Overview
American Eagle, the regional branch of American Airlines, operates under American Airlines’ Conditions of Carriage and Customer Service Plan for its missed flight policy. American Eagle flights are operated by wholly-owned subsidiaries (Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines) or contracted carriers (Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, SkyWest Airlines). The policy covers 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 American Eagle 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 same-day standby on the next available American Eagle or American Airlines 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, passengers arriving at the counter up to 15 minutes before departure may 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.
Note: Check-in is available 24 hours to 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international flights via the American Airlines website or app. Passengers must be at the gate 30 minutes before departure (45 minutes for international flights). Failure to meet these deadlines may result in a no-show status.
Missed Connecting Flight Due to Airline Delays
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of an American Eagle-operated flight within the same booking, American Airlines’ policy applies:
- Rebooking: American Airlines will rebook you on the next available American Eagle or American Airlines flight at no additional cost. If no flights are available until the next day and the disruption is within the airline’s control, you may be rebooked on a partner airline (e.g., Oneworld members). You will be rebooked in your originally ticketed cabin or class.
- 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 an overnight stay is required, hotel accommodations and transport to/from the airport. For delays beyond their control (e.g., weather), assistance is not guaranteed.
- 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, including taxes and fees, even for non-refunded tickets. Refunds are processed within 7 days for credit card purchases and 20 days for other payment methods.
Note: American Eagle does not accept unaccompanied minors on itineraries with connections to/from other airlines, including codeshare partners. If your connecting flight is on a separate ticket or operated by another airline, American Eagle/American Airlines is not responsible for missed connections. Contact the operating airline or your booking agent.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your American Eagle flight, follow these steps:
- Contact American Airlines Immediately: Call or visit an American Airlines ticket counter or gate agent at the airport. If booked through a third party, contact them directly.
- Provide Booking Details: Have your confirmation code or e-ticket number ready (available in your confirmation email or American Airlines app).
- 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.
- 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.