Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight with a different airline?

Do You Have To Go Through Customs During A Layover? Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.



Whether you must clear customs for a connecting flight in 2026 depends on if your trip is on a single "interline" ticket or two separate bookings. If you booked two separate tickets on different airlines, you are almost always required to clear immigration, collect your bags, and go through customs to "re-enter" the check-in area for your next flight. This requires a valid visa or entry permit for the transit country. However, if your flights are with "partner" airlines (like United and Lufthansa) on a single booking, your bags are usually checked through to the final destination, and you can stay in the "International Transit" area without passing through customs. In 2026, many European hubs also enforce the Entry/Exit System (EES), meaning even if you don't collect bags, you might still need a quick biometric check if your connection involves moving between the "Schengen" and "non-Schengen" zones of the airport.

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In cases where the connecting flight is one another airline or another terminal, passengers must go through a security and baggage check once again before you get on board the connecting flight to reach your destination.

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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).

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When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

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You are free to fly in and out however you want to. I have flown in on Delta and out on AA, for example. The law simply requires you to show an outbound ticket.

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It's possible to buy flights from two different airlines when booking, just add each flight one at a time. i.e create a trip with two one-way flights instead of a return trip. Good to know: Two one-way flights with low-cost airlines usually come to the same price as a return flight with one of them.

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Airlines will transfer your checked bags if a codeshare or interline agreement exists between them. You can find out what agreements your airline has by visiting their website.

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If you checked a bag, you'll have to collect it from baggage claim from the international flight. You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening.

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Do you have to pay baggage fees for connecting flights? No-your bag fee is to your destination. But beware-if you're traveling internationally, you have to pay each airline's fee.

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You will go through customs when exiting your destination airport, not when transiting. Usually, in Schengen airports, going through customs doesn't involve much. You may not even notice it. Just pass through a door under a green sign that says something to the tune of “nothing to declare.”

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Yes, there might be exceptions, but most often than not the airline won't wait. What you can do is to try to avoid missing your connection. But if you do miss your connection, don't worry, the airline will book you on a new flight for free (if it's an airline-protected connecting flight).

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A direct flight is identified by a unique flight number. A transit flight, with a connection, has two distinct flight numbers. A flight that is not direct, or connecting flight, involves a change of aircraft.

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What happens if a flight is delayed and you miss your connection? If you miss your connection due to a delay, usually the airline is responsible for providing you with a replacement flight to your destination. They will have to book you on the earliest possible flight available.

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The practice goes by a few different names, including skiplagging or hidden-city flying. Passengers disembark at their layover city, leaving an empty seat on their next flight, and save money in the process. But airlines are cracking down on the practice, claiming it breaches their rules and costs them revenue.

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If you miss your connection due to a delay, usually the airline is responsible for providing you with a replacement flight to your destination. They will have to book you on the earliest possible flight available.

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If your flights were booked under one ticket, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. If your flights were booked under separate tickets, you will need to collect your bags and recheck them before your connecting flight.

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Several countries (e.g. the US) don't have “International Transit Halls”, so all international connecting-flight passengers must enter the country. If you're connecting into a different country, yes. If you're in the same one, no.

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In most cases, your baggage will be checked through to your final destination. No further action is required on your part.

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If you have booked a connecting flight, in most cases your baggage can be checked through to your final destination. That means your baggage will automatically be transported to your destination airport without you having to do anything when connecting to another flight.

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The customer will be advised by Qantas staff at check-in. If connecting from an international flight through to an Australian domestic flight, you will need to clear customs and collect your bags at the first international point.

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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.

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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.

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While skiplagging isn't illegal, American Airlines filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month against Skiplagged.com, accusing the company of unauthorized and deceptive ticketing practices and tricking customers into believing they've gained access to a secret loophole.

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