I missed an international flight all because of one simple mistake I’ll never make again, and 6 things I learned from it.
I missed my international flight all because I misread my ticket.
Missing a flight is more common than I thought after speaking with others.
Moving forward, I will create a pre-travel routine to confirm upcoming travel.
Download the airline’s app to store tickets and receive the most up-to-date flight information.
Buckle in, folks, because as the highlights suggest, I made a sad and silly mistake I will not make again!Here Goes:
I made a very expensive mistake and missed my flight from New York City to Tokyo, Japan, all because I misread my ticket. I had been thinking that my departure was the night of Sunday, December 1. So, as Saturday November 30 ended, I went to bed as usual. A few hours later, around 1 AM on December 1, I awoke due to a strange feeling in my gut and decided to pull up my ticket info to double-check my flight time. To my horror, I saw that my flight was indeed on December 1 — but at 12:35 AM — and had departed almost an hour prior while I was asleep at home.
As I began to share the news of my failed departure and canceled trip with friends and family, I began to notice how many others faced similar experiences — missing their flights, trains, or buses due to the same error. One friend even told me that mixing up your flight departure is a “traveler’s rite of passage.” Knowing others had faced the same embarrassing experience I had made me feel less bad about my situation. After speaking with dozens of other travelers, these are the top TK reasons why travelers mix up their flight details and how to avoid these mistakes yourself.
Always double-check your flight time — and don’t let a 12 a.m. flight confuse you.
Even if your flight requires less complicated time math, I cannot overemphasize the importance of checking, double-checking, and then checking again. Say it aloud to someone, write it down in a planner, or stick a note to your fridge. Around a week before your departure, verify the flight details, noting the exact date, time, and time zone. Flight times and dates can sometimes be updated or modified after booking, so regularly check leading up to your departure via the airline’s app or website to avoid surprises.
Set calendar reminders to create a foolproof pre-travel routine.
Missing the flight can sometimes come down to simple human error. Immediately after booking, add the flight dates and times to your phone’s calendar, making sure it is in the correct time zone setting. If digital calendars aren’t your thing, write down your flight details and reminders in a physical planner. It can be helpful to set additional reminders up to a week in advance to create a pre-travel routine.
Review confirmation emails to catch any details you might’ve missed.
Carefully review the flight confirmation email, including any time zone differences. If the ticket is not in 24:00 hr, make sure to note whether the departure is AM or PM to avoid confusion. If your calendar is a dumpster fire, schedule the confirmation email to be forwarded to yourself in advance. Lesson learned: Always cross-check the flight confirmation details at least 48 hours before departure.
Download airline apps for the most accurate and up-to-date flight information.
Sometimes, checking your email confirmation is not enough, as airlines are notorious for last-minute departure changes. Most airlines have mobile apps to store your tickets and provide real-time updates on departure info, changes or cancellations, and airline support options.
Plan your airport arrival early: Plan to arrive at the airport early to sidestep stress and delays.
No one enjoys cutting the line of long-faced travelers, dashing through the airport, or arriving at your gate breathless. Red-eye flights, especially international ones, require early airport arrivals due to check-in, security, and other potential delays. Plan to arrive at least 3 hours prior to your boarding time while keeping in mind potential factors like traffic, weather, and long lines, to name a few uncertainties. Set a specific time to leave your home during your pre-travel routine.
Use time zone converters to eliminate any confusion about departure times.
We all know time zone math is hard, and International flights often cross multiple time zones — if your flight involves a time zone change, use a free time zone conversion tool or app. Confirm your flight time on the airline’s app or website in your local time.
And PLEASE don’t let my mistake become your mistake too!
Happy Travels!!!
