Do I need to go through security for a connecting flight?
The answer here depends a great deal on your itinerary. For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren’t all connected.
For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals. Most (but again, not all) airports connect international terminals airside.
When you’re connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, you’ll always have to exit and reenter security as you’ll need to go through customs and immigration (unless you have gone through preclearance aboard, which is rare).
Will a connecting flight wait for passengers?
Not usually. In some rare cases, if you’re traveling with a big group that happens to be a large portion of the connecting flight’s passengers, an airline may choose to hold a flight for the incoming group—and in fact United is testing a program that would help them determine when to do so—but don’t count on it.
What happens if I miss my connecting flight?
This again depends on your itinerary. If you’ve booked the flights on a single itinerary and the first flight is delayed, the airline will put you on the next available flight.
If you’re traveling on two different itineraries (meaning you booked two flights through two different systems) and a delay in your first flight causes you to miss the second, that’s more problematic. The second airline has no knowledge of your first flight—to them, you’re simply someone who didn’t show up. They may accommodate you with a seat on the next available flight, and they may not. In that case, you’ll need to book another ticket.
What’s the minimum time for connecting flights? Is one hour long enough?
This varies quite a bit by airport and the type of connection (domestic or international) you’re trying to make. If the airport layout requires passengers to exit one terminal and enter another between flights (often the case with international connections), that may mean going through security a second time—which may take a while. If you’re traveling on two different itineraries, you’ll need to allow for additional time to go through baggage claim (if you’re checking a bag) and security between flights.
In most cases, one hour should be enough for a domestic-to-domestic connection or a domestic-to-international, but check the airport’s website for a minimum suggested time to allow for a connection. If you’re connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, however, you could need a few hours, as we’ll explain below.
Do I have to go through US customs for a connecting flight?
When you’re traveling internationally, you will need to go through border control/immigration and customs at some point, usually your first point of entry in that country. So, if you’re traveling to the United States from another country, you’ll have to collect your bags, go through customs and immigration, and re-check your bags before heading to your connecting flight, which may be in another terminal.
What is the difference between a layover and connecting flight?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A layover is the time you spend at the airport between two flights. A connecting flight is the next flight in your itinerary that you’re waiting at the airport to take.
Do I have to recheck my luggage with connecting flights?
If you’re traveling internationally to the US, you’ll need to collect your baggage upon your first entry in the US, and go through customs and passport control. You’ll then re-check your bags before continuing through the airport for your connecting flight (you won’t have to pay to re-check them for the domestic legs if you had a free international checked bag allowance or if you already had to pay for your checked bag internationally).
If you’re traveling domestically or internationally on a single itinerary, your bags will typically be checked through to your final destination. If you’ve booked the flights separately though, you’ll need to collect your bags after the first flight and recheck them.
Do I need a boarding pass for a connecting flight?
Yes. You’ll probably get all boarding passes at once when you check in for your first flight, whether you check in online, on your smartphone, or at the airport. For some international itineraries though, the airline will direct you to get your second boarding pass on your layover.
Can I skip my connecting flight?
Technically, yes, but if you skip a flight on a multi-flight itinerary, any subsequent flights on your itinerary will be canceled—including your return flights.
It’s also important to note that if you skip your connecting flights often, the airline may impose penalties such as voiding your frequent flyer miles. The topic is a complex one, so read more in our guide to hidden-city ticketing.
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FAQs
What does a Connecting Flight / Transit Flight mean? A connecting flight or transit flight is to reach the final destination through two or more flights, namely, traveling without any direct flights.
What is the difference between a connecting flight and a layover? ›
What is the difference between a layover and connecting flight? While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A layover is the time you spend at the airport between two flights. A connecting flight is the next flight in your itinerary that you're waiting at the airport to take.
What is an example of a connecting flight? ›
Connecting flights are flights which require passengers to leave the plane and board a different aircraft in order to reach their final destination. For example, imagine you are flying with Lufthansa from London Heathrow to Shenzhen in China.
How do you know if my flight is a connecting flight? ›
Usually a connecting flight will have another flight number associated with your flight purchase, like 1205/1567. If there's is only one flight number you are on a non stop flight or a direct flight with no change of planes.
What are the two types of connecting flights? ›
There are two main types of connecting flights: the one scheduled by the airline, through its own flights, or through codeshare agreements with other airlines.
Do I have to check-in again for a connecting flight? ›
How do flight connections work? Generally, if you are on an internal flight, once you land for your stopover, you will pass through the transfer area that will take you to the gate for your next flight where check-in is not required. Your bags will be passed on to the next flight without you having to pick them.
Are you allowed to leave the airport on connecting flights? ›
The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport.
What happens if you miss your connecting flight? ›
In most cases, US airlines will put you on the next available flight for free.
Is it illegal to book a connecting flight and get off at layover? ›
Though it is not illegal, the practice is strictly prohibited by airlines in their contracts of carriage. And carriers have shown an erratic but heavy hand in administering punishment for those caught, eliminating a skiplagger's frequent flier miles in one instance and suing a passenger in another.
What are the benefits of connecting flights? ›
The primary reason for people to pick connecting flights is to save money on flight tickets. The secondary reason is that they do not have direct-flight options for their destinations. Some point to be kept in mind while booking connecting flights is that the traveler must calculate the cost of food between layovers.
So, most air travelers to or from the US have to make at least one transfer en route to their final destination. To meet the popular customer requirement “to fly from anywhere to anywhere” and reduce inconveniences associated with multi-leg journeys, airlines have no alternative but to cooperate with each other.
How do I get my boarding pass for a connecting flight? ›
When you book connecting flights on a single ticket, you'll typically receive all your boarding passes from the check-in agent at your point of origin. All you need to do is follow signs for connections or transfers at each connecting airport and obey any posted instructions along the way.
Is my luggage going to be on my connecting flight or final destination? ›
If you're connecting between flights, you may be required to collect and re-check your baggage. This depends on the process at the airport where your connection takes place. If you have booked a through ticket, in most cases you can have your bag through checked to your final destination.
Why do you have to go through security again for connecting flight? ›
These procedures are in place to ensure compliance with international travel regulations and to verify the identity of passengers entering or leaving a country. It's essential to allow ample time for these screenings to avoid missing your connecting flight.
Do airlines wait for connecting passengers? ›
Do connecting flights wait for delayed passengers? Most airlines will try to accommodate passengers from a delayed inbound flight, but it's not guaranteed. Flight attendants might notify the ground crew of connecting passengers, but airlines typically won't delay a departure for a small group.
Is 30 minutes enough time for a connecting flight? ›
Layovers of just 30 minutes can be feasible for domestic flights, especially at small airports where the next flight might be just one gate over. But international layovers are typically far more complicated, and even two hours can be insufficient.
Is 55 min enough for a connecting flight? ›
What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.
Is one hour enough for a connecting flight with same airline? ›
The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour. However, as previously stated, you may require longer if your flights are booked with two different airlines, if you are traveling to a very busy airport or if you require special assistance.
Can you just get off a connecting flight? ›
Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing, is when a customer books a connecting flight, but actually gets off at the layover airport rather than their final destination. The hack can save customers hundreds of dollars on their ticket — but can come at a heavy price if airlines find out.
