The Missed Flight Myth That Simply Refuses To Die

Even though flying on a commercial airline is one of the most popular ways to travel, there are some commonly believed myths about flying that simply aren't true. Nearly 90% of adults in the United States have flown on a plane at least once in their lifetime, and almost half of the adult population had taken a flight in the previous 12 months, according to a 2023 study by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Still, many of us continue to carry misconceptions about air travel. Some of us still believe that we're going to get free snacks and beverages regardless of which airline we fly, or that we should be served full meals even if our flight only lasts a few hours. Others are still shocked when they're required to pay for their luggage, even though many airlines have charged bag fees for decades. 

There is a lot of misinformation that causes confusion, including this one flight myth that simply refuses to die. Many travelers still believe that if they miss their flight, they'll simply be issued a new ticket on the next departing flight later that day to their destination. That is definitely not the case in most situations, and it leaves some travelers extremely frustrated and disappointed.

There can be all sorts of reasons why you might miss your flight. You may have misjudged the time it would take you to get to the airport or found yourself stuck in bad traffic. Inclement weather could have delayed your inbound aircraft, causing you to miss your connecting flight. Perhaps you arrived at the airport on time, but got stuck in a long line at TSA. Once, I missed a flight because I accidentally went to the wrong terminal. Another time, I fell asleep near an adjacent gate during a long layover and completely missed the announcements that my plane was boarding. When I worked as a flight attendant, there were passengers who missed their flight because they were eating and drinking at airport bars and restaurants on a weekly basis.

What actually happens when you miss a flight will often depend on the reason that you were late and whose fault it was. If the delay that caused you to miss your flight was due to the airline (for instance, mechanical problems with the plane), there is a chance that you could be bumped to the next departing flight. Otherwise, you're likely going to have to pay a large fee or purchase an entirely new ticket.

These days, flights are often completely full, so you might not even be able to get on a new flight on the same day. Some airlines only offer departures to certain destinations a few times a week, so unless you're willing to purchase an expensive last minute ticket on another airline, you run the risk of missing your entire vacation. This is why you should never rely on the idea that you can just catch the next flight out if you're running late: there may not be one with an available seat for days. 

Frequent fliers are already well aware that if you travel enough, you're eventually going to miss a flight at some point. Even the most careful planners can make mistakes or run into unforeseen problems that cause delays. It's a good idea to prepare yourself for the possibility and to understand what happens if you miss your flight. When the airline is at fault, they will usually rebook you on the next available flight, but if the next flight is full, they can't bump other passengers to give you space. 

If you miss a flight because you're running late (important to keep in mind a long TSA line is not considered the fault of the airline), the rebooking policy will vary depending on which airline you're flying. If you're running late to the airport, there may be a "flat tire" policy that allows you to rebook for free or fly standby on another flight if there is space available. Some airlines, like Delta, have a policy that states that your entire itinerary may be canceled if you miss your flight. Others will allow you to rebook on the next flight for a fee.

If you think you're going to miss your flight, there are some things you can do. If you purchased a ticket that allows you to make changes for free, sometimes you can rebook your ticket yourself online or on a mobile app. Southwest Airlines allows Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra passengers to change their flights up to 10 minutes prior to departure with no change fee. This can really come in handy if you're stuck in traffic and realize you probably won't make your flight. Regardless of which airline you're flying, you should contact customer service as soon as possible to learn what options you have.