Missed your connecting flight? What to say in English
You land late, run through the terminal and watch your connection leave without you. Now you're tired, stressed and at a desk where the agent is handling a long line of people. In English, the challenge is to explain quickly, ask for exactly what you need and not forget to ask what you're entitled to.
The situation
You missed your connection by ten minutes. Get on the next flight and ask about compensation.
Your goals
- Explain what happened
- Get on the next flight
- Ask about compensation
Words to use
Words you probably know but rarely say. In the app they tick off as you use them.
- connection
- connecting flight
- rebook
- book again
- entitled to
- have a right to
- voucher
- ticket for a free service
- layover
- stop between flights
- as soon as possible
- right away
Phrases that work here
My first flight landed late, and I missed my connection to Osaka.
The whole problem in one sentence: what happened and where you need to go.
Here's my boarding pass and booking reference.
Hands over what the agent needs first, which saves time for both of you.
What's the next available flight?
The key question. "Available" means one with free seats, not just the next departure.
Is there anything earlier, maybe with a partner airline?
Pushes for a better option politely when the first offer is too late.
Could you make sure my bag goes on the new flight?
Easy to forget when you're stressed, and very annoying to fix later.
Since the delay was on your side, am I entitled to any compensation?
Asks about your rights calmly. It sounds informed rather than demanding.
Could I get a meal voucher while I wait?
A smaller, practical request if the wait is long.
How the conversation can go
Kenji opens the call. One way to answer:
- Kenji
Next, please. Hi, how can I help you?
- You
Hi. My flight from Jakarta landed forty minutes late, and I missed my connecting flight to Osaka by ten minutes. Here's my boarding pass.
- Kenji
I'm sorry about that. Let me take a look. The next flight to Osaka with a free seat is tomorrow at 9:15.
- You
Tomorrow? Is there anything earlier tonight, maybe with a partner airline? I really need to get there tonight if I can.
- Kenji
Let me check. There's one at 8:40 tonight, but it has a layover in Seoul. You'd arrive about three hours later than planned.
- You
That's fine, I'll take that one. Could you rebook me on it and make sure my suitcase goes on the same flight?
- Kenji
Done. Your bag will be transferred. Is there anything else?
- You
Yes, one more thing. Since the first flight was delayed, am I entitled to any compensation, or at least a meal voucher while I wait?
Mistakes to avoid
I am late for my flight.I missed my connecting flight.
"Late for" means you might still catch it. "Missed" means it has already left, which is what the agent needs to know.
Can I change to the next plane?Could you rebook me on the next flight?
You book a flight, not a plane, and the agent is the one who does the rebooking.
I want compensation.Am I entitled to any compensation?
A demand can make the agent defensive. Asking what you're entitled to is polite and gets a clearer answer.
Before you start
- Have your boarding pass and booking reference in your hand before you reach the desk.
- Start with a one-sentence summary: which flight, how late, and where you need to go.
- Ask about your bag, food and compensation before you leave the desk. Coming back to the queue later is much harder.
Practise it out loud with Kenji
In Lorivo, Kenji answers you on a live voice call for about 6 minutes, then you get feedback on your own sentences.
Get it on Google Play