Whether you slept in, the car broke down, you got lost amidst the massive airport terminals, or you just misjudged the time and spent too long in the duty free, your reason for missing a flight won't count for much when the aeroplane door shuts and a plane full of happy holidayers jet off into the sunshine without you.
Most airlines now offer customers the option of checking-in online to avoid queuing at the check-in desk. You can print off your boarding card, and choose your meals and seats when you check-in online, just as you would at the airport check-in, so it's a great time-saving system. Those without internet access or those who don't trust computers to do their work for them, can check-in in the standard manner. Just be sure that you know how long before your flight boards that your airline's check-in desk closes, as if you miss the check-in, you won't get on that plane.
Airline companies have different attitudes when it comes to missing check-ins. Virgin and British Airways are two of the strictest, allowing little or no exceptions whatsoever, while others will offer a little more flexibility.
Queues at check-in desks can be extremely long, which in some cases can cause passengers to miss the flight that they're queuing to board. If the queue you are in is particularly long
and you think this may cause you to miss your flight, then tell a member of staff immediately. If you are using a shared check-in desk you will be moved up the queue ahead of passengers queuing for later flights.
It pays to keep your eyes and ears open when you're finally airside. Keep tabs on your flight's boarding progress by watching monitors carefully for any updates. No one wants to see 'gate closed' up there, so make sure you make a move to board long before the last call.
You will be met with different responses from different airlines if you turn up late for boarding. If other passengers are still boarding then some airlines will leave it up to the captain to decide whether or not you get to join them. Virgin are particularly tough when it comes to boarding times, warning that passengers who arrive at their gate less than 20 minutes before takeoff risk being barred. Your reasons for turning up late to your gate will usually hold some sway with the dispatcher, so if you have valid cause they may be more forgiving.
If you miss your flight, then the airline might reimburse you in some way, but don't count on it. This is doubly true of economy flights and package holidays. That's not to say, however, that you shouldn't give it a shot anyway. The customer service desk for the airline that you are travelling with should be your first port of call. If they are willing to take you on another flight, or offer any kind of refund, then they will be abke to sort that out from here. You should try to be as humble and apologetic as possible, as an aggressive attitude will probably do you more harm than good.
For great deals on cheap travel insurance including annual travel insurance visit AA Travel Insurance and ensure that you are covered for medical expenses up to £10,000,000.
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