Do I need to go through security again on a connecting flight that is international?

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).



Whether you need to go through security again depends entirely on the airport and the "transit agreement" between your departure and arrival countries. In most European (Schengen) hubs, if you are arriving from a "clean" security country (like the US or UK) and staying airside to catch another flight, you often do not need to clear security again. However, if you are connecting in the United States, you must almost always clear Customs and Border Protection (CBP) AND go through TSA security again, even if you are just passing through to another country. In 2026, many major hubs like Dubai, Singapore, and London Heathrow have streamlined this, but as a rule of thumb: if you have to change terminals or enter a different country’s "domestic" zone, expect a security screening. Always check your specific transit airport’s map beforehand.

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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. This may include a physical inspection of your luggage and personal items with a metal detector or a full-body scan.

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For international layover flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport. For flights with a layover in Canada or the USA, you will need to go through immigration and fill out the necessary customs paperwork even if you are not staying in the country.

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Additional security measures for international flights to the U.S. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses additional security measures for all international flights to the U.S. They include screening with questioning of some or all travelers, as well as extra screening of larger electronic devices.

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Do you have to go through TSA again for connecting flights? No, you do not. As long as you don't exit the security area, you are okay. Upon arrival from an international destination, you will need to recollect your luggage, go through customs and immigration, and then re-check your bags after you have been cleared.

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Overall, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights, though there may be some exceptions depending on the airport and flight itinerary. To make this process easier, checking with the airline or airport ahead of time is recommended.

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To put it simply, having a connecting flight means you will have to change planes. You will not be flying directly from A to B, but there will also be C. You will fly from A to C, and then from C to B. Sometimes there will be more than a single stop.

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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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International Connections
If your connecting flight is in Terminals 1, 2 or 3, you can take the free, 24-hour Airport Transit System (ATS). All connecting passengers must go through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening.

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Security processing times. At airports in the U.S., travelers may experience longer lines at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The TSA advises arriving at the airport two hours before your flight for domestic travel and three hours before for international travel.

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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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If a delay in your first flight is the reason you're missing your connection, don't worry too much. Usually, most airlines will rebook you on the next flight, and that too for free. Although, you might have to fly on standby depending on seat availability.

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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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Whether or not you need to clear a passport check depends on whether the airport you have arrived from and your destination are within or outside the Schengen Area. In most cases, however, you will need to clear security checks on your way through the airport.

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You might have to go through customs during a layover, especially if your layover is in the Schengen Area (which consists of most countries in the EU). For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France.

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Airline flight deals with layovers can be cheap, and you also get to see an additional destination. However, you need to leave the airport for sightseeing here. You can do this as long as you have a transit visa. But, you will have to pass through the security check again to catch your next connection.

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Please note connecting passengers exit into the airport's public area and are required to clear security prior to boarding their next flight.

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Once you receive your electronic boarding pass, you can head straight to security if you're traveling carry-on only. If you're checking a bag, you'll still need to stop by the ticketing area at the airport. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.

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You will need to reclear TSA security once you arrive in your departure terminal. For international arriving passengers, you must claim all checked bags at Customs and recheck with your departing airline, even if the bags are checked to your final destination!

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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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Factor in a minimum three-hour window when flying to high traffic airports or traveling during peak days or hours. It's also important to know if you have to exit your terminal, collect your bags, and go through security again. If so, it's best to add another hour cushion for self-transfer flights.

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When checking in your luggage in most cases it will be checked through to your last stop. When arriving at the connecting airport all you have to do is to go to your next gate and wait for the next plane, your next flight. There might be a security check in the terminal at the connecting airport.

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