What Is a Connecting Flight & How Does It Work?

Everything you need to know before you book — from layover times to baggage rules.

Ever booked a flight only to realize your ticket has a mysterious “stop” somewhere in the middle? Welcome to the world of connecting flights — a reality for millions of travelers every day. While nonstop routes are the dream, connecting flights are often unavoidable (and sometimes surprisingly affordable). But if you’ve never navigated one before, the process can feel confusing and stressful.

The good news? Once you understand exactly how connecting flights work, you can travel smarter, avoid common pitfalls, and even use stopovers to your advantage. This guide covers everything — from what a connecting flight actually is to how to handle tight layovers, checked baggage, and missed connections.

What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight is a journey where you travel from your origin to your final destination with one or more intermediate stops, requiring you to board a second (or third) aircraft along the way. You don’t simply land and leave the airport — you disembark, wait at a connecting airport, and reboard a different plane to continue your trip.

Connecting Flight vs. Nonstop vs. Direct Flight

These three terms are often confused, but they mean very different things:

• Nonstop flight: Takes off from Point A and lands at Point B with zero stops. The fastest, simplest option.
• Direct flight: Has the same flight number throughout, but may stop at an intermediate city to drop off and pick up passengers. You stay on the plane (usually), but it’s not truly nonstop.
• Connecting flight: Requires you to change planes at an intermediate airport. You’ll have a separate boarding pass for each leg of the journey.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, understanding these distinctions matters because your passenger rights, baggage handling, and rebooking options differ depending on the flight type.

How Does a Connecting Flight Work? Step by Step

Step 1: Book Your Itinerary

When you search for flights, connecting itineraries show up as multi-leg trips. You might fly from Manila to New York, with a connection through Tokyo or Dubai. The booking is typically made as a single ticket — though not always (more on that below).

Step 2: Check In and Get All Boarding Passes

At your departure airport, you’ll check in for your entire journey at once. Most airlines will issue boarding passes for all legs at this stage. If yours doesn’t, make sure you know where to get the next boarding pass when you land at your layover airport.

Step 3: Board Your First Flight

This part is the same as any regular flight. Settle in, enjoy the trip.

Step 4: Navigate the Connecting Airport

Once you land at the connecting airport, this is where things can get tricky. You’ll need to:

• Check your departure gate for the next flight (it can be far from your arrival gate)
• Pass through any required security checkpoints or immigration (especially for international connections)
• Potentially reclaim and re-check your luggage (depending on your itinerary)
• Board your connecting flight before the gate closes — typically 15–30 minutes before departure

Step 5: Complete Your Journey

Board your next flight and head to your final destination. If your bags were checked through, they should (ideally) arrive with you.

What Is a Layover — and How Long Should It Be?

A layover is the time between your arriving flight and your departing connecting flight. Layovers range from as little as 45 minutes to over 24 hours.

Minimum Recommended Layover Times

• Domestic connections (same airport, same airline): 45 minutes – 1 hour
• International connections: At least 2 hours; more if you need to clear customs
• Connections involving a change of terminals or airports: 2–3+ hours

Travel experts generally recommend erring on the side of caution. Airlines set their own “minimum connecting times” (MCTs), but these assume everything goes perfectly. Delays happen.

When you book connecting flights, the ticket type matters enormously.

Single-ticket itinerary: Both legs are on one booking. If your first flight is delayed and you miss your connection, the airline is responsible for rebooking you at no extra cost.

Separate tickets (self-transfer): You’ve booked two independent flights. If you miss the second flight due to a delay on the first, you’re on your own — no automatic rebooking, no compensation.

This is one of the most important things to understand before you book. Saving $50 on separate tickets can cost you hundreds if something goes wrong.

What Happens to Your Luggage on a Connecting Flight?

Checked baggage handling depends on how your trip is ticketed:

• Single itinerary, same airline: Your bags are usually checked through to your final destination automatically. You don’t need to collect them at the layover airport.
• Codeshare or partner airlines: Usually bags are still checked through, but confirm at check-in.
• Separate tickets or unaffiliated airlines: You will almost always need to collect your bags, clear customs (if international), and re-check them.

Always ask at check-in: “Are my bags checked through to [final destination]?”

How to Handle a Missed Connection

Missing a connection is stressful, but it happens — even to seasoned travelers. Here’s what to do:

1. Don’t panic. Head straight to the airline’s customer service desk or gate agent.
2. If it’s the airline’s fault (weather, mechanical delay, crew issues): They are obligated to rebook you on the next available flight, often at no charge. On some international routes, you may also be entitled to meals or hotel accommodation.
3. If it’s your fault (you had a self-transfer or arrived late): You’ll need to rebook at your own expense, though travel insurance can help cover the cost.
4. Use the app. Most major airlines allow you to rebook directly via their mobile app, often faster than standing in line.

For a deeper dive into your rights as a passenger and how to plan trips that minimize stress, check out our complete travel planning guide.

Tips for a Smooth Connecting Flight Experience

• Book direct when the price difference is small. Your time and sanity have value.
• Sit near the front of the plane on your first leg to deplane faster.
• Download the airline’s app for real-time gate updates and rebooking options.
• Travel light — a carry-on avoids the baggage check-through gamble entirely.
• Know your connecting airport. Large hubs like Dubai (DXB), Charles de Gaulle (CDG), or Chicago O’Hare (ORD) can take 20–30 minutes just to walk between terminals.
• Consider travel insurance if you have tight connections or expensive onward bookings.

When Connecting Flights Are Actually Worth It

Despite the hassle, connecting flights have real advantages:

• Cost savings: Connecting routes are often significantly cheaper than nonstop options, especially on long-haul international travel.
• More route options: Not every city has nonstop service to every destination. Connections open up global connectivity.
• Stopover travel: Some airlines (like Icelandair or Singapore Airlines) allow free or low-cost stopovers, letting you visit an extra city at no extra airfare.

Looking for the best deals on connecting flights? Explore top flight booking strategies here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is a connecting flight the same as a layover? Not exactly. A layover is the waiting period between two flights at a connecting airport. A connecting flight is the overall journey that includes that stop and the subsequent flight.

Q: How much time do I need for a connecting flight? For domestic connections, 1 hour is generally the minimum. For international connections involving customs and immigration, allow at least 2–3 hours. For airports known for complex layouts or long terminal distances, give yourself even more time.

Q: Do I have to go through security again on a connecting flight? It depends. For domestic-to-domestic connections in the U.S., you typically don’t. For international connections, you’ll often need to clear immigration and may go through security again. Always check the specific rules for your connecting country.

Q: What if my first flight is delayed and I miss my connection? If both flights are on a single ticket and the delay is the airline’s fault, they must rebook you at no charge. If you booked separate tickets, you’re responsible for the cost of rebooking.

Q: Can I leave the airport during a long layover? Often yes — but you’ll need to check visa requirements for the transit country. Many countries offer visa-free transit for certain passport holders, but rules vary widely.

Q: Is it safe to book a connecting flight with only 1 hour layover? For domestic flights at a familiar airport, 1 hour can work. For international travel or unfamiliar large airports, it’s risky. Most travel advisors recommend at least 90 minutes domestically and 2+ hours internationally.

Final Thoughts: Travel Smarter With Connecting Flights

Connecting flights are a fundamental part of modern air travel. Understanding how they work — from boarding passes and baggage rules to layover times and passenger rights — puts you in control of your journey rather than at the mercy of it.

Whether you’re a first-time flyer or a road warrior looking to sharpen your skills, a little preparation goes a long way. Give yourself adequate layover time, stick to single-ticket bookings when possible, and always know your options if something goes sideways.

Ready to plan your next trip? Browse smart travel deals and flight strategies right here — and fly with confidence.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation (transportation.gov); International Air Transport Association (iata.org)