Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan during travel. One of the most stressful situations is missing a connecting flight for some reason. Whether it's a delay, a miscalculated time, or an unexpected event, it's important to know what to do. Don't panic, there is usually a solution!
First Steps: Stay Calm and Get Information
The most important thing is to keep a cool head. Stress doesn't help solve the situation. Your first task is to contact the relevant airline's customer service at the transfer point as soon as possible. This could be the airline's counter at the airport, or a telephone customer service. If you booked your ticket on Unifly.hu, the data associated with your booking will include the airline's contact details. It is important to find out exactly what the situation is: why you missed the flight, what options are available for transferring to the next flight, and what costs may be incurred.
Airline Responsibility: Causes of Delays and Your Rights
The airline's responsibility largely depends on what caused the delay. If the delay was due to the airline's fault (e.g., a delay of the previous flight, a technical fault), the airline is obliged to provide further transport. This usually means a free transfer to the next available flight, but in some cases they may also provide accommodation and meals if the waiting time exceeds a certain period. If the delay was due to a reason not caused by the airline (e.g., bad weather, strike), the airline is not necessarily obliged to pay compensation, but will still try to help with further transport, although in this case the costs may be borne by you.
It is important to keep your ticket, boarding pass and all documents related to the delay. These may be needed to claim compensation if you are entitled to it.
What can you do if the airline is not at fault?
If the delay was not due to the airline's fault, the situation is more difficult, but not hopeless. In this case, it is worth checking the travel insurance concluded on Unifly.hu. Many travel insurances cover the costs arising from missed connecting flights, such as accommodation, meals and transfer to the next flight. If you have travel insurance, contact the insurer immediately and find out about the terms and conditions and how to claim compensation.
In addition, it is worth trying to negotiate with the airline. Sometimes, even if they are not obliged to help, they can provide a transfer at a discounted price or help find the next flight.
Prevent the Problem: Planning and Buffer Time
Of course, the best solution is to avoid getting into a situation where you miss your connecting flight. Therefore, it is important to plan your trip carefully. Leave enough time for connections, especially if you need to transfer at a large airport. Consider the size of the airport, the length of security checks and the distance between gates. You can also check the duration between flights in the Unifly.hu search engine, so you will definitely not plan too tightly. It is worth building a little buffer time into the plan, in case something unexpected happens.
Don't forget that travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself from unexpected costs and inconveniences. When booking on Unifly.hu, you have the option to purchase travel insurance, which provides peace of mind during your trip.