If you miss a Turkish Airlines 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. Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Türkiye, operates from its hub at Istanbul Airport, serving destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 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 Turkish Airlines beforehand, you are considered a "no-show." This typically results in the forfeiture of the ticket value, as most fares, such as EcoFly, are non-refundable, and subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled, as the airline treats the itinerary as a single contract.
- Notification: To avoid cancellation of subsequent flights, contact Turkish Airlines before departure via their Call Center, Manage Booking section on the website, mobile app, or airport counter. Prompt notification may preserve the validity of remaining flight segments or allow rebooking.
- Fees: No-show results in the loss of the ticket value for non-refundable fares. Rebooking requires purchasing a new ticket at the current fare. Flexible fares, like ExtraFly or PrimeFly, may allow changes with a fee per person per flight, plus any fare difference, subject to fare rules.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, including connecting or return flights, unless you notify the airline to confirm travel on subsequent flights.
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 Turkish Airlines website under Manage Booking, mobile app, Call Center, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: Non-refundable fares, like EcoFly, typically require purchasing a new ticket at the current fare. Flexible fares, like ExtraFly or PrimeFly, may allow changes with a fee, plus any fare difference. Miles&Smiles members with Classic Plus, Elite, or Elite Plus status may benefit from additional flexibility.
- 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: Turkish Airlines does not explicitly offer a standby policy for missed flights. If you arrive at the airport after missing your flight, rebooking on the next available flight requires a new ticket purchase, subject to availability.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Turkish Airlines, 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, such as technical issues or crew scheduling. For separate bookings, Turkish Airlines is not responsible for missed connections, and you must 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, like EcoFly, are non-refundable, and missing a flight results in the loss of the ticket value.
- Refundable Tickets: Flexible fares, like ExtraFly or PrimeFly, may allow cancellations or changes before departure with a fee, subject to fare rules. Refunds are processed to the original payment method.
- 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 Turkish Airlines 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. Submit claims via the Turkish Airlines website’s Manage Booking section or Call Center.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you may request a refund for government-imposed taxes, subject to an administration fee, via the airline’s website or Call Center.
- Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, your policy may cover missed flights due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or traffic delays. Contact your insurer with your booking details.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Turkish Airlines immediately via their Call Center, Manage Booking section, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules on the Turkish Airlines website under Manage 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 Turkish Airlines website’s online form or Call 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 from twenty-four hours to ninety minutes before departure to avoid missing deadlines. Check-in counters close sixty minutes before departure for international flights and forty-five minutes for domestic flights.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to a Turkish Airlines-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 Travel Noire highlight challenges with Turkish Airlines’ customer service, including chaotic boarding, unhelpful staff, and issues with rebooking after missed connections. For example, passengers have reported being required to purchase new tickets after missing connections due to short connection times or gate closures, even when delays were airline-related. Turkish Airlines operates a large fleet and is a Star Alliance member, offering benefits like priority rebooking for Miles&Smiles elite members.
