If you miss a Thai Airways International flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Conditions of Carriage and applicable regulations such as EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU, will apply. Thai Airways, Thailand’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, operates from its hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, with a secondary hub at Phuket International Airport. 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 Thai Airways at least one hour before departure, you are considered a "no-show." This may result in the forfeiture of the ticket value, and your return or onward reservations may be automatically canceled, as the airline treats the itinerary as a single contract. A no-show fee may apply for tickets departing from Thailand, except for infants without their own seat.
- Notification: To avoid cancellation of subsequent flights, contact Thai Airways at least one hour before departure via their Contact Center, website, mobile app, or airport counter. Notifying the airline in advance ensures your return or onward flights remain valid.
- Fees: For non-refundable fares, a no-show results in the loss of the ticket value. For tickets departing from Thailand, a no-show fee may be charged, applicable to all ticket types, including mileage redemption tickets, unless you notify the airline in advance. Rebooking incurs a change fee, which varies by fare type and route, plus any fare difference. Flexible fares, such as Royal First or Royal Silk Class, may allow changes with a fee.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight without prior notification may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, including connecting or return flights. If you notify Thai Airways in advance, subsequent flights will not be canceled.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible but subject to availability and fare rules. You can manage changes through the Thai Airways website under Manage My Booking, mobile app, Contact Center, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: Non-refundable fares, such as Economy Lite or Standard, may require purchasing a new ticket or paying a change fee, which varies by route and fare conditions. Flexible fares like Premium Economy or Royal Silk may allow changes with a fee. For tickets departing from Thailand, a no-show fee may also apply.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower.
- Standby: Thai Airways does not explicitly offer a standby policy for missed flights. If you arrive at the airport shortly after missing your flight, rebooking on the next available flight requires a new ticket purchase or change fees, subject to availability.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Thai Airways, 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 EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU or the Air Passenger Protection Regulations for flights from Canada. They may also provide meals, accommodation, or transport for significant delays within their control. For separate bookings, Thai Airways is not responsible for missed connections, and you may need to purchase a new ticket.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights depend on the fare type and circumstances:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Most Economy fares are non-refundable if you miss the flight, resulting in the loss of the ticket value. A no-show fee may apply for tickets departing from Thailand.
- Refundable Tickets: Flexible fares, such as Royal First or Royal Silk Class, may allow cancellations or changes before departure with a fee, subject to fare rules. Refunds are processed to the original payment method, but applications made later than ninety days after ticket expiry may be refused.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: For bookings to or from the U.S., you can cancel within twenty-four hours of purchase for a full refund, regardless of fare type, if booked at least seven days before departure. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-shows if you anticipate missing the flight.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a Thai Airways delay within their control and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU, ranging from one hundred twenty-five euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance. You may also request a refund for the unused ticket portion or rebooking without fees. For flights from Canada, similar protections apply under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. Submit claims via the Thai Airways website or Contact Center.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you may request a refund for government-imposed taxes and fees, subject to fare rules, via the Thai Airways website or Contact Center.
- Royal Orchid Plus (ROP): For mileage redemption tickets, a no-show fee may apply for departures from Thailand, and refunds may incur additional fees. Contact the ROP team for mileage claims or refunds.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Thai Airways immediately via their Contact Center, Manage My 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 Thai Airways website under Manage My Booking 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 Thai Airways website’s online form or Contact Center, providing your booking reference and supporting documents like receipts or boarding passes.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as verification may be required.
- Check in online twenty-four hours to one hour before departure, as check-in counters close forty-five minutes before international flights and thirty minutes before domestic flights in Thailand, to avoid missing deadlines.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to a Thai Airways-caused delay and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the delay was within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues or staffing). Compensation is not provided for extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues. Customer reviews on platforms like Reddit and Facebook highlight challenges with Thai Airways’ customer service, including slow refund processing and unresponsive communication, which may affect missed flight resolutions. For example, passengers report delays in refunds taking months, with some needing to escalate through local Thai Airways offices or third-party services like AirHelp or EUclaim. Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Plus program offers benefits like priority rebooking for elite members, subject to availability.
