What to do if you miss your flight

Missing a flight can be disastrous, especially if you have engagements planned at your travel destination.

But while it’s easy to stress about missing your flight, and the additional charges that may occur, sometimes accepting that you have missed your flight is the first step to quickly find a plan b and make that work.

Here are some tips that I have created to help me prevent missing my flight or if I do, what ways could help me get on the next earliest flight:

1. Check in online
Checking online reduces your chances of losing your flight as you do not have to spend unnecessary time checking in.

2. If you are late, call the airport
Alerting the airport service that you will be a few minutes late may help you to rush to the boarding gate just before they close the gates. Often, the airline will wait for you, but if you are later than scheduled you may just miss that flight.

3. Communicate with staff
I told a staff member during a flight from Johannesburg that I was going to be late and explained my problem. They alerted the airline staff who waited for me. While it may not work all the time, if you ask nicely, staff will be able to help.

4. If you miss a flight, find alternative flights
No use cussing about missing a flight as it already happened. All you can do is make sure that you book in a new flight as soon as you can. Note that there may be additional costs.

5. Waiting
The wait can be overwhelming, but I recommend you stay at the airport especially if it’s a few hour wait. The airport has some cool shops that you can browse through or you can calm your nerves with a glass of wine at one of the restaurants.

6. Use it as a lesson
Always use bad experiences as a lesson for it to not happen again. Arrive earlier than expected on your next flight, even if it means that you are the first to board.