Everyday thousand of people miss their flight, but this is usually down to not getting to the airport, checking in and going through airport security in time.
But what happens if you miss your flight after having checked in?
Are you entitled to any compensation?
Will the plane wait for you?
Let’s find out.
What Happens If You Miss Your Flight After Checking In?
If you check in but still manage to miss your flight, the airline will consider you a “no show”.
This means that an airline will cancel your ticket and therefore the rest of your itinerary.
The good news is that if you lose track of time after you check in, and it looks like you might miss your flight, the airline will make every effort to try and locate you.
They may do this by announcing your name over the airport’s PA system.
What Happens to Your Bag
If you checked in a bag, there’s a possibility that your bag will arrive at your destination without you, which will certainly be a hassle and take time for you to get your bag back.
However, if you miss your flight after checking in, especially if it is an international flight, your bag will be retrieved from the cargo hold and the airline will hold it for you.
This will usually cause a delay for the passengers onboard.
Additionally, if you are rebooked on another flight, the airline will do their best to retrieve your bag and reroute it to your final destination.
Related: 3 Must Things to Do When an Airline Loses Your Bag
You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
If you miss your flight after checking in, you are not entitled to any compensation, including a refund.
However, you may be able to rebook your flight for a fee.
If you miss your flight due to an issue that is within the airline’s control, then you are entitled to a full cash refund.
What About If You Check in Online and Miss Your Flight
Due to how common checking in online is, it’s more common for you to miss your flight after having checked in online before you reached the airport.
In such instances, you should try and take advantage of the “flat tire” rule.
The “flat tire” rule allows passengers to rebook their flight if they miss their flight or are running late for free or for a small fee.
The best way of ensuring this rule works for you is to make sure that you contact the airline and let them know what you are running late and might miss your flight.
See Also: Your Flight Disruption Survival Guide: Managing Flight Delays and Cancellations
