Korean Air Missed Flight Policy

Overview

Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier and a SkyTeam member, operates domestic and international flights from its hub in Seoul. Its missed flight policy is governed by its Conditions of Carriage, fare rules, ticket type, EU/UK Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU/UK, U.S. DOT regulations for flights to/from the U.S., and South Korea’s Civil Aviation Act. This policy outlines options for passengers who miss their scheduled flight due to personal reasons, airline-related delays, or other circumstances.

Key Policy Details

No-Show Policy: If you fail to check in by the deadline (30 minutes before departure for domestic flights, 60 minutes for international flights) or arrive at the boarding gate (20 minutes before departure), you are considered a "no-show." For non-refundable tickets (e.g., Economy Lite, Economy Standard), the ticket value is forfeited, and the entire itinerary, including return or connecting flights, is canceled as tickets must be used in sequence. A no-show fee (e.g., $50-$200 USD, depending on route and fare type) may apply. For short-haul flights (Korea to China/Japan), the fee is $50 USD; medium-haul (e.g., Southeast Asia) is $70 USD; long-haul (e.g., U.S., Europe) is $120-$200 USD. Alternatively, 5,000-12,000 SKYPASS miles may be deducted for SKYPASS members. Notify Korean Air before departure via the Manage Booking section, app, or airport counter to preserve ticket value as a travel credit (valid for 12 months). Unused taxes and fees are refundable, less an administrative fee (e.g., $20-$30 USD). If you miss a flight but notify Korean Air within 48 hours, you may rebook on standby or a later flight, subject to fees and availability.
Non-Refundable Tickets: No cash refunds are provided for missed flights on non-refundable tickets. Rebooking is possible, subject to availability, change fees (e.g., $100-$200 USD for international flights, waived for domestic flights), and fare differences. Changes must be made via the Manage Booking section, app, airport counters, or the original booking channel. If the same fare is unavailable, a higher fare applies with no refund for lower fares. For Blue Basic fares, changes are not allowed, only cancellations with a fee ($100-$200 USD).
Refundable Tickets: Refundable tickets (e.g., Economy Flex, Prestige Class, First Class) can be refunded for the unused portion with no penalty if canceled before departure. Refunds are processed to the original payment method or as travel credits (valid for 12 months) within 3-5 business days for credit card payments or 7-10 days for other methods. Requests must be made within 30 days of ticket expiration (typically 12 months from issuance). For SKYPASS award tickets, miles are re-credited, but a service fee (e.g., $30 USD) may apply.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation: For tickets purchased directly from Korean Air (ticket number starting with “180”), you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is at least 7 days away, per U.S. DOT rules. This applies to all fare types and must be requested via the Manage Booking section or app. Tickets purchased through travel agencies may not qualify, and refunds may take longer due to agency processing.
Missed Connections Due to Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of a Korean Air-operated flight within the same booking (ticket number starting with “180”), the airline will rebook you on the next available flight (including SkyTeam partners like Delta or Air France) at no cost. If the delay exceeds 3 hours at your final destination and is within Korean Air’s control (e.g., mechanical issues), you may 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 (for flights departing from EU/UK airports), or up to $650 USD under U.S. DOT rules. For delays of 3+ hours, meals or vouchers are provided; for overnight delays, accommodation and transfers are offered if away from your home airport, subject to availability. Retain receipts for reimbursement.
Extraordinary Circumstances: No compensation is provided for missed flights due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control strikes, or security issues). Korean Air will assist with rebooking or refunding unused taxes and fees, less an administrative fee. Passengers are responsible for additional expenses (e.g., accommodation, transport). Travel insurance is recommended.
Denied Boarding: If you miss a flight due to overbooking and checked in on time with valid documentation, Korean Air will seek volunteers first. If involuntarily denied boarding, you will be rebooked on the next available flight and may receive compensation ($200-$650 USD under U.S. DOT rules or €250-€600 under EU/UK 261 for flights departing from EU/UK airports, depending on delay duration). Volunteers receive agreed-upon compensation, typically a travel voucher. Meals or refreshments are provided while waiting.
Special Circumstances: For missed flights due to medical emergencies or bereavement, Korean Air may waive fees or offer refunds/credits with valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate, death certificate) submitted via the Customer Care form. Approval is reviewed case-by-case, and delays in submitting documentation may lead to rejection.

Steps to Take if You Miss Your Flight

Contact Korean Air immediately via the Manage Booking section, mobile app, or airport counter within 48 hours of the scheduled departure to request standby rebooking or preserve ticket value as a credit (valid for 12 months). Provide your booking reference (e.g., six-letter code like ABC123).
Explain the reason for missing the flight to determine eligibility for rebooking, credits, or fee waivers. For special circumstances, submit documentation via the Customer Care form promptly.
Check your ticket’s fare rules in the Manage Booking section to understand applicable fees, restrictions, or refund eligibility. Non-refundable tickets may incur higher penalties, while refundable tickets offer more flexibility.
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 take 3-5 business days for credit card payments or 7-10 days for other methods; claims are acknowledged within 7 days and processed within 30 days.
Keep all documentation for claims or expense reimbursements. Report baggage issues within 7 days for damage or 21 days for delays via the Baggage Irregularity Report form.
Check travel insurance policies for coverage of missed flights due to valid reasons (e.g., illness, accidents). Request an Insurance Verification Form via Customer Care for insurance claims.
For EU/UK 261 claims (flights departing from EU/UK airports), submit directly to Korean Air to avoid third-party fees. If unresolved, escalate to the UK CAA, EU national authorities, or South Korea’s Civil Aviation Authority. Claims can be filed up to 6 years after the flight.

Note: Policies vary based on ticket type (Economy Lite, Economy Standard, Economy Flex, Prestige Class, First Class), fare rules, and booking channel (direct or through a travel agency). For codeshare flights (e.g., with Delta, Air France), the operating carrier’s rules may apply. Always review fare conditions at booking, arrive early (2 hours for domestic, 3 hours for international flights), and use the Korean Air app for updates. Check-in closes 30 minutes (domestic) or 60 minutes (international) before departure; boarding gates close 20 minutes prior. Online check-in is available 48 hours to 2 hours before departure (24 hours for U.S./Canada flights). Customer reviews highlight Korean Air’s strict no-show policies and high fees (e.g., $200 USD for long-haul no-shows), with refund processing delays reported for third-party bookings. For complex claims, consider services like AirHelp, though they may charge fees (e.g., 25-50% of compensation).

Additional Information

If Korean Air cancels or delays your flight by 3+ hours or cancels with less than 14 days’ notice, you may choose a refund, rebooking, or compensation, depending on the circumstances. For cancellations within Korean Air’s control, you may receive a full refund (including fees for baggage, seats, or meals) or rebooking on the next available flight, potentially with SkyTeam partners. Compensation for EU/UK flights (€250-€600, depending on flight distance) can be filed up to 6 years after the flight, or within 1 year for U.S. claims ($75-$650 USD). For delays over 3 hours, meals or vouchers are provided; for overnight delays, accommodation and transfers are offered if away from your home airport. Retain all receipts for expenses and submit claims within 21 days for delays or 7 days for baggage issues. For unresolved claims, escalate to South Korea’s Civil Aviation Authority, the U.S. DOT, or EU/UK authorities. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. For more details, review Korean Air’s Conditions of Carriage, Customer Service Commitment, or EU Passenger Rights section.