Your airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination, even if the delay is not their fault

If your connecting flight departs before you land, the airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no extra cost. This applies whether the delay happened on the first flight, at the connection airport, or because of weather, mechanical issues, or crew problems. You do not have to buy a new ticket or negotiate with the airline — rebooking is automatic and mandatory.

The airline's obligation depends on whether your flights were booked as a single ticket or as separate tickets. If you bought one ticket covering both flights, the airline treats the connection as their responsibility and must get you there. If you bought two separate tickets, the airline that operated the delayed flight is still responsible for the connection, but the process may take longer because the two airlines have to coordinate.

What happens next depends on how much time you have between landing and your connection departure, and whether the delay is the airline's fault or caused by weather or other circumstances beyond their control.

Key Takeaways

  • Airlines must rebook you on the next flight to your final destination at no cost if you miss your connection, regardless of the reason for the delay.
  • If your first flight is delayed and you land after your connection departs, you are not responsible for buying a new ticket.
  • The airline may put you on a competitor's flight if their own schedule does not reach your destination within a reasonable time.
  • You may be may have access to to a meal voucher, hotel room, and ground transportation if the delay forces you to stay overnight.
  • Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for meals or lodging — you may need them to request reimbursement.

When the airline must rebook you when ready

If you miss your connection because the first flight was late, the airline's gate agent or customer service desk will rebook you before you leave the airport. This happens at the connection airport, not at your origin. You do not have to go to a ticket counter and ask — the airline's system flags missed connections automatically when the first flight lands late.

The rebooking is free. The airline will put you on the next flight they operate to your final destination, or if that flight is full or does not leave within a reasonable time, they will book you on another airline's flight. You will receive a new boarding pass at the gate or at the customer service desk. If there is a long wait between flights, the airline may also issue a meal voucher or hotel voucher depending on how late the rebooking is.

What counts as a reasonable connection time

Most airlines build in a minimum connection time based on the airport size and whether the flights are domestic or international. Domestic connections typically require 30 to 60 minutes; international connections require 60 to 90 minutes or more. If your scheduled connection time is shorter than the airline's minimum, and you miss the flight because the first flight was late, the airline assumes the connection was tight and covers the rebooking.

If your scheduled connection time was longer than the minimum — for example, three hours — and you still miss the flight, the airline may argue that you had enough time and that the delay was not their responsibility. This is rare and usually only happens if the delay was extreme or if you were responsible for a long customs or security process. In most cases, the airline will still rebook you, but they may not provide meals or hotel rooms if they determine the connection time was adequate.

Meals, hotels, and ground transportation

If the delay forces you to stay overnight, the airline must provide a hotel room. This applies whether the delay is the airline's fault or caused by weather. The hotel must be reasonable — a standard chain hotel near the airport, not a luxury property. The airline will either book the room directly or give you a voucher to book it yourself and submit the receipt for reimbursement.

Ground transportation to and from the hotel is also covered. The airline will arrange a shuttle, taxi, or rideshare. If you arrange your own transportation, keep the receipt and request reimbursement from the airline after your trip.

Meal vouchers are provided if you have a long wait between flights. The amount varies by airline and how long you are waiting, but typically ranges from $10 to $20 per meal. Some airlines provide the voucher at the gate; others require you to ask at customer service. If you buy your own meal and the airline has not issued a voucher, keep the receipt — you may be able to request reimbursement, though this is less common than hotel reimbursement.

How to get reimbursement for your own expenses

If you paid for a meal, hotel, or transportation out of pocket because the airline did not offer a voucher, contact the airline's customer service department within 30 days of your trip. Most airlines have an online form or email address for expense reimbursement claims. Attach your receipts and a copy of your boarding passes showing the delay and missed connection.

Include a brief explanation of what happened — for example, "I missed my connection on Flight 123 and purchased a hotel room on [date] for $120. Receipt attached." The airline will review the claim and either approve it or deny it. Approval usually takes two to four weeks. If the airline denies the claim, you can dispute it by contacting your credit card company if you paid by card, or by filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

What happens if you are rebooked on a different airline

If the airline cannot get you to your final destination on their own flights within a reasonable time, they must book you on a competitor's flight. This is called an interline agreement, and it is standard across the industry. You will receive a new boarding pass for the other airline's flight, and your luggage will be transferred automatically.

You are not responsible for any difference in fare. If the other airline's flight costs more, the original airline pays the difference. If it costs less, you do not receive a refund — the original airline keeps the savings. Seat selection, baggage allowance, and other policies follow the new airline's rules, not the original airline's.

If your luggage does not make the connection

If your bags miss the connection and arrive on a later flight, the airline will deliver them to your final destination or to your home address at no cost. This is part of their responsibility for the missed connection. You will receive a claim number and tracking information so you can check the status of your bags.

If you need essential items before your bags arrive — toiletries, a change of clothes, medications — you can request a per diem allowance from the airline. The amount varies, but is typically $25 to $50 per day. Keep receipts for any items you purchase, and submit them with your claim. The airline will reimburse you up to the per diem limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for a new ticket if I miss my connection?

No. The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your final destination at no cost. This is true whether the delay was the airline's fault or caused by weather or other circumstances. You do not owe any additional money.

What if the airline books me on a flight that arrives much later than my original connection?

The airline must get you to your final destination within a reasonable time. If the next available flight is more than 24 hours away, the airline should explore other options, including booking you on a competitor's flight. If you believe the rebooking is unreasonable, contact the airline's customer service department and ask for alternatives.

Can I claim compensation for missing a business meeting or event because of the missed connection?

U.S. airlines are not required to compensate you for missed meetings, lost wages, or other indirect costs. You can request reimbursement for direct expenses like meals and hotels, but not for the impact of the delay on your plans. Some travel insurance policies cover these losses, but standard airline policies do not.

What if I booked two separate tickets and the first airline will not rebook me?

Contact the second airline directly and explain that you missed your connection because the first flight was delayed. The second airline may rebook you as a courtesy, though they are not legally required to if you booked separate tickets. If both airlines refuse, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

How long do I have to submit receipts for reimbursement?

Most airlines require you to submit reimbursement claims within 30 days of your trip. Check your airline's website or contact customer service for the exact important date. After 30 days, the airline may deny the claim. Keep all receipts and boarding passes until the claim is resolved.