If you miss a Saudia flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Conditions of Carriage, will apply. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight.
No-Show Policy
If you miss your flight without notifying Saudia in advance, it is considered a "no-show." This results in the forfeiture of your ticket value, and all subsequent flights in your itinerary, including onward or return flights, may be canceled. Rebooking or changes may incur additional fees.
- Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact the airline as soon as possible before the flight departure via their Guest Care Center, website, or at the airport counter.
- Fees: A no-show fee may apply, typically deducting a percentage of the unused ticket value, depending on the fare type. For example, non-refundable tickets may lose their entire value.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight without prior notification leads to the cancellation of all following flights in your booking, as per Saudia’s policy.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, you may be able to rebook on a later flight, subject to availability and fare rules. Additional charges may include:
- No-Show Fee: A fee for missing the flight without prior notice, which varies by fare type and ticket conditions.
- Change Fee: A fee for modifying your booking, depending on the ticket type. Economy Saver fares typically do not allow changes, while Economy Flex or Business fares may permit changes with a fee.
- Fare Difference: Any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Saudia, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, provided the delay was within their control and both flights were booked under the same reservation. They may also provide meal vouchers, accommodations, or transport if the delay results in an overnight stay.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights depend on the fare type and circumstances:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Economy Saver fares are generally non-refundable if you miss the flight, and the ticket value may be lost unless specified otherwise in the fare rules.
- Refundable Tickets: Economy Flex, Business, or First Class fares may be eligible for a refund if unused, subject to fare rules and applicable fees.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: If the booking was made at least seven days before departure, you can cancel within 24 hours of booking without penalty, regardless of fare type, for a full refund. Refunds for credit card payments take seven business days, while cash or check refunds may take up to twenty days.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a flight due to a delay or cancellation caused by Saudia, you are entitled to a refund to your original payment method or rebooking without additional fees. If the ticket is unused, the refund will equal the fare paid; if partially used, the refund will be the fare for the unused portion minus applicable fees. For flights departing from the EU or UK, if you arrive more than three hours late due to an airline-caused delay, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261 or UK261 regulations, ranging from two hundred fifty euros to six hundred euros or two hundred twenty pounds to five hundred twenty pounds, depending on flight distance.
- Saudi Regulations: For flights departing from or arriving in Saudi Arabia with Saudia, you may be eligible for compensation under GACA regulations if the flight is delayed over three hours or canceled, provided the issue was within the airline’s control. Compensation may include up to two hundred percent of the ticket value for denied boarding due to overbooking.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you can request a refund for airport taxes and fees within sixty days, subject to an administration fee.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Saudia immediately via their Guest Care Center, WhatsApp, Manage Bookings portal, or at the airport counter to explore rebooking options.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, request rebooking, compensation, or a refund as per applicable regulations.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds.
- Submit claims for compensation or refunds within sixty days for Saudi regulations or within applicable timeframes for EU/UK regulations.
Additional Information
For flights departing from or arriving in the EU or UK, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive at your destination three hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261 or UK261 regulations, provided the delay was within the airline’s control. For flights to or from Saudi Arabia, GACA regulations may apply, offering compensation for disruptions within the airline’s control. No compensation is provided for delays or cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues. To avoid complications, regularly check your flight status on the Saudia website or airport websites. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the Saudia website or contact their Guest Care Center.
