Missed connecting flight

What airline is the "domestic" German flight...Lufthansa? If so, they don't have any obligation to put you on a later flight, but in practice they probably will. If the connecting flight is via a discount airline you're completely out of luck...you'll have to purchase a new ticket at a much higher price, assuming they even have seats available.

If you have 2 separate tickets and happen to miss your connecting flight, be prepared to pay for the last minute flight as Michael mentioned. The airline could certainly let you on the next flight free of charge, but technically, they aren't required to do so. If you happen to get lucky enough to get an agent with awesome customer service that gets you on the next flight for free, count your blessings. Just prepare yourself for worse case scenario. Consider travel insurance that has "missed connection" coverage or "trip delay" coverage that would reimburse you the cost of the new flight. Happy travels!

No obligation whatsoever. You're on your own in that case. OTOH, if it's just the onward domestic leg you would lose, at least you could probably take a train. If it happens going the other way - missing your transatlantic flight home because a domestic flight in Germany is late, then you could be out big bucks (no trains from Frankfurt to Calgary). Check the on-time performance and connect times carefully. Have your act together, and hope for the best.

ruth, Just to clarify, did you buy two separate tickets for your flights, rather than a Code Share with one of the Air Canada partner airlines? What is your ultimate destination, and which airline are you using for the second leg? If you do have two separate tickets, I tend to agree with the others that you'll likely have to buy another ticket if you miss your connecting flight. Even if your flight is a bit late, you should still be able to connect. I've had connections at Frankfurt as short as one hour, and still managed to make the next flight. However, as you'll have to clear immigration / Passport control in Frankfurt (first entry to the E.U.), try to disembark quickly when you arrive and get to your new gate as quickly as possible. One thing that helped in my travels is being seated at the front of the plane (just behind business class). That means I was able to disembark quickly and be one of the first in line at Passport control. Incidentally, I've preferred to fly through Calgary rather than Vancouver for the last few years , so have used Air Canada flights from there many times. Happy travels!

Thank you so much to all for taking the time to reply. My connectig flight is with Baltick Air-anyone knows about there costomer service? Unfortunatley it's not a Code Share with Air Canada. Ken, did you have to pick up your bags in Francfurt?

ruth, No, I didn't have to collect my checked luggage in Frankfurt as I was using a code share flight. I checked the bag in Kelowna and picked it up in Rome. However, I believe you WILL have to collect your checked luggage as you're not using a code share flight. You can verify that by having a look at the bar code tag placed on your luggage when you check-in for your flight. It should show the first and last airports. Be sure that tag is removed when you check-in for your Air Baltic flight, as they will attach a new tag.

Read the fine print carefully. Not all travel insurance would cover a missed connection and may not pay the full price for a new one.

If you mean Air Baltic, it's a discount airline. So if you miss their flight you'll have to buy another ticket.

Thank you Michael. I better find an insurance quickly.

Thank you Gentleman- This is my first forum-very informative! I should have done it a long time ago:)

If you are traveling on two separate tickets, then they have no obligation to you. Also, trip insurance generally covers what might happen, as opposed to what will happen, and a "trip delay" may not be covered in this case because it was two different tickets and it has already happened. You wouldn't accept a bet on a hand or horse that you already know lost, right? Insurance is that company betting you that what is being insured won't happen to you. If it doesn't happen, they make money. If it does happen, then they lose money.
Unfortunately, you also do not qualify reimbursement from the EU air passenger rights regulation. These regulations cover all flights departing from an airport in the EU and all EU airline carriers, but do not cover non-EU airlines flying to the EU. :(

One other thing: The only thing to do in this situation is to plead your case to AirBaltic with the understanding that they aren't obligated to help you. Ask if it would be possible to fly standby on whatever their next flight is. If they are unwilling to help, ask if rule 3.1.4 applies: "3.1.4 If you have a Ticket, as described in 3.1.2.2 or 3.1.3.2 above and you are prevented from traveling due to Force Majeure, provided that you promptly advise us and furnish evidence of such Force Majeure, we will provide you with a credit of the non-refundable amount of the fare, for future travel on us, subject to deduction of an administration fee of SDR 17 (LVL 12)."
You better have one heck of a story... but there is no specific definition in there (although usually this means something major, like a strike or major weather disruption).

With checked luggage, your situation gets more complicated. You will need to clear Immigration, then pick up your luggage, which then would put you outside the secure area, check in at the airline counter, re-check your bag, then clear security and get to your gate. With only a carry on, you would proceed to your gate after immigration. Of course, you would need to verify carry on limits with the second carrier.