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I'm about to book a flight but realised the layover is pretty short, 1h15m in Istanbul. I've changed in Istanbul before and seem to remember it's quite big and you have to go through security, so I'm worried if this is enough time to make the connection even if the first flight arrives on time.

I know that if I can't make the connection due to a delay then the airline will book me on the next flight. There are a couple of other flights to my destination later that day, so if this happens it wouldn't be the end of the world and I don't mind taking the risk.

But what happens if the flight is not delayed but I don't make it due to queues at security etc.? Would that be considered within the airline's control, or would I end up stranded if that happens?

Similar questions have been asked before, e.g. What happens if you miss a connecting flight?, but so far I haven't found any answers that address what happens if you miss the flight due to delays at security or just not being able to make it to to the gate on time despite your best effort, as opposed to a delayed flight.

This will all be on a single ticket, booked through the airline.

N. Virgo
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1 Answers1

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In my experience, as long as you make a good faith effort to move as quickly as you can, the airline will rebook you. In fact, also in my experience, even if you miss the flight because you've sat too long having your coffee, they'll rebook you.

Sometimes the gate agent will be reproachful. My response is usually to say "I got here as quickly as I could" and not engage with the scolding. With the coffee incident, I suppose we didn't offer an excuse, but I don't really remember. If I have gotten there as quickly as I could but it wasn't very quick because of security, I'll say so.

Some airlines will help out if the connection time is short. This can take the form of an electric vehicle taking you to the gate and/or an airline employee taking you to directly to the front of the queue for security (and/or immigration, when immigration is needed). My recollection, however, is that Turkish more or less leaves you on your own, but it can't hurt to ask.

phoog
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