Missed connecting flight

[Bushdoctor]

Does anyone have any experience with missing a connecting flight? I was just looking through the different cheap flights from US to LOS, and there was one that stops in the Philippines for a few hours. A flight from here directly to Philippines costs way more money. I'm wondering what would happen if I 'missed' my flight? Could I just take one the next day or would I be screwed?

I missed one in Vegas once when I couldn't wake up from my coma in time, and they just let me go on the next flight no problem, but then the US isn't the Philippines.

[LivinLOS]

If you miss a flight (and air asia told my brother because he hadnt allowed 2 hours connection time even tho they were late in it was his fault).. You miss it..

Pony up and buy a new ticket..

[MrDK]

If you purchase a ticket (itinerary) as a single document or contract (meaning valid connection time) and you miss your connection because of a delay an an event outside of your control, you should be entitled to a seat on the next available connecting flight.

If you desire is to have a stop-over in the Philippines, have the airline or agency price it out. Sometimes there is no additional charge.

[dagul]

One time, on my way home from LOS, I missed a connecting flight @ JFK. It was a fairly horrible experience... Allow me to explain.

I was in Hkt and stayed out all night the day before departure day – naturally.
I was out n about all over the place on departure day.
I then caught the last flight out that evening back to Bkk.
I then caught my late night flight from Bkk to ICN.
I then caught the excruciatingly long flight to JFK. (I hate JFK airport)

This is where the fun part happened… Expedia had scheduled me only a 1 hour and 45 minute layover before my last leg home. Well, by the time I had made it through immigration and got my bag, my flight was already on the runway. An airport employee told me to go to another terminal to get another ticket. By this point, I was fairly delirious from being in planes for so long.

I had no familiarity with JFK as I usually connect in other airports. The terminal buildings aren’t connected. I didn’t see a tram and ended up walking along a major road with my bags in tow to get to the other terminal. I was tired, dehydrated, and confused as I wasn’t quite sure where to go. When I got to the terminal, the lines were crazy long, wrapping all the way down the hall. There were hardly any agents around; only long lines of angry people. There were only 2 agents managing the lines. They appeared to be newbie’s who obviously had no idea what they were doing as the lines were a mess. The agents kept making announcements for people who had a flight time of such and such to go to the front of the line so they didn’t miss their upcoming flight. Therefore, the line never seemed to move. I didn’t know what to do as I had no ticket at that point. It didn’t help it was the same week as the whole liquid bomb scare, which only made matters worse.

Two hours later, still in line…

There were no bathrooms, water fountains, or stores around. They were all located past the security checkpoint. I had no water bottle because it was confiscated from me in Seoul. I was about ready to pass out. I couldn’t leave the line as I would lose my spot. I then decided enough was enough and cut the damn line. I could hear people mumbling and a couple shouts, but at that point I had to make something happen. All the agents looked completely drained and angry. I was worried I might not get much help from them, but by the grace of a higher power, a fresh new agent walked in and checked in at one of the computer stations. No way in hell was I going to let someone else claim her before me. Luckily, I managed to make it happen.

I explained my situation to her and she was able to re-route my flight at no extra cost. However, it did add on another 8 hours of travel time with a layover. I didn't care as long as I got out of JFK. Of course, her printer was broken and she had to get another agent to stop what they were doing to print me up a ticket. So all in all, the total traveling time to get back home took me over 40 hours.

I recently purchased another ticket with Delta with plenty of time at all my stops. However, while checking my itinerary online, I noticed they made a change to the last leg of my flight with a connection time of only 1 hour and 20 minutes. There is no way I would be able to deboard a big ass plane, go through immigration, get my bags, re-check my bags, go through security, and find my next gate by boarding time in that little amount of time. I called and had it changed, but the agent argued I could make it and kind of gave me an attitude during the phone call. Whatever... I say 3 hours to be on the safe side if you have to go through immigration and re-check your bags.

[K2]

Originally Posted by dagul

Whatever... I say 3 hours to be on the safe side if you have to go through immigration and re-check your bags.

Sensible advice - was told by my travel agent here (Tourismo Thai) that not allowed to issue tickets with less than 2 hour gap between flights on international sectors.

Had some excellent service by TG over the years at Don Muang - since few times HKT flight got in late so been picked up VIP style at the gate and taken direct to the connecting flight - dont think the new airport would manage this quality service .

[Captain]

I allways book flights on the same ticket. I book Brussels-Frankfurt-Bangkok-Phuket. This is combined Thai International and Lufthansa. I missed allready a few flights due to airplane delays and they allways give me a seat on the next one. Only problem can be that you can only have a seat when the plane is not fully booked, so you can loose some time.

[eric-the-viking]

in fairness Thai air have always been very helpfull when i have missed internal flights or if i have had enough of one place and want to move one on to another early.

[Bushdoctor]

Thanks. After hearing Dagul's story I'm not going to risk it just to save some money. I also didn't know about the three hour layover advice. I assume that only counts when you go through customs. Which brings up one other question, do you have to go through customs on a connecting flight? If I was to stay in Philippines for a day or two I know I would, but what about a flight that just has a 3 hour layover?

[Captain]

Originally Posted by Bushdoctor

Thanks. After hearing Dagul's story I'm not going to risk it just to save some money. I also didn't know about the three hour layover advice. I assume that only counts when you go through customs. Which brings up one other question, do you have to go through customs on a connecting flight? If I was to stay in Philippines for a day or two I know I would, but what about a flight that just has a 3 hour layover?

Do you fly with the same company (or alliance) and do you have different tickets?
Best way: if your luggage is checked through to your final destination you normally don't pass immigration or customs. Intra Schengen in Europe you may have to pass immigration although your luggage is checked through to your final destination.

[Pussy Whipped]

Originally Posted by Bushdoctor

Does anyone have any experience with missing a connecting flight? I was just looking through the different cheap flights from US to LOS, and there was one that stops in the Philippines for a few hours. A flight from here directly to Philippines costs way more money. I'm wondering what would happen if I 'missed' my flight? Could I just take one the next day or would I be screwed?

I missed one in Vegas once when I couldn't wake up from my coma in time, and they just let me go on the next flight no problem, but then the US isn't the Philippines.

I have miss many connections. If you are having to deal with a "budget Airline" there is a high chance you could be screwed. In fact even with proper airlines they might still try to dump on you. You have to check is it a legal connection time, different airlines seem to have different policies about this.

If you are going with the same carrier all the way you should be looked after if this happens. It depends why you miss your connection, if it is because you minced about at the terminal they could say its your fault. But if your incoming flight is late then it is down to the carrier that brought you. That includes them paying for a hotel, and food if the next flight is the next day. Even if the inbound flight is 1 minute late this kicks in. Flight time is "chocs to chocs" but I always work on when they open the door and you can get off the plane, in this situation I as the purser or other crew what the time is when I get off, and if its late I will say oh so we are "X " minutes late then? and clock the name of who I spoke to, cause later the ground crew will swear the incoming flight was not late.

You will find that mostly you can make the connection if your incoming flight is a bit late, but your luggage might not. Chance of this happening double if you are changing carrier.

Last time I missed my connection with TG in Athens as my incoming flight was cancelled. Carrier was air agean. they tried to just give my money back for my ticket, next flightwas in 2 days time. I refused and made them re route me with a different carrier lufthansa, but had had to insist on speaking with the airline director at the airport. Once I got to him it was easy. Ticket was W class but I paid for an S class. W class only gives you 1/2 the air miles flown. It took 2 months to get given my missing miles

[Bushdoctor]

OK I booked my tickets, thanks for the good advice. Nothing can go wrong now. I went with a non-stop 17 hour flight from LAX to LOS. That's one long ass ride.