One ticket, two connections, three flights: who will be responsible if one is missed?
I bought a ticket from United, includes 3 itineraries:
(a) domestic flight operated by United
(b) international flight operated by United
(c) international flight operated by Lufthansa
The connection between (a) and (b) is very very short (45 minutes at IAD). In case I miss the (b) flight, would United be responsible for all itineraries (both b and c)?
I'm very worried about it, would love to hear that I'm not going to stuck in the middle of my way.
Best Answer
Yikes, this is tight.
If this a single ticket starting, United is responsible for getting you to your final destination if you miss a connection without being at fault. So if you miss connection United will rebook you to your final destination but you may end up on a different routing and not on a Lufthansa flight.
Chances are, if you miss it, they will just put you on the same flights the next day, so you need to decide whether that would be an acceptable outcome. They may give you hotel and food vouchers, they may not (depends on a lot of complicated factors and is partially in the discretion of the gate agent).
The flight is within the legal connection time for IAD, so you have an ok chance of making it, if everything goes well. Your bags will be checked through to your final airport. It's basically a domestic connection: you get off your plane, run like heck to the gate for your departure and hope you get there in time to still get on. Since it's an international departure, there may be an extra doc check along the way. There is really no room for error and delays.
The actual chance depends on your exact itinerary: I would check what gates/terminals the flights typically arrive and depart and what the on-time record of the incoming flight is. If you have to ride the train from Terminal A to Terminal C or D, you are unlikely to make this.
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What happens if you miss a connecting flight different airline?
If the missed connection is the airline's fault (a delayed initial flight due to mechanical problems, for example), the airline should rebook you on the next available flight. If the next outbound flight is the following morning, the airline should either book you on another airline or provide accommodations and meals.What happens if you miss a one way flight?
Assuming you've booked two one-way tickets, the return flight will still be intact. Just keep in mind that many airlines will cancel the entire itinerary if you miss the first flight. For that reason, I always book two one-ways, even if it means paying a little extra.Who is responsible for missing connecting flights?
Even if you are on a business trip when you miss a connecting flight, it is still you, the passenger, who is entitled to compensation. The general principle set out by EC 261 is that the passenger who has suffered the inconvenience is owed compensation, not the person who paid for the ticket.Do airlines compensate for missed connections?
If you are connecting on a different airline, airlines are not required to provide compensation if a delay on the first flight causes you to miss your connection. However, if your first flight is delayed for more than 3 hours, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline that caused the delay.Which is the best ticket to book? One-way, round trip and multi tickets explained - FAQ Fridays
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