What happens if I miss my connecting flight?

If you booked your flights on a single ticket (one booking confirmation) and miss your connection because your first flight was delayed, the airline MUST rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost. This is a fundamental protection in every airline's contract of carriage. They may also provide meal vouchers or hotel accommodations if the next flight isn't until the following day (for airline-caused delays, not weather).

If you booked two separate tickets and your first flight's delay caused you to miss the second, you're on your own. The second airline has no obligation to rebook you for free — you'd need to buy a new ticket or pay a change fee. This is why travel experts strongly recommend booking connections on a single ticket.

What to do immediately: go to the airline's customer service desk or call their phone line (calling is often faster). Ask to be rebooked on the next flight. If that flight is full, ask about partner airlines. If you're stuck overnight, ask about hotel and meal vouchers. Document everything — take photos of departure boards showing the delay, keep your boarding passes, and note the names of agents you speak with. Under DOT rules effective in 2026, airlines must proactively rebook and notify you of your options for controllable delays.