airport and seen that your next flight has already left without you. In most cases you have the right to be rebooked on the next available flight, or ask for a refund and flight back to your point of departure.



If you miss your transfer and your entire journey was booked on one single ticket (one confirmation number), the airline is legally obligated to rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. If the next flight isn't until the following day, most "legacy" carriers will also provide vouchers for a hotel and meals. However, if you booked separate tickets (a "self-transfer" or multi-ticket itinerary), the airline owes you nothing; if the first flight is late and you miss the second, you will likely have to buy a new ticket at your own expense. In 2026, many airlines use automated systems to rebook you the moment the system detects you won't make the connection, often sending a new boarding pass to your mobile app before you've even landed. If this doesn't happen, your first step should be to find a gate agent or a transfer desk. Pro tip: Always carry a travel credit card, as the built-in trip delay insurance can cover expenses that airlines might refuse to pay.

People Also Ask

What should I do if I miss my connection? You just arrived at your connecting airport and seen that your next flight has already left without you. In most cases you have the right to be rebooked on the next available flight, or ask for a refund and flight back to your point of departure.

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While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violates airlines' contracts of carriage. For example, American's contract of carriage says this: Reservations made to exploit or circumvent fare and ticket rules are prohibited.

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Is skiplagging illegal? No, but it's against most airlines' contracts of carriage or the rules people must follow to fly with the airline. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines both put skiplagging first on their lists of prohibited booking practices.

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No, 1 hour is not enough for connecting flights. In most cases, airlines recommend allowing at least two hours between connecting flights to ensure that you have plenty of time to make your connection.

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Generally speaking, most airlines will make some kind of efforts to wait for delayed passengers on a connecting flight, though this is not necessarily guaranteed. In some cases, airlines may be able to hold a connecting flight for a period of time, but it is not something that is typically guaranteed by any airline.

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If you miss your connection due to a delay, usually the airline is responsible for providing you with a replacement flight to your destination. They will have to book you on the earliest possible flight available.

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If you missed your flight connection due to your previous flight being delayed or canceled, you will likely be booked on the next flight free of charge. The airline is also required to provide you with care, including food, refreshments, and access to communication.

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While skiplagging isn't illegal, American Airlines filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month against Skiplagged.com, accusing the company of unauthorized and deceptive ticketing practices and tricking customers into believing they've gained access to a secret loophole.

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Overall, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights, though there may be some exceptions depending on the airport and flight itinerary. To make this process easier, checking with the airline or airport ahead of time is recommended.

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AIRLINES OWE YOU NOTHING IN CASE OF A MISSED CONNECTION IF YOU BUILT A MULTI-TICKET ITINERARY YOURSELF. If you have combined two separate purchases and you miss your connection, you will have to buy another ticket to replace the one you missed, at your own expense. It's as simple as that.

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You should know that in case you do miss your connection, you still have passenger rights, and you are entitled to compensation for your costs. The compensation is based on the flight distance to the destination and is calculated as follows - 600 €, 400 € or 250 €.

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Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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In a passenger context, MCT is defined as the shortest time interval required in order to transfer a passenger and his luggage from one flight to a connecting flight, in a specific location or metropolitan area.

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Factor in a minimum three-hour window when flying to high traffic airports or traveling during peak days or hours. It's also important to know if you have to exit your terminal, collect your bags, and go through security again. If so, it's best to add another hour cushion for self-transfer flights.

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The minimum connection time at Doha Hamad airport starts at 45 minutes. This is valid for international connections of Qatar Airways. Most flights to USA and Canada require at least 1 hour, but there are also flights requiring 1 hour 25 minutes.

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No matter what airline you're flying, if you have a connecting flight that arrives in the United States from an international destination, you'll need to pick up your bags and recheck them on your next flight.

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Mayers recommends two hours as a standard buffer between flights to be safe. This gives you a cushion in case things go wrong during your journey. You'll definitely want at least a two-hour window if you've booked a “hacker fare,” as opposed to flying with the same airline your entire trip.

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But skiplagging is controversial, and many airlines frown upon it — so much that it can be punishable by miles or status cancellations and even a lifetime ban from the airline.

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She continued: “While a one-off occurrence could go unnoticed, any travelers that are repeat offenders run the risk of being flagged in the airline's system and potentially banned from flying with the airline in the future.”

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It makes sense, because the practice saps revenue from them on two fronts: Not only do passengers underpay — potentially by hundreds of dollars per ticket — but the seat on the tossed leg also could have been sold to someone else. Most contracts of carriage from major airlines expressly forbid skiplagging as a result.

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