Traveling to Switzerland is fantastic. There are photographic mountains everywhere, its climate is to die for, and just skiing in Switzerland is an experience. So many people travel to this country to experience skiing in the pale white snow of Switzerland.
However, what happens if you miss your flight to this incredible country? Whether you’ve missed it because of your fault or the airlines’ fault, don’t fret because this page has the information you need!
What To Do if It’s Your Fault
Did you leave your hotel too late? Was there traffic on your way to the airport? Or did you sleep past your alarm? Either way, avoid assuming all hope is lost just because you missed your flight in Switzerland. Don’t worry because the following is a comprehensive guide on what you should do.
Consider Flying Standby
So you’ve arrived at the airport, and they didn’t give you a confirmation seat. You’re probably left wondering what to do if you missed your flight. Don’t worry because if you’ve spoken to a representative and they didn’t give you a seat, you’ll be flying on standby when this happens, and it’s a good option! Even though most planes are full, some passengers might not show up. There are passengers like you who must have also missed their flight.
A standby ticket allows passengers to fly on the next flight. But this only assumes space is available to accommodate you on the plane. It’s what many airlines do when you’ve missed your flight. So, it’s always beneficial for you to explain why you missed your flight to the gate personnels and agents so that they can include you on the passengers’ waitlist if they can’t confirm your next rebooked flight.
Get To Know the “Flat Tire” Rule
Did you know that there’s an unofficial “flat tire” policy to help passengers rebook their flights without penalty? Of course, this policy is only valid if you’re just minutes late from checking in. If you think you can’t make it on time, try calling your airline before your plane departs and let them know. Doing this allows them to help you rebook your flight quickly and board other standby passengers who have also missed their opportunity to fly.
Of course, every airline would vary. You should research the airline you’ve booked your ticket from first. For example, Delta Air Lines doesn’t have a specific policy on this, so they handle situations like these on a case-to-case basis. On the other hand, American Airlines allows passengers who arrive at the airport two hours before their scheduled flight to be rebooked for the next flight as standby passengers without paying additional fees.
What To Do if It’s the Airline’s Fault
Commonly, you would miss your flight because of your own doing, but there are also instances when it would be the airline’s fault. For example, a delayed flight caused by the airlines can happen because of staffing shortages, illnesses from the cabin crew, bad weather, and many more.
When these things happen, it would be easy for a domino-chain effect to occur and cause thousands of flights to get canceled or delayed. You should know that all planes are scheduled when they leave and land. As a result, you may miss your connecting flight or your day’s schedule for these reasons. If you’re ever in this situation, here’s what you should do.
Speak With an Agent Immediately
Don’t wait for PA announcements about your flight. Instead of waiting for potentially bad news, speak with your airline representative and ask about your flight’s status. Many people tend to wait on this and end up getting bumped to another flight without notice.
Speaking to a representative immediately can enable you to learn the status of your flight and thus help you rebook so that you won’t miss valuable time. If you wait too long, you may find yourself at the end of a long line of passengers trying to rebook another ticket.
You may think that waiting in a long line is fine. However, there are only a few available seats for the next flights. So, the people who are first in line would be the first people who would get them, leaving the people at the back of the line at a loss of options.
Consider Changing Your Flight Online
Downloading the airline’s application can do you well. You can immediately open the app and change your flight online when the flight gets canceled or delayed. If your flight gets delayed, you should do this immediately to save time and energy at the airport. It might even save you the energy of standing in line.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what to do when you miss your flight, you’re better equipped to travel to Switzerland or leave the country. Don’t worry because your airline and the gate agent have your back! Just use this guide as your tool.
