Missed or Delayed Connection
Use these phrases when your flight or train is delayed, cancelled, or you've missed a connection — at the counter, on the platform, or in the terminal.
Key Phrases
Mon vol est retardé de deux heures.
neutralMy flight is delayed by two hours.
Replace 'vol' with 'train' for rail travel; state the exact delay if you know it.
Mon vol a été annulé — qu'est-ce que je fais maintenant ?
neutralMy flight has been cancelled — what do I do now?
The question at the end is natural spoken French; it signals you expect a solution, not just sympathy.
J'ai raté ma correspondance à cause du retard.
neutralI missed my connection because of the delay.
J'ai loupé ma correspondance — c'est pas de ma faute.
casualI missed my connection — it's not my fault.
'Louper' is informal for 'rater'; 'c'est pas' (instead of 'ce n'est pas') is standard in casual speech.
Quel est le prochain vol disponible pour Lyon ?
neutralWhat's the next available flight to Lyon?
Est-ce qu'il y a un train plus tôt que prévu ?
politeIs there an earlier train than planned?
Adding 'est-ce qu'il y a' softens the request compared to a direct imperative.
Je voudrais être relogé sur le prochain vol, s'il vous plaît.
politeI'd like to be rebooked onto the next flight, please.
'Relogé' is the standard airline/rail term for being placed on another service.
Vous pouvez me mettre sur un autre vol ?
casualCan you put me on another flight?
Dropping the inversion ('Pouvez-vous') is natural in spoken French; not rude in this context.
Est-ce que j'ai droit à une indemnisation ?
neutralAm I entitled to compensation?
'Avoir droit à' is the key phrase for asserting a right; know it before approaching the desk.
Qui est responsable du remboursement de mon billet ?
politeWho is responsible for refunding my ticket?
Use this if the agent tries to redirect you to another desk or a hotline.
Est-ce que la compagnie prend en charge l'hôtel ?
neutralWill the airline cover the hotel?
'Prendre en charge' = to cover / take care of the cost; also works for meals: 'les repas'.
Où est-ce qu'on doit attendre ?
casualWhere are we supposed to wait?
The 'on' here means 'we/passengers'; very common in spoken French.
À quelle porte dois-je me rendre pour le nouveau vol ?
politeWhich gate do I need to go to for the new flight?
Vous pouvez me donner quelque chose par écrit, s'il vous plaît ?
neutralCan you give me something in writing, please?
Essential for insurance or employer proof; always ask before leaving the counter.
Ma valise est enregistrée — elle va suivre automatiquement ?
neutralMy bag is checked in — will it follow automatically?
Crucial question on a missed connection; luggage is not always transferred without action.
C'est à cause de la compagnie, donc c'est à eux de gérer ça.
casualIt's the airline's fault, so it's up to them to sort it out.
Use calmly if staff try to dismiss your compensation request; firm but not aggressive.