American Airlines Missed Flight Policy

Overview

American Airlines’ missed flight policy is governed by its Conditions of Carriage and Customer Service Plan. The policy outlines options for passengers who miss their flights due to personal reasons or airline-related issues, such as delays or cancellations. Outcomes depend on the fare type, ticket conditions, and the reason for missing the flight. For flights to/from the EU or UK, EU/UK Regulation 261/2004 may apply.

Missed Flight Due to Passenger’s Responsibility

If you miss your flight due to arriving late, failing to check in on time, or lacking valid travel documents, the following applies:

• Non-Refundable Tickets (e.g., Basic Economy): If you miss your flight and are marked as a no-show, the ticket value is forfeited, and the entire itinerary, including onward and return flights, may be canceled. No credit is issued unless you cancel before departure. Basic Economy tickets are non-changeable, but you may cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is at least 7 days away.
• Flexible Fares (e.g., Main Cabin, Premium Economy): If you notify American Airlines before departure, you may rebook for a fee ($99–$200, depending on fare rules) plus any fare difference. If you arrive at the airport within 2 hours after the missed flight’s departure, you may be eligible for a same-day standby on the next available flight for a $75–$150 fee (waived for AAdvantage elite members or Business/First Class passengers).
• No-Show Policy: A no-show without prior notification results in ticket forfeiture. If you contact American Airlines within 2 hours after departure, you may be able to rebook, subject to fees and availability. Since 2021, American Airlines has allowed passengers arriving at the counter up to 15 minutes before departure to be rebooked on the next flight without additional cost, subject to availability.
• 24-Hour Cancellation Policy: For tickets purchased directly from American Airlines, you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund (if booked at least 2 days before departure), even for non-refunded tickets.

Missed Connecting Flight Due to Airline Delays

If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of an American Airlines-operated flight within the same booking, the airline will assist as follows:

• Rebooking: American Airlines will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, including flights on partner airlines (e.g., Oneworld members) if necessary. If rebooking extends to the next day, the airline may provide hotel accommodations and transport to/from the airport.
• Right to Care: For delays within American Airlines’ control (e.g., mechanical issues) lasting 3+ hours, the airline provides meal vouchers, communication access, and, if needed, hotel accommodations for overnight delays. For delays beyond their control (e.g., weather), assistance is not guaranteed but may be offered.
• Compensation: For EU/UK-regulated flights delayed 3+ hours at the final destination due to reasons within American Airlines’ control, you may be eligible for compensation of €250–€600, based on flight distance:
  • €250 for flights up to 1,500 km
  • €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km
  • €600 for flights over 3,500 km
  Compensation is not available for delays due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control). For U.S. domestic flights, American Airlines is not required to offer cash compensation but may provide travel vouchers or AAdvantage miles as a goodwill gesture.
• Refund Option: If you choose not to travel due to a significant delay or cancellation, you may request a full refund for the unused portion of your ticket, even for non-refunded tickets. Refunds are processed within 7 days for credit card purchases and 20 days for other payment methods.

Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight

If you miss your flight, follow these steps:

1. Contact American Airlines Immediately: Call or visit an American Airlines ticket counter or gate agent at the airport. For international contact numbers, check the Contact page. If booked through a third party, contact them directly.
2. Provide Booking Details: Have your confirmation code or e-ticket number ready (available in your confirmation email or American Airlines app).
3. Explore Options: Request same-day standby ($75–$150 fee, waived for elite members) or rebooking ($99–$200 fee plus fare difference, if applicable). For non-refunded tickets, cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund (if booked 2+ days before departure). For delays, request meal vouchers or accommodations if eligible.
4. Submit a Claim (if applicable): For delays within American Airlines’ control, file a claim via the Customer Relations page with your booking reference, boarding pass, and receipts for expenses. For EU/UK-regulated flights, claims must be submitted within 6 years.