What happens if a connecting flight is late?

What are my rights if an airline cancels my flight?

It’s late. Flight canceled, huh? Ugh. Been there.

Rebooking is…automatic, usually.

• First available flight. Their airline, of course.
• No extra cost. Small mercies.

But what if their next flight…is days away?

• Ask about other airlines.Endorsement, that’s the word. Remember that.
• Will they let you switch? A big question.
• Doubt it’s easy. Nothing ever is.

It’s a hassle. Period.

Who is responsible if a connecting flight is delayed?

Ugh, remember that trip to Denver last July? My connecting flight through Chicago was a total nightmare. United, then Southwest. My first flight, United, was delayed— a solid three hours! I was livid. Missed my Southwest flight, of course. Completely screwed my whole vacation. Three hours sitting in O’Hare, feeling utterly helpless and ridiculous. My connecting flight? Southwest’s fault, apparently. But you know what? They wouldn’t even touch it. Said it was United’s mess.

So, who’s responsible? United. Absolutely. They caused the chain reaction. They were the ones who messed up the schedule and cost me a day of my trip. The Southwest people were not sympathetic, I tell you. Zero compassion. I had to buy a new flight, extra hotel, everything. A fortune! I fought with United for weeks. Finally got some compensation, but not nearly enough.

Things I learned:

• Always book flights with one airline if possible. Less headache.
• Travel insurance is essential. Learn from my mistake!
• Document EVERYTHING. Photos, boarding passes, emails, the works. That helped slightly with United, it took a while but it worked.

The whole ordeal still makes me cringe. Stupid United.

Are airlines responsible for flight delays?

Airlines are responsible. I know that.

They must take care of you. It’s the rules.

Like that time in Frankfurt. Ugh, the worst.

• Food. Yeah, they give you vouchers. Lukewarm pasta or something. It’s never enough.
• Hotel. Maybe. If it’s overnight, I think. I always push for it. Don’t let them fob you off.
• Rebooking. They have to find another flight. It took them two days last time. Missed my cousin’s thing. Still mad about that.

It’s all a hassle, a complete mess.

It’s their duty though. Keep that in mind. Remember Frankfurt. Never again.

They owe us that much, at least.

What happens to my luggage if I have a connecting flight with a different airline?

My bags… always a worry, especially with those connecting flights. The anxiety, man, it’s a real thing. This year, flying back from Denver… it was brutal.

• Different airlines mean a transfer. They say they’ll handle it, but…

• Luggage tags are key. Double-check the tags. My flight from Denver to Chicago to London, last year, was a nightmare. Missing luggage for three days. Absolutely dreadful.

• Check your baggage claim. Seriously. Don’t just wander off assuming it’s on the next flight. My brother lost his golf clubs that way once. A real bummer.

It’s never a sure thing. You just hope, pray even, that it arrives. The waiting… Ugh. The uncertainty eats at you. It sucks. This 2024 travel has been a stressful lesson in that regard. My Denver trip almost broke me. I was so exhausted after the whole baggage fiasco.

At what point do you get compensation for a delayed flight?

Ugh, delayed flights. Three hours, right? That’s the magic number. Got to be the airline’s fault, though. Not a hurricane, obviously. That’s an act of God, I think. Or maybe a blizzard… No, three hours late and it’s THEIR mess. Got to remember that.

My flight last year to Denver? Six-hour delay. Mechanical issues, they said. Got a voucher, finally. Wasn’t cash, but hey. It helped. Paid for most of my overpriced airport pizza. Pizza that tasted like sadness. Seriously.

So, what about compensation? It’s EU261 I think. Doesn’t matter what country the airline is from, that’s what it is. At least for flights within the EU or departing the EU. It’s all about those regulations.

Stuff to remember:

• Three-hour delay minimum.
• Airline’s fault, absolutely. This is KEY!
• Check EU261 rules. They’re a pain, but essential. I’ve got the link somewhere…
• Keep records! Boarding pass, emails, everything. My flight last year to Barcelona? I almost lost everything. Luckily I did not.

I should probably add more to this. Did I mention the six-hour delay to Denver? Ugh, the airport food… expensive. And the constant anxiety. And the wasted time. But seriously, keep those records.

What happens if I miss my connecting flight due to a short layover?

Missed connection? Airlines usually rebook. Free. Next flight. 2024 rules.

• Airline Responsibility: They owe you a seat.
• Next Available Flight: That’s their obligation. Period.
• Documentation: Keep your boarding passes. My flight 876 last month? Proof. Southwest.
• Compensation: Beyond rebooking, depends. Read the fine print. My experience was smooth.
• Exceptions: Extreme weather. Acts of God. Don’t count on it. Check your policy. It sucks, but it is what it is.
• Pro Tip: Longer layovers prevent this headache.