What does MCT stand for airlines?

The Minimum Connecting Time (MCT) is the time required for a passenger to connect from one plane to another at an airport or a city. A minimum connecting time can be requested for: A specific airline, or airlines at a particular city.



In the airline and travel industry, MCT stands for Minimum Connection Time. This is the shortest amount of time that an airport and an airline have officially agreed is necessary for a passenger and their luggage to successfully transfer from one flight to another. MCTs vary wildly by airport: a small regional airport might have an MCT of just 20 to 30 minutes, while a massive hub like London Heathrow or Dubai International may have an MCT of 60 to 90 minutes (or more if you are changing terminals). If a traveler books a flight with a layover shorter than the official MCT, it is considered an "illegal connection," and the airline is not obligated to rebook the passenger for free if they miss the flight. In 2026, sophisticated airline algorithms use these MCTs to determine which flight combinations to show you during booking, factoring in the time needed for security re-screening, passport control, and the physical distance between the arrival and departure gates.

People Also Ask

What is an MCT and who controls it? An MCT is set by the airports (not airlines) and is considered to be the minimum amount of time required to transfer from an incoming flight to another flight (international or domestic) by an able-bodied person given the circumstances involved in that transfer.

MORE DETAILS

Allowing yourself at least a 60-minute layover for domestic flights and a two-hour layover time for international flights can often be a much more comfortable and stress-free journey than booking a flight with a very tight connection.

MORE DETAILS

Recommended minimum connection times
Delta: 30-minute minimum connection time. Southwest: At least 30 minutes if you have checked bags. United: 30-minute minimum for domestic, 60 minutes for international.

MORE DETAILS

If you miss your connection booked with the same airline that your were on for your first flight, and the issue is due to a delayed take off or anything else that's in the hands of your airline, it's the airline's responsibility to rebook you on the next available flight.

MORE DETAILS

Generally speaking, most airlines will make some kind of efforts to wait for delayed passengers on a connecting flight, though this is not necessarily guaranteed. In some cases, airlines may be able to hold a connecting flight for a period of time, but it is not something that is typically guaranteed by any airline.

MORE DETAILS

Generally speaking, most airlines will make some kind of efforts to wait for delayed passengers on a connecting flight, though this is not necessarily guaranteed. In some cases, airlines may be able to hold a connecting flight for a period of time, but it is not something that is typically guaranteed by any airline.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren't all connected. For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals.

MORE DETAILS

Factors to consider before leaving the airport during a layover. If you have an excessive layover time you may be wondering: Can I leave the airport between connecting flights? The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The six-digit alphanumeric code that appears on your boarding pass is your PNR, or Passenger Name Reference—also known as your record locator, reservation code, or booking code.

MORE DETAILS