A connecting flight is when your journey isn’t direct, meaning you’ll need to stop at one or more airports and switch planes before reaching your final destination. This often happens when there’s no direct route available or when it’s more budget-friendly to break up the trip. The time you spend at the connecting airport is called a layover.
These are booked on a single ticket, covering all flights in your journey. The airline usually takes care of transferring any checked bags to your final destination. If a delay or cancellation causes you to miss your next flight, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available option.
This is when you book each flight separately, often with different airlines. You’ll need to collect your luggage and check it in again at each stop. If you miss a connection due to a delay, you’ll have to book a new flight yourself.
When booking a trip with connections, make sure to check the minimum connection time for each airport - some are easier to navigate than others! A well-planned layover can mean the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful sprint through the terminal.
If your travel plan includes a connecting flight, it’s worth checking whether you’ll need a transit visa. It all depends on where you’re flying, your nationality and your full route. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:
You might need a Transit (C) Visa to pass through the US. But if you already have a valid Visitor (B) Visa or qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you’re likely good to go without an extra visa.
From 8 January 2025, travellers from countries like Australia, Japan and Israel will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). EU nationals will need one too starting 2 April 2025. It costs £10 and lasts 2 years (or until your passport runs out).
Depending on your nationality and if you leave the airport transit area, you might also need a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or a Visitor in Transit Visa.
Some travellers will need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) when connecting through European countries in the Schengen Zone, even if you’re not stepping outside the airport. But if you’ve got a valid visa or residence permit from the EU, US, Canada, or Japan, you may not need one.
As of 17 December 2024, eligible travellers from 54 countries can stay visa-free for up to 10 days (240 hours) when transiting to a third country. This applies at 60 airports across 24 provinces, so check if your airport is included.
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Think direct flights are the only way to go? Not always. Connecting flights come with a few unexpected perks that could make your travel plans work harder for you.
The big one? More choice. Connecting flights open the door to destinations you can’t reach on a direct route. That means more options and more flexibility when planning your travel.
You’ve also got more wiggle room when it comes to flight times. A wider range of departure and arrival times means it’s easier to find something that fits your schedule - and maybe even squeeze in a quick layover adventure.
And then there’s the price. Connecting flights are often cheaper than going direct. Fly during low season or on a quieter route and you might bag a bargain.
So if you need to make a stop on the way, don’t stress it. There are plenty of upsides to connecting flights - and we’ll help you find the best one.
Connecting flights don’t have to be complicated - just a bit of planning can make all the difference. Here are some straightforward tips to help you move smoothly from one flight to the next (without the mad dash through the terminal):
If you're travelling with a disability or need extra help when flying, connecting flights can feel like a bit of a hurdle. But with the right prep (and the right support), your journey can be smooth from check-in to touchdown. Here’s what to know and what to do to make it easier:
Travel should be for everyone. So if you need a little extra help, know that support is there before, during and after every flight. Just ask, plan ahead and we’ll help make the whole experience more comfortable.
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This depends on how your flights are booked. If you have a single ticket with the same airline, or airlines that are part of the same alliance, your checked bags will usually be sent straight through to your final stop. You won't need to collect or recheck them during your connection.
But if your flights are booked separately, or involve different airlines that don't work together, you'll probably need to grab your backs and check them in again. This is especially true when connecting in countries like the United States, where everyone has to collect baggage and go through customs, even if you're just passing through.
We recommend always checking with your airline to be sure and allowing extra time just in case.
Whether you need to go through security again during an international connection depends on the airport, the countries you're flying between and your ticket setup.
For example, all passengers connecting through London Heathrow must go through security again, no matter where they're coming from or heading to. In the US, you'll always need to clear immigration, collect your bags and go through security again at your first point of entry, even if you're just connecting to another international flight.
In some cases, like when you're travelling within the EU or Schengen Area, you may be able to skip the second round of security, only if you stay within a secure transit zone and your origin country meets EU security standards. But this isn't guaranteed and depends on the airport's setup.
Booking flights on separate tickets or transferring between terminals can also mean another trip through security. We recommend checking the rules for each airport and airline ahead of time so there are no surprises on the day.
If you're flying within the US and connecting from one domestic flight to another, you usually won't need to go through TSA again, as long as you stay within the secure area of the airport. However, there are exceptions. Some airports don't connect all terminals within the secure zone which means you might have to exit and go back through security to reach your next gate.
If you're arriving in the US on an international flight and connecting to a domestic one, the rules change. You'll need to go through customs and immigration at your first point of entry. After that, you'll recheck your bags and go through TSA again before heading to your next flight.
For international-to-international connections, it depends on the airport. Some let you stay in a secure transit zone, but many, especially in the US, will ask you to clear security again.
We suggest checking the layout and rules of your connecting airport ahead of time and leaving yourself enough time to get through it all smoothly.
If you have booked international connecting flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport.
This is particularly true of the United States and Canada. For example, if you are flying from London to Mexico City with a layover in Miami you will have to go through customs and immigration in Miami even if you are not planning to stay in the United States.
When connecting flights are purchased with the same airline, or with airlines that have interline agreements (e.g. Lufthansa and Air China) your baggage will normally be transferred directly onto the second flight.
If your connecting flights are within the USA or Canada, you may be required to collect your baggage and then check them in again. The best way to know what will happen to your baggage during your connecting flight is to contact the airline you are flying with or ask the airport staff when checking in luggage for your first flight.
If you have booked your connecting flights independently, the airline is under no obligation to transfer your baggage to your connecting flight.
In this case, you will need to collect your baggage after your first flight and re-check your baggage before your connecting flight. For this reason, it is important to make sure you have plenty of time between connecting flights that were booked separately.
Luggage getting lost during a connecting flight isn't something anyone wants to deal with, but it's a real valid concern for many travellers. On average, around 7 bags are mishandled for every 1,000 checked in - that's a rate of 0.7%. While that number might sound small, the chances do go up when you've got a connection in your travel itinerary. Every transfer means more hands, more conveyor belts and more room for error.
The good news? Most bags that go missing are found and returned within a few days. There are simple things you can do to lower the risk:
While we can't be in the baggage hold making sure your suitcase makes it, we're here to help you book with confidence and take one more inconvenience off your plate.
Connecting flights are usually cheaper because airlines know we'd all rather skip the stopover. Non-stop flights are in high demand, especially with business travellers who value their time, so airlines can charge more for the convenience. But when you're willing to stop along the way, airlines can fill more seats by funnelling travellers through their hubs, which helps spread out the running costs of the flight.
It also comes down to competition. On busy routes, airlines often lower prices on connecting flights to keep up with other airlines. In some cases, you might even pay less in taxes when you're not flying direct. While a layover isn't everyone's dream, the lower price tag makes it worth it for many travellers, especially when you're booking with flexibility in mind.
Connecting flights are normally cheaper than direct or non-stop flights as some passengers are willing to pay more for the convenience of catching a direct flight. However, when booking a connecting flight, it is important to factor in the costs you might incur during your connection.
For example, if you are going to be in the airport for an extended period of time, you may have to purchase food and drink. As well as this, if you are required to change airports in order to make your connecting flight, you may need to pay for the cost of transport between the two airports.
For more information on getting the best flight deal, please visit our blog on "The Cheapest Day to Buy Flights."
A one-hour layover can be enough, but it's tight. For domestic flights, airlines might set the minimum time as low as 30 minutes. For international flights, one hour is often the absolute minimum. That might sound doable, but it doesn't leave much wiggle room. A small delay, a long walk to the gate or a security check can easily throw things off.
Airports vary too. Some are designed for quick connections, while others (such as London Heathrow) need more time just to get from one terminal to another. If you're booking a trip with a short layover, it's worth checking the airport layout and terminal details.
Give yourself a little more breathing space between flights. A less stressful connection equals a better start to your trip.
The time you’ll need between flights depends on a few things - whether you're flying domestic or international, if you need to change terminals, or go through passport control.
For domestic flights, airlines usually require at least 30 to 60 minutes. But if you're switching from one airline to another or the airport's layout means a longer walk, it’s smart to allow more time.
For international connections, things get a bit trickier. You’ll often need to go through immigration, security and maybe even collect your bags. That’s why most seasoned travellers suggest leaving at least 1.5 to 3 hours between flights. If your tickets are booked separately, you’ll want to give yourself even more time, just in case. Booking a single travel plan through us means airlines factor in the minimum connection time and will help if delays cause a missed flight.
No. Airlines stick to tight schedules so connecting flights won’t hang around if another one runs late.
Holding up a plane can cause delays across the board, mess with other passengers’ travel plans and throw off the airline’s timetable. That said, if a group of people are on a delayed flight and there aren’t many other options, an airline might hold a connection, but it’s rare and never guaranteed.
To play it safe, we always recommend giving yourself enough time between flights. Aim for at least an hour if you're flying within the same country, or two hours if you're switching planes internationally.
And if something does go wrong and you miss your connecting flight? Most airlines will help rebook you on the next one available, though what they offer, like meals or a hotel, depends on the situation and their policy. Travel insurance can help too, just in case.
Whether you need a transit visa for a connecting flight depends on a few key details like your nationality, the country you're transiting through, how long your layover is and whether you plan to leave the airport. Some places let you stay in the international transit area without a visa. But others, like the US, still require one even if you're not stepping outside. If you're connecting through the US and you're not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you'll likely need a C-1 transit visa, even if you’re just passing through.
In the UK, it comes down to whether you’re staying airside (within the international area) or going landside (through border control). Depending on your passport, airside transit might not need a visa, but landside usually does. Starting April 2025, the UK is introducing an ETA system for visa-exempt travellers, which also applies to transit stops.
In the Schengen zone (like France or Germany), some nationalities need an Airport Transit Visa, though exemptions can apply if you hold the right visa or residence permit.
Always double-check the rules for the countries in your travel plan and your passport. Visa requirements can be tricky and change often, so we recommend checking directly with embassy or consulate websites before you fly.
Booking connecting flights with different airlines is easy with Alternative Airlines' multi-stop flights tool. To find out how to book your flight with multiple itineraries please visit our page on multi-stop flights.
This tool makes it easy to arrange connecting flights with long layovers so you can discover a bit more of the destination you're passing through. However, please be aware that if your connecting flights are booked separately the airlines are under no obligation to transfer your checked baggage to your final destination, nor to compensate you if you miss your connection due to the first flight being delayed.
