Missed flight, what now?

Photo: Unsplash / Forsaken Films

You arrive at the gate, panting, but the door is already closed. Missed your flight. What now?

A plane ticket can be quite expensive . Airlines are struggling with all sorts of problems. A shortage of planes , labor and spare parts.

Whether you are late because you simply did not leave home on time, or due to external factors (such as a delay with the Dutch Railways or a long traffic jam on the highway): the airline is in principle not obliged to arrange anything for you.

However, it can't hurt to rush to the airline counter at the airport. Sometimes you can get on the next flight at a reduced rate. This is not an official right, but a gesture of goodwill.

If you miss a transfer because your first flight was delayed, the odds are better. The airline usually has to rebook you to a subsequent flight free of charge if you booked the flights on one ticket. In the event of long delays, you are also entitled to care such as food, drinks and sometimes even a hotel stay. There may even be financial compensation, depending on the distance and the length of the delay.

Another route to claim your money back is through your travel insurance. Unfortunately, travel insurance almost never covers you if it is your own ‘fault’ that you missed your flight. If you have to rebook your flight due to illness, you can often get money back. If you missed your flight because there were long queues at the airport, you can try to file a claim with the airport through your legal expenses insurance. You will need proof for this, such as photos of the queues.

It is also worth trying to claim the amount back from your credit card company. There may be a scheme that partially reimburses missed flights, provided you booked the trip with it. The coverage varies greatly per provider.

If you fly with a ticket that you bought via a booking site, it can be extra complicated. Because you often do not have direct contact with the airline, rebooking or refunding can be more difficult and time-consuming.

Usually you are not entitled to a refund of your ticket. But there is one part that you can claim back: the airport tax. This is a surcharge that airlines pay to airports per passenger.

If you did not fly, that charge was never used. You can often claim these costs back online via the airline's website. Please note: some airlines charge an administration fee for the refund, which means that the amount you get back may be disappointing. Sometimes the amount is even lower than the administration fee.