Why People Miss Flights

The most common reasons and some practical advice to help ensure you get on your flight

Travel website missedaflight.com has conducted research to find the most common reasons why travellers miss their flights. This unique expert service has also created some helpful hints and tips on how to avoid the most common reasons for missing a flight.

Problem: Mis-read and mis-spelt documents
Solution: On receipt of your documents check the name, spelling and flight details are correct.

Problem: Flight schedule changes
Solution: Check your latest paperwork for any changes. Remember the times on the ticket will be written using the 24 hr clock.

Problem: Traffic delays caused by road accidents and road works or engineering works on railways
Solution: Check with the RAC and AA for any delays, accidents or engineering works that may affect your route and if need be find an alternative route.

Problem: Denied permission to travel due to incorrect passport or expired passports.
Solution: Review your passport in advance to ensure it still has six months to run after your return to the UK. Also remember to pack your passport in your hand luggage.

Problem: Essential medication needed urgently but packed in the hold luggage which has been checked –in
Solution: If your bags do not join you on the aircraft you run the risk of missing your flight. Make sure any prescribed medication is packed in your hand luggage just in case you need it before the flight departs. Most airports have a chemist but they may not stock your particular prescription.

Problem: Too late to check-in
Solution: Add more time – Airports are big and somewhere you might not be familiar with. Never under estimate your timings, make sure you have left plenty of time to get from the airport car park, (which may require a transfer service) to the terminal, and into the correct check-in zone. Remember there may be a queue at check-in. make sure you know which terminal as some airport have more than one and airlines can also fly out of more than one terminal.

Problem: Not allowing enough time to get to the departure gate once checked-in
Solution: Airlines are requiring their passengers to arrive at the gate for their flights earlier than in the past. Plan on getting to the gate at least 30 minutes before your flight departs and remember some gates can be as much as 25 minutes away from the main retail area. If you’re late they won’t wait.

Problem: Flights not connecting
Solution: Connecting flights are the most difficult to negotiate. If there is no nonstop flight, then build extra time into your itinerary for the connection. Don’t take the connecting flight that gives you just 45 minutes to change planes at a busy airport; instead, ask for a 2 to 4 hour layover to make the connection. You may not be able to do this online, instead call your travel agent or the airline directly. Please remember if you have bought two separate flights your connection is never guaranteed.

If after all this you do miss your flight visit www.missedaflight.com and on the homepage they will have a choice of two forms to complete. These relate to the urgency of travel, with a choice of either inside or outside of 24 hours. Once you have completed and submitted the relevant form with the details of the flight you missed and your contact numbers, the information will be submitted to the missedaflight.com team. Alternatively, if they do not have internet access travellers can call 0871 6666 737 to speak to a missedaflight.com consultant.