What if my flight has a connecting flight?

If you are traveling on a single ticket, your airline will generally rebook you at no cost. This may happen automatically, or you may need to seek an agent during the connection. If you are traveling on separate tickets, the cost may be on you to rebook.



When you have a connecting flight, your journey is divided into "segments." If you booked the entire trip as a single ticket (one PNR), the process is relatively seamless: your checked luggage will usually be "checked through" to your final destination, and you won't need to see it during your layover (unless you are entering a country like the US where you must clear customs at the first point of entry). You will receive all your boarding passes at the initial check-in. Upon landing at your connecting hub, you simply follow the signs for "Flight Connections" or "Transfers" to find your next gate. However, if you booked separate tickets (self-transfer), you are responsible for collecting your bags, exiting the secure area, and checking in again for the second flight, which carries a high risk if the first flight is delayed. In 2026, most large airports have automated "Transit" corridors that allow you to skip security if you are coming from a "clean" airport. If you miss your connection due to an airline delay on a single ticket, the airline is legally obligated to rebook you for free and, in many cases, provide food and hotel vouchers.

People Also Ask

Do you have to go through security again for connecting flight? Yes, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights. It is recommended that travelers allow enough extra time before their connecting flight to pass through security and customs again.

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In most cases, you'll receive your boarding pass for your connecting flight already when you check in for your first flight. This means you don't have to check in again for your next flight. If you haven't received it, you can go to the transfer desk or kiosk of the airline you're flying with to collect it.

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How do flight connections work? Generally, if you are on an internal flight, once you land for your stopover, you will pass through the transfer area that will take you to the gate for your next flight where check-in is not required. Your bags will be passed on to the next flight without you having to pick them.

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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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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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In most instances, you won't need to collect your bags at this connection – they will be checked through. However, if this connection involves different airlines, your bags will only be checked through if the airlines have a codeshare or interline agreement. This information can be found on the airline's website.

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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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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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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're traveling on a single ticket with the same airline within the US, you shouldn't have to recheck your baggage. However, it's still worth double checking with the airline to confirm that your bag will be checked through to your final destination, especially if you have a long layover.

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While, generally, the airline won't wait for connecting passengers, there might be some exceptions. If a flight is delayed, and there are many passengers who are connecting from this delayed flight onto the same connecting flight, the airline will hold the connecting flight for these passengers.

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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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Some airlines have a policy of holding connecting flights for a certain period if a significant number of passengers are on the delayed incoming flight. However, others may not wait and instead rebook passengers on the next available flight.

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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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The minimum connection time at Doha Hamad airport starts at 45 minutes. This is valid for international connections of Qatar Airways. Most flights to USA and Canada require at least 1 hour, but there are also flights requiring 1 hour 25 minutes.

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In a passenger context, MCT is defined as the shortest time interval required in order to transfer a passenger and his luggage from one flight to a connecting flight, in a specific location or metropolitan area.

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Top Tip: A wait at the airport between two connecting flights is called a layover. For more travel advice, check out our guide to dealing with a short layover. Or, remove the stress and extend the length of time between your connecting flights.

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TSA and the airlines recommend that all travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance of their flight departure time to ensure they have enough time to check in with their airline and go through security.

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