What to do if connecting flight is changed?

Once you've decided on a new flight, call the airline to get your itinerary switched. If the change is significant enough and there are no other flights that work with your schedule, you do have the option to request a cash refund (even with a normally non-refundable basic economy fare).



If your connecting flight is changed or canceled, the first thing you should do is check your airline's mobile app. In 2026, most major carriers (like Delta, United, or Lufthansa) will automatically "re-protect" you on the next available flight and send a push notification with your new boarding pass. If the new flight doesn't work for you, do not immediately join the long customer service line at the airport; instead, use the "Live Chat" or "Rebooking" tool in the app, or call the airline's international service number, which often has shorter wait times. If the change results in an "overnight" delay and the airline was at fault (e.g., mechanical issue), they are generally required to provide a hotel voucher and meal credits. If you are in the European Union or flying on an EU carrier, you may also be entitled to significant financial compensation under EU261/2004 regulations. Always ensure you have "Travel Insurance" that covers "Trip Interruption," as this can reimburse you for "missed" non-refundable hotel nights or tours at your final destination that the airline is not responsible for.

People Also Ask

Schedule Change/Significant Delay - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.

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How do I accept or refuse a schedule change? Usually, you don't have to do anything when you agree to the schedule change. Just present yourself at the airport after checking-in. If you want a different flight or a refund, however, you must contact the airline.

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What happens if a flight is delayed and you miss your connection? 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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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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The recommended layover time for international flights is generally longer, as you will have to go through customs and immigration before boarding your next flight. In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

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Laurel Brunvoll, owner and president of the boutique luxury travel agency Unforgettable Trips, agreed that 90 minutes is a good floor on connection times, even if an airline sends you an itinerary with as little as 40 minutes between flights.

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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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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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If the change is significant enough and there are no other flights that work with your schedule, you do have the option to request a cash refund (even with a normally non-refundable basic economy fare).

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For the most part, it's up to individual airlines to decide how to compensate their passengers after a delay. “There's no specific policy on compensations, said Shaiy Howard, president and CEO of Travel by Shaiy, a travel agency based in South Florida. Just keep in mind that all airlines vary.

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When a flight delay occurs, you are entitled to assistance and a choice between rerouting, reimbursement, or rebooking. If you arrive at your destination more than 3 hours after your scheduled arrival time, you are entitled to the same reimbursement, rerouting, and rebooking structure as a denied boarding.

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You may also have an individual claim if you can show that you were singled out for rescheduling, such as on the basis of race, religion, or ethnic origin. If you believe that your flight has been canceled improperly, you may want to speak to an attorney.

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The airline may choose to accommodate you by booking you on another flight, but that's their discretion, and you may be on the hook for change fees or even fare differences. If you miss a connection because your first flight was delayed, you're entitled to compensation depending on what caused the delay.

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What should I do if I miss a connecting flight due to flight delay?
  1. Get the airline to provide you with confirmation of the cause of the delay.
  2. Collect relevant documentation, such as receipts and vouchers.
  3. Claim your basic benefits and services at the airport.
  4. Determine the amount of your claim using our calculator.


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There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room.

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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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According to Heels First Travel, there is also a higher chance of an airline holding a connecting flight if it is an aircraft's last sector of that day. Earlier in the day, airlines might be more hesitant to do so as it would cause knock-on delays for the rest of that plane's daily diagram.

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Do you have to go through security again for connecting flight? Yes, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights. It is recommended that travelers allow enough extra time before their connecting flight to pass through security and customs again.

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What is a legal connection time? In the U.S. there's no overarching rule about minimum connection times. Airlines are free to set their own guidelines and sell connecting flight itineraries with whatever time between flights they feel is reasonable.

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A layover is a time you spend at a connecting airport between your primary flight and destination. Usually, on domestic flights, a layover is between 60 minutes to several hours, up to 23 hours, that you have on a transfer flight.

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