What happens if you miss connecting flight?

[FawnRiver]

DH and I are flying BA YYZ-LHR-VCE in September, several days ahead of our Med cruise.

Because I'm such a dedicated OCD planner, I've been checking the on time performance of the first leg of the flight YYZ-LHR. Every once in a while, its late - not a few minutes but a few hours which is a little disconcerting since we have only 2 hours, 20 minutes between the scheduling landing of the first flight and the departure of the second flight.

It was all booked together, under the same booking number. I assumed that I would check in for both flights on line before leaving for the first flight. What happens if the first flight arrives too late to catch the second? Does checking in ahead of time have any effect (I know they won't hold the plane for us, as nice as that would be :D) I know BA will have to get us to VCE somehow, but I'm not sure what the options will be. The LHR-VCE is only once a day, would they insist we transfer to LGW which runs the other flights to VCE or would we stay overnight for the next day's flight?

I know this is a purely theoretical question and there's lots of variables but I was just wondering and thought I'd throw it out there for the experienced folks to give me their two cents worth (sorry, its a nickel now since pennies have been discontinued in Canada ;)).

 

Thanking you in advance,

[Kamloops50]

DH and I are flying BA YYZ-LHR-VCE in September, several days ahead of our Med cruise.

Because I'm such a dedicated OCD planner, I've been checking the on time performance of the first leg of the flight YYZ-LHR. Every once in a while, its late - not a few minutes but a few hours which is a little disconcerting since we have only 2 hours, 20 minutes between the scheduling landing of the first flight and the departure of the second flight.

It was all booked together, under the same booking number. I assumed that I would check in for both flights on line before leaving for the first flight. What happens if the first flight arrives too late to catch the second? Does checking in ahead of time have any effect (I know they won't hold the plane for us, as nice as that would be :D) I know BA will have to get us to VCE somehow, but I'm not sure what the options will be. The LHR-VCE is only once a day, would they insist we transfer to LGW which runs the other flights to VCE or would we stay overnight for the next day's flight?

I know this is a purely theoretical question and there's lots of variables but I was just wondering and thought I'd throw it out there for the experienced folks to give me their two cents worth (sorry, its a nickel now since pennies have been discontinued in Canada ;)).

 

Thanking you in advance,

 

They probably will put you on another flight that connects to VCE thru another carrier . European passengers rights are strictly enforced. There is you are delayed more 4 hrs (I think) your entitled to compensation up to the value of the tickets plus passage to your final destination. There is also things that have to be done as well.

[fbgd]

They probably will put you on another flight that connects to VCE thru another carrier . European passengers rights are strictly enforced. There is you are delayed more 4 hrs (I think) your entitled to compensation up to the value of the tickets plus passage to your final destination. There is also things that have to be done as well.

 

I really don't think that applies if you miss your connection.

 

My experience of BA during "irrops" is pretty decent, I have to say. If there's space on the LGW-VCE flight you'll be put on that. There's a lot more flexibility if you're in this situation. If you're flying business or first class then go to desks in the lounge to get things sorted faster.

[iancal]

It is just one of the reasons why we travel with carry on luggage.

 

In the event of missed connections (twice recently), having our luggage with us gave us the opportunity to get on another flight PDQ without waiting checked luggage to be offloaded.

[Algebralovr]

The good thing is that you are flying in a few days ahead of time.

 

Anything could happen.

 

My advice is to have a list of flights that would work best for you already printed out with you. Include all the airlines in the same organization, as well as competing organizations. If the flight you are on does arrive late, head directly to customer service and have you list out, having already crossed out the flights you cannot make it to.

 

If they need to transfer you to LGW to get there, just insist that you be given escort to the shuttle and a voucher. Allow 3-4 hours to transfer between airports. This 3-4 hours is what is advised on a few other sites. Then, insist that you be given a meal voucher as well as specific seats - not standby.

 

I would make sure you have a change or two of clothes with you in a carry on.

 

When we were on a flight back from Europe last year via YYZ, the AirCanada flight was delayed taking off for no given reason. Since we arrived just as US Customs was closing, and we had flown in from Europe on a codeshare with Lufthansa, we were given vouchers to a hotel and meal tickets.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Algebralovr

[iancal]

We have missed connections several times. Our experience is that it is much easier and quicker to get re-routed if you are booked on the same airline all the way through. Being Star Alliance (or equiv.) is not the same.

 

Last fall we had the misfortune to be on a United flight to London connecting with Air Austria. We missed the connection. It seemed to take hours at Heathrow to get it sorted out and eventually they got us on a BA flight. Fortunately we only had carry on so this helped.

 

We have missed connections on Lufthansa through Frankfurt twice. In both cases we were met at the gate, advised or the re-routing, etc. It went very well.

 

We very much prefer European carriers for economy flight to Europe-connecting or not connecting. Service is better and it seems much easier if you do loose a connection...at least this has been our experience.

Edited April 23, 2015 by iancal

[navybankerteacher]

The good thing is that you are flying in a few days ahead of time.

 

Anything could happen.

 

My advice is to have a list of flights that would work best for you already printed out with you. Include all the airlines in the same organization, as well as competing organizations. If the flight you are on does arrive late, head directly to customer service and have you list out, having already crossed out the flights you cannot make it to.

 

If they need to transfer you to LGW to get there, just insist that you be given escort to the shuttle and a voucher. Allow 3-4 hours to transfer between airports. This 3-4 hours is what is advised on a few other sites. Then, insist that you be given a meal voucher as well as specific seats - not standby.

 

I would make sure you have a change or two of clothes with you in a carry on.

 

When we were on a flight back from Europe last year via YYZ, the AirCanada flight was delayed taking off for no given reason. Since we arrived just as US Customs was closing, and we had flown in from Europe on a codeshare with Lufthansa, we were given vouchers to a hotel and meal tickets.

 

I think OP's ability to effectively "insist" upon the several comforts mentioned might depend upon whether OP booked directly with BA or got put on BA by a consolidator. In any event 2 hours 20 minutes is cutting it close for a connection at LHR under best circumstances.

[FawnRiver]

Thanks all

 

We did book direct with BA and are flying in several days early so I'm not overly concerned about making the cruise just what to expect if things go a little sideways. Hopefully, this will be academic and nothing goes wrong, but you never know.

[FawnRiver]

I think OP's ability to effectively "insist" upon the several comforts mentioned might depend upon whether OP booked directly with BA or got put on BA by a consolidator. In any event 2 hours 20 minutes is cutting it close for a connection at LHR under best circumstances.

 

 

The "legal" connection time is 60 minutes and as it is all one ticket our bags will be checked though to the following flight. We did a connection through LHR (similar to this one, Terminal 5 inbound to Terminal 5 outbound) before where we had four hour layover, it was way too long. We could have done it in half the time, so I decided it was worth the risk as the alternative was to have to transfer to Gatwick for the connecting flight.

[Globaliser]

I think OP's ability to effectively "insist" upon the several comforts mentioned might depend upon whether OP booked directly with BA or got put on BA by a consolidator. In any event 2 hours 20 minutes is cutting it close for a connection at LHR under best circumstances.

The "legal" connection time is 60 minutes and as it is all one ticket our bags will be checked though to the following flight. We did a connection through LHR (similar to this one, Terminal 5 inbound to Terminal 5 outbound) before where we had four hour layover, it was way too long. We could have done it in half the time, so I decided it was worth the risk as the alternative was to have to transfer to Gatwick for the connecting flight.

The suggestion that 2:20 is "cutting it close" for a T5-T5 connection is nonsense. Unless the inbound flight is seriously delayed, this will be a pretty comfortable connection. There are some LHR connections for which 2:20 might not be comfortable, but it's simply wrong to suggest that it's never comfortable for any LHR connection.

 

Also, BA's legal obligations are no different whether the flights were booked through a consolidator or directly with BA. Regulation 261/2004 applies whoever the booking agent was. One thing that might make a difference is if there are two separate tickets, but that does not seem to be the case here.