Overview
Missing an Air Baltic flight can lead to specific consequences depending on your ticket type, fare conditions, and the circumstances of the missed flight. Air Baltic, Latvia’s flag carrier, classifies passengers who miss their flights without prior notification as "no-shows," which may result in the cancellation of the entire itinerary, including return or connecting flights. Below is a comprehensive guide to Air Baltic’s missed flight policy based on available information.
Consequences of Missing a Flight
- No-Show Policy: If you miss a flight without notifying Air Baltic in advance, you are considered a no-show, and all subsequent flights in your itinerary will be canceled. No refunds are available for no-shows, except for applicable taxes in some cases.
- Non-Refundable Tickets: For Economy Basic and Economy Classic tickets, missing a flight results in the loss of the ticket value. Only airport taxes and fees may be refunded, subject to a processing fee. Refund requests must be made within the ticket’s validity period (one year from issuance).
- Flexible Tickets: Economy Flex tickets allow cancellation before departure with a €25 refund fee per direction per passenger if refunded via payment method, or no fee if refunded as an Air Baltic gift card. Business tickets are fully refundable within the ticket’s validity period.
- Flight Cancellation Option: If purchased at booking (Economy Basic or Classic only, €14.99–€29.99), this option allows a full refund as an Air Baltic gift card if canceled 24 hours before departure. No-show tickets are non-refundable, even with this option.
Options if You Miss a Flight
- Rebooking: If you miss a flight, contact Air Baltic within 24 hours to avoid losing the entire itinerary. Rebooking is subject to availability and may incur a change fee (typically €50–€150, depending on fare type) plus any fare difference. Flexible fares (Economy Flex, Business) may allow changes without fees. Use the “Manage My Booking” section on the Air Baltic website or call.
- Tax Refund: For non-refundable tickets (Economy Basic, Economy Classic, Business Experience), you can request a refund of unused airport taxes and fees via the Air Baltic website’s online payment form. Requests must be made within the ticket’s validity period, and a processing fee may apply.
- Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, check if it covers expenses related to missed flights, such as rebooking fees, accommodation, or meals. Keep receipts and documentation (e.g., boarding passes, booking confirmation) for claims.
- Airport Assistance: Visit an Air Baltic ticket counter or customer service desk at the airport for assistance. However, rebooking may involve fees, and availability is not guaranteed. Some passengers have reported challenges with customer service, including high fees for new tickets (e.g., €300 for a one-way flight).
Missed Connecting Flights
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation:
- Same Booking (Through-Ticket): If all flights are on the same Air Baltic booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost if the delay was their fault. You may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 ($650) under EU Regulation 261/2004 if you arrive at your final destination 3+ hours late due to airline-controlled reasons (e.g., operational issues). This applies to flights departing from EU/UK airports.
- Separate Tickets: If flights are on separate bookings, Air Baltic is not obligated to assist, and you may need to purchase a new ticket or pay a rebooking fee. Allow at least 2–3 hours for connections, especially at Riga (RIX), where delays or gate changes can occur.
- EU/UK Compensation: For EU/UK departures, if you miss a connection due to an Air Baltic delay and arrive 3+ hours late, you may claim compensation. Submit claims via the Air Baltic website’s . Keep your boarding pass and receipts for expenses (e.g., meals, accommodation).
How to Avoid No-Show Consequences
- Cancel or Change in Advance: Cancel or change your flight at least 24 hours before departure via the Air Baltic website’s “Manage My Booking” section, the mobile app, or by calling. If you purchased the Flight Cancellation Option (€14.99–€29.99), you can cancel Economy Basic or Classic tickets 24 hours before departure for a full refund as an Air Baltic gift card.
- Arrive Early: Air Baltic recommends arriving 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Check-in closes 40 minutes before departure for Economy Class and 30 minutes for Business Class at Riga (RIX). Baggage drop-off deadlines are the same.
- Online Check-In: Check in online 5 days (118 hours) before departure for passengers with reserved seats (Business, Premium, Basic) or 36 hours for Basic Class without seat preferences. For codeshare or connecting flights operated by another airline, online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Mobile boarding passes are available at many airports, including Riga, Amsterdam, and Paris.
- Monitor Flight Status: Check flight status via the Air Baltic website or app, as gate changes or delays are common at Riga (RIX). Air Baltic notifies passengers of changes via email or SMS if contact details are provided.
Compensation and EU/UK Regulations
For flights departing from EU/UK airports, Air Baltic complies with EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK Regulation 261. You may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 ($650) if:
- The flight is canceled with less than 14 days’ notice, and no comparable alternative is offered.
- You arrive at your destination 3+ hours late due to airline-controlled reasons (e.g., technical issues, not weather or air traffic control).
- You are denied boarding due to overbooking.
