If you miss a connecting flight in the United States, the airline decides whether you are rebooked at no cost or required to buy a new ticket. The outcome depends mainly on the cause of the delay and whether your flights were booked on the same ticket.
What happens
If you miss a connecting flight in the United States, the airline will determine whether you are rebooked, required to pay for a new ticket, or placed on standby.
The outcome depends primarily on why the connection was missed.
If the delay was caused by the airline (mechanical issue, crew delay, schedule change), the airline typically rebooks you at no additional cost.
If you missed the connection due to:
- Late arrival at the gate
- Security delay
- Immigration processing delay
- Separate tickets booked independently
You may be treated as a no-show.
When marked as a no-show:
- The remaining segments of your itinerary may be canceled.
- Rebooking may require purchasing a new ticket at current prices.
If your missed connection involves international arrival, immigration processing can affect timing.
What to do
Immediately:
- Go to the airline’s customer service desk or use the airline app.
- Confirm whether you were marked as a no-show.
- Ask whether the delay was recorded as airline-controlled or passenger-controlled.
If immigration or security caused the delay:
- Inform the airline agent.
- Request supervisor review if necessary.
If separate tickets were used:
- The second airline is not obligated to rebook you.
Act quickly. Seats may fill while you wait.
What it may lead to
Common outcome:
- Rebooking on the next available flight.
Possible outcomes:
- Standby placement.
- Overnight delay with hotel voucher (if airline-controlled delay).
- No compensation (if passenger-controlled).
Worst realistic outcome:
- Remaining itinerary canceled.
- New ticket required at same-day pricing.
- Additional baggage or change fees.
Airlines are not required to compensate for missed connections caused by passenger delays.
Immigration impact (international arrivals)
If your missed connection occurs after entering the United States:
- You must clear immigration and customs before proceeding to domestic gates.
- Checked luggage may need to be rechecked.
If you fail to recheck baggage in time, the airline may remove your bag from the system.
Domestic flight delays do not alter immigration status once admission has already occurred.
Common mistakes
- Booking tight connections on separate tickets.
- Assuming immigration delays count as airline responsibility.
- Waiting too long before contacting airline staff.
- Leaving the airport before confirming rebooking.
What this depends on
Outcomes vary based on:
- Whether the flights were on the same ticket.
- Whether the delay was airline-controlled.
- Weather or air traffic conditions.
- Fare class and ticket restrictions.
Airline policy governs most rebooking decisions.
When private system applies
Missed connection handling is controlled by the airline, a private entity.
Federal aviation regulations affect safety and scheduling, but rebooking decisions are airline policy.
Last reviewed: February 2026
This page describes typical operational outcomes. Individual cases vary.