What happens if your too late for your flight?
Apr 13, 2023, 1:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
What happens if your too late for your flight?
Silly question as it's never happened to me before BUT I see a BIG chance of it happening so I'd like to inquire.
Flying from BOS and I planned to arrive 2hrs prior but I'm told that BOS traffic on Friday evening isn't the standard 20min drive and goodluck being less than 1hr. So there is a chance I might only get there 45min before my flight (return rental car) and with TSA might miss the flight.
Do I just get bumped to the next flight? or do I need to see an agent at the airport? what happens exactly if I get to my gate and the plane is gone lol
Flying from BOS and I planned to arrive 2hrs prior but I'm told that BOS traffic on Friday evening isn't the standard 20min drive and goodluck being less than 1hr. So there is a chance I might only get there 45min before my flight (return rental car) and with TSA might miss the flight.
Do I just get bumped to the next flight? or do I need to see an agent at the airport? what happens exactly if I get to my gate and the plane is gone lol
Apr 13, 2023, 1:51 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,198
Go to the special services counter or the ticket counter. The 'flat tire rule' should apply, and you'll be put standby on the next flight.
Apr 13, 2023, 1:55 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,536
Silly question as it's never happened to me before BUT I see a BIG chance of it happening so I'd like to inquire.
Flying from BOS and I planned to arrive 2hrs prior but I'm told that BOS traffic on Friday evening isn't the standard 20min drive and goodluck being less than 1hr. So there is a chance I might only get there 45min before my flight (return rental car) and with TSA might miss the flight.
Do I just get bumped to the next flight? or do I need to see an agent at the airport? what happens exactly if I get to my gate and the plane is gone lol
Flying from BOS and I planned to arrive 2hrs prior but I'm told that BOS traffic on Friday evening isn't the standard 20min drive and goodluck being less than 1hr. So there is a chance I might only get there 45min before my flight (return rental car) and with TSA might miss the flight.
Do I just get bumped to the next flight? or do I need to see an agent at the airport? what happens exactly if I get to my gate and the plane is gone lol
Have you considered returning your car to a non-airport location, and taking public transportation to the airport? From where will you be starting your drive?
Apr 13, 2023, 2:26 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
I have never returned a car to a different location before. I wonder what the additional charges are to do that.
Apr 13, 2023, 2:32 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,536
It varies. With some rate codes, you can pick up at an airport and return to a nearby city or suburban location at no extra charge. But changing the return location after the rental has started might be a different story.
Apr 13, 2023, 3:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 871
I was flying BWI-JFK-LAX last August and there was a chemical spill on I-95 south resulting in an hour and a half drive turning into a three hour ordeal. I missed the checked bag cutoff by about 5 minutes, so I could either rebook the same itinerary for the next day, or they could put me on BWI-ORD-LAX. The BWI-ORD ended up having weather delays which would have caused me to misconnect, so I was moved to the next day's BWI-JFK-LAX. My point is, they're usually accommodating.
Apr 13, 2023, 3:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,644
Silly question as it's never happened to me before BUT I see a BIG chance of it happening so I'd like to inquire.
Flying from BOS and I planned to arrive 2hrs prior but I'm told that BOS traffic on Friday evening isn't the standard 20min drive and goodluck being less than 1hr. So there is a chance I might only get there 45min before my flight (return rental car) and with TSA might miss the flight.
Do I just get bumped to the next flight? or do I need to see an agent at the airport? what happens exactly if I get to my gate and the plane is gone lol
Flying from BOS and I planned to arrive 2hrs prior but I'm told that BOS traffic on Friday evening isn't the standard 20min drive and goodluck being less than 1hr. So there is a chance I might only get there 45min before my flight (return rental car) and with TSA might miss the flight.
Do I just get bumped to the next flight? or do I need to see an agent at the airport? what happens exactly if I get to my gate and the plane is gone lol
You have to speak to an agent at the airport so you are put on standby for the next available flight.
I don't think they will give you confirmed space on next flight, so standby it is.
Last edited by carlosdca; Apr 13, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Apr 13, 2023, 4:07 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Silly Question. Why not just plan to arrive earlier at the airport? The only thing under YOUR control is to arrive earlier.
You have to speak to an agent at the airport so you are put on standby for the next available flight.
I don't think they will give you confirmed space on next flight, so standby it is.
You have to speak to an agent at the airport so you are put on standby for the next available flight.
I don't think they will give you confirmed space on next flight, so standby it is.
Apr 13, 2023, 5:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 16
Apr 13, 2023, 5:29 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,218
Maybe he had a meeting that would go long?
Funny story...friend was unfamiliar with Logan, and chronically late. She flagged down a taxi - swerved near him, honking her horn...figured out she wanted him to pull over. Jumps out to tell him she's running late, would he lead her to her car rental, wait for her, and whisk her to the airport? Yes, yes, and he did.
Funny story...friend was unfamiliar with Logan, and chronically late. She flagged down a taxi - swerved near him, honking her horn...figured out she wanted him to pull over. Jumps out to tell him she's running late, would he lead her to her car rental, wait for her, and whisk her to the airport? Yes, yes, and he did.
Apr 13, 2023, 5:30 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,647
Funny story...friend was unfamiliar with Logan, and chronically late. She flagged down a taxi - swerved near him, honking her horn...figured out she wanted him to pull over. Jumps out to tell him she's running late, would he lead her to her car rental, wait for her, and whisk her to the airport? Yes, yes, and he did.
Apr 13, 2023, 5:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,144
Dropping off other than the airport will likely take more time, and public transit requires the bus from the T stop.
Apr 13, 2023, 5:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 16
Maybe he had a meeting that would go long?
Funny story...friend was unfamiliar with Logan, and chronically late. She flagged down a taxi - swerved near him, honking her horn...figured out she wanted him to pull over. Jumps out to tell him she's running late, would he lead her to her car rental, wait for her, and whisk her to the airport? Yes, yes, and he did.
Funny story...friend was unfamiliar with Logan, and chronically late. She flagged down a taxi - swerved near him, honking her horn...figured out she wanted him to pull over. Jumps out to tell him she's running late, would he lead her to her car rental, wait for her, and whisk her to the airport? Yes, yes, and he did.
Apr 13, 2023, 5:50 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,218
The only off airport locations that I’m aware of is (or was) government center (garage is being demolished) and park plaza (doesn’t have easy access to Logan). Your best bet is to leave earlier if feasible or confirm onto the late flight then standby if you are concerned.
Dropping off other than the airport will likely take more time, and public transit requires the bus from the T stop.
Dropping off other than the airport will likely take more time, and public transit requires the bus from the T stop.