Interjet Airlines Missed Flight Policy

Overview

Interjet Airlines, a Mexican low-cost carrier, ceased operations on December 11, 2020, and was declared bankrupt on April 10, 2023. The following missed flight policy is based on historical information from Interjet’s Conditions of Carriage, fare rules, and applicable regulations (e.g., EU/UK Regulation 261/2004 for flights to/from the EU/UK, U.S. DOT regulations for flights to/from the U.S., and Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Law) as they applied before the airline’s closure. Since Interjet no longer operates, this information is for reference only and may not be actionable. Passengers with outstanding claims should contact their booking agent, credit card company, or travel insurance provider.

Key Policy Details (Historical)

• No-Show Policy: If you failed to check in by the deadline (60 minutes before departure for domestic flights, 180 minutes for international) or arrive at the boarding gate (15-30 minutes before departure), you were considered a "no-show." Non-refundable tickets (e.g., Light, Optima) forfeited their entire value, and the itinerary, including return or connecting flights, was canceled as tickets had to be used in sequence. A no-show fee (e.g., $50-$100 USD or $599-$799 MXN per segment, depending on fare type and route) could apply. Unused taxes and fees were refundable, less an administrative fee (e.g., $30 USD).
• Non-Refundable Tickets: No cash refunds were provided for missed flights on non-refundable tickets. Rebooking was possible, subject to availability, change fees ($35-$59 USD or $599-$799 MXN per segment for domestic routes; $48-$77 CAD for international), and fare differences. Changes could be made via the Manage Trip section or airport counters. If the same fare was unavailable, a higher fare applied with no refund for lower fares.
• Refundable Tickets: Refundable tickets (e.g., Priority fare) could be refunded for the unused portion, less a service fee (e.g., $20-$50 USD), if requested within one year from issuance. Refunds were processed as vouchers or to the original payment method through the original purchase channel (e.g., Interjet website, travel agency).
• 24-Hour Cancellation Policy: For tickets purchased directly from Interjet, you could cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight was at least 7 days away. This applied to all fare types and had to be requested via the Manage Trip section. Tickets purchased through travel agencies might not qualify.
• Cancellation Protection: An optional add-on allowed refunds for non-refundable tickets in cases of sudden illness, accident, or death of a close family member, with valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate, death certificate). Refunds were processed within 7-10 business days, excluding fare differences or cancellation fees.
• Missed Connections Due to Delays: If you missed a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of an Interjet-operated flight within the same booking, Interjet would rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. If the delay exceeded 3 hours at your final destination and was within Interjet’s control (e.g., technical issues), you could be eligible for compensation: €250 for flights up to 1500 km, €400 for 1500-3500 km, or €600 for over 3500 km under EU/UK 261, or up to $650 USD under U.S. DOT rules. For delays of 2+ hours (short-haul) or 4+ hours (long-haul), Interjet provided meals, refreshments, and communication access; for overnight delays, hotel accommodation and transportation were offered, subject to availability.
• Extraordinary Circumstances: No compensation was provided for missed flights due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control, or security issues). Interjet would assist with rebooking or refunding unused taxes and fees, less an administrative fee.
• Denied Boarding: If you missed a flight due to overbooking and checked in on time, Interjet would rebook you on the next available flight and could provide compensation (€250-€600 under EU/UK 261 or $200-$650 USD under U.S. DOT rules, depending on flight distance and delay duration). Volunteers received agreed-upon compensation, typically a travel voucher.
• Special Circumstances: For missed flights due to medical emergencies or bereavement, Interjet could waive fees or offer refunds with valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate, death certificate) submitted via the Customer Care department. Approval was reviewed case-by-case.

Steps to Take if You Missed Your Flight (Historical)

• Contact Interjet via the website or airport ticket counter before departure to cancel or reschedule to avoid no-show fees and preserve ticket value as a credit (valid for one year). Provide your booking reference (e.g., six-letter code like ABC123).
• Explain the reason for missing the flight to determine eligibility for rebooking, refunds, or fee waivers. For Cancellation Protection claims, submit documentation via the Customer Care form.
• Check your ticket’s fare rules in the Manage Trip section to understand applicable fees, restrictions, or refund eligibility.
• Submit compensation or refund claims via the Customer Care form, including your name, booking reference, and supporting documents (e.g., boarding passes, receipts, medical certificates). Refunds were processed within 7-10 business days; claims were acknowledged within 30 days.
• Keep all documentation for claims or expense reimbursements. Report baggage issues within 7 days of arrival (21 days for delayed baggage).
• Check travel insurance policies for coverage of missed flights due to valid reasons (e.g., illness, accidents).

Additional Information

Interjet’s financial difficulties, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to widespread flight cancellations and unpaid refunds. Customers reported challenges with unresponsive customer service and expired vouchers (e.g., valid until June 30, 2021). For canceled flights, Interjet was required to offer refunds or rebooking, but many passengers received only vouchers, which became unusable after the airline’s closure. Compensation claims for EU/UK flights could be filed up to 3 years after the flight; U.S. claims followed DOT rules. Retain all receipts for expenses (e.g., hotels, meals) and submit claims within 21 days for delays or 7 days for baggage issues. For unresolved claims, consider third-party services like AirHelp or Flightright, or contact your booking agent (e.g., Expedia, FlightHub) for assistance.