Confused about connecting flights? We share all you need to know for a seamless journey.
No longer will your impending flight connection bring you out in a cold sweat. With a little insight into navigating connections, your airport experience will be hassle-free and seamless. By leaving yourself enough time and booking one ticket that covers your journey, you can sit back and enjoy your trip. Here’s everything you need to know about flight connections.
What is a connecting flight?
Your connection between A and B
If you need to take a connecting flight, you’ll be required to switch planes partway through your journey to reach your destination. Often this happens when your destination isn’t close to a large airport or you’re flying from India to another country and there aren’t any direct flights on offer. Sometimes these connecting flights will be through the same airline or different airlines based on the routes you plan to travel.
In this guide to connecting flights, we highlight all you need to know about how flight connections work. We’ll look at the meaning of connecting flights, what happens if you miss your connecting flight, and top tips for smoothly navigating connections.
Understanding connecting flight rules
Navigating your flight connection
There’s no need to worry about flight connections. If your journey is with the same airline, or is part of an airline alliance, you’ll find that a flight connection can be simple and straightforward. Here, we share more on how connecting flights work and shed light on some common concerns.
How do connecting flights work?
Need-to-know
A connecting flight is part of a single flight ticket, and making the connection is easy. If you’re on an internal connection, simply get off the plane and find where your next flight departs from, then make your way to the gate when it’s time to board. If the connecting flight is on another airline or another terminal, you must go through a security and baggage check before you get on board the connecting flight.
Is a transit visa required for connecting flights?
Transiting through the airport
A transit visa may be required for your flight connection depending on where you are, your nationality, how long your layover is, and your final destination. Check the rules for the country you’re connecting in for details.
Is a security check required for a flight connection?
Be prepared for a bag check
A security check is mandatory when you take a connecting flight. This is because of the time you spend in the airport between disembarking one plane and boarding another. Your carry-on will be checked and the 100ml liquid rule applies.
What happens to luggage on connecting flights?
A seamless transfer
When you book a flight ticket that includes a connecting flight, your baggage should be transferred for you. You won’t need to collect this and check it back in. However, this may not always be the case if you’re switching airlines.
Will a connecting flight with the same airline wait for passengers?
Avoid a last-minute rush
If your first flight is delayed by a few minutes, the airline may arrange for the connecting flight to wait before closing the gates. Otherwise, passengers will be re-booked onto later flights and may be entitled to compensation.
•Book flights on a single ticket where possible as this means the airline is responsible for missed connections and smooth luggage transfers.
•Fly with a single airline or within an airline alliance for both legs of your journey. This simplifies the process and increases the likelihood of support.
•Avoid last-minute bookings and tight connections by building a buffer within your schedule to account for potential delays.
What to do if you miss your connecting flight
Continuing with your journey
Connecting flight waiting time
Airlines typically don't hold flights for delayed passengers as this can negatively impact their schedule. However, a connecting flight may be held for a short period if your first flight was delayed through no fault of your own and is with the same airline (or part of an airline alliance).
Luggage procedures for missed flight connections
If you’ve booked your journey on one ticket, your luggage should be moved onto your next flight, even if it’s changed due to missing your connection. Check with an airline representative at the airport to confirm this is the case and follow their lost luggage procedure if your bag doesn’t arrive.
Missing a connecting flight with the same airline
If your first flight is delayed and causes you to miss your connecting flight with the same airline, it’s their responsibility to ensure you’re booked onto the next available flight. You may also be entitled to food vouchers, accommodation, or monetary compensation depending on the length of delay.
Missing a connecting flight with a different airline
Missing a connecting flight with a different airline is a little trickier, especially if the flights weren’t booked as one journey. It will then be up to you to arrange an onward flight. Always leave plenty of time for a flight connection if you’re booking the flights separately.
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Flight connection FAQs
Now you know how to navigate connecting flights, you can book your next trip with confidence. Remember to plan layovers wisely, book a single ticket where possible, and check with your airline if you have any specific questions.
