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.

"Enough time" for a connection depends on the airport and the type of flight, but in 2026, the general rule is to allow at least 60 to 90 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections. If you are connecting from a domestic to an international flight, you should aim for 2 hours to account for extra document checks. The most time-consuming connection is international-to-domestic, where you must often clear immigration, collect your bags, pass through customs, and re-check your luggage; for this, 3 hours is the safest minimum. At massive hubs like London Heathrow, Paris CDG, or JFK, you may need even more time if you are switching terminals. If your flights are on a single ticket, the airline is responsible for rebooking you if you miss the connection due to a delay; however, if you booked separate tickets, you should allow at least 4 to 6 hours to ensure a "cushion" for any potential travel disruptions.

Determining “enough time” for a connecting flight depends on several key factors, and there’s no single answer. However, here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide what’s right for your situation.

General Rule of Thumb (Minimum Recommended Times)

These are the bare minimums recommended by airlines and travel experts. Booking a connection with less time is very risky.

• Domestic to Domestic (same country): 60 minutes
• International to Domestic (entering a country): 90-120 minutes
• International to International: 60-90 minutes (can be more if changing airports)
• For the U.S. specifically (entering from abroad): At least 2 hours (120 minutes) is strongly advised. This is because you must clear Customs and Immigration, collect and re-check your bags, and go through security again.

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Critical Factors to Consider

1. Airport Layout & Terminal Change Same Terminal: Easier and faster. Different Terminals: Requires more time. Check if they are connected airside (after security) or if you need to exit and re-clear security. Changing Airports (e.g., JFK to LGA in NYC, ORY to CDG in Paris): This is the riskiest scenario. Allow a minimum of 4-5 hours to account for ground transportation, traffic, and re-check-in.

2. Airline and Ticket Type Single Ticket: If both flights are on one ticket (or partner airlines on one ticket), the airline is responsible for getting you to your destination if you miss the connection due to a delay. They will rebook you. Separate Tickets: If you booked the flights separately, you are responsible for any missed connection. Allow significantly more time (3+ hours) because you’ll need to collect bags, check in again, and go through security. A delay on your first flight leaves you with no recourse.

3. Baggage Do you have checked luggage? If so, on an international connection where you enter a country, you must collect your bags, clear customs, and re-check them. This adds substantial time.

4. Country & Airport Procedures Passport Control & Customs: Entering a new country (e.g., USA, UK, EU