If you miss a Sunwing Airlines flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Terms and Conditions and the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), will apply. Sunwing is a Canadian low-cost carrier offering flights and vacation packages, primarily to leisure destinations. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight, based on available information.
No-Show Policy
If you miss your flight without notifying Sunwing Airlines at least three hours before departure, it is considered a "no-show." This typically results in the forfeiture of the ticket value, and subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled. Most Sunwing fares are non-refundable, and rebooking may require purchasing a new ticket.
- Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact Sunwing at least three hours before departure via their Customer Service, website, mobile app, or airport counter. Early notification may allow rebooking or preserve the validity of remaining flight segments.
- Fees: No-show results in the loss of the ticket value for non-refundable fares. Rebooking after a no-show may incur a change fee, often substantial, plus any fare difference. Some sources indicate a fee for changes requested after missing a flight.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, as Sunwing treats the itinerary as a single contract.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible but subject to availability and fare rules. Changes can be made via the Manage Booking portal, mobile app, Customer Service, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: A fee is charged for rebooking a missed flight, which varies by fare type and route. For example, changes requested twenty-one days or more before departure may incur a fee, while changes within twenty days are treated as cancellations, with no refund for non-refundable fares.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. If the new fare is lower, no refund is provided. The fee may be waived if the new itinerary is more expensive.
- Worry Free Plus Plan: If purchased, this plan allows one flight change or cancellation up to three hours before departure without a change fee, though fare differences apply. It must be bought within forty-eight hours of booking and is only available for Sunwing vacation packages with WestJet flights.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Sunwing, and both flights are on the same booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, as required by the APPR for large airlines like Sunwing. They may also provide meals, accommodation, or transport for significant delays within their control. For separate bookings, Sunwing is not responsible for missed connections, and you may need to purchase a new ticket.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights are limited due to Sunwing’s low-cost model:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Most fares are non-refundable if you miss the flight, resulting in the loss of the ticket value.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: You can cancel within twenty-four hours of booking for a full refund, regardless of fare type, if the flight is at least seven days away. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-show issues if you know you’ll miss the flight.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a Sunwing delay of two hours or more within their control (e.g., mechanical issues), you are entitled to rebooking on the next available flight or a refund for the unused portion. Under the APPR, large airlines like Sunwing must rebook within forty-eight hours, potentially on another carrier, or provide a refund. For EU flights, if you arrive three hours or more late, you may be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, ranging from two hundred fifty euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you may request a refund for taxes and fees, subject to an administration fee, within a specified period.
- COVID-19 Exceptions: If you miss a flight due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, the Worry Free Plus plan may allow a refund or change, subject to specific conditions. Contact Sunwing for details.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Sunwing Airlines immediately via their Customer Service, Manage Booking portal, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules on the Sunwing website under Terms and Conditions to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, submit a compensation or refund request via the Sunwing website or Customer Service, providing your booking reference and supporting documents.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as verification may be required.
- Check in online twelve hours to sixty minutes before departure, as counters close sixty minutes before departure, and boarding closes thirty minutes before.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive three hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the delay was within Sunwing’s control. Compensation is not provided for delays due to extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues. Sunwing’s customer service has faced criticism for slow responses and delays in refund processing, with some passengers reporting waits of up to twelve weeks for travel credits. Recent incidents, such as widespread cancellations due to winter storms, highlight operational challenges, and Sunwing’s integration with WestJet may affect service reliability.
