Explained: Why You Can't Board A Flight After The Gate Closes

[@bradleynoneofyourbizz5341]

Also, where does it end? "I'm only 60 seconds late!", "I'm only two minutes late!" "I'm only three minutes late!" It would never end.

[@SwordQuake2]

It would end with the last passenger. It's not like 10s of people miss each flight...

[@AnotherPointOfView944]

Yes. Just get there early. Its not rocket surgery.

[@jtirello3_111]

@@AnotherPointOfView944 it’s not even brain science.

[@robk1003]

This week, I'm working in Eastern Europe, and where i am working is 10km from the airport. My home in the UK is just 6 miles from the airport. There are only 2 flights a week between the two airports. I'm not going to be late for my flight!

[@DC-id2ih]

Can't say I've ever been that late for a flight...but this is NOT because am a "perfect passenger"...it's because I find the entire process of getting to an airport and boarding a flight to be very stressful, and the only way I've found to handle the stress is to get to the airport very early so I can get baggage checks and security out the way so that I can then sit calmly in the waiting area listening to music and/or reading a book until boarding starts....I envy seasoned travelers who calmly navigate airports and never get stressed!

[@JingJao]

Yeah I've missed a connection. My first flight got delayed and I missed my connecting flight. You just talk to them about your situation and they're pretty nice about it. They'll book you on the next flight.

[@jtirello3_111]

My daughter and I were flying to Boston for a quick-turn-less-than-36-hour trip, and because I thought we could park in the garage at the terminal I didn’t make a Plan B for parking and that, along with the slowest security day ever at Hartsfield had us in a dead sprint to our gate, which of course was all the way at the end of the concourse. They had already shut the doors and we stood there catching our breath as the plane pushed back. We got on standby for the next flight (90 minutes later) and we were the last two on board. We didn’t get to sit together but we made it on. Lessons learned. That was the first and hopefully last time I ever miss a flight.

[@Mostafaa747]

Thanks for sharing and glad it worked well in the end for you. If I may ask, did you end up paying a penalty for being late and for the rebooking? Or the airline put you on the next flight free of charge?

[@jtirello3_111]

@@Mostafaa747 Delta put us standby for the next flight, with the understanding that if we couldn’t get on then we could standby the flight after that, then we’d have to rebook and pay the difference in fare. Fortunately we got on the first standby, and that was at no additional charge. Thank you, Delta.

[@Inflight777]

Last fall on a delta trip from paris i got to the gate when the door was closed, jet bridge pulled back and pushback was ready to start. They undid all that and i was able to board. Bags were loaded also. Maybe my status got me lucky.

[@tillimcdilli3108]

no the Video isnt right, a gate agent can reopen a flight, I tell you that as a Rampagent

[@Moonstone-Redux]

If you don't get to board a flight and you have checked in your luggage the luggage handlers have to find your luggage and remove it. Usually it's easier to just let you in than to spend the time to search the entire luggage hold especially if you are just in time. This applies more if your airport is a security at gate airport.

[@Inflight777]

@Moonstone-Redux according to the app my bag was loaded and unloaded then loaded again. The pilot announced they need to do extra paper work before pushback.

[@paulsz6194]

I’m yet to hear of a full-fare paying first class passenger being denied boarding for being a little late…

[@bradleynoneofyourbizz5341]

Wait. If push back was already started, you're saying they pulled the plane back to the gate and reextended the jet bridge? Just for you? I find that hard to believe.

[@mandandi]

Missed a flight once because my brother was late picking me up for the airport. I normally was picked up by work, but he offered to pick me up. I dropped my bro and relied on work transport and was never late again. I have missed some connecting flights due to mechanical issues on an flight, not fun. On one such instance there were several passengers whose flights were also cancelled leading to a lot of passengers who needed to connect to the same destination from the same airport, with limited but somehow fully booked onward flights. It was a nightmare trying to find a flight. I arrived in the early morning around 6 am at the last connecting airport and only found a seat on the last flight at 8 pm!

[@dpro34s]

My most recent flight I boarded a plane at SFO, only to realize that I left the food I purchased at the gate. The Flight Attendant was kind and understanding and let me go back to the gate to get it, but the Gate Agent was visibly annoyed and irritated at my request since he already had closed the doors. In the moment I didn't understand what the big deal was, but in hindsight, I'm grateful he let me get my breakfast bowl instead of saying "tough luck" and abandoning my food for some measly snack onboard the flight.

[@ajmomoho]

One time I had a flight connection taking me home that was booked by my work, but on that day I was intending to fly somewhere else. The connection was rather short, and when I walked up to the gate to let them know I would not be boarding, they were just about ready to close it and told me I could still get on. The agent thanked me for informing them and closed the gate immediately.

[@thyip6167]

I had an experience with missing a flight this year. During summer this year, my SWISS flight from Manchester to Zurich was delayed due to a fault with the aircraft part. As a result, I've missed my connecting flight to Hong Kong. After arriving at Zurich, I stayed in the hotel for a night, and then took a SWISS flight to Hong Kong.

[@JingJao]

Usually if you miss a connection, they're pretty nice about it. they just book you on the next flight.

[@user-wn2ho5ij5f]

@@JingJao yea especially if you’re at the airlines hub, or both your flights are with the same airline. it’s easy for them to just put you in a hotel till the next flight, with the rates they’d pay for a night it’s worth it to save the reputation loss

[@ABDULLAH-789-h2d]

maintenance

[@CJ-xl3dh]

That's untrue! I had a door reopened for me in Europe. I got there early but the airport was one that did not make announcements. I enquired why I hadn't been hearing my gate to discover it had closed. Luckily there was evidence I had checked I very early (without hold luggage) so they reopened and let me board.

[@russelldavies1423]

Rubbish, the boarding gate might have been closed, but they will not reopen a cabin door for a late pax ..in 15 years and 1000's of flights it has never happened

[@767kevin]

​@@russelldavies1423have seen it twice! Most recent time was delayed flight still at gate but door closed small group showed up and they all coordinated to get them on

[@russelldavies1423]

@@767kevin ..not on an International flight they wouldn't...APP , which is the information sent to the destination and ADC..visa checks etc, this all takes too long, then load sheet..maybe on a domestic or charter flight but an aircraft door would not be reopened on International flights.

[@royeb63]

Oslo International Airport (OSL) is one of those quiet airports. No terminal wide announcements or final calls. Boarding is only announced on speakers near the gate. It's your responsibility to be at the gate on time.

[@Sartorius988]

​@@russelldavies1423 prolly depends on the country

[@thefurbeastunderyourbed5012]

Glad I've never actually missed a flight so far, but came to close to it in 2022 when a) my train connections to the airport were heavily affected by construction works and b) the security employee suddenly took it very meticulously with checking the double-sewed pockets of my jeans. Had to undress in a separé and my gate was at the end of the concourse. Already saw myself waving after my flight but made it in the end.

[@MarkUKInsects]

As someone that be held up too many times by very late people ranting with check-in thinking they were in some way "special". It was great to hear a little while back the EasyJet had changed their computer systems, so that if you were not there 30 minutes before the flight, the flight was not on the check in system. So no special cases, no I'm special, my aunt just died. There was zero chance that anyone could pull strings or make an exception. Brilliant

[@sainnt]

There's been occasions where I've arrived at the gate, stood there for minutes and watched my plane pushes back without me. Those are the worst. I've also been in situations where the aircraft left early, so it's completely gone before I even arrive there. Nowadays I prefer to go to the airport early, especially when I have lounge access so I can relax before the flight.

[@cabottaxi]

The plane runs for those that wait. It doesn't wait for those that run. My last flight kept the gate open as the Captain was late and there was no one else to fly it.

[@johnjerry3048]

Closed is an administrative function.. it means the manifest is “closed” and baggage is being reconciled. The aircraft doors are closed when everyone is seated, with permission of the Captain.

[@mariachrzski18]

I was travelling with a group of ~25 people and we barely missed our connecting flight due to the first one being delayed. We had to stay in the airport for nine hours and luckily we were all put on the same flight, a different one later that day.

[@delta_cosmic]

you know people are stupid when a video like this is needed

[@Titot182]

Had that with Emirates on a delayed flight out of london with 40 connecting passengers. Got to the gate whilst rushing through only for them to switch to flight closed. The jet bridge didn't get disconnected until 35 minutes later, with the staff saying "oh, that flight was empty too!" Cue 40 pissed off passengers having to be redeployed onto a packed flight 12 hours later to Jakarta. I've made tighter connections at SIN with SQ. The lack of coherent communcation within EK is a reason why i don't fly with them, given that there's no connection times greater than 90 minutes. Not impressed, given that we asked the purser if there was any chance of us getting ushered by ground staff at Dubai, noting that half the passengers were elderly. T2 Dubai is massive. Admittedly, the flight was delayed because we needed to get deiced. Also, we were one of the last flights out before the Christmas week and before LHR started experiencing heavy delayes due to snow. I get there's procedural compliance etc, but the tactfulness and disrespect shown by the smarmy gate agent was a bit cuntish.

[@Michael_Livingstone]

Entitled people will never get their head wrapped around this.

[@RaulRodriguez-wr8lq]

Well explain, and yes years ago in Mexico, the hours before departure a hurricane hit,flooding the streets, we lost the plane, not sweet pie.

[@fotiskantis]

I actually missed 1 flight this year (and it was close to becoming 2 missed flights). During August I was flying with Aegean from Rhodes to Thessaloniki via Athens with my aunt and the flight was delayed because it failed on the pre boarding check in Athens and we barely made it to our connecting flight wheh we arrived (I had just enough time to head the airport toilets and eat a sandwich before boarding). However my return flight got delayed to the point I missed my connecting fligh, once again due to high traffic in Athens. It wasn't just me who was unlucky, as there were other passengers on that flight that would miss their connecting flights.After arriving in Athens we stayed at a hotel close to the airport, however I only got to sleep for an hour before heading back as I was rebooked to the next flight which left first thing in the morning (around 4 or 5 am). By the time I finally got home it was 6am and the sun was rising

[@mkkm945]

I was once on a very short connection in FRA. Ran for my life only to find the jetbridge doors closed at my gate with no gate agent. The A340 was still at the gate. I simply pushed the doors and walked ran the jetbridge only to find the gate agent was at the aircraft door telling them that I hadn't made it and to unload my bags. She looked at me, confused, and said "oh! you are here?" after which the crew at the door welcomed me and immediately went to the PA system to announce "boarding complete". Was very stressful but felt like quite a triumph to make it.

[@eamonahern7495]

I've never missed a flight. But the last time I flew, the Ryanair flight was delayed. Had it not been, I might have missed boarding. You see, I waited at the departure gate given on the main departures display on entering the terminal. After the original flight due time (I had headphones on listening to music, oblivious to announcements) I noticed the screen at my departure gate still said Brussels. So I checked the departures screen to see that my new departure gate was downstairs. Thankfully I had an hour to make the ten minute walk. I also had a connection flight cancelled in the past. I came off a flight in Heathrow and changed terminals to get my connecting flight back to Dublin. But when I got to the other terminal my flight had been cancelled. Thankfully there was one last flight to Dublin that was far from full so it was easy to get my boarding pass changed. I remember I had not just the window seat, but the 3 seats on the left of that row all to myself so it worked out well and was a very comfortable flight.

[@rtbrtb_dutchy4183]

Not enough people on the Ryanair flight had paid the “on-time departure fee”. That’s why you made it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TomGD]

Nearly missed my first flight to Singapore on Vietnam Airlines, gotten a little too close to door closing time.

[@emam5035]

I’ve only missed my flight once and, funny enough, it was with and because of Delta Airlines. I was supposed to fly from NY (I think it was JFK) to Madrid with a direct flight. The night before my flight, I received an email from Delta informing me of a gate change. So I went to the security control in the terminal where that gate was. Only to find out that the actual gate was the “original” one and it was in another terminal! I run like I had never run before! But I also had to take a shuttle to get there! On that bus I found out I was not the only one to have received that infamous email! Of course, when I got to the gate it was already closed and my luggage was there waiting for me! I think that the flight was overbooked and so Delta decided to play this little “trick”. Needless to say I’ve never flown with Delta again.

[@ianstevenson4378]

I've missed a flight, entirely my own fault. I arrived at the airport later than I should have done, last minute remembered that I did not have a present for my cousin, my name was called out whilst I was in duty free, result, gate closed whilst I was yards away! Painful!

[@heroknaderi]

Oh and if I were to miss my flight ✈️ can I just board the next one browned for the same destination.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

But what if my baggage is in the hold? Wouldn't it be quicker to let me on rather than offload my bag?

[@russelldavies1423]

That is the question we always ask Ramp will tell us a timeframe to find the bags..given gate staff do not know when the missing pax will turn up.Normally , once the offload commences, even if the pax turns up, it will continue.The new load sheet would have been released or an LMC done They wouldn't reverse it again

[@russelldavies1423]

Once the load sheet is released, an LMC must be done This causes further delays.Rarely is an LMC done to accept a pax, normally just for an offload.

[@FlyingExplorer2022]

Can you make a video why airlines crew force everyone to close their windows shortly after take off?

[@wyoboatman]

“Just arrive early” That’s impossible When an Airline has late service on your connection flight then close your connection flight door early and leaves you over night. That’s happened to me several times. It doesn’t seem to help to ask agents to phone ahead then make the sprint to the next gate. I’ve never missed flight one.

[@jamesx4952]

Back in 2021 me and my brother missed our flight home from MCO to PHL when we missed placed a bag at the tsa check. Then we had to wait from 1:00 to 10:30 at night, after the 8:00 flight was full. After all I like plane spotting so I was fine with it my brother was annoyed he had to wait so long

[@NicotineRosberg]

Also people may not understand how annoying late passengers is to the operation. Ik sometimes it’s out of your control. For example say passengers arrive late when bin doors are already closed & what not & that passenger has gate check bags, ramp crews have to reposition equipment & open back the doors. Usually if the boarding gate is locked but plane is still open u more than likely will get through. Unless u piss off the gate agent or something. If the aircraft is closed then u definitely need some luck. Opening back the door is not like opening the door of your car. Procedures are triggered & everything is sent back to base.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

You mean because my connection was late I can't hold up a multi million dollar flight and delay hundreds of other people???? I guess I need to go buy a Gukfstream and do it my way

[@TheWolfHowling]

It hasn't happened yet. I always endeavor to be at/near the gate before the Boarding even starts. I usually arrive to airport quite early as I never what to have to run like a madman, especially through an airport.

[@kkrsnn5632]

I've seen aircraft return to stand and get passengers, soooo...

[@RahulRk-tr7ot]

That does not happen often.

[@AnotherPointOfView944]

Probably other reasons dude.

[@daleburrer1546]

Airlines are serious about this policy.They have a schedule that they have to go by.

[@johnwatson8192]

Well I can tell you that I got to the gate for an Air Portugal flight mnay years ago and the airbridge had been retracted and font door had been closed but the gate staff contacted the flight crew and they let me board the plane.

[@tonystigall575]

Spirit Airlines is the worse. They closed the door on me in Atlanta 20 minutes before takeoff and the rude, nasty gate agent would not reopen. I spent the next 12hours in the airport. The lesson I learned was to never fly Spirit again and to hello arrive at the gate a half hour before takeoff just to be safe.

[@snarkmark2806]

That was your takeaway? Not that you shouldn’t be late?

[@bikingmoments]

Only because we’re not that VIP passenger 😂

[@PakaBubi]

Yes you can. I was allowed to board a plane in Acapulco after the jet bridge was even pulled back.

[@AnotherPointOfView944]

Luck more than anything.

[@paulsz6194]

I’m yet to hear a Full-Fare paying , First class person being denied boarding when arriving a little late….

[@Tpavra]

Just because you don't hear about it does not mean it doesn't happen.... Be on time, problem sorted.

[@AnotherPointOfView944]

Do you have special hearing abilities?

[@bigonicha3225]

Yeah unless you are a politician where the plane will turn back for them

[@NickShoust]

They got to you too eh

[@Tina-d8f]

Not missed a flight to date.

[@ABDULLAH-789-h2d]

me to!or maybe thats becaus eof only flew around 8 times.7 times on a beautiful boeing,once on a eggshellbus

[@999ferna]

I mean the door is closed..

[@SixFootScream]

Don't be selfish. Show up on time.

[@ABDULLAH-789-h2d]

11th!

[@PlanesFLYhi]

Like if you would love to fly emirates first

[@nannyg666]

These excuses were all BS. If the gateway is still positioned on the plane, there is no practical reason why a person arriving at the gate with a valid ticket (and thus already in the computer system) can't be allowed onto the plane. The fuel excuse is especially moronic for a plane that may weigh in excess of 150,000 pounds.

[@AnotherPointOfView944]

Thanks for your completely moronic assessment.

[@BojanTomic]

It's easy from a random person's point of view. But actually that means that the final number of passengers changes, the number of bags changes, the final loadsheet is incorrect, so a new one must be issued, etc. On smaller aircraft, such as ATR or Embraer, literally one person makes a huge difference.

[@Pigus123]

W