Travel Guide
Connecting Flights: Everything You Need to Know About Layovers & Connections
Complete guide to connecting flights: minimum connection times, what happens to your bags, changing terminals, missed connections, and pro tips for smooth layovers.
How Connecting Flights Work
A connecting flight means you'll fly from your origin to a hub airport, change planes, and then continue to your final destination. Here's exactly what happens at each step:
- Your bags transfer automatically on most itineraries booked as a single ticket. You don't need to collect and recheck them (exception: international arrivals to the U.S. require you to collect bags at the first U.S. airport, clear customs, and recheck).
- You'll get both boarding passes at check-in (origin airport). If not, get your second boarding pass at the connection airport.
- You may need to change terminals. At large hubs, your connecting gate may be in a different terminal or concourse. Check departure boards immediately after landing.
- You go through security only once (at your origin) for domestic connections. International connections may require re-screening.
Minimum Connection Times by Airport
Airlines set minimum connection times (MCT) for each airport. As a general rule:
- Domestic to domestic: 45–90 minutes depending on airport size
- Domestic to international: 2–3 hours (need to reach international terminal, possible re-screening)
- International to domestic (arriving in U.S.): 2–3 hours (customs, immigration, bag recheck, re-screening)
⚠️ Our recommendation
Book at least 90 minutes for domestic connections and 2.5+ hours for any international connection. Tight connections save time on paper but one delay can cascade into a missed flight, lost bag, and rebooking headaches.
What to Do If You Might Miss Your Connection
- Tell the flight attendant before landing. They may be able to alert the gate agent or arrange assistance.
- Check the app. Your airline's app will show your connecting gate and any changes in real time.
- Run if needed — but know that if you miss the flight, the airline will rebook you for free (on the same ticket).
- If you miss it: Go to the airline's customer service desk or call. They'll put you on the next available flight at no charge. Ask about meal/hotel vouchers if the delay was the airline's fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pick up my bags during a connection?
For domestic connections on a single ticket: no, bags transfer automatically. For international arrivals to the U.S.: yes, you must collect bags at the first U.S. airport, clear customs, and recheck them. The airline will tag your bags through to your final destination in most cases.
How much time do I need between connecting flights?
We recommend 90+ minutes for domestic connections and 2.5+ hours for international. The airline's booking system won't sell you a connection below the airport's minimum connection time, but that minimum is often tight.
What if my first flight is delayed and I miss my connection?
If both flights are on the same ticket, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge. If the delay causes an overnight stay, ask about hotel and meal vouchers. If flights were booked separately on different tickets, you may need to buy a new ticket.
Do I have to go through security again at my connection?
For domestic connections: no. For international arrivals to the U.S.: yes, you clear customs/immigration and re-screen through TSA. For connections between domestic and international terminals at the same airport: sometimes, depending on the airport layout.