Do you change planes on a stopover?

On layover flights, during the aircraft changeover your baggage is transferred to the new aircraft by airport staff. If a journey is broken at a certain point in order to drop passengers off or for operational reasons and then continues on to the destination using the same aircraft, this is referred to as a stopover.



Yes, you almost always change planes on a stopover, as a stopover is essentially an "extended layover" lasting more than 24 hours. The purpose of a stopover is to allow you to leave the airport, stay in a hotel, and explore a "middle" city for a few days before continuing to your final destination (e.g., stopping in Dubai for 48 hours on the way from London to Sydney). Because the time gap is so large, the original aircraft will have long since departed with other passengers. The only exception is a "technical stop" or a "direct flight with a stop" (like Southwest’s "no plane change" routes), where the flight number stays the same and you remain on board; however, these are strictly categorized as "stops," not "stopovers." In 2026, airlines like Icelandair and Turkish Airlines have popularized "Stopover Programs" where you can purposefully book two different flights on the same ticket to enjoy a "two-for-one" vacation experience.

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A stopover is a stop at a transitional point of a journey. It's typically related to the break between the flight legs of the connecting flight. Stopover is often used interchangeably with layover but there's one important difference – the stop duration.

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If a journey is broken at a certain point in order to drop passengers off or for operational reasons and then continues on to the destination using the same aircraft, this is referred to as a stopover. You can view any layovers or stopovers in the itinerary details shown when you purchase your ticket.

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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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Connecting flights are flights which require passengers to leave the plane and board a different aircraft in order to reach their final destination.

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And what's the difference between 'transit' and 'stopover'? Thank you. Transit usually means just changing planes at the airport. Stopover usually means at least 24 hours or overnight between flights and you get out of the airport.

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A flight that just stops,,ie to pick up or drop off pax or refuel, keeps the same flight number ( usually) and is usually classified as a direct flight. A non stop flight is a flight that, well, does not stop. Two different flight numbers is ( again usually) a very strong indication of a change of plane.

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Airline stopovers offer the chance to see an additional city, and come with free hotel stays, sightseeing discounts, and other perks. There's no doubt that international airfares have gotten more expensive.

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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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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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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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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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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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Layover flights are usually cheaper than both direct and non-stop flights. Though you might spend a lot of time landing, disembarking and with layovers, you get to rest and stretch in between your journey. A long layover is called a stopover.

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Why international travelers must collect and recheck bags for their U.S. connecting flight. The foremost reason fo rechecking your bag after an international flight is security. “It's part of our efforts to protect the country,” Tammy Melvin, a CBP public affairs spokesperson, told AFAR.

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It depends on how your ticket was booked.
  1. If your flights were booked under one ticket, your bags will be checked through to your final destination.
  2. 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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