Basically, a layover is the time an airline gives you to change planes between flights. On a layover that's scheduled by the airline, you'll likely be traveling on the same ticket for every flight included in the itinerary, and you may have some time to kill at the airport.

In the majority of cases in 2026, a "layover" (or connection) involves deplaning and boarding a different aircraft. When you arrive at your connecting hub, you will check the flight monitors for your next gate, which is often in a completely different terminal. Your checked luggage is typically transferred by the airline's high-fidelity ground crew, though you must carry your own "High-Fidelity" personal items between gates. However, there is a rare exception known as a "Direct Flight" (different from a non-stop flight), which may have a "technical stop." In this high-fidelity scenario, the plane lands to pick up more passengers or refuel, and you may be allowed—or required—to stay on the same plane. For 2026 travelers, it is a high-fidelity necessity to check your itinerary for "Change of Gauge" or different flight numbers; if the flight numbers for each leg are different, you are definitely changing planes. Always allow at least 60–90 minutes for a high-fidelity "buffer" to navigate large hubs like Atlanta or London Heathrow.