If you 'no-show' your flight by failing to arrive at the airport for departure, multiple things could happen. You might not get a refund, get charged extra or even be banned from the airline. However, there are alternatives that can prevent this from happening. If you give the airline reasonable enough notice, you might get your money back. We'll go into more detail about all the consequences of no-showing your flight as well as better solutions.
Many airlines won't issue you a refund if you no-show your flight. However, if you inform them well enough in advance, you may be able to get some or even all of your money back.
Some airlines will charge you extra if you no-show your flight. Although this rarely happens, it's not worth the risk when you could call and inform them.
Depending on the airline, you might get banned from flying with them if you no-show your flight. This tends to only happen if you do it multiple times or if the airline suspects you brought a ticket without ever intending to fulfil the whole route.
For many airlines, a ticket will only be valid if it incorporates all points of travel, including any stopovers, in the agreed sequence. ‘No-show’ policies mean that if someone doesn’t travel on their outbound flight, then all other connecting or return flights associated with the booking will be automatically cancelled.
If travel on returning or connecting flights is still intended, new tickets will need to be purchased. Since you’d have to buy these new tickets at the last-minute, they could be a lot more expensive.
It is important to note that you may not be eligible to refund or rebook seats if you no-show your flight.
We encourage passengers to arrive at the airport and check in with plenty of time to spare. If you need to change your plans, the best option is to contact the airline to discuss your options. As soon as you know you won't be making it to the airport, contact the airline or travel agency you have booked through for the highest chance of refunding/rebooking your tickets.
If you have booked through Alternative Airlines, contact our support team so that we know about your change of plans. Our expert customer service team can help you amend your flights and answer any questions you may have.
Please be aware that if you wish to change your booking, service fees may apply. For more, see our terms and conditions.
Often, when a flight departure time is missed, it's out of the customer's hands entirely. Flights are frequently delayed due to issues with air traffic, the weather, etc. Certain airlines are notorious for having delayed or even cancelled flights.
If your flight is delayed for more than five hours and you no longer want to travel, you are entitled to a full refund. In the UK as outlined by the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines are required to provide free accommodation, food, and drink if your flight is moved to a later date. Other countries will have similar laws, so make sure to check what you're entitled to.
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If you want to change your flight, you will need to contact the airline. If you booked through Alternative Airlines, you can contact our customer support team.
Depending on your ticket, you may need to pay to change your booking. The charge will depend on the Tariff and ticket type, which is explained at the time of purchase in the ticket's terms and conditions.
This depends on the airline. If you haven’t reached the airport at the time of departure, you are automatically a no-show. However, some airlines will also consider you a no-show if you check in but fail to get to boarding on time.
We recommend reading your airline’s terms and conditions, known as the Terms of Carriage, before flying so that you know your rights.
If you’ve already missed your flight or want more information, look into our what to do if you missed your flight page here at Alternative Airlines.
Many airlines have a “flat tyre” rule. This is an unofficial rule that varies on a case-by-case basis, so don’t rely on it entirely. If the airline deems you have a valid reason for being late, they will put you on the next available flight to your destination for free or at a low cost. However, for this to apply, you have to arrive at least two hours before the flight’s scheduled departure.
If you’re worried that something unexpected will force you to miss your flight, then why not get our cancellation protection? With this protection, you can receive a full refund in an emergency.
It is important to be aware that many airlines don't waive their no-show policy. There might be exceptions for extreme reasons, like a death in the immediate family. If this is the case, it's essential that you contact the airline or your travel agency as soon as possible.
Make sure you research the airline you're going with beforehand so that you know how lenient they are with their no-show policy.
Airlines aim to prevent what is known as tariff abuse. This is where passengers buy a ticket without intending to complete the whole itinerary because it may be cheaper. Commercial and tax reasons can mean airlines often sell connecting flights for less than the cost of one individual flight component.
Yes! The sooner you let the airline know, the better. There's a higher chance you'll get your money back, and you might get some credit for future flights.
It's better to cancel your flight rather than no-show. Here's why:
Before you decide what to do, check the airline's cancellation policy. This will tell you what fees you might have to pay and if you'll receive a credit.
