In brief
- Airlines set minimum connection times, but the minimum isn’t always comfortable.
- Allow more time for international arrivals, terminal changes and busy hubs.
- On a single ticket, the airline usually rebooks you if a delay causes a missed connection.
- Separate tickets put the risk on you, so leave much longer gaps.
Booking sites happily offer connections that look tight on paper. Whether they work in real life depends on the airport, your ticket and what has to happen between flights. Here’s how to judge.
What decides your connection time
- Minimum connection times. Airlines and airports set the shortest connection they’ll sell. It’s a floor, not a recommendation.
- Airport size and layout. Big hubs can mean long walks, trains between terminals or another security check.
- Immigration and customs. Arriving from abroad often means passport control, and sometimes collecting and rechecking bags.
- Time of day and season. Busy morning and evening waves of flights, and winter weather, both add risk.
A rough guide
| Situation | Suggested approach |
|---|---|
| Domestic, same terminal, no checked bags | The airline’s minimum is often workable |
| Domestic connection at a large hub | Add a comfortable buffer |
| International arrival with immigration | Allow generous time for lines and bags |
| Separate tickets | Leave a long gap, or plan an overnight stay |
These are rules of thumb, not guarantees. Check the connecting airport’s map and your itinerary details before you book.
Try this: When choosing between itineraries, a slightly longer layover at a smaller airport often beats a tight one at a giant hub.
One ticket or separate tickets?
- One ticket (one booking): the airline is generally responsible for getting you to your destination if a delay makes you miss the connection.
- Separate tickets: the second airline has no link to your first flight. If you miss it, you may lose the ticket.
Caution: If you combine separate tickets to save money, leave plenty of time and think through what you’d do if the first flight is late. Checked bags won’t be transferred for you unless the airlines have an agreement.
Making a short connection
- Sit near the front of the plane if you can choose.
- Check your arrival and departure gates in the airline’s app before landing. Our list of travel apps worth setting up has more ideas.
- Travel with just a carry-on to skip baggage claim. See how to travel with just a carry-on.
- Tell the crew about a tight connection; they sometimes have advice on the fastest route.
Long and overnight layovers
- Stay airside if you only have a few hours. Many airports have lounges, rest areas and quiet zones.
- Leaving the airport can be worth it on a long layover, but allow time to clear security again and check whether you need a visa or other entry permission to step outside.
- Overnight connections are easier with a hotel near the airport and an early, unhurried transfer back.
If you miss your connection
- Contact the airline right away, through the app, at a transfer desk or by phone.
- Ask about the next available flight and, for long delays, whether meals or a hotel are provided.
- Check whether your travel insurance includes coverage for missed connections or delays. Our travel insurance basics explains what to look for.
The bottom line
Treat minimum connection times as the floor. Add time for big hubs, immigration and bad-weather seasons, and leave a large buffer on separate tickets. A relaxed connection is part of a good trip.
FAQ
Is a one-hour layover enough?
It’s often fine for a domestic connection at a familiar airport, especially without checked bags. For international connections or very large hubs, more time is usually safer.
What happens if I miss my connecting flight?
If both flights are on one ticket, contact the airline right away; it will normally rebook you. With separate tickets, you may need to buy a new ticket.
Do I have to recheck my bags on a layover?
It depends. Bags are often checked through to your final stop, but when entering some countries, including the US, you usually collect them at your first arrival airport, clear customs and recheck them.