Is Your Layover Long Enough?
Planning a trip involves several parts, and unless you’re staying close to home, chances are you will need a flight. I always try to book non-stop flights because they’re easier to deal with. But what if you’re flying somewhere that’s too far away for a non-stop flight? What if the non-stop flights are significantly more expensive? There are many reasons why you might end up with a two or even three leg flight, and while there are no guarantees, it’s important to determine whether your layover is long enough.
Is your layover long enough for your luggage?
As always, I would encourage you to travel carry-on only, but if you have to check luggage, this will factor into your layover. The baggage handlers need to unload the entire plane once it lands. Some of that luggage will stay at the airport for those passengers who aren’t traveling on, but for everyone else, their luggage will be redistributed to any number of airplanes. This takes time, more so at a bigger airport.
If you have a short layover, any little delay in the process could mean your luggage won’t have time to make it from the first plane to the second. It could be hours, or even days, before your luggage catches up to you.
Is your layover long enough to get through the airport?
During your layover, you have to be able to get from the gate where your first flight came in to the gate where your second flight leaves. Sometimes this is as simple as walking a little ways down the hall. But other times it could mean a long walk, or even a ride on an airport tram, and switching terminals.
In bigger airports, getting from one end to the other could easily take 20 minutes or more, especially if you’re not familiar with the airport. Worse yet, some airports have different security check points for different sections of the airport, which means you might have to go through the security line again.
Don’t forget to leave yourself time for boarding the second flight. Boarding usually starts anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes before the actual flight time, and the doors close before flight time.
Is your layover long enough for an international flight?
In some places, you have to claim your luggage upon arrival even if you’re on a layover in the middle of an international flight. For example, if you are returning from a trip to Australia, and you live in Atlanta, chances are you will fly from Sydney to Los Angeles and then continue on to Atlanta.
In the US, you are required to claim your luggage once you get through passport check. Before you can go to your second flight, you have to bring your luggage to another line to be rechecked, and then you go through security again. This can be time consuming.
Even if your connection is in a country that doesn’t require this, you will still have to go through their passport check or transit line. This will take a lot more time that getting from one gate to another on a domestic layover.
Is your layover long enough to change airports?
I highly recommend you avoid this at all costs. Having to change airports during a layover is a lot more stressful and complicated than just switching gates. But in rare cases you might not have a choice.
Some cities have two airports, one that’s predominantly for domestic flights and the other for international flights. I’ve also seen flight schedules where your first flight lands in one of London’s or New York City’s airports and the second flight takes off from the other.
If you really can’t book a flight with connection in the same airport, research how long it will take to get from one to the other. Sometimes there are airport shuttles for cases like this, but often you will need to rely on a taxi or public transportation.
Give yourself a buffer above what your research tells you. Take into account the time of day you will be switching since rush hour will most likely add to your time. Plus don’t forget you will need an hour or two at the airport ahead of your flight. And if the first flight was international, see the previous section.
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No one wants to get stuck sitting in an airport for hours on a long layover, but the alternative resulting from a layover that’s too short could be much worse. Your checked luggage might not make it to the next plane, or you might not have enough time to get through the airport. International flights have extra steps you need to get through on a layover.
The amount of time you need will vary depending on a variety of factors, including your own comfort level. In general, I try to avoid layovers with less than an hour for domestic flights and layovers with less than two hours for international flights.
Layovers can be complicated. Every time you book a flight with a connection, look at all the details and ask yourself, is the layover long enough?
You might also be interested in:
- Carry-On Luggage Size Chart with over 170 Airlines
- Layover Perks You Never Knew About
- 8 Things to do If You Think Your Layover is too Short
- Can I leave the airport during a layover?


ohutchie
December 20, 2020 @ 7:19 pm
I’m planning a trip BOS-NRT next summer and am probably flying Air Canada through YUL. On the way there it’s a 1hr 50min layover, which seems like enough (I’m going carry-on only) but on the way back I have a choice between 1hr15min or 3hr 15min. Which would you recommend? They’re both the same price.
Ali Garland
December 23, 2020 @ 4:06 pm
If it was me, I’d probably choose the longer layover. When going through Canada, you usually have to go through customs and immigration plus claim and recheck your luggage (though I know the luggage part won’t apply to you) even though you’re only transiting through. This is pretty unique to the US and Canada. And you will most likely have to go through security on your layover. So the lines could be super quick or they could be really long. Also, most major Canadian airports have US border control, and it looks like YUL does too. This means you will actually clear US customs and immigration while in the YUL airport. That could mean TWO customs and immigration checks on that layover. (It also means when you land back in BOS, you don’t have to do anything because you’ll already be stamped back into the US, so that’s nice.) For me, 3 hours 15 minutes isn’t so horribly long, and I’d rather have the extra buffer in case the first flight got delayed or if the lines are long.
BJ
October 26, 2020 @ 4:20 pm
We are flying from MCI to DTW with a 1 hour layover and then to Amsterdam. Is the hour enough time for a layover?
Ali Garland
October 27, 2020 @ 10:04 am
Hi BJ! I can’t make any guarantees, but I do think one hour should be long enough for the layover in DTW. The US doesn’t do formal exiting passport control, so you won’t really have to do anything extra compared to what you’d go through on a domestic layover. I’ve never flown through DTW, so I’m not familiar with the layout, but worst case, you might have to go through security again if you have to switch terminals. Be sure to check out my tips for short layovers to make sure you don’t lose precious minutes in transit.
Crystal
October 15, 2020 @ 7:57 am
Hello! I’m flying into LAX from Australia next month with United and have a 1 hour and 50 minute layover there before catching my next domestic flight to IAH. Once I land I will need to go through immigration, pick up my checked luggage and drop it off again before boarding my next flight (which I believe will require me to get from Terminal B to 7!)
Is just under 2 hours enough time to do all of this? I’ve never been to LAX and heard it can get crazy busy… but perhaps during COVID times it isn’t as busy? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Ali Garland
October 19, 2020 @ 9:12 am
Hi Crystal! Normally I’d say 1 hour 50 minutes is a little tight for a layover at LAX…and it might still be a bit tight, but there does seem to be a lot fewer people in the airports these days, so the lines shouldn’t be so long for customs and immigration. You could ask United if there’s a later flight from LAX to IAH and see if you could switch, or at least know that it’s an option if you miss your connection, although it’s up to them whether they will charge you for switching flights if you miss the connection. I don’t think 1 hour 50 minutes is impossible, but in normal circumstances, it’s short. Read my article about tips for short layovers for some advice that could help you make the connection.
Crystal
October 19, 2020 @ 11:32 am
Thank you for your reply, Ali! I’ve decided to change the LAX to IAH leg to a later one so I have a 3.5 hour layover at LAX instead. Hope that’s enough!
Ali Garland
October 19, 2020 @ 11:49 am
I think that sounds like a good choice!
Alex
September 28, 2020 @ 9:25 pm
Hi, i will be traveling from BOS to PUJ with a 1hour layover at JFK. I am flying jet blue and i wont change terminals, do you think that there is enough time for them to transfer my checked baggage ?
Ali Garland
September 29, 2020 @ 3:30 pm
Hi Alex! As long as both of your flights are on the same itinerary, they should be able to transfer your checked luggage in an hour. Obviously I can’t make any guarantees, but I personally wouldn’t worry about that time frame.
Joji Kup
September 21, 2020 @ 12:20 pm
Hi, I am flying back to Amsterdam soon. I fly from west palm beach, with a 46 minutes stop over in Newark. Even though my ticket shows the same terminal, I am worried that this will cause me trouble given the tight layover time. In addition, do I have to re-check my baggage at Newark or is this going to be forwarded unto my next flight? Thank you!
Ali Garland
September 22, 2020 @ 12:45 pm
Hi Joji! A 46 minute layover sounds tight but if you don’t have to change terminals, that will definitely help. For flights leaving the US, you do not have to claim and recheck your luggage, as long as both flights are on the same itinerary. Always verify at check in though. And there is no exiting passport control when leaving the US.
Marcela Kuchtova
August 4, 2020 @ 7:55 pm
Hi Ali,
I am arriving at terminal 5 New York JFK, flying JetBlue. I need to catch an international flight on Virgin Atlantic at Terminal 4, with a connection time around 1 and 1/2 hours. I’m flying on two separate tickets and I will be travelling only with a hand luggage. Do you think it’s enough time to pass through the custom at terminal 4 and pass the security at terminal 5?
Thank you
Ali Garland
August 8, 2020 @ 1:59 pm
Hi Marcela! The US doesn’t do formal exiting customs or immigration procedures. So when you get to JFK, you’ll have to check in with Virgin Atlantic to get your boarding pass, and at that time, they will also look at your passport and check that you have permission to go and all that fun stuff. You probably won’t even realize they’re doing these checks, you’re just showing your passport. If you can check in online for the Virgin Atlantic flight, just go to the gate agent first thing and let them know you checked in online and that they probably need to see your passport. Checking in online will also save you time because otherwise I think you’ll have to go out to the main check-in area of the airport, which could take some time. If you can check in online, I think 1 1/2 hours is fine for your layover, but don’t waste any time. If you can’t check in online, that might be really tight. Technically Delta is a partner airline with Virgin Atlantic, so if you see a Delta counter within the terminal after you land, you could ask if they are able to check you in, but I’m not sure if that’ll work. You could also call Virgin Atlantic’s customer service and explain the situation and see if they can tell you where you can check in for that flight without having to go to the main check-in area.
Rf
December 9, 2020 @ 4:43 pm
Hi,
I’m flying Manchester to Karachi via Doha Qatar Airways. The layover is 1hr 50 minutes but with the current situation I’m super nervous. I’ve been checking the daily flights from Manchester to Doha and most of them reach on time. It usually takes 20-30 minutes for everyone to get off the plane which leaves around 1 hour to run to the next plane at which hopefully the boarding isn’t closed. The reason I’m scared is because I need a valid COVID test 96 hours prior to departing, if I miss the flight and I am boarded onto the next flight to Karachi which is 20 hours later (I’m crazy so I had to check this) what if Pakistan don’t accept my COVID test?
Ali Garland
December 10, 2020 @ 11:57 am
Hi! Yikes, that’s a tough one! With fewer people traveling these days, you have a good chance of getting through the airports and on and off the airplanes faster than normal because there won’t be such long lines. One hour is a good amount of time to get through the airport in most cases when you don’t have to deal with customs and immigration, and you shouldn’t have to worry about that since you’re only transiting. But you will most likely have to go through security again. Are you able to choose your seat on the Manchester to Doha flight? If so, get a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, and an aisle seat would be best. Then you can shave a few minutes off the time it takes to get off the plane. I have some other tips for short layovers here. Unfortunately I don’t know all the rules for covid test requirements or what the Pakistan authorities might do if you miss your connection and are delayed 20 hours. If you’re require to get the test 96 hours before departure, it seems like you would still fulfill that by having the test 96 hours before your flight leaves Manchester. If it’s required 96 hours before arrival in Karachi, that would be different. But again, I don’t know how they might handle things. I think the best you can do is research the rules for entering Pakistan, check with them if possible, and don’t waste any time in the Doha airport. I do think you have a good chance at making that connection, but obviously I can’t make any guarantees.
Tara
February 19, 2020 @ 3:22 pm
Hi there I am a nervous mom who is sending her 16-year-old daughter to Germany traveling all by herself. Trying to figure out how much time she’ll need in between flights. We are flying from Kansas City to possibly Detroit/Atlanta then on to Amsterdam(which I heard is way better than London) then on to Stuttgart. Do you have any suggestions on a better way to get there and Have any suggestions on a layover times if I have choices. Thank you so much I found your article extremely helpful!
Ali Garland
February 23, 2020 @ 7:44 pm
Hi Tara! I’ve never flown through Detroit, so I can’t help you on that airport, but I used to live in Atlanta and used that airport all the time. It’s big, but all the terminals are connected beyond the security checkpoint, so she wouldn’t have to deal with security on her layover. I feel like the airport is well signposted so she really just has to follow the signs to her next gate/terminal. If she has to switch terminals, there’s a train/tram that’s really easy, she just has to make sure she gets on the right way, but again, there are signs for which gates are in which direction.
As for Amsterdam vs London, YES! Amsterdam is better. It’s actually one of my favorite airports because it’s so easy to get around, lots of signs, and tons of food options if she’s hungry when she lands. She will have to go through immigration in Amsterdam since it’s where she’s entering the Schengen Zone, which includes Germany. (I think this is another reason to choose Amsterdam instead of London because the UK is not in the Schengen Zone, and sometimes it gets confusing trying to figure out where to go to avoid having to do immigration there, and I’ve heard of people being unable to avoid it and still having to go through immigration in London despite their final destination being somewhere outside the country.) She will not have to pick up checked luggage though, as long as you book all flights on one itinerary.
For timing, she’ll need more time in Amsterdam because of having to do immigration, but since Atlanta is a big airport, you don’t want anything too short there either. I think if possible, aim for more than an hour in Atlanta (or Detroit if you go that way) and two hours minimum in Amsterdam. She might not need that much time, but better to have too much than not enough. I hope this helps!
Stephanie
February 18, 2020 @ 11:53 am
Hi, I’m flying from Barcelona to Cardiff with 40 minutes in Amsterdam in between. Both flights are with KLM and booked as one ticket (not separate tickets). Is this doable?
Ali Garland
February 22, 2020 @ 11:01 pm
Hi Stephanie! That might be a little tight since you’ll have to go through exiting passport control in Amsterdam. Your checked luggage should get transferred from one flight to the next, so that’s helpful, but 40 minutes might be cutting it close for you personally to get off the first flight, through passport control, and to your next gate. Not impossible, but tight. Check out my tips for short layovers here.
Taylor
February 15, 2020 @ 7:46 am
Hello! I am flying from Houston (TX) to Calgary (AB) and have a 1.45hr layover in Calgary before heading to my final destination in Vancouver (BC). There will be two of us, and we both will have checked bags. Will 1.45hrs be enough time to go through customs/get bags before our next flight to Vancouver? (For reference, our flight lands at 9pm in Calgary).
Ali Garland
February 17, 2020 @ 3:11 pm
Hi Taylor! I can’t make any guarantees, but I think that’ll be enough time, though it might be a little tight depending on how long the lines are at immigration. Here’s some info from the Calgary airport about connecting through the airport which might be helpful: https://www.yyc.com/en-us/travellerinfo/flightinformation/connectionguide.aspx. I also feel like 9pm might be late enough to have fewer flights to compete with, so lines might be shorter. Check with your airline about whether you have to claim and recheck your luggage. I think you have to do it, but recently I heard some conflicting info about whether you have to do that at Canadian airports from an international flight. I think you should plan on having to do it, but the airline or even the immigration people in Calgary will be able to tell you. I also wouldn’t waste any time with things like going to the bathroom in Calgary until you’ve cleared customs and you’re at/near your next gate and know how much time you have to spare.
Danny
February 14, 2020 @ 5:39 am
Hi Ali – I booked 2 separate flights:
(1) Zagreb>Paris[CDG] arriving at Terminal 2F, with a 3h25m lay-over.
(2) Paris>LAX departing at Terminal 1 (Norwegian Air)
Is this enough time to:
– collect checked luggage
– transfer between T2F and T1
– check in at the counter
– go through security
Given the 60mins check-in requirement before departure, I probably have a 2h25m window.
Also, is there passport/customs control in CDG that I would have to go through at departure?
Thanks in advance!
-Danny
Ali Garland
February 17, 2020 @ 12:41 am
Hi Danny! I can’t make any guarantees, but I think that should be enough time. Croatia is currently not in the Schengen Zone, which means you’ll do exiting passport control before boarding your flight in Zagreb, and then you’ll have to do immigration and customs in Paris to get stamped into the Schengen Zone. You really only have to do that because you have separate itineraries and you have to get stamped into the Schengen Zone in order to get to baggage claim and recheck your bags. You’ll have to go through security too, though the last time I flew internationally into CDG, I had to do security first thing, before even getting to passport control. Then you’ll have to do it again after checking your luggage. As for actually checking into your flight, you can probably do that online ahead of time, even ahead of your Zagreb flight, and either print your boarding pass yourself or have an electronic copy on your phone. That way you might be able to save a little time by looking for a luggage check-in only line at CDG, if they have one. And yes, you’ll have to go through exiting passport control after dropping off your luggage in order to get stamped back out of the Schengen Zone. It’s a lot of steps, but hopefully it’ll all go smoothly. Again, no guarantees, but I think you have a good chance at making this all work.
Anna Y Tanabe-Robichaud
February 5, 2020 @ 3:06 am
Hi. I am traveling fromCancun to Boston with connection in JFK. Both flights will be on JetBlue. Will 2 hour lay over be long enough
Ali Garland
February 5, 2020 @ 4:52 pm
Hi Anna! I can’t make any guarantees, but probably. You’ll have to go through customs and immigration, plus claim and recheck your luggage, plus go through security in JFK, so I might want a little more time for that connection, but it’s not impossible. Be sure to check out my tips for short layovers here. Not that this is terribly short, but it might help to save you even a few minutes.
Gail Clifford
February 2, 2020 @ 11:42 pm
Hi, thank you for all the valuable information you have listed on this website, I have already picked up lots of great tips but I am hoping you can help answer my question. I have already booked return flights from Manchester UK to Orlando MCO with Virgin Atlantic but have decided we would like to go to Cancun for 5 days. I have found a flight with Jet Blue that would land back at MCO at 2.30pm and our flight to Manchester UK doesn’t depart until 5.35pm. So that leaves me 3 hours between these flights. I have tried to research a little and I think if I am flying in from Cancun I would need to go through immigration then collect my luggage then go through to departures and bag drop our luggage with virgin atlantic (I have already paid to do online check in) then go through security TSA to get to my departure gate for my Virgin Atlantic flight to Manchester UK. My questions are – have I understood the process correctly? and is 3 hours enough to go through the process? Many thanks in advance. Gail
Ali Garland
February 3, 2020 @ 4:36 pm
Hi Gail! It does sound like you’re understanding everything correctly. When you come back from Cancun and land in MCO, you will have to go through immigration and customs and claim your checked bags. Then you’ll have to go find the Virgin Atlantic counter and check your bags with them. If you have already checked in online at that point, look for a luggage check only counter, that might be faster then the normal check in lines. And then you’ll go through security to get to your flight. I can’t make any guarantees, but I think 3 hours should be enough time for everything you have to do.
Christina
February 2, 2020 @ 4:31 pm
We are traveling in July 2020 from Barcelona on Delta and have a connecting Delta flight in Atlanta. Everyone is a US citizen. We have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta. Is that enough time to clear customs, recheck bags, and clear security and make the connecting flight?
Ali Garland
February 3, 2020 @ 4:33 pm
Hi Christina! I can’t make any guarantees, but I think 2 hours is enough time for a layover in Atlanta. Unless they’ve changed it recently, the Atlanta airport makes it pretty easy for you to recheck your luggage after customs. And since it’s such a huge airport with so many international flights, I’ve almost never waited long at the immigration lines. I’d recommend going to the bathroom on the flight to Atlanta towards the end so you don’t have to waste time doing it when you get into the airport, or at least wait until you’ve cleared customs, immigration, and security, and you’re closer to your next gate.
Mike
January 28, 2020 @ 4:46 pm
Hi. Thanks for the article. I am flying from Manila to Gunagzhou to Toronto via China Southern. I have a hour and five minute layover in Guangzhou. I was concerned enough that I called the airline (they have a local office) and was going to change to an earlier flight out of Manila that has a 4 hour layover to catch the same CAN-YYZ flight. The airline assured me that one hour was plenty of time. (There would be someone to guide us, the proximity of the gates, etc.). The question I forgot to ask was about security, as the lineups for that are always a crap-shoot no matter what airport your in. So my two questions are: IS one hour long enough? Do I have to line up for security before getting on the next plane?
Thanks
Ali Garland
January 29, 2020 @ 4:52 pm
Hi Mike! Usually when you’re connecting in a country you’re not visiting, you don’t have to deal with customs and immigration, though I have heard of people having to do it anyway for China. Hopefully you won’t have to deal with it. Assuming you can bypass immigration, your layover time should be fine. You will most likely have to go through security, but it depends on how the airport is set up, but most airports will send you through security for a layover like this. I can’t make any guarantees, but I think you’ll have enough time.
Risa
January 24, 2020 @ 6:40 am
Hi!
I am traveling with my family from JFK to DEL on Etihad with a layover in AUH for 2 hours. Do you think we will have enough time to visit one of the lounges, have a shower and grab a bite before our connection?
Thank you for your help!
Ali Garland
January 27, 2020 @ 3:07 pm
Hi Risa! That’s a tough call. As a transit passenger, you should be able to bypass customs and immigration, but you’ll probably still have to go through security, so that’s really the only thing that’s going to take up time. I haven’t flown through AUH in years, so I’m not sure where the lounges are, but if there’s a lounge close enough to where your next flight takes off from, you might have time. Good thing is what you’re interested in doing is all right there in the airport, so when you arrive, make sure you know what time boarding starts, and then just use your best judgement to decide if you have enough time for a shower and whatever else.
Tanya
January 14, 2020 @ 6:45 am
Hi Ali,
How generous of you to be answering all these questions, thank you!!! I couldn’t search them so I hope you haven’t already answered.
I will be traveling from IAD to HKG via DFW on American. The layover in DFW is 1hr4m….assuming no delays out of Washington, would this be enough time to get from the domestic landing gate to the international departure gate?
Ali Garland
January 15, 2020 @ 4:25 pm
Hi Tanya, glad to help! And no, I don’t expect anyone to sift through this many comments! I haven’t flown through DFW in years, but as long as you don’t have to go through security again, an hour should be enough time to make your connection. I did a few searches, and it seems the terminals are all connected beyond the security checkpoint, which means all you have to do is get to your next gate. I can’t make guarantees, but I think you’ll have enough time.
Tanya
January 16, 2020 @ 2:41 am
Thanks Ali, super helpful!!!!!
Jon
January 16, 2020 @ 5:15 pm
Hi Ali,
Thank you for your great article. I am planning to fly from Perth to Singapore with Scoot airways arriving at terminal 1 at 11.30pm. I plan to then fly from Singapore to Venice leaving at 2.15am using Qatar from terminal 1. I plan to have checked in luggage. Is 2.45 hours cutting it too short? I guess I am just worried about plane delays. What do you think?
Thanks in advance Jon.
Ali Garland
January 22, 2020 @ 3:10 pm
Hi Jon! I’ve never done it before, but it doesn’t sound impossible. The problem is that you’ll have to go through immigration and customs, claim your luggage, check your luggage with Qatar, and then go back through exiting passport control and security to get to your next flight. It’s a lot of steps and long lines could delay you. If you already have these flights booked, I think you just take the chance and hope it all works. If you haven’t booked the flights, you might want to look for a later flight out of Singapore or an earlier flight out of Perth. Also, read my tips for short layovers here. You don’t necessarily have a short layover, but you have a lot to accomplish in 2 hours 45 minutes, so some of the times might help.
Michael Yeaton
January 30, 2020 @ 2:22 pm
Thanks so much! Really helpful!
Angela
January 5, 2020 @ 10:46 am
Hi … I am travelling on an Irish passport from Dublin to St. Petersburg with a transfer time of 45 mins at Helsinki airport . Our bags will be booked straight through to St. Petersburg with the same airline. Do you think this is sufficient time . Thanks in advance
Ali Garland
January 13, 2020 @ 10:53 am
Hi Angela! It’s a little tight, but you shouldn’t have to deal with immigration at all since you’re coming from a non-Schengen country and continuing on to a non-Schengen country. You might have to go through security again, but that shouldn’t be so bad. I don’t think you’ll have time to waste, and I can’t make any guarantees, but I think you have a good chance of making that connection.
Zuza
December 21, 2019 @ 6:29 am
Hello,
Can you advise if the below connection is doable:
– Lufthansa flight from Gdansk (GDA) to New York (JFK) thru Frankfurt.
– 45 minutes in Frankfurt between the flights to get from Gate A40 to Z62.
– because we travel with 1 year old baby, we will have to wait for the stroller at the first plane (its sort of carry-on but the crew takes it away and returns after arrival)
– This would be travel from Schengen to non Schengen.
Not sure how long after scheduled arrival it would actually take us to get off that plane with the baby, bags, stroller…
How long would it take us to find a departure gate and go thru the check points with US passports? Is there also another security check – they always examine baby food, milk etc?
What should we prepared for?
Regarding the departure flight to JFK how many minutes before scheduled departure they close the gate?
… when I think about it all it seems a little impossible to make this connection.
I know MCT is 45 minutes, but is it possible with the baby?
Too bad we didnt find this website with all the great information before accepting this fights configuration!
Ali Garland
December 23, 2019 @ 1:26 pm
Hi! Yikes, I feel like 45 minutes is not long enough to make that connection. You’ll have to go through exiting passport control, and the lines could be rather long. And I feel like it’ll take even longer to have to wait for the stroller. In general, flights from within Schengen land and take off from one terminal, and international flights land and take off from the other, which means having to take the little airport train from one to the other, before going through passport control to get stamped out of the Schengen zone. All of that takes time. I’m not sure when they close the gate, but international flights normally start boarding quite early since they’re bigger planes. Is it possible to get an earlier flight to Frankfurt? You might want to talk to the airline and see if there are other options or at least find out what happens if you can’t make the connection. I’m sorry I can’t be more optimistic about this one. I think you have a small chance to make it, but it would make me very nervous.
ND
December 17, 2019 @ 3:16 am
Hi, I’m a NZ citizen catching a flight from USA to Monterrey, Mexico. I arrive at 16.40, just wondering if it’s possible to make the 18.30 flight to Mexico City. I think I am required to change terminals. Thank you for any help!
Ali Garland
December 17, 2019 @ 10:26 am
Hi, so if I’m understanding correctly, you’ll be flying from NZ to the USA to Mexico, right? You’ll have to go through customs and immigration in the US, even though you’re only transiting (so make sure you have a US visa if NZ citizens are required to get one), so that’ll take time. You will most likely have to claim and recheck your luggage too, but depending on the airport, sometimes there’s a conveyor belt to recheck your bags right after customs, so it only takes an extra minute or two. You have just under 2 hours, which isn’t so bag, but it all depends on the lines. I wouldn’t worry too much about this one, but I can’t make you any guarantees.
Michael
December 16, 2019 @ 12:12 am
Hi, Im a British citizen flying to Nassau from London Heathrow via Miami international. My first flight has a 3 1\2 hour layover so that’s ok, but my return flight was changed and I only have a 1 hour layover in Miami to catch my flight back to London. Will I make it?
Ali Garland
December 16, 2019 @ 12:16 pm
Hi Michael! One hour is a bit tight, and you will have to go through immigration even though you’re not staying in the US. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible, but an hour could really be cutting it close. Are there any flights from Nassau to Miami that leave earlier in the day? My concern would be if you don’t make it through in an hour, if there isn’t another flight to London until the next day, that would really suck. I have a few tips for short layover here, some of those might be helpful to you, and you should also check with your airline to find out what their policy is if you miss your connection due to long lines at immigration.
Alysha
December 8, 2019 @ 1:00 am
Hello,
I am flying from hartford ct to ft lauderdale on a Saturday morning arriving at ft lauderdale for 9:35 and departing for Cancun at 10:35 for our wedding a few days later! Do you think this is enough time? Both flights are on the same itinerary with southwest and we did early bird check in so we should be off the plane rather quickly once we land in ft lauderdale.. regarding early bird check in… not sure if we will make it to the 2nd flight in time to be one of the first ones on the plane but as long as we make it (and I find space in an overhead bin for my wedding dress) is all that matters
Ali Garland
December 9, 2019 @ 2:52 pm
Hi Alysha, congrats on the wedding! An hour is kind of short but not at all impossible. There aren’t any formal exiting border control procedures when leaving the US, so it won’t be any different than a domestic layover. It looks like the terminals aren’t all connected passed security, so that would be the only issue, that if you have to switch terminals, you might have to go through security again, which could take some time. With the earlybird thing, even if they’ve started boarding the flight to Cancun once you get to the gate, I assume you can jump ahead? Might want to check with Southwest about how that works, I haven’t flown with them in awhile. I can’t make you any guarantees about the time, but I think you have a pretty good chance of making the second flight without a problem. Enjoy!
Niki Edwards
December 7, 2019 @ 1:32 am
Help Please!
I will coming from the US. I have a connecting flight from Melbourne to Cairns. My layover is 2 hours exactly from when I touch down in Melbourne to departure in Cairns. Will this give me time to make it through customs and get through the airport?
Ali Garland
December 9, 2019 @ 2:36 pm
Hi Niki! I can’t make any guarantees, but I think 2 hours should be enough time for your layover. If you’re worried, I have some tips for short layovers here, and some of them would help you reduce the amount of time it takes for all the steps of your layover.
Tim
December 15, 2019 @ 2:49 pm
I have travelled a bit to Australia from the US. One thing I will say is that they are VERY tight on customs, especially when it comes to food products (nuts, seeds, fruit, etc). I have never had issues, but you definitely should know exactly what you have in your bags and claim it all. We even go as far as claiming granola bars we get on the flight. They usually just wave us through. Just know what you got and be confident! They can smell fear.
Ali Garland
December 16, 2019 @ 12:12 pm
Thanks Tim! I have lots of info to know before traveling to Australia here.
Rudra
November 30, 2019 @ 8:41 pm
I am travelling from ORD to MSP and then from MSP to AMS. The layover time at MSP is 2 hours, on a Saturday. Would be it sufficient for catching the next flight? (I am a resident of Germany.)
Ali Garland
December 2, 2019 @ 3:59 pm
Hi Rudra! I think 2 hours should be enough time. The US doesn’t do any formal exiting passport control, so when you land in MSP, you just have to find your next gate and maybe go through security again depending on if the terminals are connected beyond the security checkpoint or not. I think you’ll have enough time.
Robert Goss
November 29, 2019 @ 7:55 pm
We are arriving LAX at 3:00 PM from AUCKLAND on Air New Zealand. I think Air New Zealand operates out of TBIT or Terminal B and I have a on going flight on Delta to ATL and that flight leaves at 3:45 from either Terminal 2,3 or possibly TBIT, but I think this flight will be out of terminal 3.
Air NZ changed the AKL to LAX flight so now I have to reschedule my LAX to ATL as 45 minutes is not a long enough layover. Delta has two later non-stop flights, 5:10 pm and 11:30 pm. Obviously we would like to take the 5:10 flight but will that be enough time. We do have Global Entry and know we will have to go through immigration and customs and claim our luggage and recheck on Delta probably at a different terminal. Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Ali Garland
December 2, 2019 @ 3:53 pm
Hi Robert! Sorry they changed your flight to such a short layover! So if you take the 5:10 flight, that gives you 1 hour 25 minutes for your layover…which might still be a little tight, but it does help that you have Global Entry, that should get you through faster. This is a tough call because I completely understand not wanting to wait around until the 11:30 flight. It’s totally a judgement call for you, I can’t make you any guarantees, but I personally might take a chance on the 5:10 flight simply because an almost 8 hour layover sounds painful. You might want to call Delta’s customer service and ask them what their policy is if you miss your connection because of immigration delays, not a flight delay. But yeah, I’d probably chance that one, it just depends on if you’re willing to take the risk of missing the connection.
Robert Goss
December 2, 2019 @ 4:02 pm
Thanks, we are still debating this one.
Oliver
November 24, 2019 @ 9:06 pm
Hi, thanks for your informative article! Looking for some quick insight like the rest of the commenters.
Flying from Amsterdam to Washington, D.C. (I am American) and have a 1 hour layover in Lisbon (flying TAP Air Portugal).
Is this enough time? Do I need to do any U.S.-specific customs or security before boarding my flight in Lisbon to D.C.? Super cheap flight so tempted to take it.
Thanks!
Ali Garland
November 25, 2019 @ 4:12 pm
Hi Oliver! You’ll have to go through exiting passport control in Lisbon since that’s the flight that takes you out of the Schengen Zone. You will probably have to go through security as well. An hour is a little tight when you have to deal with passport control and security, but it’s not impossible, just depends what the lines are like that day, so it’s really a judgement call. I can’t make you any guarantees, but I’d probably take the chance on that one.
Caroline
November 16, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
Hi,
Im flying from Edinburgh to St Louis via Newark on a through ticket with united airlines. I have a 2 hour gap between flights at Newark. Is this long enough?
Ali Garland
November 16, 2019 @ 6:53 pm
Hi Caroline! That’s probably long enough. If the lines at immigration are really long or slow, it could be a bit tight, but if it were me, I’d take the chance on that one.
Caroline Bannatyne
November 16, 2019 @ 7:13 pm
Thanks very much 😊
Aries Acido
November 12, 2019 @ 1:01 am
Hi there
I really need your thoughts about this, here’s my airline trip with 1.5 layover each
Manila – Hongkong [Cathay Pacific]
Hongkong – Zurich [Swiss Airlines]
Zurich – Marrakesh [Swiss Airlines]
Do you think i can make through? I am so skeptical about this but i really need this flight. Is it too risky? Thank you so much
Ali Garland
November 12, 2019 @ 10:06 am
Your layovers are a little short but not impossible if you’ve booked all the flights on one itinerary. Cathay Pacific and Swiss Airlines are codeshare partners, so Cathay should be able to tag your checked luggage to your final destination (always verify this when checking in and dropping off your luggage), which means you won’t have to do anything with it on any of your layovers. You’re not staying in Hong Kong or Switzerland/Schengen Zone, only transiting through, so when you land in Hong Kong and Zurich, look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and you should be able to bypass immigration and customs. You might have to go through security again, but hopefully that won’t take too long. And if any of your flights is delayed, causing you to miss the next flight, the airline should be able to rebook you on another flight. I can’t make you any guarantees, but I think you have a good chance at this working out. I hope this helps!
Aries Acido
November 12, 2019 @ 12:41 pm
Thank you so much Ali! Your response is an heaven sent. I was thinking to get the 10 hrs layover over 1.5 hours at Hongkong to fly at Zurich just to be really safe, since that is the pricey flight one. But your response give me hope that i can bypass immigration which i actually worried about the most. God bless. Love your website 🥰
Emily Warnke
November 11, 2019 @ 12:21 pm
I am an American traveling from Dublin to Vienna with a 55 minute layover in Amsterdam. Will this be enough time? I will only be traveling with carryon, but will I have to go through security again or passport control because I am not apart of the EU?
Ali Garland
November 11, 2019 @ 2:22 pm
Hi Emily! You will have to go through immigration in Amsterdam since that’s where you’re entering the Schengen Zone, but that has nothing to do with your citizenship. Normally I’d say 55 minutes is a bit tight, but I’ve never had to go through security again when transiting through the Amsterdam airport, so I doubt you’ll have to either. That makes things a lot faster. I’d say you just don’t have any time to waste once you land, but it’s not an impossible amount of time. Check out my tips for short layovers, and hopefully you can zip through the airport with no problems.
George Mcdonald
November 9, 2019 @ 9:37 pm
Departing DXB to MCO via AAM and ORD. Will we have to pickup our luggage at AAM and check them back in for the next flight? Flying Royal Jordian Air using AAL points. Will have about 1 hr and 45 minutes between flights.
Ali Garland
November 11, 2019 @ 11:12 am
Hi George! If you have booked all of your flights on one itinerary, they should be able to tag your checked luggage to your final destination, so it’ll be transferred from one flight to the next. The exception to this is for the ORD to MCO flight. Since ORD is your first airport in the US, that’s where you’ll go through US customs and immigration, and you’ll have to claim and recheck your luggage. But you shouldn’t have to do this in AMM. (I think you mean AMM? AMM is Amman, Jordan.) So your checked bag will automatically go from DXB to AMM to ORD, and then you’ll have to claim and recheck it in ORD for the ORD to MCO flight. Always verify with the airline employee when you’re checking in for your first flight, but this is how it works most of the time.
Yohana
October 30, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
Hi there! I am flying from MIA to Toronto, but I have an 1 hour connection in Atlanta, will that be enough? I’m not taking any luggage with me. Thank you!
Ali Garland
October 31, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
Hi Yohana! I think that’ll be long enough. I know Atlanta is a big airport, but it’s well sign-posted. So when you land, find out what gate you need to go to, and if it’s on a different concourse, follow the signs towards the other concourses, and get on the train in the appropriate direction. You might want to get to your gate before doing anything else, in case you don’t have an extra time to play with. And then if you get to your gate and you do still have time before they start boarding you can go find a bathroom or get a snack or whatever. Read my post about tips for short layovers here. But I think you’ll be ok with an hour.
Cole
October 28, 2019 @ 9:39 pm
Hello, I am flying out of Minneapolis and have a 3-hour layover in Portland and then another layover in San Francisco that lasts 1 hour and 26 minutes that will later depart to Auckland, New Zealand. Will this be enough time for a layover and my checked luggage to make it to the plane that leaves for Auckland? Will I have to grab that luggage from the baggage claim in San Francisco or will it be shuttled immediately after landing in San Francisco?
I also have another layover in Auckland to Dunedin, New Zealand which is 1 hour and 50 minutes. Will I have to grab this luggage from the baggage claim or will it be put on the plane for me?
Ali Garland
October 30, 2019 @ 11:50 am
Hi Cole! Wow, that’s a lot of layovers! In general, your luggage should be tagged to go to your final destination. BUT are all your flights booked on one itinerary? If yes, then they really should be able to transfer your luggage from one flight to the next – and the airline employee who takes your checked bags should be able to confirm this. But if you’ve booked separate itineraries in there at all, you’ll have to claim and recheck your luggage between any flights that are not on the same itinerary.
The US and Canada are pretty much the only countries that make you claim your luggage at the first airport in the country, so you shouldn’t even have to claim your luggage in Auckland if your flights are all on one itinerary. Again, it’s worth confirming this with the airline. And when I went to New Zealand, I didn’t have a connecting flight or checked luggage, so I’m not 100% certain of this, but when you land in Auckland, you’ll have to go through immigration and customs, so you can confirm with someone there whether you’ll need to claim and recheck luggage for a connecting flight.
Sorry I can’t give you a completely definite answer, but I’m 99% sure you won’t have to claim and recheck luggage at any point, as long as your flights are all on one itinerary.
Also, in Dunedin, check out Velvet Burger, so delicious!
Lovely Luna
October 23, 2019 @ 8:50 am
Hi, Iam from Manila flying from Manila to Newyork to Tampa Florida do i need to go through US customs and immigration,claim and recheck the luggage, and go through security and get stamped into the NewYork or look for the next gate going Tampa and get my passport stamp there final destination i have a 4-hour layover in NY.
Ali Garland
October 24, 2019 @ 2:24 pm
Hello! You’ll go through customs and immigration in New York since that’s your point of entry into the US. You’ll also have to claim and recheck your luggage and go through security again. I think 4 hours sounds like plenty of time for all of that though, so I wouldn’t worry about the timing there.
Steph
October 22, 2019 @ 5:27 am
Hi, I am flying from Edmonton, Canada to Denver with a 56 min layover, then onto Tampa – I’m nervous I’m definitely not going to make the connection… what are your thoughts?
Ali Garland
October 22, 2019 @ 9:59 am
Hi Steph! Many Canadian airports actually have US border procedures, so you would go through US customs and immigration and get stamped into the US before you even leave the Edmonton airport. Check our more info on the airport’s website: https://flyeia.com/flights/travelling-to-us/. So that means you will arrive in Denver as if you were coming from another US city. I can’t tell if you’ll have to go through security again, but I don’t think you’ll have to, I think the terminals are all connected beyond the security checkpoint, which means you’d only have to find your next gate. So I think you’ll be fine with 56 minutes for your layover. If you’re worried, I have a list of tips for short layovers here.
Jewel turcotte
October 19, 2019 @ 5:46 pm
Hi I have a United airlines 1hr 25 min layover arriving from SJD LOS Cabos to the IAH Houston airport and flying out on United airlines to Minneapolis . Arrive at 6:15 pm and fly out at 7:40. Is this doable and any suggestions. Trip is booked. Thank you for any advise!
Ali Garland
October 21, 2019 @ 11:07 am
Hi Jewel! That might be a little tight since you’ll be arriving from outside of the US and you’ll have to go through customs and immigration, claim and recheck your luggage, and go through security. That said, it’s not impossible, it just depends on the lines and how quickly things are moving when you arrive. For your flight to Houston, make sure your carry on bag is packed up before the plane lands so you’re not scrambling to put stuff away after the plane gets to the gate, that way you can get out faster. If possible, see if you can get an aisle seat as close to the front as possible so you can get out faster. Check out my other tips for short layovers here.
Doug
October 19, 2019 @ 5:54 am
I am flying Virgin Australia from MSP to LAX to Adelaide, Australia. Is three hours a long enough layover at LAX for the connecting flight to ADL?
Ali Garland
October 21, 2019 @ 10:59 am
Hi Doug! I can’t guarantee anything, but I think 3 hours is plenty of time for your layover at LAX. You might have to switch terminals, which might mean having to go through security again, but that’s about it.
Fred
October 15, 2019 @ 10:22 am
Hi, I will be flying United from HNL to IAH with a 47 min. layover in LAX. IS that long enough?
Ali Garland
October 15, 2019 @ 11:29 am
Hi Fred! LAX is a big airport, so it depends on how far you have to go to switch from one flight to the next. If you can find out what gate the HNL to LAX flight normally lands at and what gate the LAX to IAH flight normally leaves from, you’ll have a better idea if that’s long enough. 47 minutes is usually long enough for a domestic layover, so I wouldn’t worry too much, it’s just that LAX is so big. Try searching for your flights here: https://www.flylax.com/en/flight-search-list. I don’t know which specific flights are yours, but it looks like the gates are close. Maybe check that for a few days and see if they consistently use the same gates.
Jaimi
October 12, 2019 @ 4:17 am
Hi, I am Australian travelling Honolulu HNL to Rome FCO. I am looking at a 3h52m self transfer at LAX, then 2h45m self transfer at LGW. What do you think? Thank you so much!
Ali Garland
October 14, 2019 @ 11:23 am
Hi Jaimi! I think nearly 4 hours for the LAX layover sounds like plenty of time, even with the self transfer. If you have checked luggage, you’ll have to claim your bag and recheck it, and then you’ll have to go back through security to get to your next flight. But I still think you have enough time for that. For the LGW layover, you probably have enough time, but that one is definitely going to be tighter. Again, if you have checked luggage, you’ll have to claim it and recheck it with the next airline, but that means you’ll also have to go through immigration and customs, and then you’ll have to go through exiting passport control and security after checking your luggage. So you have more things to do with less time. If you are traveling with only carry on luggage, you can probably follow the signs that say “transfer” or “transit” or “connecting flights” and bypass customs and immigration in LGW, and that’ll save you a lot of time. But you’ll also want to be checked in for your LGW to FCO flight by that time so you can show your boarding pass to security. I hope this helps!
Mikey
October 10, 2019 @ 4:58 am
Hello, I’m flying from Nassau Bahamas to Orlando with a 21 hour layover is this long enough?
Ali Garland
October 11, 2019 @ 12:45 pm
Hi Mikey! I don’t know where your layover is, but a 21 hour layover sounds long enough for just about anything. It’s definitely long enough to make your connecting flight. It’s long enough to leave the airport and go explore whatever city your layover is in. It’s long enough to consider getting a hotel to get a few hours of sleep. I hope this helps!
Lewis
October 2, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
Hi, I’m flying into Boston from the UK in July 2020, with a layover of 1hr 38 mins before an onward flight to Orlando. How does this sound for time?
Thanks
Ali Garland
October 3, 2019 @ 11:47 am
Hi Lewis! It really depends on the lines that day. One hour 38 minutes could be plenty of time for your layover, or it could feel a bit tight if the lines are long. I can’t make you any guarantees, but if it were me, I’d probably feel ok taking a chance on that layover. Also worth looking at what other flights your airline has from Boston to Orlando, that way if they have a later flight you could either decide to switch to that flight or take a little comfort knowing if you miss your connection, you could probably get on a later flight. If you miss your connection because the first flight is late, the airline will rebook you. If the flight isn’t late and you still miss your connection, it’s really up to the airline if they’ll charge you or not to rebook you.
Lewis
October 3, 2019 @ 2:58 pm
Thanks, much appreciated!
Marco
October 1, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
Hi, I´m taking a flight from SYD -Australia to SAO- Brazil with a 8 hours layover in LAX airport as my second flight LAX-SAO will be in the same airline (AA) at the same day I wonder if I´ll have to grab my checked luggage and hold it till the second check in time or the airline company will take care of it giving me time to perhaps explore LA city carrying only my personal items. Thanks
Ali Garland
October 3, 2019 @ 11:38 am
Hi Marco! You will have to go through immigration and customs at LAX, so you’ll also have to claim and recheck your luggage. I haven’t flown through LAX in awhile so I don’t know what their set up is there, but some airports have a place to recheck your luggage by placing it on a conveyor belt immediately after customs, which means you won’t have to carry it far at all, but I don’t know if LAX is like that. If not, you’ll have to take your luggage back to the luggage drop counter. Sometimes with long layovers like you have, the airline won’t take your luggage that far ahead of your next flight, but that’s really up to the airline. My suggestion is to call AA’s customer service and ask what their policy is, and maybe they’ll know if LAX has a luggage drop/check-in right after customs. And if you do decide to go into the city during your layover, really make sure you calculate out the timing. LA is a huge city, and you’ll still need to be back at the airport a decent amount of time ahead of your next flight to get through security. Read about leaving the airport during a long layover here.
DLC
September 21, 2019 @ 1:54 am
Hello,
In November, I fly from IAD to LIMA, with a 55 minute layoff in SAL. I read SAL airport is not a big airport.
Is this 55 min layover enough time to catch next fly to LIMA.
Thanks
Ali Garland
September 24, 2019 @ 11:00 am
I’ve never flown through SAL, so I can’t say for sure, but since you’re not actually entering El Salvador, you shouldn’t have to deal with customs and immigration, so 55 minutes is probably fine. When you get off the plane, look for signs that say “transfer” or “transit” or “connecting flights” and go that way, which should let you bypass immigration. You’ll most likely have to go through security again, but that’s about it.
Megan R.
September 10, 2019 @ 6:03 am
I am a US citizen flying out of Montreal YUL and going to Portland, Oregon with 1hr 20min layover in SFO. I will have checked luggage because United only allows a 14lb carryon. Is that enough time to collect my bag, go through customs and back through security?
Ali Garland
September 11, 2019 @ 10:51 am
Hi Megan! Several airports in Canada, including Montreal, have US border control procedures, which means you’ll actually get cleared into the US while technically still in the Montreal airport. You can read more about it here: https://www.admtl.com/en/guide/customs-imigration-united-states. This means you won’t have to deal with customs and immigration in SFO, and your luggage should get transferred from the first flight to the second automatically. You will land in SFO as if it were a domestic flight. So you won’t need as much time for your layover, and I think 1 hour 20 minutes should be fine.
Aimee
September 4, 2019 @ 9:09 am
Hey, Please can you help me. My flight layover is in lax before arriving back in Sydney but it is only 1 hour long. Am I going to make this?
Ali Garland
September 4, 2019 @ 11:13 am
Hi Aimee! It depends on where you’re coming from and what part of the airport your first flight lands in. If your first flight is within the US, it’ll be easier to deal with, but if you’re flying from somewhere outside the US, you’ll have to go through immigration and customs, and that will take longer. You can find terminal maps here, and if you can find out where your first flight lands and where the next one takes off, at least you could see how far you might have to go and whether you’ll have to go through security again. I’d be a little nervous with only one hour at LAX because it’s a big airport, and international flights usually board earlier than domestic flights, so you really won’t have much time. Check out my post with tips on what to do if you have a short layover.
Donna DJ
August 26, 2019 @ 8:33 am
Hi!! Thanks so much for the info on this. Just wanted to double check – I have a Philippine passport, and will be taking Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to LAX with a layover in Seattle. Been trying (and failing) to see how big Seattle airport is and how far gates would be at the maximum as I am traveling with 2 senior citizens. Is 2 hours and 10mins enough of a layover in Seattle? We are definitely checking in luggage. First time flying Alaska Airlines, so I don’t know their track record with delayed flights. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks so much!
Ali Garland
August 26, 2019 @ 10:52 am
Hi Donna! In general, I’d say 2 hours 10 minutes is enough time for a domestic layover. If the other people you’re traveling with have any sort of mobility issues, you can contact the airline and ask for assistance. They might be able to help get your group from one gate to the next with either wheelchairs or one of those golf cart type things. That way if it is a long walk, they won’t be overburdened.
Also, I found this on the Seattle airport website: https://www.portseattle.org/sea-tac/connecting. You can put in Alaska as your airline and Los Angeles as your destination and your flight number, and it’ll show you where that flight takes off from. It only has the next couple of days, but you could check the day before your flight. Also, if you look at the top of the website where it says “SEA-TAC AIRPORT”, if you click on that, it’ll give you a dropdown menu where you can choose departing, arriving, or connecting, so you could click on arriving and put in the same info and see where the Anchorage to Seattle flight is landing.
Drew
August 25, 2019 @ 11:23 am
Hi. We are traveling from PHX to PHL early on a Wednesday morning. We have a connecting flight from PHL to AMS and only a 40 min layover. Will we have enough time to get off the plane and make it to our connecting flight in 40 minutes?
(We are only packing carryon)
Ali Garland
August 25, 2019 @ 11:53 am
Hi Drew! 40 minutes is a little tight, but it depends on where your PHX to PHL flight lands and where the PHL to AMS flight takes off from. International flights tend to start boarding earlier than domestic flights because they are bigger planes, so at 40 minutes out, they might be starting boarding already. Doesn’t mean you can’t make it on the flight, but you probably won’t have any time to waste. Don’t stop for the bathroom in the airport, do that on the flight before you land in PHL. (I have some other tips for short layovers here.) Also, if you can figure out what terminals you airline uses, that could help you understand how far you’ll have to go during your layover. I tried looking on the PHL airport website for a PHL to AMS flight but I can’t find one. It wouldn’t let me change the date though, so I could only look at today, and maybe there just isn’t one today. This site it good for seeing which airlines use which terminals: https://www.ifly.com/philadelphia-international-airport/terminal-map. Sorry I can’t give you a definitive answer, but I hope this helps!
Ali
August 19, 2019 @ 5:15 pm
Hi
We are returning to Manchester UK from San Francisco with a 7 hour layover in LAX, can we leave the airport (delta internal then Virgin onward trip home)?
Ali Garland
August 20, 2019 @ 11:28 am
Yes, but you want to make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport and through security before your next flight. I have more info about leaving the airport during a layover here. But the biggest thing is to understand that you don’t really have 7 hours. It takes time to get off the plane and through the airport. Plus however long it takes to get to where you want to go outside the airport. Plus the time getting back to the airport. Plus it’s usually recommended that you’re at the airport 2 hours ahead of your flight so you can get through security and whatever else you need to do. So once you know where you want to go outside the airport and how long it takes to get there and back, plus some cushion time, see what kind of time you’re left with.
Megan Winter
August 15, 2019 @ 2:45 pm
Hi! I am booking two flights on different airlines(!). First is from Israel to Heathrow, landing at 10:30am. The second flies out from Heathrow to JFK, New York – how long should I leave for the layover? I have a few options: one leaving at 5:30pm, 7:30pm, as well as earlier ones at 1:30pm and 3:30pm. What do you recommend? I am worried the first flight may be delayed.
Ali Garland
August 16, 2019 @ 11:39 am
Hi Megan! When you say two different airlines, I’m going to assume you mean two different itineraries, that you’re booking one and then booking the other. This means if you have any checked luggage, you’ll have to claim it in Heathrow and recheck it with the second airline. It also means you’ll have to go through immigration and customs to get to your luggage, and then you’ll have to go through exiting passport control to get to your second flight. All of that will take extra time. The 1:30pm flight might be ok, but that would definitely make me nervous if there are any delays. I think any of the other options would be fine, so it’s really up to you and your comfort level. But it’s better to have more time than not enough, and you can always use extra time to get something to eat in the airport, do some shopping, or hang out in a lounge.
Amanda
August 13, 2019 @ 4:55 pm
Hi,
Great articles! I found them to be really helpful and wanted to ask about a specific trip I have coming up to Spain via Norwegian and easy jet. We are considering booking a long saturday daytime layover to London Gatwick (approx 8-13 hrs with varying options) so that we can then travel to London. We plan to carry on. How long is enough time to do this? Are you familiar with luggage storage options and if a Visa is needed to visit?
Thank you!
Amanda
Ali Garland
August 15, 2019 @ 11:46 am
Hi Amanda! I don’t know where you’re coming from so it’s hard to say if you’ll need a visa, but if you’re a US citizen, you don’t need a visa to visit the UK. Otherwise, look up your nationality on the UK embassy website. I once did a long layover in London from Gatwick, and I had 11 hours, which was plenty of time. You’d probably be fine with a little less, but remember to account for the time it takes to get through immigration, get into the city, and then getting back to the airport, through exiting passport control and security, and being at the airport ahead of your flight. A longer layover might be better. You can take the Gatwick Express, which runs between Gatwick and Victoria Station, and takes 30 minutes each way. There are left luggage places in Gatwick outside of security, or you could look for a place through Stasher to store your bags for the day.
Nikhil M
August 13, 2019 @ 4:49 am
Hey – I am travelling from Sacramento to Las Vegas on Delta / United. Both are giving me a short layover at LA and SFO respectively for a period of 45 minutes / 1 hour. Assuming 1 luggage would at least be checked in – will I still be able to make it to the other flight or should I be looking for American Airlines which gives me an hour and 40 minutes at LAX.
Ali Garland
August 15, 2019 @ 11:37 am
Those don’t sound like overly short layovers, although I might choose 1 hour at SFO over 45 minutes at LAX since LAX is such a huge airport. Another thing to consider is where your first flight lands and the next one takes off. If you will have to change terminals with one layover but not the other, I’d choose the one where you don’t have to change terminals because that’ll be a lot faster. Here’s a map of the terminals at SFO: https://www.flysfo.com/maps. If you click on “airlines” towards the left and then choose Delta, it shows some info about where Delta operates from, including “Delta Air Lines domestic flights are located in Terminal 1, Boarding Area C, Gates 40-48.” That sounds super easy, and you shouldn’t have to go far to transfer from one flight to the next, which means 1 hour is plenty of time for your layover. SFO would be my choice with this info!
Anna
August 9, 2019 @ 3:32 pm
My apologies if this has already been asked. I have a flight from Hartford (BDL) to Atlanta (ATL), and then from Atlanta to Austin, TX (AUS). I’m flying Delta, and I only have 51 minutes in between these two flights.
I only have a carry on so no checked luggage to worry about. I’ve also already been to the Atlanta airport, it does require running a bit to another terminal. But I was wondering, with no checked luggage, if that seems doable? I’m stressed about it knowing if there are any delays I might be screwed. Was also wondering if you know if Delta is accommodating if flights are missed because of a delay or something?
Thanks so much!
-Anna
Ali Garland
August 9, 2019 @ 6:37 pm
Hi Anna! A 51 minute layover is a little short but not impossible. If you do have to change terminals, just follow the signs towards baggage claim and the other terminals until you reach the tram. Take the tram to your next terminal, and head towards your gate. Helps that you won’t have to go through security again. It is a big airport, but it’s pretty well organized. (I used to live in Atlanta, so I might be biased!) If you miss your connection because your first flight is late, Delta should rebook you on a later flight. In general, airlines are pretty good about that kind of thing if it’s due to a late flight and both of your flights are on one itinerary.
Bex
August 5, 2019 @ 5:32 pm
Hi,
I’m getting a United Airlines flight from Bogota to Athens with a layover in New York Newark (2 hr 5 min).
Is this enough time in Newark? Will I have to collect my bags and go through security if my final destination isn’t the US?
Thanks,
Bex
Ali Garland
August 6, 2019 @ 11:45 am
Hi Bex! Unfortunately the US makes every passenger go through customs and immigration, as well as claim and recheck luggage, even if your final destination is outside the US. So if you’re transiting through the US, you’ll have to do this too. This also means if you’re not a US citizen, you should check if you need a visa for the US. A 2 hour layover might be a little tight, but it could also be quick. Not an impossible layover.
Jade
August 3, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
I will travel to US using k1 visa from philippines.just want to know if i can do my port of entry in hawaii and stay for a week with my fiance before fly to LAX going to his state.
Ali Garland
August 4, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Hi Jade! I don’t know enough about visa questions to answer that kind of thing. But in general, you have to do immigration procedures in whichever airport is the first one where you enter the US, so I can’t imagine it would be a problem. But you should really ask the US embassy or whoever you were dealing with to get your K1 visa, since they would know the rules and how it all works. Sorry I can’t help!
Nicola
August 2, 2019 @ 3:59 pm
Hi, I’ve visited Orlando from the UK several times with changeovers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Atlanta – each time we have had to go through immigration & collect luggage and then re-drop luggage – our stays were on average 2.5 hrs and it was a breeze in all of the airports. I have to say the US are very organised at this sort of thing, it has always gone without a hitch for us. I have stressed stood in the queue at immigration sometimes but we have always made our connecting flights. 👍
Ali Garland
August 2, 2019 @ 4:20 pm
Thanks for sharing, Nicola! Glad to hear you’ve had good experiences!
Cyenna
August 2, 2019 @ 1:18 am
Hi!! I am in desperate need of advice! I am trying to figure out with flights to book for my upcoming trip to Brazil, I live in Canada so unfortunately I will have to stop at least 2 times on the way there and back. I am not worried for the domestic layovers because in Canada those are super easy but I have never had a layover in the US and that is worrisome. The way the flights are connected I would have a layover in Canada and one in the US then I will go to Brazil however I am worried I wont have enough time for my US layovers. On the way there I am looking at a 3 hour layover in either Boston or New York or a 7 hour layover in Miami which is good because at this point I think the longer the better because I am unfamiliar with the US airports, so I’ll likely go with the Miami option. I need advice thought because I do not know if I will have to go through customs or anything during that layover or if I will have to collect my checked luggage in the US and if this will give me enough time. I also in advice for a return flight because the layovers in the US are much shorter on the way home, typically around 3 hours for all my options but they are planned differently, there is no layover in Canada they are both in the US, is this enough time? On the way home would I have to go through passport check or collect my luggage before heading back to Canada? Please please help!
Ali Garland
August 2, 2019 @ 3:15 pm
Hi Cyenna! Unfortunately the US makes every single person go through immigration, even if you’re only transiting through to another country, and you’ll have to claim and recheck luggage, so that will take some extra time. That said, 3 hours should be enough time in most cases. I can’t make you any guarantees, but I personally would be ok with a 3 hour layover. A 7 hour layover sounds really long, but if that feels more comfortable to you, go for it. You can use the time to get some food, relax in a lounge, etc.
Stephanie A.
July 29, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
Okay, I’m stressin and need some reassurance. We are flying from Salt Lake City to Oakland with Delta. Then, we are flying from Oakland to Maui on Southwest. We will have to do some luggage collecting and re-checking, as well as security, etc. because it’s a different airline. Is 1.5 hours enough time to do this? It looks like the terminals are right next to each other at the Oakland airport, but my husbands got me in a panic now lol.
Ali Garland
August 2, 2019 @ 12:31 pm
Hi Stephanie! That is a tight layover, especially considering your flights are not on the same itinerary. Oakland doesn’t look like a huge airport, but according to their terminal map, which you can see here, Southwest is in one terminal while Delta is in the other. So after you land and collect your luggage, you’ll have to get to the other terminal to drop off your luggage with Southwest. Some airlines have a separate checked luggage drop off counter for people who have already checked in online, so that might help, but I’m not sure if Southwest does that or not. I’d definitely recommend checking in for the Southwest flight online and either using e-tickets or printing your tickets. That way you’ll have one less thing to do in Oakland. Also, if possible, on the first flight try to get seats as close to the front as possible, and seats on the aisle (or one of you on the aisle, the other in the middle seat) so you can get off the plane as quickly as possible. I hope this helps!
James A.
July 23, 2019 @ 12:25 am
Hi!! Please help! I am looking to book a flight to Bali(DPS) from Los Angeles with checked in luggage. There is a connecting flight stop in HongKong with only 1 hour in between connecting flight to Bali. My question is.. should i book this flight or is it a bad idea? The flight would be purchased thru HongKong air website as a round trip. Would i have to recheck my bag in HK or only in Bali? If so, then 1 hour would definitely not be enough time.
Ali Garland
July 23, 2019 @ 10:16 am
Hi James! If you’re booking both flights on one itinerary (so both in one transaction, LAX-DPS) then I think one hour should be fine. I can’t make you any guarantees, but that isn’t so bad. You shouldn’t have to go through immigration in Hong Kong since you’re only transiting. Look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and you should be able to bypass customs and immigration, though you might have to go through security. Your checked luggage should also get transferred from one flight to the next so you don’t need to pick it up in HK, only when you arrive in Bali. I hope this helps!
Katie
July 20, 2019 @ 2:04 am
Hi! Planning a flight for my semester abroad in the US, travelling from the UK so I was hoping for some advice, sorry if something like this has been asked before. First flight is from Edinburgh to Newark with a 2 hour 45 min stopover, then a flight to Pittsburgh. I was wondering if this was enough time between the 2 US flights, since I’ll have to go through security and everything, and also, if I’m flying with the same airline the entire time do I have to collect and re-check my bag at Newark or just collect it in Pittsburgh? Sorry not totally confident on what checked baggage means, this is my first time travelling and arranging it on my own!
Ali Garland
July 22, 2019 @ 10:44 am
Hi Katie! I think 2 hours 45 minutes should be enough time for your layover in Newark. You will have to claim and recheck your checked baggage (or maybe you call it hold baggage in the UK…it’s the baggage you don’t keep with you) when you arrive in Newark. It’s a US thing, they make everyone do it at the first US airport. So when you land, you’ll first go through immigration/passport control to get stamped into the US. Then you go to baggage claim and get your checked luggage. Then you go through customs. After customs, you recheck your luggage so it will go on the Newark to Pittsburgh flight. Some airports have a recheck area right there past customs where everyone can drop their luggage, which is super easy, but not all airports do it. If you don’t see that (and feel free to ask if you’re not sure!) then you’ll have to take it back to the airline’s check-in/luggage drop counter. And at some point you’ll also have to go through security again before you can get to the gate for your Newark to Pittsburgh flight. I hope that helps!
uday
July 17, 2019 @ 6:05 pm
hi!
planning to book a flight for melbourne from delhi. find costwise cathey pacific flight [CX-698 & CX-163] most attractive. But, it’s having one layover of 4 hrs 10 mts in hongkong involving change of plane. bit worried on this count as we two are elderly people and have almost nil experience of going thru layover (that too involving a change of plane!) in international travel. can you advise me how to handle this? please tell me what all it will involve … will it involve the follwings:-
– we to collect our check-in luggage in hongkong?
– once againto to undergo baggage, passport , visa, immigration, security etc check?
– distance to travel & how long it may take for us in hongkong airport to reboard for melbourne?
– any other important tips and advice, please.
thanks in advance
Ali Garland
July 18, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
Hi Uday! A 4 hour layover is plenty of time. As long as you’re booking all flights on one itinerary (as opposed to separate transactions) your luggage will be tagged to go all the way to your final destination and you won’t have to deal with checked bags during your layover. In most cases, you won’t have to deal with customs and immigration on your layover either since you’re just transiting through. When you land in Hong Kong, look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights”. You will probably have to go through security again in order to get to your next gate, just depends on where your first flight lands and where the next one leaves from. But just follow the signs to your next gate and you’ll either arrive or you’ll have to go through security first. You can’t really go wrong by following the signs to your next gate. If you get confused, ask an airport employee or look for an info desk to ask someone. And 4 hours is plenty of time, even if you get a little lost.
uday
July 18, 2019 @ 5:37 pm
thanks a lot. it’s of great help. thanks again.
Pete
May 7, 2019 @ 7:41 pm
Hello,
Flying Air Canada from Calgary to Phoenix with a layover in Vancouver of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
We plan on just doing carry ons. Do we have to go through customs in Calgary and Vancouver? Or just one time in Calgary?
Thank you for your input.
Ali Garland
May 8, 2019 @ 6:39 pm
Hi Pete! So your itinerary is Calgary to Vancouver to Phoenix, right? You won’t do any passport control or customs procedures in Calgary because Calgary to Vancouver is a domestic flight. Canada, like the US, does not do exiting passport control, so you won’t have to deal with that in Vancouver. However, Vancouver has US border control, so you’ll actually go through US customs procedures while still in the Vancouver airport. You can read about how it works here: http://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/navigate-yvr/customs-and-immigration/us-customs-and-border-protection
Aelita
April 11, 2019 @ 8:18 pm
Hi Ali,
Very helpful article! Haven’t booked my flight yet, but would like your advice. Will book an American Airlines flight to Amsterdam this summer from NY with a 1 hour 30 minute layover in Philadelphia. Flying in Business Class. Is that enough time? My other option is to book via London, (I think their layover is longer though) but the taxes & surcharges would be more expensive (although I’m using miles).
Thanks,
Aelita
Ali Garland
April 12, 2019 @ 10:29 am
Thanks, glad to help! I wouldn’t worry much about that layover. When you’re leaving the US, you don’t really have to do anything different as compared to domestic flights because there’s no exiting passport control in the US. I haven’t flown through Philadelphia in years, but from a quick search, it looks like all terminals are connected beyond the security checkpoint, so you should be able to get from your first flight to the second without having to go through security again. I’d probably choose Philadelphia over London, but either is probably fine.
Bettina
March 26, 2019 @ 3:56 am
Hi Ali! Sorry I did not see your article before booking flights. Somewhat worried now. International trip from ATL to IAD with hour and 19 min. layover before connecting flight to GVA. Return trip is hour and 53 min. layover in IAD before connecting flight to ATL. Mainly concerned about shortest layover. Should I be concerned?
Ali Garland
March 26, 2019 @ 11:07 am
Hi Bettina! I wouldn’t worry too much about the layover for your flight leaving the US. Your checked luggage will automatically be transferred to your next flight. There’s no exiting passport control, so there really aren’t any extra steps as compared to a domestic flight. You might have to go through security again depending on how the airport is set up and if you have to change terminals. I haven’t flown through IAD, so I’m not sure if there are separate security checkpoints for each terminal. But even if you do have to go through security again, I think that’s enough time, unless there’s a crazy long line. I’d probably go for it if I was doing that flight.
On your return flight, you’ll have to go through immigration and customs, claim and recheck your luggage, and go through security again at IAD. That could take longer, but in general I think your layover time should be sufficient. It’s totally hit or miss whether the lines will be long.
Thomas
March 20, 2019 @ 5:29 pm
Hello Ali!
For my journey back to Europe I have to take a flight from Chattanooga (11:00 ) to Boston
(16:29) with a change in Charlotte (1hour 50) then take my plane to Munich at 20:10. I have 2 deferents tickets an compagnies.
Is 3h30 enough with checked luggage and an european passport?
Ali Garland
March 25, 2019 @ 11:19 am
Hi Thomas! So if I’m understanding you correctly, you’re flying Chattanooga-Charlotte-Boston with one airline, and then Boston-Munich with a separate airline. If you booked those separately, you’ll have to go claim your checked luggage in Boston, check it in with the next airline, and then go through security again to get to your Munich flight. I think 3 hours 30 minutes is plenty of time for that. There isn’t any formal exiting passport control in the US like there is in most of the rest of the world. The airline employee who checks you in for the Boston-Munich flight will want to see your passport, but that’s about it. So yes, I think you’ll have plenty of time.
Eli
March 6, 2019 @ 5:11 pm
Hi Ali,
I just saw your article – very interesting. I need some advise: I’m trying to plan my return flight, from Athens to Boston. I can do 1 of 2 things. I can do Athens – Rome – Rome – Boston layover is only 1hour and 55mins. Is that enough time? I know my luggage will be sent all the way to Boston from Athens, but after reading your article I’m afraid if there is a delay from Athens to Rome, I’m kind of screwed. Do you think 1hour and 55mins is enough time in the middle of the summer at FCO? I’m leaning towards Athens – JFK – JFK -Boston, which is a 2hour and 20mins layover, which is kind of longer, but even if anything goes wrong, there are hourly flights from JFK to Boston that i could jump on.
The only reason I’m debating Athens – Rome – Rome – Boston vs the other, is that the one via Rome is about $200 cheaper, but might not be worth all the stress.
Let me know your thoughts….thanks for reading my question!
Ali Garland
March 8, 2019 @ 12:20 pm
Hi Eli! I think either layover is fine. I personally might lean towards the Athens-Rome-Boston flight because going then you’re going through US customs and immigration at your final airport, instead of having to do it at JFK and hoping you can get through plus having to claim and recheck luggage. Lines in either airport are unpredictable, but I tend to think exiting passport control in Europe is faster than US border control. You’d do exiting passport control in Rome if you picked that layover, which essentially means waiting in line to get your passport stamped. You’re right about the other option though, it does help that there are frequent flights from JFK to Boston. I think it’s a judgement call. I’m not a fan of JFK, so I’d pick the Rome layover, but if connecting in JFK makes you feel more comfortable, that’s a valid choice. I don’t think there’s a wrong choice here.
Eli
March 8, 2019 @ 2:53 pm
Thank you for the speedy response!
Now you made me think of another thing – if I do decide to take the Athens – Rome- Boston, – do you think passport control will be long lines in the middle of the summer, let alone last week of August, when everyone is trying to get back home? Then again, the flight from Athens to Rome is super short, it should only take 45mins, so even if there was a line, I would be fine, since I wouldn’t have to grab my luggage, since it’s heading all the way to Boston, unlike you mentioned JFK customs, and having my luggage with me and having to put it back on the flight…… I’m sorry i haven’t taken a connecting flight in ages – I usually take non-stop whenever I travel, but they stopped servicing nonstop Boston -Athens!arghhhhhh!
Eli
March 8, 2019 @ 5:04 pm
Actually now that i think, i might not need to do passport control in Rome, since I’m going it in Athens and it’s part of EU. So I would land and just go through security to my gate…
Ali Garland
March 8, 2019 @ 7:53 pm
Actually, you’ll go through exiting passport control in the last Schengen city you fly through, so if you book the Athens-Rome-Boston flight, you’ll go through passport control in Rome. The Athens-Rome flight will be similar to a domestic flight in the US. The line could be long or short, unfortunately it’s really hard to predict.
Tom Dillon
February 26, 2019 @ 2:47 am
In general, is 1 hour 5 minutes a long-enough layover for domestic flight through DEN? April 2, 2019 flight from Grand Rapids MI to St George UT, flying United both legs. Round trip return flights about 10 days later
Ali Garland
February 26, 2019 @ 6:22 pm
Hi Tom! For most US airports, I think an hour is long enough for a layover. There are exceptions for some of the bigger airports, but I think you’ll be fine for Denver. It looks like there’s a shuttle train between terminals that’ll save you a few minutes if your gates aren’t in the same terminal.
Ken
June 26, 2018 @ 7:57 pm
Hi Ali,
Thanks for your posts! I’ve tried to review everything that’s been posted here before, so I’m not asking the same questions of you. But I’m still unsure what I should do, so I’m asking! I’m flying into LAX (American Airlines), arriving at 9:40pm, and have a 3 hour layover until my international flight to Taiwan (China Airlines) at 12:45am. I booked the flights separately, so will have to re-check luggage. At that time of night, do you think 3 hours is enough? My biggest fear is that there’s a flight delay into LAX. So, really, I’m wondering what the minimum time would be for a layover at that time of night. AT this point, it may be worth re-booking my trip to arrive at LAX a couple of hours earlier. Thanks for your insight!
Ali Garland
June 27, 2018 @ 11:05 am
No worries, Ken, there are too many comments on this post to dig through! This is a tough one. I’m assuming your flight to LAX is from within the US, so you won’t have to deal with customs and immigration when you get there. If you have two separate flights booked, you’ll need to go out to baggage claim and then recheck your bag, but if you’re already checked in for the LAX to Taiwan flight, it might be easier to drop off your luggage since some airlines have a separate line for baggage check when you already have a boarding pass. (I don’t know if China Airlines has this or not.) Then you need to get through security again and to your next gate. I feel like 3 hours should be long enough, especially if your flight to LAX is domestic. I can’t make you any guarantees though, so if you don’t feel comfortable with the 3 hour layover, you should consider booking an earlier flight to LAX. And if your flight to LAX is delayed enough that you miss your China Airlines flight, China Airlines is under no obligation to help you get on another flight. So that’s your real risk. I think 3 hours is probably enough time, IF your first flight is on time. If it’s not too much extra to rebook the first flight, it might be worth it for some peace of mind.
Liz Rosio
March 7, 2018 @ 4:17 am
Hi Ali! Wonderful article, thank you for the post! So, unfortunately I didn’t figure this out until after I bought my tickets (I bought it all in one go-a package deal, so I think it’s an itinerary flight). I’m going to London England this summer for a month for school (will be coming back Sat, July 21st), but my return to the U.S. has me a bit worried. I’ve never traveled internationally or had to book my own tickets alone before, so I thought that an hour and twenty five minute layover would be okay, but now I’m not so sure. On my return, I will be leaving Heathrow airport and arriving at JFK NY airport at 2:50PM (approx. 1 hr after peak time, although still busy-according to my research) in terminal 4 (one of the better ones apparently?) I will have to go through immigration and customs, as well as rechecking my bag (I think). Then, my connecting flight leaves at 4:15PM, also out of terminal 4 (I think I may have to pass through security again to get back in). Will I have enough time to get through? Do they have fast lanes for connecting flights? Or should I contact someone in order to get something figured out (and if so, who?)? And if I do miss my flight, am I responsible to pay for a new one? I’m also traveling with a friend (she has never flown before) and I’m mostly concerned about her. What should I do? Thank you so much!
Ali Garland
March 8, 2018 @ 4:00 pm
Hi Liz! You will have to go through immigration and customs in JFK, plus claim and recheck your luggage. You will also have to go through security again before you can continue on to your next gate. An hour 25 minutes is a bit tight, though not impossible. The last time I flew through JFK, there weren’t any fast lanes for connecting flights, but it’s been a few years, so things could’ve changed. You would need to call the airline and ask what their policy is if you miss your connecting flight due to lines at customs (as opposed to the first flight being late) so at least you’ll know your options ahead of time. Often if you miss a connecting flight due to some reason other than the first flight being delayed, it’s your responsibility to rebook another flight. I’m not sure where your final destination is, but you could ask the airline about changing your second flight to something later if that’s possible. Also check out my tips for short layovers here.
DLC
July 11, 2017 @ 12:16 am
I’m planning on flying from DTW to Medellin, with two connecting to FLL and Bogota. Flight lands at 9:33am in FLL, and flight from FLL to BOG leaves at 10:31am. The flight for BOG lands at 1:15, with a 2:15 hr layover. The flight for BOG leaves at 15:30 going to Medellin. I only have a carry-on bag.
Will I have enough time to both catch the FLL (58 min layover) flight , and the Medellin (having to go through customs) flight….Thx
Ali Garland
July 12, 2017 @ 10:27 pm
Hi! The 58 minute layover in FLL is a little tight, but it’s not a huge airport, so I think you’ll probably be ok. The US doesn’t have any exiting passport control or anything, other than the agent who checks you in looking at your passport. When you land, you just have to find your next gate. The 2 hour 15 minute layover in Bogota doesn’t sound too bad either. Yes, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration, and maybe security, but I think you have enough time. You probably don’t want to waste any time, so I usually suggest going to the bathroom on the plane (so you don’t have to deal with it when you get off the plane) shortly before they start landing procedures, make sure anything you’ve taken out of your carry-on bag is packed up before landing, and go straight to customs when you land. Then find your next gate before doing anything else like getting food or whatever. That way you can see how much time you have left if you do want a snack. Enjoy your trip!
Nicola Lawton
June 19, 2017 @ 10:44 am
Hi, When we originally booked our flight we had 3 hrs layover at Boston (flying in from Orlando before going off to Heathrow) – now they have changed the flight time from Orlando so we only have 58 mins to change flights in Boston – as we are leaving the US we don’t have baggage to collect or security but even still they shouldn’t be allowed to do this, its very stressful and when I called they don’t seem bothered by it. I’m trying to find out which gate we’ll land at and which gate we fly out of so I’m prepared to run! Any experience of Boston Airport?
Ali Garland
June 20, 2017 @ 12:56 pm
Hi Nicola, that does sound frustrating. A 58 minute layover in Boston on your way OUT of the US shouldn’t be too bad though. Here’s some info on the airport’s website about getting between terminals, in case you land in one terminal and depart from another: https://www.massport.com/logan-airport/inside-the-airport/terminals/ I haven’t flown in/out of Boston in many years, but it looks like the distances from one terminal to another aren’t too far. If you can get your seat changed on the first flight so you’re on the aisle and as close to the front as possible, you’ll be able to get off the plane quicker. Finding out your gate ahead of time will help some since you’ll be able to look at the terminal map. This one might be a little tight, but I think you can make it. Be sure to check out my tips for dealing with short layovers, and enjoy your trip!
Christine
May 6, 2017 @ 10:25 pm
Found this blog while researching travel advice for my honeymoon… great info! How would this work for 2 international airports? We’re leaving from Quebec City (YQB) which has to make a stop in Toronto. We live in the US (Newark Airport). Do we need a long layover for passport check, etc.? When do they check our passport – Quebec or Toronto?
We’ve only been on one other international trip, but we got nonstop flights (much easier!) Unfortunately YQB -> EWR is well over $400 one way, even though it’s a 1.5 hour flight. So we’re definitely doing a layover.
Ali Garland
May 9, 2017 @ 11:05 am
Thanks Christine, glad to help! So I think I understand correctly, you’re flying YQB to YYZ to EWR, right? You will go through passport control in Toronto to exit Canada. You will also most likely go through US customs and immigration while you’re still in the Toronto airport because it’s one of a handful of places outside the US that has US customs agents. So you will need some time there. The Toronto airport has a great site with info for connecting flights. Check it out here (you have to put in your airline and origin/destination info) and it will tell you what to do, including whether or not you’ll have to claim and recheck your luggage. But I don’t think you want to skimp on time here.
Robert Goss
May 19, 2017 @ 7:03 pm
i am thinking about booking a flight from ATL to SIN with a 1 hour and 50 minute lay over in ICN. is this lay over in ICN long enough?
Thanks.
Ali Garland
May 22, 2017 @ 12:17 pm
Hi Robert! I think that should be long enough. Since you aren’t staying in South Korea, you shouldn’t have to go through customs and immigration in ICN. When you get off the plane, look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and you should be able to bypass customs, go through security, and continue to your next gate.
Robert Goss
May 22, 2017 @ 9:11 pm
What about an 1 hour and 20 minute lay over in ICN?
Ali Garland
May 23, 2017 @ 9:42 am
Hmm…probably doable, but if your choices are 1 hour 20 minutes or 1 hour 50 minutes, I’d probably go with the slightly longer one. It’s not so long that you’ll be bored out of your mind at the airport, it gives you a little time to find something to eat, go to the bathroom and stretch your legs, and it gives you a buffer in case the first flight is a little late or there’s a long line at security. That’s how I’d decide on it anyway.
Paul
April 28, 2017 @ 12:54 am
Hey Ali,
Came across your site as I’m in the process of researching some things ahead of a Europe trip.
I see that you are pretty busy with replying to posts and such so I will appreciate any advice that you are able to give me.
Basically I found a flight on Norwegian Air’s website that takes us from Newburgh (SWF) to Bergen (BGO) overnight 2035-0955. The layover is 1 hour with the next flight leaving to Paris Orly (ORY) at 1055 AM.
If the airline supplies this flight, do I have to worry about any layover issues?
Thanks again for your time and blessings for you!
Ali Garland
April 28, 2017 @ 12:26 pm
Hi Paul! In general, if you miss your connection because the first flight is late and both flights are together on one itinerary, the airline will get you on another flight. If you miss your connection when there is NO delay, they usually put the responsibility on you. So if you land in Paris on time and it takes an hour to get through customs and immigration, therefore you miss your next flight, they might not be so helpful and they might not put you on another flight for free. I’ve never flown through Paris Orly before, so I’m not familiar with it, but it’s smaller than CDG (the main international airport in Paris) so maybe an hour isn’t so bad. Here’s a map and some other info about the airports and how to get around: http://www.ifly.com/paris-orly-airport/terminal-map. And if you decide to take this flight, check out my tips for dealing with short layovers.
Carolyn
April 19, 2017 @ 12:59 pm
Hi. I booked tickets a few weeks ago from NYC to Rome, with a connecting flight to Bari. The layover is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Do you think this enough time? I don’t know Fiumicino airport – does anyone know how close the terminals are?
Ali Garland
April 20, 2017 @ 5:27 pm
Hi Carolyn! Here’s some info on which terminals serve which flights: http://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-which-terminal# A 1 hour 15 minute layover sounds a little tight considering you’ll have to go through customs and immigration in Rome, but it’s not impossible. There’s also a basic map of the airport and some more info about terminals here: http://www.ifly.com/rome-leonardo-da-vinci-airport/terminal-map
I don’t think this layover is impossible, so if it’s your only reasonable option, it’s probably worth going for it and hoping for the best. Otherwise, you might want to contact the airline and see if there’s a later option to get from Rome to Bari. If you decide to stick with your original itinerary, check out my tips for dealing with short layovers.
Suresh
April 12, 2017 @ 4:38 am
I have 2 hours and 30 mins layover in Orly Airport in Paris.
I will be arriving at 10.55 AM from Venice and needs to catch American Airlines flight at 1.40 PM in Orly Airport in Paris.
I will be checking in my luggage and my kids also will be travelling with me.
Is this time sufficient ?
Thank you and appreciate your time
Ali Garland
April 12, 2017 @ 10:32 am
Hi Suresh! Yes, I think that should be enough time. I’m guessing you’re flying to the US (because of American Airlines) so when you arrive in Orly, you’ll have to go through passport control to be stamped out of the Schengen Zone, and you will most likely have to go through security. Your checked luggage should be tagged to go all the way to your final destination, so you won’t have to worry about that in Orly.
Suresh
April 13, 2017 @ 2:10 am
How do i get my checked luggage be tagged to go all the way to the final destination ?
I am planning to come from Venice to Paris [ Orly ] through easyjet and fly from Paris [ Orly] to New York through American Airlines
The two airlines are different
Ali Garland
April 13, 2017 @ 11:11 am
Ok, you didn’t mention that before. That does make a difference since they’re two different airlines. When you get to Orly, you’ll have to claim your checked luggage, go to the American Airlines counter, check in for the next flight, and re-check your luggage with them. Then after that, you’ll go through passport control to get stamped out of the Schengen Zone, and go through security before reaching your next gate.
Here’s some info about Orly: http://www.ifly.com/paris-orly-airport/terminal-map It looks like you might be landing in one terminal and leaving from the other, based on what they say about long haul vs short haul flights. But there’s a frequent shuttle between the two. Check the last paragraph where it describes how to get from one to the other.
I think 2 1/2 hours might be a little tight, but it’s definitely not impossible. Exiting passport control procedures is usually faster than when you’re entering a country, so as long as the lines aren’t too long, that part shouldn’t be too bad. I hope this helps!
Anna
March 26, 2017 @ 11:04 pm
Hi,
I booked a vacation package from NYC to Mexico. I have a 2 stop flight on United to Cancun and a direct flight on the way back to NYC. My 2 stop flight originally had a layover of 1 hr 30 min in IAD (Washingsinton D.C.), but I see that they just changed the second leg of my flight and now my layover is only 56 min. Do you think that is enough time?
Should I contact United since they changed the flight on me? I am worried about making the connection. I do not want to get stranded in DC for the night.
Thank you.
Anna
March 27, 2017 @ 4:54 am
I meant one stop flight! Sorry.
Ali Garland
March 28, 2017 @ 8:01 pm
Hi Anna! A 56 minute layover when re-entering the US is tough! You have to go through passport control/immigration and customs, plus claim and recheck your luggage and go through security. If there are lines at immigration, this could take a long time. It’s not impossible, but personally I’d be nervous with such a short layover. I’d recommend calling the airline and asking what your options are and what their policy is if the flight to IAD is on time but you miss your connection. (If the flight is late, it’s usually their responsibility to get you on another flight, but not always the case if the flight is on time.)
Anna
April 2, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
Hi Ali,
Thanks for your reply. I meant that the 56 min layover is on my way to Cancun so I would not be passing through immigration. The flight is LGA to IAD -56 min layover- and then IAD to CUN (Cancun).
Do you think that is still doable?
Sorry for the confusion.
Ali Garland
April 4, 2017 @ 10:14 am
Sorry, I misunderstood! Leaving the US is a little easier/quicker than entering because you don’t go through customs and immigration. You’ll just have to get off the first plane and find your next gate. You might have to change terminals, which can take some time, but I think you have a better chance with this one.
sc
January 29, 2017 @ 8:44 pm
Hi Ali !
I’m interested in booking a flight from Salt Lake City to Florence on Air France ,with a 1hr and 20 minute layover in Paris (CDG).I’ll have one piece checked luggage and a carry on.Is 1 hr and 20 min good enought in CDG ? There is another option with a 3 hr and 50 min layover. Do you think I would better choose a longer layover ?
Thank you very much!
SC
Ali Garland
January 29, 2017 @ 10:49 pm
Hi! I’d probably choose the longer layover. An hour and 20 minutes could be long enough, but CDG is a big airport, you’ll have to go through immigration and customs when you land in order to get stamped into the Schengen Zone, and you might have to change terminals to get to your connecting flight. It’s a tough call because lines could be short, and you might get through really quickly. But if the line is long or you have to get from one end of the airport to the other, you might not have enough time. 3 hours 50 minutes isn’t horribly long, and at least it gives you time to find something to eat. But if you decide to go with the shorter layover, be sure to check out my tips for short layovers here. Either way, I hope you have a great time in Florence!
George
December 23, 2016 @ 5:01 pm
Hi Ali,
I’m travelling from YYZ-EWR-HKG (staying for 2 weeks)-SIN. On the way back, I go from SIN-HKG-EWR (6 hour layover)-YYZ. I would really like to skip the last leg of my flight and stay in New York for a week or two before flying on a new flight back to YYZ (I tried calling and asking them if I could change the last leg, but they said it would cost $400, which is more than the cost to just book a new flight from EWR-YYZ). I know that hidden city ticketing is frowned upon, but I was just wondering if there would be a chance to pick up my checked bags at EWR during the customs/bag re-check and leave? Or would I only be able to do this with carry-on bags.
Ali Garland
December 24, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
That’s a tricky one, George! In general, you have to claim your luggage when landing in the US, even if you’re not staying in the US. I’ve heard of one or two airports starting to change this for transit flights, but so far my research has not confirmed anything. I hate to tell you 100%, but I think your chances are extremely high that you will still have to claim your checked bags in Newark. Which means, if you want to skip out on the last leg of your flight, it shouldn’t be a problem. Probably worth calling the airline, or even the airport itself if they have a decent customer service line, and asking for verification that you’ll have to claim your checked luggage in Newark. Obviously don’t mention why you’re asking. I’ve heard of airlines flagging passengers who no-show for one leg of a flight too much, but once shouldn’t be a big deal. I hope this helps!
Odette Junio
December 22, 2016 @ 5:04 pm
Hi Ali,Thank you for the quick answer.I won`t be claiming my luggage in Atlanta because it will be picked up in Manila.I think you are right,I will be ok.I am just nervous because this is the first time for me to fly international with less than 2 hrs. lay over.Again,thank you.
Ali Garland
December 24, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
I understand! If it helps, flying internationally when leaving the US isn’t really much different from a domestic flight. The agent will check your passport when you check in for your first flight, and it’s possible the gate agent will check it again on the flight that actually leaves the US, but other than that, it’s just like a domestic flight. The US doesn’t have official passport control checkpoints for departures…which I find odd since the rest of the world does it, but that’s just the way it is!
Odette Junio
December 21, 2016 @ 9:49 am
Hi Ali,
I am travelling from FLL to MNL this Feb. flying Delta.I will be changing plane for international flight in Atlanta.I have another connection in Japan.My problem is, I only have 1 hr. and 14 min as my layover in Atlanta for the next flight.Is the connection too tight knowing that Atlanta Airport is huge?I will be flying Delta all the way through.I need your piece of advice.Thank You.
Ali Garland
December 22, 2016 @ 10:51 am
Hi Odette! I might be a little biased because I used to live in Atlanta and flew in and out of that airport all the time, but I think you’ll be ok. Yes, it’s a big airport, but it’s well connected with a train. When you check in for your flight out of FLL, see if they know the gate number for your ATL-MNL flight, that way when you land, you’ll know where you have to go. If they don’t have the gate number, there are departure boards all over, so you’ll still be able to find it pretty quickly. Follow the signs to baggage claim until you get to the train that connects all the terminals, and you’ll be there in a few minutes. The train runs every few minutes, so you won’t have to wait long. You probably won’t have time to waste, but I think an hour 14 minutes should be fine. Check out my tips for short layovers here.
Rashi
December 8, 2016 @ 4:12 pm
Hi,
I am travelling from Canada to India and have stopover at Helsinki, Finland for 4 hrs. I hold Indian passport.
My friend stays in Helsinki, so can i go to meet her outside the Airport or do I need to have transit visa to move outside the airport. Do Finland offers Transit visa because i have read some where that they didnt .
Please Help!
Thanks
Ali Garland
December 10, 2016 @ 11:11 am
Hi Rashi! I’m not a visa expert, but if Finland requires Indian citizens to have a visa to visit, then you’ll need one to leave the airport on a layover. Check the Finland embassy website to see what they require as far as tourist visas. Normally on a layover like yours, since you’re not staying in Finland (or anywhere else in the Schengen Zone) you would look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and bypass customs and immigration, then go through security and find your connecting gate. That way you would never technically enter Finland or the Schengen Zone. But if you want to leave the airport, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration and get stamped into Schengen. You’ll also have to go through passport control when you come back to the airport to get stamped back out of Schengen. So check the embassy website first, then do some calculations to make sure you have enough time to leave the airport on your layover. Sorry I can’t give you a more definitive answer, but I hope this helps get you in the right direction!
Ehab AlBadawy
October 26, 2016 @ 3:58 pm
Hi Ali,
I’ll arrive at JFK on Nov 2nd at 7:00pm coming from Heathrow heading to RDU, will have a 1h 35m layover in JFK, and it turned out that I won’t be able to change the flight unless I’ll be charged for that. Will I be able to make it? Knowing that I’ll spend time in clearing passport and customs check-points.
If it won’t be easy to catch the next plane, it turned out that the next one will be in the next day (about 12 hours apart) do you have recommendation about what I can do these time, it will be my first time in U.S. so I think getting to manhattan won’t be easy for me, also hotels near the airport is quite expensive. Would you recommend staying overnight at JFK?
Please let me know.
Thanks.
Ali Garland
October 27, 2016 @ 6:51 pm
Hi Ehab! An hour and 35 minutes at JFK is really tight. If you can’t change your flight without paying a hefty fee and you’re going to go for it on this one, I think you just have to hope for the best and don’t waste any time. No bathroom stops, no food stops, and try to be one of the first off the plane. Check out my tips for short layovers here. If you do miss your connection and get stuck there, you can’t get better than NYC for nightlife…which is the time frame of your layover. You could go explore the city a little, just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport and through security. There’s info here about public transportation to and from JFK. I think getting a hotel or toughing it out at the airport are your options. If you stay in the airport, you might want to check out the lounges for a little more comfort, though that’s not free either. I personally hate trying to sleep on an airport chair or whatever, but I understand that springing for a hotel for the night, especially in NYC, is not cheap. Sorry I can’t tell you exactly what you should do, but I think you have a few options, even if none of them are ideal. Enjoy your trip!
Ehab AlBadawy
October 30, 2016 @ 4:14 am
Hi Ali… thank you for your kind reply, that really helps. I’ll try to do my best hopefully I could catch it!
Susan
October 9, 2016 @ 2:42 am
Hi Ali,
I am looking at the following itinerary and would like to get your thoughts
AKL > SYD – 7:30 am-9:15 am (flight duration 3hr40min) on Qantas -Jet Connect
2 hr 15 min layover
SYD > LAX – 11:30 am – 6:30 am (flight duration 14 hrs.) on United
2 hr 30 min layover
LAX > ORD – – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (flight duration 4 hrs) on United
Total 26 hr. 25 min
All flights booked on one ticket through United
1) Is a 26 hr /2 connection itinerary too ambitious? I know stamina differs with individual.
2) Would I have enough time with my connections in both Sydney and LAX ?
3) I know I would have to re-check my bag once I get to LAX, but, would I have to re-check bag after arriving in SYD from the AKL?
4) While this has never happened to me before on an international flight, what happens if my bag is not on my flight once I get to L.A. and I cannot re-check my bag? Would I leave my bag so I can make your connection to ORD or would I miss my flight trying to locate my missing bag?
Last question (I promise). I would like to stay overnight in ORD and catch flight home next day to DCA. I do not want to include flight to DCA on my ticket as a multi-city with United because it would cost too much so I would purchase a separate ticket on United.
If for some reason, my bags got delayed and didn’t make LAX or ORD flight and couldn’t be reunited with me during my overnight stay in ORD, would the airline be able to forward bag to DCA even though the ORD to DCA flight was booked on a separate ticket?
Your comments would be most welcomed. Thanks.
Susan
Ali Garland
October 10, 2016 @ 12:03 pm
Hi Susan! I’ll do my best to answer your questions.
1) I personally try to book flights with as few connections as possible. That said, if the price difference is major, I’ll just deal with it. Yes, 26 hours with 2 connections sounds a bit painful, but New Zealand and the US just ARE far apart, so there aren’t many options that save you tons of time. If you can find a decent flight that goes from AKL to the US, that might be better than having to connect through Australia, but you still have to get across that ocean. If this is the best option for you price-wise or it’s with an airline you collect frequent flier miles, it might be the way to go.
2) I think the layover in Sydney is probably fine. I’ve never transited through there before, but most airports have a way for you to bypass customs and immigration if you’re not staying in the country. Look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” when you land, and if you don’t see those, ask someone if you have to go through customs and immigration if you’re transiting. As for LAX, that might be a little tight but not necessarily impossible. It’s a huge airport with a lot of international flights, which means at any time of the day, you could be in line with hundreds of other people trying to get through customs and immigration. It’s a tough call, but if I’d say if there is another option that gives you more time, it might be worth potentially having extra time at LAX. If there really aren’t any other options, take the chance and do what you can to get through everything quickly. Check out my tips for dealing with short layovers.
3) Most countries, other than the US and Canada, will transfer your luggage from one flight to the next. You should check with the airline to be sure, but I don’t think you’ll have to deal with your checked luggage in Sydney.
4) I think you’d have to talk to the airline about what to do if this happens. Normally they’ll forward your luggage to your final destination if it gets lost, so I assume that’s how they would handle it in this case too. I think it would cost them too much to have you stay and wait for the luggage when you already have a ticket for another flight. I’m sure you can ask them about this ahead of time to see how they would handle it if it does happen.
5) I think as long as all your flights are with the same airline, they can still forward it on to your final destination. If you get to ORD and still don’t have your luggage, find a customer service counter and talk to them. You’ll be in the system, so they should be able to look at your flight to DCA and re-tag your luggage if it does get delayed. Probably also worth talking to an agent in LAX about your ORD to DCA flight if your luggage doesn’t arrive in LAX. The sooner they can get a ORD-DCA tag on your luggage, the better. But hopefully you won’t actually have to worry about this!
I hope this helps, and have a great trip!
Barry
September 5, 2016 @ 6:51 am
Hi. We booked a vacation to Costa Rica. We are leaving from Newark Liberty. The best flight is American leaving at 6am to Miami 1hr 1min layover, then on to San Jose, also American. Will we have to go through security in Miami also since we’re not leaving the terminal, just going to another gate. We’ve learned to only take carry-ons too, so no baggage claims. Thank you for any advice. We don’t want to spend the first day of vacation in an airport. PS We don’t have to go through customs to leave the US , do we? Only when we get to San Jose. And of course when we return.
Ali Garland
September 7, 2016 @ 7:48 pm
Hi Barry! Correct, if your second flight leaves from the same terminal where the first one lands, you should not have to deal with security. Check out the airport’s map here. It looks like if your flights in D and your next flight takes off in D, you shouldn’t have to go through security again. And no, you won’t go through customs/immigration when leaving the US. The airline agent will look at your passport when you check in for your first flight, and it’s possible someone will look at it again in Miami before you board your second flight. You’ll go through US customs and immigration, plus go through security, at the first US airport you arrive at on your way home, which is where you’ll want a longer layover. I hope that helps, and enjoy Costa Rica!
Barry
September 26, 2016 @ 3:54 am
HI Ali….. Thank you for your response. Our return flight is nonstop so that’s pretty easy. We will enjoy Costa Rica, we were on the Pacific side last year and we’re going to the Caribbean side this trip.
Ali Garland
September 26, 2016 @ 10:48 am
Perfect! Have a great time!
Noelle
August 26, 2016 @ 4:47 pm
Hello! I’m interested in booking a flight from Tokyo to NYC, with a 75 minute layover in HKG. I’ll most likely have 1 piece of checked luggage and a backpack as my carry on. Is this still pushing it?
Ali Garland
August 28, 2016 @ 11:03 am
Hi Noelle! I think you’ll be ok with that layover. You shouldn’t have to go through customs and immigration in Hong Kong since you’re not staying there, only transiting through to another country. When you land, look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and you should be able to bypass immigration. You’ll have to go through security again, so I don’t think you’ll have time to waste, but I think this is doable. Have a great trip!
Toni
August 25, 2016 @ 10:38 pm
I’m travelling tomorrow morning from agadir to Casablanca through Royal air Moroc and land at terminal 2 and then have to go straight onto next plane again with Royal air Moroc to London Gatwick from terminal 2 so i land in same terminal I land at Casablanca at 11 and the next flight is at 12.05 so only an hour and 5 minute is this possible and I take it they will check my baggage straight through then I take it when I land in casa I just go to connections I’m so nervous as I’m flying with my autistic son
Ali Garland
August 26, 2016 @ 10:09 am
Hi Toni! Yes, they should check your luggage all the way through. When you land in Casablanca, you’ll have to go through passport control to get stamped out of Morocco. You might have to go through security depending on how the airport is set up. An hour and 5 minutes is a little tight, but not impossible. You should be able to follow the signs to “connections” or your next gate, and you can’t make a wrong turn and accidentally skip exiting passport control. When in doubt, ask an airport employee for help.
Kevin
August 19, 2016 @ 2:49 am
I am flying from Kitchener ,Ontario Canada to Chicago with a 1hr35min layover connecting to Las Vegas will this be enough time to make my connection
Ali Garland
August 19, 2016 @ 4:12 pm
Hi Kevin! Honestly that sounds a little tight to me. You’ll have to go through US customs and immigration in Chicago, claim and recheck any checked luggage, go through security, and get to your next gate. Chicago is a big airport with several terminals, and you will almost certainly have to change terminals since there’s a specific one for international flights. I’d recommend asking your airline what their policy is on rebooking your if you miss your connection due to long lines at passport control with an on-time arrival to Chicago. And be sure to check out my tips for short layovers here.
Laura
August 12, 2016 @ 6:07 pm
Ali,
I am so glad I found your article. From you expertise, would you advise if a 2 hour layover will be way too short?
We are flying back from Italy (out of Venice) back to Pittsburgh. We have a 2 hour layover in Philly. When we booked we had a 5 hour layover, but then American Airlines changed our flights!!!
Is there anyway you would think we would be able to un-check baggage, go through customs, and re-check the baggage in Philly in under 2 hours?
Thanks,
Laura
Ali Garland
August 14, 2016 @ 11:27 am
Hi Laura! I don’t think a 2 hour layover in Philadelphia is impossible. Here’s a map of the airport: http://www.ifly.com/philadelphia-international-airport/terminal-map It also has a thing you can use to put in the terminal you arrive at (which will be A since you’re arriving on an international flight) and then the terminal you’re going to, and it’ll tell you how to get from one to the next and how long it takes. It does not account for the time it takes to get through customs and immigration though. I looked around and it sounds like there’s a luggage recheck area just passed customs, so it really shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to recheck your bags. You’ll have to go through security again before continuing to your next gate. I think as long as the lines aren’t super long at immigration or security, you should be fine. Try to go to the bathroom on the Venice-Philadelphia flight before you land, otherwise wait until you get to the gate for your next flight to make sure you have time. Check out the rest of my tips for dealing with short layovers here, but I don’t think this is a bad one.
Steven
August 9, 2016 @ 5:33 am
What is consider a comfortable layover for AUS – ICN and back with either DFW, LAX or SFO as the stopover airports? Would say 2-3 hours? Is over 3 hours too much?
Ali Garland
August 9, 2016 @ 6:11 pm
Hi Steven! I’d probably aim for about 2 hours or so for your layover on the way out of the US. Those are all pretty big airports, and you will most likely have to change terminals and maybe even go through security again depending on the airport. For your flight back to the US, I’d probably aim for about 3 hours. It could end up being too long, but you really never know what the lines at immigration are going to be like. You’ll have to go through passport control, claim your checked luggage, go through customs, and recheck your luggage, plus go through security again. And to be honest, if I’m stuck choosing between a layover that seems to long and one that seems too short, 99.9% of the time I’ll choose the one that seems too long. It’s just not worth missing your connection.
Andy
July 23, 2016 @ 7:05 pm
Hi, I have a flight that arrives at KLIA2 at 7pm by Air Asia and one that leaves at 9pm by Air Asia. It’s 2 separate flights but the same airline and same terminal. I have checked luggage. You reckon I can make it? These were the only 2 available flights.
Ali Garland
July 24, 2016 @ 9:12 am
Hi Andy! Yes, I think you’ll be fine. That’s not a huge airport. You will have to claim and recheck your luggage since it’s two different flights (Air Asia doesn’t really do connecting flights in most cases anyway) but I don’t think it’ll take too long. If you’re coming from outside of Malaysia or even the Borneo parts of Malaysia, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration which could take some time, so I don’t think you have time to waste, but I do think this is a doable layover. Enjoy your trip!
Andy
July 24, 2016 @ 9:41 am
Thanks so much.
MarkD
June 29, 2016 @ 1:31 pm
Hi Ali,
I am getting a bit nervous about my flight from Heathrow to Chicago Ohare with a 95 minute layover before departing for Orlando.
Is this enough time to get through customs (UK and Irish passport holders) to change terminals and recheck my luggage with 3 children?
My entire flight is booked with American Airlines (flights were changed after I had booked).
I arrive Saturday morning at 10:45am in October if this makes a difference for passing through the airport?
Ali Garland
June 29, 2016 @ 6:03 pm
Hi Mark! Chicago O’Hare is not known for being a quick airport to get through unfortunately. That said, I don’t think 95 minutes is impossible. I tend to think of morning arrivals as a bit easier because there hasn’t been much time for things to get backed up, but it all depends on how many international flights land around the same time. There’s some really helpful info about the procedures at O’Hare here. Have you traveled to the US before? According to that site, if you have an ESTA and you’re NOT a first time visitor, you can use the kiosks, so that could save you time. It also sounds like the luggage re-checking area is just past customs, so you don’t have to go all the way out to the check-in counters. You will have to go through security again before getting to your next gate. Overall, I think this one is borderline. If you don’t feel comfortable with 95 minutes, see if the airline has a later flight to Orlando and if it’s reasonable to switch. If not, or if you just decide to go for it, be sure to read my tips for dealing with short layovers here.
MarkD
June 30, 2016 @ 9:27 am
Thank you for the quick reply. Unfortunately I am not able to change my flight (non-refundable/ transferable ticket), so I will be using your tips for a short layovers.
Very helpful, thank you again.
Ali Garland
June 30, 2016 @ 11:12 am
Yeah, I think it’s pretty tough for most people to change flights. Do the best you can, and hopefully it’ll all work out.
shannon
June 28, 2016 @ 7:17 am
Mon. Sep. 12 (Arriving Sep. 13) Edmonton, AB to Barcelona, Spain
Edmonton (YEG) to Minneapolis (MSP)
Delta 4116 operated by /ENDEAVOR AIR DBA DELTA CONNECTION
Economy / Coach Class ( V)
Depart 8:30am Arrive 12:10pm
Duration: 2h 40m
Layover: Minneapolis (Minneapolis – St. Paul Intl.) 1h 5m
Minneapolis (MSP) to Atlanta (ATL)
Delta 785
Economy / Coach Class ( V), Boeing 757 (757-300)
Depart 1:15pm Arrive 4:42pm
Duration: 2h 27m
Layover: Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl.) 0h 51m
Atlanta (ATL) to Barcelona (BCN)
Delta 26
Economy / Coach Class ( V), AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-300
Depart 5:33pm Arrive 8:25am +1 day
Duration: 8h 52m
We booked this without thinking of the issue of our bags.
Would you feel at risk of your bags not making it from Atlanta to Barcelona?
Ali Garland
June 29, 2016 @ 5:53 pm
Hi Shannon! The 51 minute layover in Atlanta is a bit tight. Make sure anything valuable and anything you wouldn’t want to be without is packed in your carry-on bag. I’d include at least one change of clothes too, just in case. But I’d be more worried about YOU making the connection than your luggage. International flights often board earlier than domestic flights, and most international flights leave out of the international terminal in Atlanta, so you definitely don’t have any time to waste there. Go to the bathroom on the plane so you don’t have to worry about it in Atlanta, make sure your carry-on is all packed up and ready before the plane lands, see if you can get your seats changed to be as close to the front as possible. Check out my tips for short layovers here. Normally I’d suggest seeing if you could get an earlier flight to Atlanta, but since you’re connecting once before that, it might not be an option for you. Atlanta is a big airport, but if you follow the signs to the other terminals, you’ll get to the train that connects the terminals, and the train runs every couple minutes. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you, and enjoy your trip to Barcelona!
Anil
June 23, 2016 @ 6:13 am
hi,
First of i am travelling to USA first time.i have booked a ticket from New Delhi to Wichita [mid-continent,wichita,US (ICT)].i have to change 3 flights to reach the city.I’ve a layover of 1h50min. at London(london Heathrow),2nd layover of 11h40min. in Chicago,IIChicago O’hare International, Chicago, Il United States (ORD) .i will reach Wichita Kansas in morning 9:15. Can you advice me what should i do during layover ? ex. regarding baggage’s or check in etc.
last i want to know in every airport i have to go trough immigration process and check in ?
thanks
Ali Garland
June 23, 2016 @ 9:01 pm
Hi Anil! In general, the US and Canada are the only countries that make you go through immigration and customs and claim and recheck luggage, even if you’re just transiting through. So at your first layover, in London, you should be able follow the “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” signs and bypass immigration, and your luggage should be transferred automatically from the first flight to the second. Check out the flight connections section of the Heathrow Airport website here and put in your flight info for a little guide that tells you what to do/where to go.
In Chicago, you will have to go through immigration, claim your luggage, go through customs, and recheck your luggage. You’ll also have to go through security before getting to your next gate. But it looks like you have a really long layover there! Depending on what time you land, you might want to consider leaving the airport during your layover and getting a glimpse of the city. Check out some ideas for tours here so you don’t have to stress about the details with such limited time. But if your layover is overnight, you might want to just grab a hotel or buy a lounge access pass and hang out in there for a few hours.
When you get to Wichita, you’ll just have to get off the plane and claim your luggage.
Also, as long as all of your flights are booked on one itinerary, you should get all your boarding passes when you check in for the first flight. However, since you have such a long layover in Chicago, it’s possible they won’t be able to print the Chicago to Wichita boarding pass since it’s so far ahead of when you’ll be checking in. In that case, you just need to look for a ticket counter for the airline you’re flying once you get to Chicago, or within a few hours of departure.
I’m assuming you might be doing the reverse of this at some point, if you live in India? If so, flying out of the US is not as complicated as flying in. You’ll check your luggage in Wichita, and it’ll go all the way to New Delhi. There is no official exiting passport control in the US, but the ticket agent will check your passport when you check in for your flight.
I hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!
KSHITIJ
June 12, 2016 @ 9:01 pm
Hi,
I’ve booked ticket from Delhi to Seattle. I’ve a layover of 90 minutes at Chicago. I’ll land at terminal 5 whereas my domestic flight is from terminal 3. My Seattle flight is the last for that day and there is no other flight until next morning. I’m planning to cancel this one and get another ticket or is it better to spend night at airport. Could you advise?
Ali Garland
June 14, 2016 @ 4:36 pm
That’s a tough one. You’ll have to go through immigration and customs in Chicago, plus claim and recheck your luggage, change terminals and go through security again. Chicago O’Hare is notorious for being a pain to deal with on layovers. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable with a 90 minute layover there. You could call the airline and find out what their policy is on rebooking you if you miss your connection due to lines at immigration, but many airlines say that if it’s not their fault (their fault meaning the first flight landed late) you have to pay to rebook, which is not cheap last minute. I don’t know if there’s an earlier option from Delhi to Chicago that might be better for you. You could also find out the airline’s policy on putting you on an earlier flight, so if you booked the morning flight to Seattle but you actually make it through the airport quickly when you land from Delhi, what would they charge you to put you on that late flight to Seattle? If you decide to spend the night in Chicago, check out Sleeping in Airports for info on sleeping at O’Hare or for a list of nearby hotels.
Subir
May 13, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
This is just a stupendous gold mine on the WWW!!
Not just for the article only, but more for the continuous and generous responses by Ali. What a warm hearted and helpful person you are!!
Now, my query. We are flying from Mumbai to Cleveland in August to drop my daughter in college. We are considering Delta, which has many possible ports of entry – JFK/ LGA/ MSP/ ATL/ DTW. And different layover durations?
My questions are:
1. Does JFK immigration take much longer time than other airports ?(I have heard stories!!)
Is 1.25 hour good enough in JFK? What is the minimum layover duration that is safe and not anxiety producing at this airport given that we will be traveling for almost 24 hours by that time?
2. Is LGA as tardy as JFK?
3. At other airports, what is the minimum layover duration?
Thank you in advance!
Ali Garland
May 14, 2016 @ 12:14 am
Aw, thank you Subir, how nice of you to say! I’m glad to help if I can.
One thing to keep in mind is that you will have to go through customs and immigration AND claim and recheck your luggage at the first US airport you land in. JFK isn’t a fun airport to transit through on an international flight because of how their customs area is set up. It’s been a few years since I’ve flown through there, but from what I’ve read, it’s the same: that you claim your luggage in the customs area and then you have to go find the normal check-in counters to recheck your bags, even if you already have your boarding passes. It’s frustrating and more time consuming than airports that have a way for you to recheck your luggage right there in the customs area.
I haven’t flown through all of the airports on your list, but I personally like Atlanta. Lots of people don’t like it because it’s such a big airport, but it’s well organized, there are signs everywhere to direct you to the different terminals, and there’s a tram connecting the terminals that runs every few minutes. (I also used to live there, so that’s the one I have the most experience with…so I might be a little biased!) When you land, there are two directions you can go to get to passport check: one for people staying in Atlanta, and one for people continuing on to another airport. In your case, you would choose the one for connecting flights, go through passport check, then pick up your bags and hand your form over to the customs person, and there’s a luggage drop-off conveyor belt thing right there for rechecking your bags.
No matter which airport you choose to fly through, you probably want to allow for at least 2 hours, if not 3 really, for your layover. I don’t think 1 hour 25 minutes is enough time. It doesn’t take much for that line at passport control to be really long and/or slow, or your first flight could be delayed. I think JFK is the worst choice on your list, and even though I don’t know much about flying through LGA, I probably wouldn’t pick that one either simply because you have better options. MSP isn’t a bad airport, although I’ve never flown through there internationally.
Another good thing about having a little extra time on your layover is it will give you some time to stretch your legs and find some food. Having say 3 hours means you shouldn’t have to worry about getting through all the lines, and you won’t feel so rushed. I’m sure you’ll get food on your international flight, but you won’t get more than a tiny bag of peanuts or something similar on your domestic US flight.
I hope this helps, but let me know if you have any other questions!
Subir
May 14, 2016 @ 5:27 am
Thank you soo much, Ali!!
Exactly my feeling. I was thinking of 3-4 hour layover.
I am also a bit of an airport hobbyist, and like to enjoy the airport a bit at leisure.
So yes, will totally pay heed to your suggestion. Looks like it’s going to be Detroit as Atlanta layovers are short for Delta connections to Cleveland.
Meanwhile, I have checked out another option of flying in Qatar Airlines and enter through Boston and take a Jet Blue to Cleveland. Let me see how do the prices go.
Thank you again!!
Ali Garland
May 14, 2016 @ 10:24 am
Yep 3-4 hours should be plenty of time in any airport. I think you have lots of good choices there. Enjoy your trip!
Dawn
May 8, 2016 @ 8:37 pm
HI Ali! I am flying BOS (American Airlines) to Seoul (Korean Air) with a 1 hour 20 minute layover at LAX. Do you thinkt hat will be fine? Thanks so much!
Dawn
May 8, 2016 @ 8:50 pm
Actually, 1 hour 40 minutes!
Ali Garland
May 9, 2016 @ 10:57 am
Hi Dawn! Yeah, I think 1 hour 40 minutes in LAX should be enough since there aren’t any official passport control checkpoints when exiting the US. Your luggage will be transferred from the first flight to the second one, so all you have to do is get to your next gate. But if you’re flying through LAX on the way back to Boston, you will probably need more time than that since you’ll have to go through customs and immigration and claim and recheck your luggage.
Dawn
May 10, 2016 @ 3:18 am
Thank you!!
HATIM
May 5, 2016 @ 4:32 pm
Thank you again ALI for the help. Actually we are on visa free countries for indonesia, we don’t have to pay the visa. here are the countries: 11 countries and territories are eligible for a “Visa Free” facility. Those holding valid passports from the following countries will be granted a non-extendable 30-day Visa-Free Short Visit Permit upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway without charge:
Brunei Darussalam
Chile
Hong Kong SAR
Macau SAR
Malaysia
Morocco
Peru
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Singapore
Ali Garland
May 5, 2016 @ 4:59 pm
Perfect!
HATIM
May 5, 2016 @ 3:55 pm
THANK YOU for your answer. Yes, taking into consideration that I’m Moroccan, i will need a visa in jakarta. from what I understand, If it were you, you will go with the second option (3h,55 min)??
Ali Garland
May 5, 2016 @ 4:01 pm
Yes, I personally would choose the 3 hour 55 minute layover. I know it’s annoying to have extra time waiting at the airport during a layover, but I’d rather that than to miss my connection. Also, be sure to research ahead of time if you can get a visa on arrival or if you need to apply ahead of time. I only know the visa rules for US citizens. If you go with the longer layover, at least you’ll be less stressed about making your connection, and it’ll give you enough time to find a bathroom and get something to eat if you’re hungry. Enjoy your trip!
HATIM
May 5, 2016 @ 1:01 am
HELLO ALI,
Please if you don’t mind me asking, I’m going to Jakarta Airport coming with an international flight to Jakarta soekarno hatta airport. Right after, I will take another flight “DOMESTIC not International” and obviously not the same company and they are not connecting between each other ( it’s a separate booking) from jakarta indonesia to bali indonesia. My question is that I have two options, first is to take the bali flight after 1h 55 MIN layover in jakarta or a second one with 3h 55 min layover. Me and my wife we prefer the first option because we won’t wait a lot in jakarta airport and also because the flights are in the same terminal so we think that 1h 55 min is more than enough to collect our luggage and pass the security. please, I just want to your opinion about this and i would be really grateful for your help. THANK YOU
Ali Garland
May 5, 2016 @ 11:39 am
Hi Hatim! If I’m understanding you correctly, you have a flight starting outside of Indonesia, going to Jakarta, then continuing on to Bali, right? You won’t just be passing through security in Jakarta, you will also have to go through customs and immigration, and depending on your nationality, you might have to get a visa on arrival. I have not flown through Jakarta, but I flew directly to Bali a few years ago, and the visa lines were insane. I had to wait in one line to pay for it, and a second line to actually get the visa with the receipt. Both lines together took well over one hour, people pushed and cut in front, and some even paid random guys to get them closer to the front of the line. (I think this was just a scammy way of cutting the line and handing over money to do so.) If Jakarta is anything like that, 1 hour 55 minutes might be cutting it close. And since your flights are separate, you will have to claim your checked luggage, go find the check-in counter for the next flight to get your boarding pass and check your luggage, and then you’ll go through security. And if it takes you too long to get through immigration or the first flight is delayed, the second airline won’t be any help because it was your responsibility to get there in time. I personally would go with the longer layover here because of all the different things you have to do during the layover and the potential for delayed flights and long lines, but it’s really up to your comfort level.
megi zurba
April 30, 2016 @ 1:25 am
We’re going from milano italy to franfurt germany to philadelphia and we have 45 minutes to get from the germany plane to the philadelphia plane is that enough time? the company of the plane is lufthansa
Ali Garland
April 30, 2016 @ 10:08 am
Hi Megi! I think a 45 minute layover in Frankfurt, especially since you’re going to an international flight, is a bit short. (I realize Italy and Germany are different countries, so “international” but they’re both in the Schengen zone, so there’s no passport checks.) You’ll have to go through passport control in Frankfurt to get stamped out of the Schengen zone, and those lines can sometimes be long. Then you’ll have to go through security when you find your gate. Plus the international flights are usually in a different section of the airport, and Frankfurt is a big airport. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible for you to make this connection, but it’s cutting it close. I used to live near Frankfurt and used that airport often, and sometimes the passport line took 2 minutes, but sometimes I stood in line for a half hour. You might want to call Lufthansa and see what their policy is if you miss your flight because the layover is too short, and consider changing to an earlier Milan-Frankfurt flight. If you end up sticking with this flight, be sure to read through my tips for short layovers here.
Steele Yung
April 20, 2016 @ 9:24 am
Hi Ali,
How lucky I find this helpful website! I must share it with my friends.
I am going to have a long trip from Hong Kong to Peru. I feel comfortable with my inbound flights LIM/Lima -> EWR/New York -> NRT/Tokyo -> HKG/Hong Kong with layover times 3h45m and 4h35m at Newark and Narita airports respectively. Am I right?
However, I worry about my outbound flights HKG -> NRT -> IAH/Houston -> LIM. I will have layover times 1h35m and 1h55m at Narita and Houston George Bush airports. In particular, at Houston, I will have to firstly get my luggage, bring them through the Customs and Border Protection and then check them back into the airlines to make my next flight. The operators will be Air Japan and United Airlines. It seems nobody asked about Houston airport.
I look forward to having your advices. Thanks.
Ali Garland
April 22, 2016 @ 5:56 pm
Hi Steele! You’re right, your layovers for LIM – EWR – NRT – HKG should be plenty of time. You’ll have to go through customs and immigration (plus security) in Newark, and you’ll have to claim and recheck your luggage, even though you’re not staying in the US, but 3 hours 45 minutes should be more than enough time for that.
For your outbound flights HKG – NRT – IAH – LIM, the 1 hour 55 minute layover in Tokyo should be ok. When you land, look for signs for “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and you should be able to bypass customs and immigration since you’re not staying in Japan. You’ll still have to go through security, but I wouldn’t worry too much about the time on this one. As for the layover in Houston, that does seem a little short. As you mentioned, you will have to go through customs and immigration, plus claim and recheck your luggage and go through security. I have never flown through Houston, so I don’t have personal experience to share, but I did some research, and it looks like United uses terminal E for international flights, so hopefully you won’t have to go very far. It also looks like there are counters to recheck your luggage right after you exit the customs area, so that should help too. Check out this link, and scroll down to where they start talking about international departures and arrivals: http://www.ifly.com/george-bush-intercontinental-airport/terminal-map
I’ve often seen that some airlines only have one flight a day for certain international routes, so this might be your only choice. However, if the airline does have an option for the IAH – LIM leg that leaves a little later, it might be worth seeing if you can switch. If you do end up sticking with the flights as they are, be sure to check out my tips for short layovers here. I don’t think 1 hour 35 minutes is impossible, but if there are long lines at passport control, it could be a problem. Good luck with your flights, and enjoy your trip to Peru!
Steele Yung
April 23, 2016 @ 3:25 am
Thanks a lot. Best wishes,
Steele Yung
May 13, 2016 @ 5:25 am
I have completed my outbound flights which included a layover at Houston IAH. At IAH, I was not required to claim my luggage and recheck it for my connecting flight. I did not know that until I did not find my luggage at the luggage belt. In response to my inquiry, an airport/airline staff told me so.
Ali Garland
May 13, 2016 @ 10:35 am
Steele, that’s really strange. It’s possible IAH has changed their procedures for passengers who aren’t staying in the US, but I’ve never seen that before. Definitely ask the agent when you check in for your return flights if you’ll have to claim and recheck your luggage in Newark on the way back. I think it would be great it every airport would start doing things that way, transferring your luggage if you’re just transiting through the US.
Rene
April 10, 2016 @ 1:18 am
Hi Ali,
I will be going to Saint Maarten on American Airlines from Houston with a layover in Charlotte. I found 2 flights for the ssme price, One layover is 42 minutes and the other is 2 hrs and 40 minutes, which flight would be better
Ali Garland
April 12, 2016 @ 9:49 am
Hi Rene! Personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the 42 minute layover. It looks like several terminals handle American Airlines flights, which means you might have to switch terminals. It usually takes at least 10 minutes just to get off the plane, so that leaves you with only 30 minutes, maybe even less, to find your next gate. It could be fine, your next gate could be just a few yards away, but it you have to go a long distance, you might not have enough time. I think 2 hours 40 minutes is a lot more than you need, but I would personally rather have too much time than not enough. On the way back, you will have to go through customs and immigration, plus claim and recheck your luggage, in Charlotte (assuming your return route is the same). The only exception is if Saint Maarten is one of the places in the Caribbean that handles US customs and immigration before you get on the flight. There are a handful of airports in the Caribbean and Canada that do that now, in which case your layover in Charlotte would be just like a domestic layover. So unfortunately, I think the longer layover is better. If you decide to go with the shorter one, check out my tips for dealing with short layovers here. Have a great trip!
Rene
April 12, 2016 @ 6:21 pm
Thanks for the information. It will definitely help in my decision.
Sally Beatty
April 6, 2016 @ 3:30 am
Hi Ali!
I’m so glad I bookmarked this site – you gave very, very great advice when my daughter traveled alone to London last summer – great trip and no airport issues. Thank you!
Hoping to get your thoughts on a flight I’m looking at for a return trip from Nashville (BNA) to Pittsburgh (PIT) on Saturday, May 14. There will be 3 adults traveling.
Based on the time of day we want to fly, the choices are (all Southwest flights)
1) leave Nashville at 6:15PM, arrive at Chicago Midway (MDW) at 7:45PM
change planes, leaving Midway at 8:45PM, arrive in Pittsburgh at 11PM
Wondering if an hour is enough to make the change at Midway??
From what I see on Midway’s site, Southwest uses terminal A and it doesn’t seem like too many gates, although I have no idea how spread out they are: Chicago Midway Airport’s Concourse A serves Frontier Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Porter Airlines, Delta Airlines and Air Tran. It contains gates A1-A19.
And SW claims 100% on time arrival for both legs of the flight.
2) leave Nashville at 4:20PM, fly through Orlando (MCO), arriving at 7:05PM
change to another SW plane, leaving Orlando at 8:25PM, arrive in Pittsburgh at 10:40PM
(So 1 hr 25 min layoff in Orlando)
SW says 1 minute average delay on both legs
3) also all Southwest – leave Nashville at 3:40PM, arrive at Baltimore (BWI) at 6:20PM
have 2 hr 40 min layover, leaving at 9:00pm, arrive in Pittsburgh at 10PM
SW says ~9 min average delay on both legs
Your advice is greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you
Sally
Ali Garland
April 8, 2016 @ 2:27 pm
Yay, a return customer! 🙂 I don’t think you can really go wrong with these, but here’s what I see as the differences:
1) At MDW you won’t have to change terminals, and 19 gates isn’t a lot so even if you have to go from one end to the other, it can’t take too long. An hour should be enough time for that, though you won’t have too much time to get food or anything.
2) At MCO it looks like Southwest uses gates 100-129, which is labeled as #2 on this map: https://www.orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/ So you won’t have to change terminals/concourses, and I think the amount of time you have is sufficient.
3) At BWI it looks like Southwest uses A, B, and C, so you might have to switch from one to another. But you should have plenty of time to do that. 2 hours 40 minutes seems like a bit much for a domestic layover, but it’s right at dinner time, so at least you would have plenty of time to grab something to eat. http://www.bwiairport.com/en/maps/gatemap
I’d probably choose either #1 or #2 because you won’t have to worry about switching terminals. I think the only reason I’d lean towards #3 is if you really want to make sure you have enough time to find dinner at the airport. Since these are all so similar, I think price would be a big factor too. But like I said, I don’t think any of these is a bad choice.
I hope this helps! Have a great trip!
Sally Beatty
April 8, 2016 @ 5:46 pm
Thank you Ali! You are a wonderful resource!
Greatly appreciate your insight.
I think #1 is the cheapest by $100, and with 3 of us flying, that adds up.
I was wondering about having just an hour, so am glad to have your reassurance. We’ll just make sure we eat beforehand.
I’m waiting for my new Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card to show up to use when I book – due in today.
After reading about their companion pass program, I’m trying to maximize miles and take advantage of that.
Thank you again. I’m going to explore the rest of your and your husband’s sites too.
Ali Garland
April 9, 2016 @ 8:50 pm
Thanks! Glad to help, Sally! The one hour really should be fine, unless your first flight gets delayed, in which case the airline has to get you on another flight anyway since you’re booked on one itinerary.
Sally Beatty
April 9, 2016 @ 9:57 pm
Good to know! Thanks again Ali!
Fizza Mahdi
April 4, 2016 @ 4:30 am
Hey Ali. I’m taking a trip to east Asia this May and looking at flight options. On the way there my layovers are long enough, but for the way back I’m thinking of booking a flight that has a layover in Osaka (KIX) however the layover is only 1 hour 25 minutes. I will be flying from Bangkok to Los Angeles. I was wondering if you’ve been through Osaka and if you have any advice. There is another option with a 3 hour layover in Tokyo, however it’s substantially more expensive. Thanks!
Ali Garland
April 8, 2016 @ 2:06 pm
Hi, I have not flown through Osaka, so I don’t have advice specific to that airport. However, since you’re not staying in Japan and you’re only going to have a layover there, you shouldn’t have to deal with customs and immigration, only security screening and finding your next gate. An hour and 25 minutes should be enough time (though you won’t really have time to waste) so if it was me, I might chance that one, especially if the alternative was a lot more money. When you land in Osaka (or Tokyo if you do decide to book that one) look for signs that say “transit” or “transfer” or “connecting flights” and you should be able to bypass customs and immigration. You’ll have to go through security, and then you can go to your next gate, so it shouldn’t take too long, depending on how long the line is at security. Check out my tips for short layovers here. Enjoy your trip!
Maddie
March 17, 2016 @ 5:08 am
Hi! I’ll be flying for the first time alone this coming May and I’m really nervous about it especially considering I’ll have a 48 minute layover. I’ll be traveling from SAV to ATL, with my layover in ATL, and then to SAN through Delta Airlines. I read all your tips above and plan on using every single one to the best of my ability, but wanted to know if you were familiar with ATL and have any advice you could give me on that specific airport. I know it’s very large and I’m worried 48 minutes won’t be long enough for me not knowing where I’m going. Also am wondering if once I check in at the first airport (SAV), will I have to check in again somewhere when I arrive in ATL and will I have to go through security again there?
Ali Garland
March 17, 2016 @ 11:12 am
Hi Maddie! I actually used to live in Atlanta, so I know that airport well. It is a large airport, but there are signs everywhere, there’s a tram connecting all the terminals, and all gates and terminals are beyond common security checkpoints.
When you check in for your first flight, they will tag your luggage to go to your final destination, so there’s nothing else for you to do with that. They will also print both of your boarding passes, so you don’t need to check in again in Atlanta. (This is all assuming your flights are booked together on one itinerary.)
Once you land in Atlanta, if you don’t already have your gate number, look for the big departures boards and find your next flight. Then look for signs for the other terminals/concourses (A, B, C, etc.) and hop on the tram. They leave every few minutes. Just make sure you get on going towards the right terminal. But that’s it really. You won’t have to deal with security again. 48 minutes should be enough time, but you won’t have time to waste. Probably worth finding your gate before even considering things like food or bathroom. Check out my tips for handling short layovers here, and enjoy your trip!
Ethan Baker
March 13, 2016 @ 10:14 pm
Hi, I am flying with my family to Rome this August. We are currently looking at flights and one of the options is to fly from Philadelphia to Rome with a 45 min. layover in Montreal. Do you think that this is enough time or should we look at other flights with 5+ hour layovers?
Ali Garland
March 14, 2016 @ 12:10 pm
Hi Ethan! Canada is like the US in that they require all passengers, regardless of their final destination, to go through customs and immigration and claim and recheck luggage. So I don’t think 45 minutes is a long enough layover in Montreal. I’d look for a direct flight or one that connects somewhere inside the US or one that has at least 2-3 hours for a layover if it’s in Canada or somewhere else in Europe. Good luck and enjoy Italy!
Hugo
March 1, 2016 @ 8:04 pm
Hi Ali,
I will fly from SFO to RIC via DFW (departure 00:50 at SFO, arrival 11:25 at RIC). Both flights with AA. The layover is 1h10 at DFW: do you think it’s enough for me and for my checked baggage ?
Thank you very much,
Hugo
Ali Garland
March 3, 2016 @ 10:41 am
Hi Hugo! I think 1 hour 10 minutes should be ok, but that’s about the minimum I’d be comfortable with at a bigger airport like DFW. Your bags should be fine too. According to this http://www.worldairportguides.com/dallas-dfw/terminals.php your gate options are narrowed down to terminals A, B, or C if you’re flying on American Airlines. Also, you don’t exactly have time to waste on your layover in DFW, so check out my tips for short layovers here. Have a great trip!
Hugo Schyns
March 7, 2016 @ 5:07 pm
Thank you Ali !
Eventually I chose a “safer” option via JFK (Delta).
Thanks for the tip !
Ali Garland
March 8, 2016 @ 4:30 pm
You’re welcome, enjoy!
Rico Pango
February 22, 2016 @ 4:23 pm
Hi Ali,
Im flying to Los Angeles LAX thru Cathay Pacific, i already have a ticket. Then i have to go to Las Vegas thru Southwest Airlines. According to my Cathay ticket, im arriving at Terminal B, but i dont know which terminal Southwest is. How much time should i alot in LAX before i buy my LAX to las vegas ticket? My arrival in LAX is 8AM on a Sunday April 10.
Thank you very much 🙂
Ali Garland
February 23, 2016 @ 10:06 am
Hi Rico! When you land in LAX, you’ll have to go through immigration/passport control and customs. (Based on your mention of Cathay Pacific, I’m assuming you’ll be coming from outside the US.) You’ll also have to pick up your checked luggage and make your way to the Southwest counter to check it again. You might be able to check in for your Southwest flight online before you get on your Cathay Pacific flight, which means you can at least print your boarding pass, but I don’t think it’ll save you much time at LAX, unless you’re traveling with only carry-on luggage. You’ll also have to go through security again before you can get to your next gate. Personally, I’d probably allow for about 3 hours. It might be too much, you might only need 2 hours, but LAX is a huge and busy airport, so there could be long lines at passport control and/or security. Plus you might want to stop for a quick breakfast after your long flight. So it’s whatever you’re comfortable with, but 3 hours should be a safe estimate. Also keep in mind that if your Cathay Pacific flight is delayed, Southwest won’t be much help because your flights will be on separate itineraries, so the more time you allow for something unpredictable like a flight delay, the better off you’ll be. Check out http://los-angeles-lax.worldairportguides.com/ where you can find info on the airport and which airlines use which terminals. And be sure to read through my tips for dealing with short layovers here. Enjoy your trip!
Rico pango
February 26, 2016 @ 5:10 pm
Thanks for the tip 🙂 will be taking 5 hours too be really sure.. Is it safe to assume to also take 3 hours if we go back to la from utah then cathay to hongkong? Or is it different when leaving the US?
Ali Garland
February 27, 2016 @ 10:27 am
I think 3 hours would be plenty of time. Flights leaving the US aren’t really much different than domestic flights within the US. The ticket agent will check your passport, and sometimes the gate agent will check it as well, but there’s no official passport control checkpoint like in most other countries. If you have checked luggage, you’ll have to claim it in LAX and recheck it for your Cathay Pacific flight, but since you won’t have to deal with any customs/immigration procedures in that direction, you should be fine.
Becca
February 21, 2016 @ 8:55 am
Hi Ali,
I’ve been super paranoid about connecting flights ever since I booked my ticket. It is my first time teavelling internationally alone, so I’m a bit nervous.
I’m flying from Boston to Toronto on Air Canada and then Toronto to Seoul on Korean Air. Do you think a 3 hour layover enough time to get through customs and security at Pearson?
Thank you!
Ali Garland
February 22, 2016 @ 10:03 am
Hi Becca! I think 3 hours should be long enough. Toronto has a great guide for determining what you have to do on your layover there: http://www.torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx# You’ll have to claim and recheck your luggage, but it sounds like there’s a place to recheck it right near customs, so it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to drop it off, and it should already have a tag on it to go to Seoul. I don’t think 3 hours is short, but if you’re worried, check out my tips for short layovers here. Have a great trip!
Yashas
February 11, 2016 @ 1:14 pm
Hi Ali,
I am planning to travel to Charlotte from Bangalore. I would be needing to change atleast 2 or 3 flights for this trip with layovers at Doha or Abu Dhabi or Heathrow or Frankfurt and Chicago.
Kindly suggest the safe layover time to keep in mind before booking tickets at the above mentioned airports.
Thanks in Advance !
Ali Garland
February 14, 2016 @ 12:15 pm
Hi Yashas! When I book flights with layovers, especially international layovers, I look for at least 2 hours, if not more. One thing to consider is if you need any visas for any of those connections. If you need a visa to visit certain countries, you might need one to transit through. It all depends on your citizenship and the country you’re passing through. Aside from that, I would choose Frankfurt over Heathrow because it’s an easier airport to deal with, in my opinion. I’ve never flown through Doha, but I’ve heard good things. I have flown through Abu Dhabi and it was pretty easy to find their transit section so I didn’t have to deal with customs and immigration. Chicago can be tough because the terminals each have their own security checkpoint, so if you have to fly through there, give yourself plenty of time, I’d say at least 3 hours. It could end up being too much time, but I’d rather have time to waste as opposed to missing a flight. I hope this helps, and have a great trip!
Pablo Macias
February 9, 2016 @ 2:16 am
Hi, Ali.
I have been looking all your comments but I didn’t find it, that is why I am writing to you.
I am flying to Tokyo, I will take a plane to Toronto (from Chicago), and the next day I will take a plane to
LAX. There is a layover of 1 hour and 5 minutes. Then we arrive to San Diego and I have 1 hour and 30 minutes to take the next plane to Tokyo. Do you think that I will have enough time? Everything is with the same company (American Airlines), so it isn’t the first time that they do this. But overall the layover in LAX sounds pretty short.
Thank you!!!
Ali Garland
February 11, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
Hi Pablo! Let me make sure I understand this correctly. Your flights are as follows: Chicago to Toronto to LAX to San Diego to Tokyo, correct? An hour and 5 minutes in LAX is a bit short, but not impossible. If your flights are all booked on one itinerary with American Airlines, they should tag your luggage to go through to Tokyo. There’s no official exiting immigration or passport control checkpoint when leaving the US, so there aren’t any extra steps for your flight from San Diego. The only odd one is the fact that you have to fly into Canada in the middle of your itinerary. But Toronto actually has a US customs/immigration checkpoint on their side, which means you shouldn’t have to deal with it when you land in LAX. Check out this site and put in your flight info, and they’ll tell you what to do in Toronto for your flight to LAX: http://www.torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx# Also, check out my tips for short layovers here. Enjoy your trip to Japan!
Jessica Lawrence
January 27, 2016 @ 6:56 pm
Hi Ali! I am researching flights from Raleigh NC To Las Vegas. The Flight going back to Raleigh is with Delta and is connecting in Detroit at the DTW and the layover is 47 mins. Do you think I will have enough time?
Ali Garland
January 28, 2016 @ 2:13 am
Hi Jessica! 47 minutes is kind of tight, but not impossible. And according to the Detroit airport website here, there are only 2 terminals, so you won’t even have to switch terminals since Delta is all in one terminal. Here’s their map and even though it’s a big terminal, there is a train that would take you from one end to the other if you needed it. So if this is the best flight option you can find, I think you have a good chance of making that connection. Check out my tips for how to deal with a short layover, and enjoy your trip to Vegas!
Jessica Lawrence
January 28, 2016 @ 4:10 pm
Thank you!
Kelly
January 16, 2016 @ 7:53 pm
Ali,
I am researching flights from Hawaii to Houston. One of the options has a 60 minute layover at LAX. Is that too short for that airport? I usually pick SFO over LAX when possible.
Kelly
Ali Garland
January 18, 2016 @ 4:52 am
Hi Kelly! It helps that you won’t be on an international flight coming into LAX, so you won’t need as much time. But LAX is really big and 60 minutes could be cutting it close. Some terminals are connected within the secured area, while others are not, which means if your first flight lands in a terminal that is not connected to your departing flight’s terminal within the secured area, you would have to go through security again. Check here for info on which airlines use which terminals, that might help you decide if you have enough time: http://los-angeles-lax.worldairportguides.com/terminals.php If you don’t feel comfortable with it, you might be better off with a longer layover somewhere else. Also, read through my advice for handling a short layover here. Good luck with whichever option you choose, and enjoy your trip!
Georgina
January 5, 2016 @ 10:19 am
Hi! I’ve got a flight booked to Singapore and I land at 9:15. I want to get an ongoing flight to Bali at 12:15. Do you think this will be enough time? I will have checked baggage.
Thank you!
Ali Garland
January 6, 2016 @ 9:20 pm
Hi Georgina! I think a 3 hour layover in Singapore should be enough time. It sounds like you’re going to end up with two separate flights not on the same itinerary, which means you’ll have to go through customs, claim your luggage, check in for the next flight and go through security again. So it might be a little tight, but I don’t think 3 hours is unreasonable. If there’s a slightly later flight, it might be worth booking that just in case, but if not, I think you’ll be fine. In any case, be sure to check out my tips for handling short layovers here. Enjoy your trip!
isha
December 29, 2015 @ 11:00 am
i have booked my tickets with eithad from mumbai to san francisco with one lay over at abu dahi… but my return flight is booked with 2 lay overs from san francisco to jfk then from jfk to abu dahi and last abu dahi to mumbai…. but i m only concerned about my jfk lay over as i have 1 hour and 30 mins lay over and need to change from terminal 8 to terminal 4… will the time be sufficient….. my travel agent said since v have booked all tickets together my luggage i will have to collect directly at mumbai… so is the time sufficient for boarding my next flight
Ali Garland
December 30, 2015 @ 10:50 am
Hi Isha! The travel agent is correct, your bags will get tagged and transferred to your final destination. The US doesn’t do exiting customs/passport checks like in most countries. The agent checking you in and printing your boarding pass will check your passport to make sure you have permission to go to the country you’re flying to and that you haven’t overstayed, if you’re not a US citizen/resident. So when you get to JFK, you really only have to get to your next gate, as if it were a domestic flight. I found this: http://www.ifly.com/john-f-kennedy-international-airport/terminal-map?airport=JFK&from=term8&to=term4 which tells you how to get from terminal to terminal. There is a train that connects the terminals, so that will save you a few minutes. It does look like you’ll have to go through security again because each terminal has its own security checkpoint. I think 1 hour 30 minutes should be fine for your layover, but save things like going to the bathroom and stopping for snacks until you find your departure gate and see how much time you have until boarding. If you’re worried, check out my tips for dealing with a short layover here. In Abu Dhabi, look for “transit” or “transfer” signs. Since you aren’t staying there, you shouldn’t have to go through customs and immigration, but you will need to go through security again. I hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!
Ashley
December 18, 2015 @ 6:38 pm
I’m flying from SJO to DFW to DEN. My layover in Dallas is 1 hr 50 min. Is that enough time to make my connecting flight? I’ve never returned from an international flight before (going to SJO was my first out-of-US flight ever) and never been to DFW, so I’m rather terrified. I didn’t book this itinerary originally– it was changed by American Airlines. When I originally booked it, I had a 3+ hour layover. However, they completely changed my itinerary to where I leave later from SJO and leave earlier from DFW, making my connection really tight. Thanks!
Ali Garland
December 20, 2015 @ 9:58 pm
Hi Ashley! 1 hour 50 minutes is a bit tight, though not impossible. When you land in DFW, you’ll have to go through passport check/immigration and customs. You will also have to pick up your checked luggage and recheck it. Some airports have a place to recheck your luggage immediately after passing through customs so it just takes a couple minutes, but not all airports do, and in that case you’d have to find the luggage check line near the check-in counter, and that would take longer. Unfortunately I haven’t flown through DFW so I don’t know what their set-up is. Either way, you will have to go through security again as well. So you’ll be in several lines throughout this process, which could take a long time if the lines are long, or you could zip through if there aren’t a lot of other international flights landing at the same time.
I would suggest calling American Airlines and asking what their policy is if you miss your connection due to long lines for customs and immigration. And if you’re not comfortable with the amount of time you have, or if their policy is bad, see if they can switch you onto an earlier flight out of SJO or a later flight out of DFW. Also, check out my tips for dealing with a short layover here.
I hope you enjoy Costa Rica!
Ashley
December 21, 2015 @ 5:03 am
Thanks! My first flight ended up getting delayed by 45 minutes due to some dude losing his passport, so I ended up having less than an hour to get to my gate. With sprinting, I made it a minute before the gate was set to close. Somehow I made it. I would not advise anyone to have less than a two hour layover after that experience.
Ali Garland
December 21, 2015 @ 9:10 am
I’m glad you made it!
Janice Walmsley
November 9, 2015 @ 12:17 am
Hi Ali
This is a great site and i would like your opinion , i am flying on my own Nov 10th 2015 from Manchester to JFK with BA , arriving 10.15 am arriving JFK at 13.30 leaving JFK at 14.55 both terminal 8 . I have not done layovers before so do you think i have enough time to catch connecting flight i am very worried about it all. Also i fly back from Orlando o 2/12/15 to Chicago arrive at 15.54 and depart from same terminal 19.00
Ali Garland
November 9, 2015 @ 3:28 pm
Thanks Janice! A 1 hour 25 minute layover is a bit short, but not impossible. You’ll have to go through customs and immigration at JFK, plus claim and re-check your luggage and go through security again. Check out my tips for dealing with a short layover here. For your return flight, I don’t think you’ll have a problem at all. That is plenty of time, plus when you’re leaving the US, there is no customs/immigration line to deal with. The ticket agent will check your passport when you’re checking in for your flight. I hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!
Brittany Murphy
November 4, 2015 @ 4:32 pm
Hi!! This is so helpful. Thank you! I am flying from Reykjavik, Iceland KEF to Baltimore BWI arriving at 4:55 pm. The latest flight I can get from Baltimore to Indianapolis IND is at 7:10 pm. I’ve never flown out of the US before. I am concerned that the two hours between flights might not be enough to go through customs, check in and make it to the 7:10 pm flight. I won’t have any luggage to collect. Just traveling with a backpack. I would really appreciate your opinion! Thanks!
Ali Garland
November 5, 2015 @ 4:31 pm
Thanks Brittany! I’m guessing from what you’re saying that your flights are on two separate itineraries. Having carry-on only will definitely help save you time. Another thing that could help is checking in online for your second flight ahead of time. That way you can have your boarding pass in hand when you land in BWI. You should be able to get through customs and immediately go to the TSA security check and make your way to your connecting gate. Here’s a map of the airport so you can get an idea of where you’re going once you’re there: http://www.bwiairport.com/en/maps/gatemap Two hours might be a little tight, but it’s doable. Check out my tips for short layovers here. I hope that helps, but let me know if you have any other questions!
Joe Branch
October 29, 2015 @ 6:43 pm
I am going on a business trip to Las Vegas From Boston with American Airlines with a 44 minute layover in Charlotte.
Is that a long enough Layover or should I take the 79 minute layover in Dallas instead?
Ali Garland
October 30, 2015 @ 7:12 pm
Hi Joe! 44 minutes is a little tight, but Charlotte is also a smaller airport. Personally I’d probably feel a little more comfortable with 79 minutes, but take a look at the two airports here http://www.worldairportguides.com/north_america/ and look at what they say about which airlines fly from which terminals. American might be in several terminals in Dallas, which isn’t so helpful, but if they only operate in one terminal in Charlotte, the switch might be really easy. I hope that helps!
Jatin
October 12, 2015 @ 1:17 pm
I have booked tickets from Mumbai Intl to Bali (DPS). There is a layover of 2:30 hrs at Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur airport. Is this layover enough to hop on to the next flight? I am a bit concerned about the same. Thanks in advance
Ali Garland
October 14, 2015 @ 2:25 pm
Hi Jatin! I think 2 hours 30 minutes should be enough time for your layover in Kuala Lumpur. Look for “transit” or “transfer” signs, go through security, and find your next gate. You shouldn’t have to deal with customs since you’re not staying in Malaysia. Enjoy your trip!
Briony
October 12, 2015 @ 3:02 am
Hi Ali,
Interesting article, and very helpful, thank you!
I’m wondering f you could please give me some advice. I am flying from Lima to Perth (back home from a South American holiday, I only booked a one way ticket there and now need to book my return). The cheapest route I have found is via LA. I haven’t booked my flights yet but I’m looking at this itinerary. There are two legs of the journey, the first via JetBlue: Lima -> FLL -> LAX (2hrs 35 mins layover, on a Saturday morning at 11:45). And then the second leg with Singapore Airlines: LAX -> Tokyo -> Singapore -> Perth. They are all short layovers, and the one I am worried about most is the 2 hr 35 min at LAX. From reading all the comments here I have a feeling it’s not going to be a push for time… But I’m not sure. As it is a separately booked flight and therefore I know I will definitely need to collect my bags and check them in again. I’ve looked at alternative flights in and out of LAX and they are all much more expensive or inconvenient (e.g. an overnight layover which will require a hotel booking), so I really want to make this flight. But I also don’t want to risk missing it.
I’d really appreciate your opinion! Thanks in advance.
Ali Garland
October 14, 2015 @ 2:21 pm
Hi Briony! I do think 2 hours 35 minutes is a bit tight for an international layover in LAX. It’s certainly possible, but if the lines at customs are long, it might not work out. If you miss your flight out of LAX, the airline won’t be any help because you have separate itineraries, so even if your Lima to LAX flight is delayed, causing you to miss the LAX to Tokyo flight, the airline won’t help you. Also remember that you’ll have to go through customs and claim and recheck your luggage in FLL, so make sure you have enough time on that layover as well.
There are flights from South America to Australia that don’t go through the US and that are all one itinerary, but I don’t know how the prices compare with what you’re looking at. It really depends on your comfort level. Personally, I’d rather have fewer flights (you would have 5 flights with these two itineraries?!) because the more layovers you have, the more chances you have for a delayed flight, causing you to miss the next flight, and then the whole thing gets messed up. It gets even more complicated when you split it into two itineraries. And each flight will make you more and more exhausted. A few hundred dollars extra for a little extra peace of mind and less stress might really be worth it. But it’s your call.
Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with!
Robbi
October 11, 2015 @ 9:56 pm
Hi Everyone,
This is such an website! thank you for contributing. I’m Canadian and starting my Trip from Toronto to Sydney with a
2hr and 40min layover in Hong Kong. I’m going to be flying Cathay pacific (end to end), would i need to pick up my luggage in Hong Kong? i would imagine not but i’ve never been through the Hong Kong route before. I assume you’d have to go through customs still.
I’m also hoping the 2hour and 40mins should be enough for a layer over as it’s a 27 hour flight all together and missing a flight is one of my worst fears when flying.
Thanks for your help!
Ali Garland
October 14, 2015 @ 2:02 pm
Hi Robbi! Your luggage should get tagged to go all the way to Sydney, no need to pick it up in Hong Kong. Also, since you are not staying in Hong Kong, you shouldn’t have to go through customs. Look for “transit” or “transfer” signs, go through security, and find your next gate. I think 2 hours 40 minutes should be enough time since you don’t have to deal with luggage or customs. Enjoy your trip!
Robbi
October 18, 2015 @ 12:37 pm
Thank you Ali for the response! i’m looking forward to this trip 😀
BobG
September 16, 2015 @ 2:32 am
We are connecting in MEX. We are flying Delta in business class from ATL and will change planes in MEX from a Delta flight to an Areomexico flight and on to Santiago. The tickets are booked through Delta. We have about a 4 hour layover. I understand we will have to go through customs and immigration. From what I have read, I think we have enough time. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks.
Ali Garland
September 16, 2015 @ 9:34 am
Hi Bob! Sounds like you have a decent layover in Mexico City, 4 hours should be plenty of time. Are you going to Santiago, Chile? If you’re not staying in Mexico, you shouldn’t have to go through customs and immigration. Look for “transit” or “transfer” signs, go through security, and proceed to your next gate. Your luggage will automatically get transferred from your first flight to your second flight. Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your trip!
BobG
September 16, 2015 @ 3:37 pm
Thanks, we we are only changing planes and airlines in MEX on our way to Santiago Chile from ATL. What had/has me confused, as I read reviews about MEX, that it seems everyone had to go through Customs and Immigration even if they were not staying in Mexico. i understand going through security, but did not understand Customs and Immigration.
It appears that some folks did, but maybe they did not know about the “transit” or “transfer” lanes.
Thank again.
Ali Garland
September 16, 2015 @ 3:57 pm
Hi Bob, I’ve never flown through Mexico City, but pretty much every country in the world besides the US and Canada has a way for you to pass through on an international layover without being stamped into the country if you’re not staying in the country. I apologize if I’m wrong about Mexico, but I think it is likely to be in line with most of the rest of the world on that. But if I’m wrong, and you do have to go through customs and immigration, you should still have plenty of time with a 4 hour layover. And yes, it is kind of easy to miss the “transit” signs in some airports if you’re getting off a long flight and following the crowd.
BobG
September 16, 2015 @ 4:34 pm
Thanks, we are traveling in March 2016 and I will post my experiences, if i can remember to do so.
Ali Garland
September 19, 2015 @ 12:40 pm
Thanks!
Wilfredo
September 9, 2015 @ 1:40 pm
Hi Ali. Great post.
I have a layover in Helsinki (HEL) to Milan (MXP), just 50 minutes, coming from Bangkok (BKK) flying with Finnair.50 min, Is enough?
Thanks!
Ali Garland
September 9, 2015 @ 8:45 pm
Thanks! A 50 minute layover in Helsinki might be tight. Since you’re flying from Bangkok, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration when you land in Helsinki, then you’ll have to go through security again and get to your next gate. 50 minutes is unlikely to be enough time for all of that. I’d suggest calling the airline and 1- ask what their policy is if you miss your connection due to the amount of time it takes to get through customs and immigration, NOT if the flight is delayed, and 2- find out what it would cost to switch to a later HEL-MXP flight so you have more time for your layover. If you decide to stick with your flights the way they are, check out my tips for what to do if you have a short layover: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/
Wilfredo
September 9, 2015 @ 9:24 pm
Thank you very much, Ali.
James
August 28, 2015 @ 7:00 pm
I have a flight from New Zealand to LAX. I need to book another flight from LAX to JFK. I do not have experience at LAX so I was wondering how long of a layover should I book to give me enough time to catch my LAX to JFK flight. I am looking at Delta airlines for my domestic leg. Thanks!
James
August 28, 2015 @ 7:27 pm
I forgot to mention we will have checked bags on the NZ flight.
Ali Garland
August 29, 2015 @ 9:23 pm
Hi James! When you land in LAX, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration, as well as claim your checked luggage, regardless of your next flight. So having two separate flights/itineraries isn’t as big of a deal in this situation as it would normally be. However, you will have to check in for the next flight and check your luggage, so checking in will add a little time. To be safe, I’d say at least 3 hours for the layover, at a minimum. LAX is a popular international airport, so it could take an hour or even more just to get through customs and immigration if there are a lot of other flights landing at the same time. Then you’ll have to make your way out to the check-in counters to drop off your bag and get your next boarding pass. Then you have to go through security and find your next gate. Better to have too much time than not enough, so 3 or even 4 hours just in case of long lines. It could end up being overkill, but I’d hate for you to miss your next flight.
Also, see if you can check in online for your LAX to JFK flight and print your boarding pass before you even leave New Zealand. If you can, that will save you a little time in LAX, and you will only have to check your luggage. Sometimes there are separate lines for people who just need to check luggage, not check in for the flight.
I hope this helps, but let me know if you have any other questions, and have a great trip!
James
August 29, 2015 @ 11:31 pm
Ali,
Thank you for the detailed response. I was thinking 3 hrs layover as well. There’s plenty of flight times from LAX to JFK so I should be able to find something that works in that 3 to 4 hour layover range.
Have a good weekend!
Ali Garland
August 31, 2015 @ 2:35 pm
You’re welcome! Enjoy your trip!
Annabel
August 14, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
Hi. I’m traveling from Phoenix to Minneapolis with a connecting flight in Chicago (Midway). I have 50 minutes in between my connecting flight to Minneapolis . I’m wondering if that should be enough time for my checked luggage to to make it on my connecting flight as well. Is there a way to male sure it does get on the connecting flight?
Ali Garland
August 15, 2015 @ 9:20 am
Hi Annabel! 50 minutes is kind of a tight connection, but not so bad for a domestic layover. And Chicago Midway is a much smaller airport than O’Hare. Unfortunately there isn’t really any way to guarantee your luggage will make the transfer, but 50 minutes is at least reasonable. Try not to worry about it as there’s not much you can do, and chances are it will make it. Just be sure to pack anything valuable and even a change of clothes in your carry-on. Have a great trip!
chris
August 12, 2015 @ 9:36 pm
Hi there. I’m going from toronto to india and there’s one leg I’m worried about. It has a 2 hour stopover-though same airline and airport. Do you think that will be enough time?
Both are Finnair
New Delhi (DEL) to Helsinki (HEL)
Sunday 3rd January 2016
Landing:2:45pm leaving for Heathrow at 4:55
Change planes: 2h 10m
4:55pm Helsinki to Heathrow
thanks!!
Ali Garland
August 13, 2015 @ 9:51 am
Hi Chris! I think you’ll be ok with a 2 hour layover in Helsinki. Finland is in the Schengen Zone, but the UK is not, which means Finland won’t even process you into the country. Just look for “transit” or “transfer” signs and you’ll have to go through security again. But you won’t have to deal with customs and immigration because you’re not staying in the Schengen Zone. I hope that helps, and have a great trip!
chris
August 13, 2015 @ 11:28 pm
Thanks Ali. Sorry, I’m confused. If I’m coming from the U.k. won’t I have to go through customs because UK is not part of the Schengen agreement?
I go toronto>london london>helsinki helsinki>delhi
and vice versa on my way back.
Ali Garland
August 14, 2015 @ 9:16 am
Sorry for the confusion, Chris. Since you just have a layover in the UK, you will not have to go through customs in the UK. You’re not staying there, so they will treat you as if you were never in the country. And I apologize, when I read your first comment, I missed the Toronto part at the beginning. You won’t be stamped into Finland either since you’re not staying in Finland or any other Schengen country.
So, when you leave Toronto, they will check to make sure you have the proper visa to go to India. When you land in the UK, look for “transit” or “transfer” signs, go through security, and find your next gate. When you land in Helsinki, do the same. When you land in India, they will process you through customs and immigration. As long as you booked these flights all on one itinerary, your luggage should be tagged to go all the way through to Delhi.
On your way home, it’s pretty much the same. They process you out of India. You’ll land in Helsinki and look for “transit” or “transfer” signs, go through security, and find your next gate. Repeat in London. Then go through customs and immigration in Toronto and collect your luggage.
I hope that helps, sorry I wasn’t clear before! Let me know if you have any other questions!
chris
August 14, 2015 @ 4:44 pm
Thanks. I think my message was confusing, so no apologies needed. If I leave the airport and spend the night in a hotel in Helsinki, does that change anything?
Ali Garland
August 14, 2015 @ 5:21 pm
If you decide to leave the airport in Helsinki, you will have to clear customs and immigration. I’m guessing you’re Canadian due to the Toronto starting point, which means you don’t need a visa for Finland (or the Schengen Zone) but if I’m wrong about your citizenship, be sure to check ahead of time. Then when you go back to the airport for your next flight, whether it’s in the London direction or the Delhi direction, you’ll have to go through passport control and security again, so leave yourself plenty of time for that.
chrs
August 15, 2015 @ 3:06 pm
Thanks so much. very helpful
Ali Garland
August 15, 2015 @ 5:52 pm
No problem!
Beth
June 12, 2015 @ 5:37 pm
Im travelling back home to London in December from Columbia MO. I have a connecting flight at Chicago O’Hare. It arrives there at 7:45 and then departs at 8:55. This is the first time I will have ever flown myself, let alone with a connecting flight and am very unsure of what I will have to do. Will this be long enough? Do I have to collect my luggage, go through immigration and customs etc. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Ali Garland
June 13, 2015 @ 11:10 pm
Hi Beth! An hour and 10 minutes is a little tight for O’Hare, depending on whether you have to change terminals, but it’s not impossible. If your concerned about the time, check out my advice for dealing with a short layover: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/
Here’s how it works when you’re flying from the US to another country: You’ll check in for your first flight, where they will print both of your boarding passes and tag your checked luggage all the way to your final destination. You don’t pick it up again until you get to London. The ticket agent will check your passport when you check in for your first flight, but beyond that, there isn’t any immigration and customs until you land in London.
If you’re flying back from London to Columbia with a layover in the US, you’ll have to go through passport control in London on your way out. The ticket agent will print both boarding passes and tag your luggage to your final destination. BUT you will have to go through customs at the first US airport. At that time you’ll also have to claim and recheck your luggage as well as go through security again. It’s annoying, but not hard.
I hope this helps but let me know if you have any other questions!
Dakota
June 10, 2015 @ 8:36 pm
I will be flying from Seattle to Sydney with Qantas in late December (the Seattle to LAX leg is operated by Alaska Airlines) Is this enough time to get through customs and get my checked bag onto the plane? Both Alaska and Qantas are at Terminal 6. Will the Alaska/Qantas partnership make this any easier?
The return flight is Sydney to LAX with a 3:45 layover
Thanks for the help! this is my first International Flight
Ali Garland
June 10, 2015 @ 10:25 pm
Hi Dakota! You didn’t mention how long your layover in LAX is on your way TO Sydney, but in any case, you don’t really go through customs in the US when you’re on your way out of the country. The ticket agent will check your passport when you check in at the Seattle airport. Your layover in LAX will be just like any layover on a domestic flight. Your luggage should be tagged from SEA – LAX – SYD and you shouldn’t have to pick it up in LAX. Always verify that when you check in, but since you’re booked on one itinerary and Alaska and Qantas have a partnership, they should transfer your luggage from the first flight to the second, as well as print both of your boarding passes. On your way back to the US and land in LAX, you will go through passport check, pick up your checked luggage, go through customs, recheck your luggage, go through security, and go to your next gate. It can be a bit annoying at LAX but I think 3 hours 45 minutes will be plenty of time. Enjoy your trip to Australia!
Dakota
June 11, 2015 @ 7:09 pm
Thanks for the help =)
Dakota
June 11, 2015 @ 7:14 pm
Also the layover at LAX to Sydney is 1:35 forgot to mention that in my first post
Ali Garland
June 12, 2015 @ 11:38 am
I wouldn’t worry much about that layover on your way TO Sydney since all you will have to do is fine your next gate and maybe change terminals. A layover this short on the way back would be cutting it too close, but you said you have a lot more time on the way back, so you should be fine.
Ali Garland
June 12, 2015 @ 11:38 am
No problem!
David
June 7, 2015 @ 4:18 am
I am flying from Minneapolis-St Paul Airport to Saint Petersburg but with a 1:55 minute layover in Amsterdam Schipol Airport. My concern is if the length of the layover is too short and if Schipol is a big airport or difficult to get around. Also I am wondering if I have to do anything in Schipol Airport involved with flying into Russia like filling out a form or something. I plan on bringing only my carry on and nothing else as far as luggage is concerned and all my flights are with KLM.
Ali Garland
June 7, 2015 @ 10:27 am
Hi David! When you land in Amsterdam, look for transit signs. Since you’re coming from outside of the Schengen Zone, and you’re not staying in Schengen, they will basically treat you as if you were never in Schengen. You’ll have to show your boarding pass (and maybe your Russian visa) for the flight to St. Petersburg and go through security again, but that’s about it there. Schipol is a big airport, but the fact that you won’t have to go through customs and immigration means you won’t need as much time to deal with your layover. I’ve never been to Russia, so I don’t know what kind of entry forms they do, but they would give you that either on the plane or once you arrive in St. Petersburg, not in Amsterdam.
Pam S
May 31, 2015 @ 5:50 am
Question: I have a flight on South African Airways that leaves Capetown and transfers in Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. I wasn’t concerned about the one hour and 40 minute layover until I realized that the flight is on TAM and not on SAA! They are both part of Star Alliance and I booked them together, but I am worried that my bag won’t make it. I’m considering catching an earlier flight and picking up the bag myself to recheck it. Is that the right thing to do? After I get to Sao Paulo I change airlines (to American, not a Star Alliance airline) and I want to make sure my bag makes it. Your thoughts please?
Ali Garland
June 3, 2015 @ 2:58 pm
Hi Pam! I wouldn’t worry about the flights being on different airlines. They’re both in Star Alliance, which means they codeshare on flights all the time. That won’t cause your luggage to take any longer to get from the first to the second flight. As long as you’re comfortable with one hour 40 minutes for the layover, I don’t think you need to change the flight. However, you might want to call the airline (either is fine but SAA might be better) and fine out when you will have to go through passport control. If they’re checking your passport for exiting the country before your flight out of Johannesburg, one hour 40 minutes might be a bit tight. That’s generally how it works in Europe (in the Schengen Zone) when you’re about to board your flight that leaves Schengen, but I’m having a hard time finding the equivalent info for South Africa. Let me know if I can help with anything else!
Patricia
May 19, 2015 @ 6:24 pm
Hi! I´m loving this article and all of the answers on the comments, but I was wondering if you may have some insight on the flights I´m looking at. I´m going to Disney World with my youngest cousin (she´s 12) and it´s her first time traveling. I have traveled in the past, but I´ve never gone through MIA o Fort Lauderdale´s airport. Spirit offers an early flight from Costa Rica (where I´m from) to Orlando with a 1 hour layover at Fort Lauderdale, but since it will be my first point of entry to the US, and I´m unfamiliar with the layout (and traveling with a child), I´m not sure if it´ll be enough time. Also, US Airways offers a flight with a 2 hour layover at MIA, but I´ve heard that that airport is massive, so, again, not sure if it´ll be enough time. Any advice? Thanks for all the info (and pardon my grammar).
Ali Garland
May 20, 2015 @ 3:06 pm
Hi Patricia! That’s kind of a tough call. Miami is bigger than Ft. Lauderdale, and it handles tons more international flights. Time issues aside, I’d choose Ft. Lauderdale over Miami because it is an easier airport to deal with. But having two hours does give you a better layover from a time perspective. I think it’s really whether you feel more comfortable with a smaller airport or a longer layover.
Here are some links to maps of the two airports along with which airlines are in which terminals:
http://www.worldairportguides.com/fort-lauderdale-fll/terminals.php
http://www.broward.org/Airport/Maps/Pages/TerminalMaps/Default.htm
http://miami-mia.worldairportguides.com/airlines.php
http://www.miami-airport.com/airline_information.asp
Sorry I can’t give you a definitive answer, but go with whichever one makes you feel more comfortable, more time or a smaller airport. Might also be worth finding out how the two airlines handle it if you miss your connection due to customs taking a long time. If one airline is more helpful than the other, that might influence your decision too.
By the way, your grammar is fine!
Raffaele
May 14, 2015 @ 2:38 pm
Hi!
I’m flying from Chicago O’Hare to Milan on December
Chicago – Montreal 13:30 16:29
Montreal – Frankfurt 17:10 06:30
Frankfurt – Milan 08:30 09:40
Can you tell me if 41 minutes layover at the Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport are enough?
Thank you for your attention 😉
Ali Garland
May 14, 2015 @ 11:53 pm
Hi Raffaele! Honestly I think 41 minutes is a bit tight for a connection in general, but especially for an international connection. Canada is like the US in that they require you to go through immigration and customs even if it isn’t your final destination. You could get really lucky and have short lines and get through quickly, but I wouldn’t necessarily count on that. Check out my suggestions for dealing with a short layover here: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/ And it might be worth calling the airline and seeing what their policy is if you miss your connection because of customs and immigration (NOT what the policy is if the first flight is delayed) and see if there is an earlier flight you can take from Chicago to Montreal.
Raffaele
May 20, 2015 @ 8:00 am
Hi Ali
Thank you very much for your tips! I followed your advice and I took an earlier flight…
Thanks again for your work, much appreciated!
Have a nice day!
Raffaele
Ali Garland
May 20, 2015 @ 2:31 pm
Glad to help! Have a great trip!
Genil Speer
April 8, 2015 @ 9:46 am
Hi Maam!
Good Day! I just wanna ask, my husband in flying from Atlanta,Georgia to O’Hare to Narita,Japan to Cebu,Philippines. His main destination is from Atlanta to Cebu,Philippines. He booked his flight thru United Airlines under one itinerary. Im just worried because he only have 46 mins layover from O’hare to Narita,Japan and I think thats not enough for him to get everything situated. Do you think that United Airlines will give him 2 boarding pass ? I just need some of your advice.
Thank you!
Ali Garland
April 9, 2015 @ 11:02 am
Hi Genil! I agree with you, I don’t think the 46 minute layover in O’hare is long enough. Each terminal in ORD has its own security checkpoint, which means your husband will have to go through security again if he has to change terminals, and that can take a long time. United should be able to print all of his boarding passes in Atlanta, so that won’t be a problem, but I’d still be nervous with such a short layover at O’hare. It might be worth calling United and seeing if there is an earlier flight from ATL to ORD, or at least find out what their policy is if the ATL to ORD flight is on time and he still misses his connection. Also, check out my tips for dealing with a short layover here: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/ Let me know if you have any other questions!
sally beatty
April 3, 2015 @ 2:25 pm
Thank you Ali! Appreciate your wonderful advice.
Ali Garland
April 6, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
Thanks, and no problem!
sally beatty
March 31, 2015 @ 11:43 pm
Hi Ali!
What a great blog and very helpful information you give!
I haven’t seen comments on layovers on the airports I have questions on, so hope you don’t mind another inquiry before I book the flights.
My 20-yr old daughter will be flying from Pittsburgh to London in late June – first time flying on her own.
For the trip over, we are looking at a one-stop flight with the layover being at JFK in New York.
She will be leaving Pittsburgh on at Saturday on a 5:20pm Delta flight, arriving at JFK at 7:00pm.
She can then either choose an 8:30pm departure or a 10:30pm departure – both Delta flights to London.
Is she better off with an hour and half layover or a 3-1/2 hour layover?
Coming home is more complicated.
She will be returning on a Sunday in mid-July.
Her choices are:
1) Leave London at 10:30am and fly on Delta to JFK; have a 2 hr 11 min layover before catching a 3:45pm flight to Pittsburgh
(There was another all-Delta option that only had a 1hr 39min layover at JFK – from reading your blog, I’m thinking that should be ruled out?)
2a and b) Fly from London to Charles De Gaulle in Paris on either
a) 8:20am flight labeled as Air France operated by HOP! Regional (sounds fishy to me?), arriving at 10:35am with a 2 hr 55 min layover at CDG before catching a 1:30pm Delta flight to Pittsburgh
b) 9:45am flight labeled as Delta operated by Air France, arriving at noon with a 1hr 30 min layover at CDG before catching the same 1:30pm Delta flight to Pittsburgh
3) leave London at 2:25pm on a Delta flight to Detroit (DTW), arriving at 5:55pm with a 3hr 40 min layover and then a 9:35pm Delta flight to Pittsburgh
We’d greatly appreciate your advice!!!! Thanks!!! Sally
Ali Garland
April 1, 2015 @ 10:31 am
Hi Sally! No problem, glad to help! Flights from the US to international destinations are barely any different from domestic flights. Her luggage will be checked in from Pittsburgh, so she won’t have to deal with that on her JFK layover. But it looks like each terminal at JFK has a separate security checkpoint, which means she’ll have to go through TSA again if she has to switch terminals, and that could take some time. An hour and a half could be enough, but if there are any delays or long lines at security, it might be cutting things close. The longer layover would be a safer bet, but I understand how annoying it is to have such a long layover, so that’s a personal judgement call.
As for the flight back, she will have to go through customs and immigration, plus claim and re-check her luggage, at the first US airport she lands in. For that reason, I don’t like option #1. She’ll have a lot more to do at the airport before she can get to her connecting flight, and JFK just doesn’t make things easy for claiming and re-checking luggage. I don’t think 2 hours 11 minutes is long enough.
If she transits through Paris, she won’t have to deal with customs because she’s not staying in the Schengen Zone. (The UK is not in Schengen, but France is, so she would be viewed as just transiting.) So in that case, I think option 2A is fine, but I think 2B is too short of a layover even without the hassle of customs. As for HOP! Regional, I don’t know anything about them, but from a quick search, it looks like they are a subsidiary of Air France, so they should be fine.
Option #3 might be the easiest for her since it doesn’t involve dealing with another foreign country/language. The layover should be plenty of time to get through customs, claim and re-check her luggage, go through security, and find her connecting gate. Personally, this is the one I’d choose, with 2A as a second choice.
I hope this helps, and let me know if either of you have any other questions! I hope she has a great time in London!
sally beatty
April 1, 2015 @ 11:36 pm
Thank you Ali!!! Boy, you really are good at this. Appreciate your insight very very much! Thanks again.
Ali Garland
April 2, 2015 @ 1:03 pm
Aw, thanks Sally, always happy to help!
sally beatty
April 3, 2015 @ 4:51 am
Hi Ali!
Sorry to bother you yet again.
Yesterday, when I went to book the Delta flights you’d advised on, the prices had gone up $400 overnight! Maybe hitting April 1 made a difference.
Other airlines are in line with the lower original prices (for now). So if you don’t mind, I have yet another question.
For a savings of $300, we could do the following United flights:
Leave Pittsburgh at 2:50pm on a Saturday, arriving in Washington DC (Dulles) at 3:53pm
2 hour 7 min layover
Leave Dulles at 6:00pm, arrive in London at 6:20am
RETURN TRIP:
Leave London at 3:20pm on a Sunday, arriving in Chicago (O’Hare) at 6:15pm
3 hour layover
Leave Chicago at 9:15pm, arrive in Pittsburgh at 11:41pm
Does that work? And do you think it’s worth the savings? Any opinion on United vs Delta?
The aircraft for the short domestic flights is Embraer ERJ-170, which I’ve never heard of, but that doesn’t mean anything.
The other option for the same cost is to fly on United from Pittsburgh through Newark, with a 2 hr 10 min layover on the way over to London and either a 2 hr 29 min or a 3 hr 54 min layover on the way back home.
These short flights use a Bombardier Q400, which is a prop plane – maybe a rougher ride?
Yet again, any insight is most appreciated. THANK YOU!!!
Ali Garland
April 3, 2015 @ 12:22 pm
No problem! Honestly, I think either of these options is fine. The layovers are long enough, though I might give just the tiniest advantage to the Newark layover because it’s an easier airport to deal with. But I’d probably pick the longer layover there just to be safe.
The prop plane could be a little bumpy, but the Embraer is a small plane too, so I don’t think it makes much difference. The smaller planes are more efficient for shorter distances. As for Delta vs United, I used to fly Delta all the time when I lived in Atlanta, so I don’t have much experience with United. If she’s collecting frequent flyer miles, it’s probably better to book with whichever airline she has miles with or whichever airline is in the same alliance as an airline she has miles with.
Dipesh
March 26, 2015 @ 8:55 am
Hey Ali,
Long time. I am traveling to Canada in April. Do the baggage get transferred to domestic sector or do i need to claim the baggage and re check in the baggage as like in US (International to Domestic transfer) . Mt Flight is KTM – (Fly Dubai) – DXB – (Emirates) – YYZ – (Air canada) – YEG
Ali Garland
March 26, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
Hi Dipesh! It is my understanding that Canadian airports are similar to US airports in that you have to go through customs and immigration AND claim and re-check your luggage at the first point of entry. So yes, you would have to collect your luggage and re-check it in YYZ before boarding your flight to YEG.
Bjoern Ahrens
February 16, 2015 @ 5:10 pm
Hi Ali,
it would be super cool if you could give me some advice concerning my Newark layover problem:
Me and my girlfriend booked a United flight from Hamburg/Germany to Las Vegas via Newark which originally had a 3.5 hour layover in Newark. Pretty perfect for immigration, possible terminal transfer and so on. The thing is: We just got informed by our travel agent that United rescheduled the flight – which reduces the layover time to a mere 1.5 hours.
I’ve never been to Newark, but the last time I flew to the U.S., it took ages to get through JFK immigration.
Do you think 1.5 hrs are enough to catch our flight to Vegas? Or should we better book a later flight (with far more layover time)? We’re a bit lost in this case, so your advice is highly appreciated!
Thanks so much,
Bjoern
Ali Garland
February 17, 2015 @ 12:41 pm
Hi Bjoern! An hour and a half layover in Newark sounds really tight to me. You’ll have to go through the customs and immigration process and claim and re-check your luggage, which is almost never a fast thing. It’s not a super huge airport, but it does still have a few different terminals, and you could have to switch. If you decide to go for it, be sure to check out my tips for dealing with a short layover: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/
Since the airline changed your flight, I think you might be able to change your itinerary to a better connection without cost. Even if you end up with a layover that’s longer than you’d like, it might be a better option than taking the risk of missing your connecting flight.
Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy Vegas!
Bjoern Ahrens
February 19, 2015 @ 10:45 am
Hi Ali,
thanks for your reply!
As it turned out, it would cost us 250 € p.p. to switch to a later flight.
Since our layover time in Newark is far (well, 25 minutes) longer than the MCT, there’s no chance to rebook with no cost. So, we’ll just try our best to catch that flight… keeping your short layover tips in mind. If we shouldn’t make it, United is by all means obligated to get us to Vegas that day (at least that’s what our travel agent told us) – be it with the next direct flight or with a stopover in Houston/Cleveland/Denver.
Seems like it’s going to be a thrill ride from the very beginning 🙂
Ali Garland
February 19, 2015 @ 3:05 pm
Ah that stinks they won’t let you change your flight without the fee. Hopefully you’ll get lucky and the passport lines will move quickly in Newark. Good luck, and have a great trip no matter what!
Peter
February 15, 2015 @ 5:53 pm
Hello…My sister is flying into Toronto, then after a 4 hour layover, my two girls and myself are joining her on an identical flight to see my parents in Slovenia (No one has seen anyone in just under 10 years!) I live 15 minutes away from Pearson YYZ and wanted to quickly pick her up and take her to see our new home. Based on all that I have read, it probably is not possible. The customs factor is seemingly the unknown which could cause issues.
Anyway , thought I’d share our wishful plan.
Cheers…you put a lot of effort in your replies…that is obvious and commendable..Karma will take good care of you.
🙂
Ali Garland
February 15, 2015 @ 9:24 pm
Peter, thank you so much for your kind words! I never thought this post would become a layover advice column, but I’m glad to help people out when I can.
You’re right, I don’t think a 4 hour layover is quite long enough for your sister to leave the airport. I think the best you could do is meet her for a coffee or something at the airport, though she would still have to come out of the secured area and go back through security again afterwards.
Enjoy your trip to Slovenia!
James
February 13, 2015 @ 8:16 am
Hi great blog! I will be flying from Dallas to Munich with a 1:47 layover at O’Hare. Both flights are United but my itinerary shows a change of terminals from 2 to 1. Is the 1 hour and 47 min layover enough time to make the connecting flight? Thanks!
Ali Garland
February 13, 2015 @ 11:36 am
Thanks James! O’Hare is notoriously tricky for layovers because they have separate security lines for each terminal, which means if you have to switch from 2 to 1, you’ll probably have to deal with security checks again. An hour 47 minutes is probably fine for your Dallas-Chicago-Munich flight, BUT it’s the way back I’d be more concerned with. I don’t know what your return flight looks like, but if it’s similar to this, I’m not sure the layover is long enough. When you fly into the US, you have to go through customs and immigration, plus claim and re-check your luggage, at the first airport you land in. This takes quite some time to get through. Be sure to check out my tips for dealing with a short layover: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/
Melanie
February 8, 2015 @ 2:31 am
Hi Ali,
I’m flying from Toronto to Costa Rica with a layover at Chicago O’Hare. I only just realized that I have a really tight connection, only 1:05. There aren’t any other doable flights.
I’m planning to do carry on only. Both flights are with United. My real question is this: would a United flight coming from Canada go into the International arrivals in Terminal 5 (in which case I think there’s no way I’m going to make it) or their domestic arrivals in Terminal 1 (where their International departures also are)?
Thanks so much!
Melanie
Ali Garland
February 8, 2015 @ 11:12 am
Hi Melanie! Unfortunately I can’t know for sure which terminal your flights will arrive or depart from, but when I look at this http://chicago-ord.worldairportguides.com/terminals.php it seems to me like your flight from Toronto would land at terminal 5 since they list it here as United international arrivals only. And then it looks like your flight to Costa Rica could be leaving from either terminal 1 or 2. I also found this on the airport’s website: http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/myflight/international/pages/default.aspx Looks pretty helpful.
If you decide to give it a try, check out my tips for short layovers here: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/ But honestly, I don’t think this is a doable layover. Either find out United’s policy on missed connections due to the customs and immigration process, or see if you can rebook with a better connection.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Jay
February 7, 2015 @ 12:24 am
Hi Ali,
I am traveling to Grand Cayman this week. I will be coming home through Charlotte and have a 1 hr 23 min layover. I will only have carry on luggage with me. Do you think that be enough time to clear immigration and customs and make the connecting flight?
Ali Garland
February 8, 2015 @ 10:47 am
Hi Jay! An hour and 23 minutes is a little tight. However, having only carry-on will save you a little time, and Charlotte isn’t quite as popular for international flights so hopefully there won’t be too many other flights landing at the same time and lining up for passport check. Charlotte is also a somewhat small airport, so it won’t take you as long to get around as in bigger airports. If you want to be a little more assured about the length of your layover, you could try calling the airline and asking about changing one of your flights so you’ll have a longer layover. Whether you do that or you decide to go for it as is, check out my tips for what to do if you have a short layover: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/ And have a great trip!
chris
February 5, 2015 @ 4:24 am
Nice post!! I was searching through google about layovers/transits and came to your blog. I was wondering if you are familiar with layovers in Kuala Lumpur particularly KLIA2. I will be landing in KL from Yangon at 9 pm (via Airasia) with my next flight leaving at 1:20 am using a different airline (Cebu pacific) to Manila. Both airlines use the same Terminal (2). I would have around 4 hours and 20 minutes in between flights. Would you think that’d be enough? From what I heard Airasia does not have the most punctual record out of all airline companies which makes me unsettle.
Ali Garland
February 5, 2015 @ 2:01 pm
Hi Chris! I have only ever flown in and out of KL’s low cost carrier terminal, which is where you’ll be. It’s not a pretty airport, but it’s also not really big. A 4 hour 20 minute layover sounds like *plenty* of time. I personally haven’t had any problems with flight delays on AirAsia, but I also haven’t ever looked at their actual statistics. But your AirAsia flight would have to be rather late for you to miss your flight to Manila. The annoying thing is that I’m 99.9% sure you will have to go through customs and immigration since your flights are on two separate itineraries. But with the amount of time you have for your layover, it shouldn’t be a problem from a time perspective. Enjoy your trip, and let me know if you have any other questions!
chris
February 5, 2015 @ 9:15 pm
Thanks for responding quickly! That made me assure. This is the first time that I’ll be using a connecting flight with 2 distinct airlines. I had a choice of taking the 1 am flight or a flight at 5 in the afternoon which is quite a long wait for me.
Ali Garland
February 8, 2015 @ 10:41 am
I think you made the right choice, Chris! Enjoy!
Anna
February 2, 2015 @ 4:17 pm
Hi Ali, thanks for your prompt reply. I will travel carry-on only without any checked luggage and will have approx. 1hr 15mins layover in LAX if flight to LAX not delayed… do you still think its too short?? Its difficult to book my flights on same itinerary as book separately is much cheaper. Thanks again.
Ali Garland
February 3, 2015 @ 11:20 am
I still think it’s short because you will have to go through customs and immigration in LAX, and that could take awhile. It’s not impossible, you could get lucky and have short lines, but you could also spend an hour just standing in line. Try to check in for your LAX to Taipei flight online and print your boarding pass ahead of time, if this is an option. That way you won’t have to deal with checking in for that flight at the LAX airport. And just be aware that you’re taking a chance here, and if you miss your connection, the airline is unlikely to be any help, which means you’ll have to buy another ticket on another flight for probably a LOT more money. I completely understand your desire for that cheaper flight, but do the math and decide if the savings is worth the risk and potential extra cost.
Anna
January 25, 2015 @ 3:57 am
Hi Ali,
Do you think an hour layover in Mexico city and LAX is sufficient (only carry-on)? Havana (Aeromexico)->(1hr layover )Mexico city(Volaris) ->(1hr layover )LAX (Eve)-> Taipei
Thanks
Ali Garland
January 25, 2015 @ 4:13 pm
Hi Anna! Honestly, one hour is really cutting it close. You shouldn’t have to go through customs and immigration in Mexico City, but there are usually stricter security checks on flights going to the US, and that could take a little longer. But my bigger concern is the one hour layover in LAX. Even though you’re not staying in the US, you WILL have to go through customs and immigration, plus collect and recheck your luggage, and LAX is a big airport. That could definitely take awhile, and if you miss your connection, the airline is unlikely to be any help unless you miss your flight because of a delay. Even then, all of your flights would need to be booked on the same itinerary. If you have any other options, you might want to consider a different flight. Also, check out my tips for what to do if your layover is too short here: https://travel-made-simple.com/if-you-think-your-layover-is-too-short/
tracy
January 16, 2015 @ 1:10 pm
hi
im flying from Dublin to perth with a stopover in Amsterdam and kuala lumpur, I only have 1 hour in Amsterdam. is this enough time to connect?
Ali Garland
January 16, 2015 @ 2:13 pm
Hi Tracy! An hour might be tight, but not impossible. Since you’re not staying in Amsterdam or anywhere within the Schengen Zone, you should be able to get off the plane in Amsterdam and look for the “transit” signs. That will get you to your connecting gate without having to go through immigration and customs. If you’re able to get a seat on the Dublin to Amsterdam flight that’s on the aisle and near the front of the plane, that will help you get off the plane quicker when it lands. Make sure your carry-on is all packed up before the flight lands. If you need to use the bathroom, go on the plane, don’t stop in the airport in Amsterdam.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your trip!
Patricia
January 13, 2015 @ 6:32 am
Hi Ali,
My daughter will be flying from Hilton Head to Portland on Friday and has a connecting flight in Charlotte. Her layover is 53 minutes. She is nervous because she has never flown on her own with someone helping the connections, do you think is enough time? She is flying US Airways for the first but the second says operated by US Airways expressway. Wondering if she has to change terminals or something. Thank you.
Ali Garland
January 14, 2015 @ 12:27 pm
Hi Patricia! 53 minutes is tight but not completely out of the question. US Airways Express is just the commuter sister company to US Airways, so they’re essentially the same airline. When she checks in for her first flight, they will print both boarding passes for her, and her checked luggage will get tagged to the final destination. US Airways has a hub in Charlotte which means they will use gates in most of the terminals. According to this http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Airport/AirlineandFlightInformation/Pages/default.aspx they use all but terminal A. Here is a map of the terminals: http://www.ifly.com/charlotte-douglas-international-airport/terminal-map
If she doesn’t already have an aisle seat, see if she can switch to an aisle, although don’t end up farther back in the plane for that. She could also talk to the people next to her and explain that she has a tight connection and see if they’ll let her jump out ahead of them when the plane lands. Make sure her carry-on is all packed up before the plane lands. Then when she lands, she can grab her stuff and try to get off the plane as quickly as possible. Tell her not make any stops in the airport (so if she needs a bathroom break, go on the plane), just go straight to the next gate. Sometimes the flight attendants have a list of gates for connecting flights, so it’s worth asking if they have her next flight so she’ll know exactly where to go.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Will
January 6, 2015 @ 12:04 am
Hi Ali
You’re very informative, and your posts are really helpful. I have a flight booked on Friday from Vancouver to the UK, with layovers in Seattle and Amsterdam with a British passport. Firstly, when I depart from Vancouver to Seattle, it says I’m flying Alaska Airlines operated by Horizon Airlines. Which kiosk should I check in with? Then I have a 1hr 58 min layover in Seattle before boarding my flight to Amsterdam? Will this be sufficient time? Also, it says it’s a KLM flight operated by Delta Airlines. I’m really confused as to which kiosk I check in with at Seattle…KLM or DELTA? It seems to me that from reading previous posts that I will have to reclaim my baggage in Seattle,and go through the whole checking in and immigration process again. Will just under 2 hours be enough to accomplish this? Lastly upon arrival in Amsterdam, I have a short 1hr 15min layover before my flight to the UK. It is also a KLM flight – would I be correct to assume my luggage will follow me to the UK? And do you think the short layover will be long enough to board my final flight? My whole flight path is booked on 1 itinerary.
Thanks.
Ali Garland
January 6, 2015 @ 12:42 pm
Hi Will! Thanks, glad to help! I understand your confusion with the airlines, that stuff isn’t always so clear. Horizon Airlines is a sister company of Alaska Airlines, so their check-in counters should be together. Look for Alaska Airlines and you’ll be fine. Your 2 hour layover in Seattle should be ok, but yes, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration and re-check your luggage. Canada and the US are about the only countries that make you do this even when you’re not leaving the airport. However, if all of the flights you mentioned were booked on one itinerary, you shouldn’t have to check in again in Seattle. Alaska Airlines should be able to print all of your boarding passes because all of the airlines involved are partners to some degree. When you check in in Vancouver, verify with the ticket agent that your bags will get tagged all the way to your final destination. (As mentioned, you’ll still have to pick up your checked luggage in the customs area in Seattle and recheck it, but usually “rechecking” just means putting it back on the conveyor belt a few meters away.)
Delta and KLM are partner airlines and both are Skyteam airlines. Basically what that means for you is that you have a flight from Seattle to Amsterdam booked through KLM but you will most likely be on a Delta airplane with Delta crew members. As I said, you shouldn’t have to check in for that flight separately, but if for some reason you do, just look for the Delta counter. If there even are KLM counters or agents in the Seattle airport, they will be together there.
When you arrive in Amsterdam, look for signs that say “transit” and you should be able to get to your next gate without dealing with customs and immigration because you’re not staying within the Schengen Zone, though you’ll have to go through a security check. Again, since you should already have your boarding pass, it’s just a matter of finding the gate, and your luggage will get transferred from the 2nd flight to the 3rd. Much easier than the layover in Seattle.
There are rare occasions when you’ve booked an itinerary like this and the first airline isn’t able to print the boarding passes for the other airlines, so just verify this at check-in. I’m 99.99% sure Alaska Airlines will be able to print your Seattle to Amsterdam boarding pass. If for some reason they can’t print Amsterdam to the UK, when you land in Amsterdam, still look for the “transit” signs and then look for a KLM counter, though it will most likely be on the other side of the security check.
I hope this helps! Everything should run smoothly, and it shouldn’t be as complicated as they’re making it look with all the different airlines involved. Let me know if you have any other questions and have a good trip!
Will
January 8, 2015 @ 1:35 am
Thanks Ali, you’ve put my mind at ease!
Ali Garland
January 9, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
Glad to help!
Rath
January 3, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
Hi Ali,
I’m glad to find your very useful info. I’d appreciate your comments on my itinerary. My international flights from BKK-PEK-LAX should be fine with 5:30 hr and 3:50 hr layover respectively, shouldn’t they? 3:50 is for me to take another itinerary for the flight to MCI after getting through immigration and customs.
But my real concern is on the return flight. Starting with the flight back from Kansas City where I have to take the connecting flight to LAX at Phoenix with only 41 minutes layover. It is the same itinerary with the same airline (US Airways.) BTW both flights are stated in my ticket to disembark/board at terminal 4, and my seat is very close to airplane exit. Should it be OK?
Many thanks,
Rath
Ali Garland
January 5, 2015 @ 6:54 pm
Hi Rath! 5 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours 50 minutes both sound like plenty of time for layovers. I don’t quite understand where the layover is you’re referring to where you have to switch to another itinerary, but I’m guessing that’s somewhere in the US. If that’s correct, just remember you’ll be required to pick up your checked luggage and recheck it. Since your next flight is on another itinerary, you’ll have to check in with the next airline to get your boarding pass. Also, with regards to your checked luggage: Some airports have you put your luggage back on a conveyor belt while you’re still in the customs/immigration section, and if you have a separate itinerary for your next flight, you’ll have to go to baggage claim to pick it up, and then bring your bag to the check-in counter. Kind of a pain, but it sounds like you have plenty of time to deal with all of that.
Your Kansas City – Phoenix – LAX flight should be ok. Domestic layovers are usually pretty easy, and I think an hour and 41 minutes should be plenty of time for that. The fact that your ticket is already telling you terminal 4 is great. Just be sure you verify the departure gate of the second flight when you land just in case it has changed.
Sounds like you’re well-prepared! Enjoy your trip, and let me know if you have any other questions!
Rath
January 6, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
Thanks Ali! 3.50 hr time is for me to get through immigration, claim my luggage, pass customs and rush to check in with domestic flight in another terminal (United Airline) at LAX. According to my experience I’m not that worried about this one though. However the flight transition at PHX on the return flight I have only 41 minutes, not one hour and 41 minutes. I guess it’s kinda close but I hope it should be enough. Any recommendation? Thanks again Ali!
Ali Garland
January 6, 2015 @ 5:31 pm
Yes 41 minutes is pretty tight, sorry I misread that. You said you have a seat near the exit, so that is helpful. If you don’t already have an aisle seat, see if you can switch to an aisle, although don’t end up farther back in the plane for that. You could also talk to the people next to you and explain that you have a tight connection and see if they’ll let you jump out ahead of them when the plane lands. Make sure your carry-on is all packed up before the plane lands. Then when you land, you can grab your stuff and try to get off the plane as quickly as possible. Don’t make any stops in the airport (so if you need a bathroom break, go on the plane), just go straight to the next gate. Sometimes the flight attendants have a list of gates for connecting flights, so it’s worth asking if they have your next flight so you’ll know exactly where to go. But the fact that the airline is already telling you the first flight lands in terminal 4 and the next one leaves from there as well should really help. Good luck!
Maggie
December 28, 2014 @ 7:40 am
Hi Ali,
I’m taking a trip to TN in 3 weeks and I haven’t been on a plane in 14 years. I have a question regarding my 1 hour layover in Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson Airport). Both flights are with Delta Airlines, so does that mean the connecting flight will be located in the same terminal? I’m very nervous because I would hate to miss my connecting flight do to lack of time running around this very large airport. What are the chances that I will need to travel to the opposite end of the airport? Thank you for the information.
Ali Garland
December 28, 2014 @ 11:27 am
Hi Maggie! 1 hour is tight but doable if both flights are domestic. Yes, Atlanta is a big airport, and unfortunately since Delta’s hub is there, there are several terminals that have Delta flights. Where are you starting your journey? If both of your fights are really short, you might end up on smaller planes, and a lot of those go out of the T-gates, so in that case you won’t have to switch terminals. But if you do have to switch terminals, just look for signs for baggage claim and the other gates, and that will get you to the tram that connects the terminals. Get on the tram in the direction towards the gate you need to get to, and in just a couple of minutes, you’ll be at your terminal. While you’re on your first flight, ask the flight attendant if they have a list of gates for connecting flights. Often they do, at least for more popular flights, and that will help you know where to go. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Rich
December 25, 2014 @ 12:06 pm
Hello Ali,
I work and live in Saudi Arabia but home is near Tampa, FL. I’ve traveled back and forth quite a bit the last 6 years and think I have a little bit of experience on this topic. I’ve read quite a few of the comments and your replies. I thought your comments were extremely accurate, helpful, and I learned a few tips from them. I especially like your truthfulness but personal and hopeful assurances you gave nervous fliers with short connection times on international flights. Very nice!
Ali Garland
December 25, 2014 @ 1:37 pm
Thank you so much Rich! You’re so kind to stop by and let me know, and I’m glad to help! Happy travels 🙂
Brenda
December 9, 2014 @ 12:06 am
Hi, Thanks for the insightful advice. I booked a January flight from Philly to Liberia, CR via Dallas back in September. At that time, the layover in Dallas was a bit over an hour. But, American just pushed back the Philly departure so now I am arriving in Dallas at 9:25 am instead of 9:00 am. The flight to Liberia is at 10:05, so the layover is now reduced to 35 minutes and American is showing a terminal change. Also, once in Dallas, the only means to reach CR if I miss the connection is through Miami. Though American assures me I should still be able to make the connection, I am considering re-routing, which American has agreed to, by just going to Miami the night before and getting the first flight out the next morning. The downside is the hotel expense in Miami and (possibly) a great deal more time in airports. The weather factor makes the connection even more iffy. Also, would American say it is my fault if I missed the connection under this circumstance? What would Ali do? Thanks, again.
Ali Garland
December 9, 2014 @ 7:13 pm
Hi Brenda! Honestly, I would not feel comfortable with a 35 minute layover, especially with a terminal change. I can’t understand why American is telling you that you won’t have a problem making that switch. Unless they know for a fact that the Dallas to CR flight will wait for connecting flights, but that’s usually not a decision they make ahead of time. I don’t know what their policy is on missing connections in this situation, but I’m hearing more and more about people being told it’s the passenger’s responsibility to make the connection, and if the flight is on time and you miss it, tough. This isn’t with every airline though, so it’s probably worth asking American what their policy is if your PHL to DFW flight is on time but you miss your connection because 35 minutes is too short. Even aside from YOU making that tight switch, I’d worry that it might not be enough time for your checked luggage to make the switch. And the weather in January…always a big concern with connecting flights.
“What would Ali do?” (I love that, by the way!) I would talk to American and try to change my flights in the most convenient (to me) way possible to allow for a better layover. I agree with you, it doesn’t sound ideal to have to fly to Miami the night before and get a hotel, but if it’s the *only* way to make sure you make that flight, it might be worth it. I don’t know what time the flights are from DFW or MIA to CR, but I wonder if there’s an earlier flight out of Philadelphia to either of those cities? Even if it’s one of those painful 6am flights or something?
Also, make sure you have even more time for your layover on the return flight. Flying back into the US takes a lot more time because you will have to go through customs and immigration, plus claim and recheck your luggage and go through security again at the first point of entry back into the US. And if I had to pick Dallas or Miami for that, I’d pick Dallas, simply because Miami is notoriously a pain since they see so many international flights from Latin America.
I hope this helps, but feel free to email me if you have any other questions! And enjoy Costa Rica!
Heidi
December 7, 2014 @ 8:06 pm
Hello! I need your advise! Please help! I have booked a ticket from American Airlines traveling from Hong Kong to Nashville round trip. The port of entry was in Texas. Recently, AA just changed their schedule. Instead of getting 3:55 hrs of layover from Texas to Hong Kong, I got only 1 hrs layover. Do you think the time is enough for me to catch the flight to Hong Kong if my luggage was checkin at Nashville and I don’t need to claim my luggage at Texas? Is there security check in Texas going to HongKong?
Ali Garland
December 9, 2014 @ 6:58 pm
Hi Heidi! One hour is really cutting it close, especially on your flight back from Hong Kong to Texas to Nashville. You will have to go through customs and immigration in Texas since it is your first point of entry into the US. They also make you pick up your checked luggage at that point and recheck it. In many airports, that’s still within the customs/immigration area, so it doesn’t take long, but it’s still time eating away at that short layover. And once your’e done with that, you will have to go through security before going to your connecting gate, but again, in most airports it’s still in the customs/immigration area, not the main security line. I’m sure it’s possible to get off the plane, through customs/immigration/security, and to your next gate in one hour, but it is not very likely that that’s enough time. Going from Nashville to Texas to Hong Kong will be more simple and will mostly feel like a domestic layover, but you’re likely to have to switch terminals. In that case, you probably won’t have to deal with security again, just depends on how that particular airport is set up. But your luggage won’t be an issue on the Nashville-TX-Hong Kong section. An hour is easier to deal with here, but still tight.
Since AA changed your flights, maybe they will allow you to switch the domestic one in each direction so that you have a longer layover? Usually if the airline is the one to change the flight schedules, they allow you to make a change without cost. It’s definitely worth calling and asking. If it were me, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with just one hour, especially on the way into the US. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Kurt
December 5, 2014 @ 10:01 pm
Hello, very informative site. I will be travelling from Vancouver, Canada to Dallas-Fort Worth with a one hour layover and then catching a connecting flight to Brazil. Both flights will be American Airways. Is this enough time? I will be checking a bag.
Thanks,
Kurt
Ali Garland
December 6, 2014 @ 4:44 pm
Hi Kurt, thank you! One hour sounds tight. When you connect through the US, even if you’re not leaving the airport since your final destination is another country, you still have to go through customs and immigration. During that process you also have to collect your checked luggage and recheck it. It’s annoying and can be time consuming if the lines at passport check are long. You might want to consider contacting American Airlines and see if they have an earlier flight from Vancouver to Dallas that you could switch to, and ask what their policy is if you miss your connection due to customs and immigration.
If you decide to go for it the way your flights are booked now, here’s my advice for increasing your chances of making the connection: Try to get an aisle seat as close to the front of the plane as possible on your Vancouver to Dallas flight. Go to the bathroom on the plane towards the end of the flight so you don’t have to go in the Dallas airport. Make sure anything you’ve taken out of your carry-on bag is packed up and ready to go before the flight lands. Ask the flight attendant towards the end of the flight if they have connecting gate info, though I’m pretty sure all international flights leaving Dallas are out of the international terminal, but knowing the exact gate is helpful. As soon as the plane lands and the seat belt sign is off, grab your stuff and GO. Don’t stop for the bathroom, don’t stop for a snack in the terminal, just get to your next gate.
Good luck and enjoy Brazil! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Manuel
November 21, 2014 @ 8:42 pm
Hi,
I have a flight booked with american airlines, from Aruba to Miami and then to Atlanta (Also with AA) but the layover is 1 hour 10 minutes only.
I’m kind of worried, the plane arrives at MIA at 7:55 PM and the other one departs at 9:05 PM. I think both arrives and departs at the same terminal but I’m not sure if its enough time to make it.
What do you all think?
Ali Garland
November 22, 2014 @ 11:08 pm
Hi Manuel! That does sound like a short layover, especially since you’ll have to go through customs and immigration. Since American Airlines has a hub in Miami, I imagine there are quite a few flights between there and Atlanta. Is it possible to change the MIA to ATL flight to a later one to give yourself more time? If not, it might be worth calling AA’s customer service and ask what their policy is if you miss your connection due to long lines at customs.
My tips for trying to make your connection: Try to get an aisle seat as close to the front of the plane as possible on the Aruba to Miami flight. Make sure your carry-on is packed up and ready to go when the plane lands in Miami so you’re not trying to put stuff back in instead of getting off the plane. Go to the bathroom on the plane so you don’t have to go at the Miami airport. As the flight attendants if they have a list of gates for connecting flights.
None of these will save you tons of time, but a few minutes could be enough to get you to your next flight. I hope it works out for you, and enjoy your trip!
Takhmina
November 18, 2014 @ 6:28 pm
Hi Ali,
Wondering if you could help, please. My fellowship program have provided me with two options to get to my final destination (from US to Tajikistan). I have looked through the time and in both cases I think there is a very short layover between two transit flights.
My first option is the route DC-Munich-Istanbul-Dushanbe is very exhausting one, and the time between the layover in Munich is only 55 minutes which is really hard I think. The terminal is the same though.
My second option is the route DC-Dubai-Dushanbe which I think is the best one but the arrival and departure will be in different terminals. From my last year experience getting from terminal 1 to terminal 2 took 20 minutes and the shuttle bus leaves according to schedule. The lines for check-in are really long there and I am afraid I can be late for my flight with this option too. If I have only 1 hour 30 minutes of layover, then from 20 to 20 minutes will be spent for transiting from terminal 1 to terminal 2, and I do not know how long I will be waiting for check-in.
I wrote this to my program but seems like I have to choose one from these two options. What would you advise me. I would be very thankful for any advise. Thanks a lot in advance.
Ali Garland
November 18, 2014 @ 9:51 pm
Hi Takhmina! Wow, that’s a tough one. I normally go in favor of fewer layovers unless the layover is *really* short. Are your flights all on one itinerary or are they separate? If they are separate flights and all pieced together, you will have to collect your checked luggage and check in for the next flight. This will take a lot of time. But if the flights are all on one itinerary, the airline(s) should be able to print all your boarding passes and transfer your luggage from one flight to the next. That also means you should only have to go through security checks at the layover airports, not check-in.
Unfortunately I can’t make this decision for you. You have to decide if you’re more comfortable with the short layover in Munich knowing you won’t have to switch terminals, or take a chance on the 1 hour 30 minute layover in Dubai knowing you’ll have fewer changes. Again, if the flights are all one one itinerary and with the same or partner airlines, you shouldn’t have to check in for each individual flight as you go. But if you did that on the way to DC, then maybe you have separate flights.
I’m so sorry I can’t just tell you which one is better! Neither one is ideal, but neither one is horrible either. Go with whichever one makes you feel more comfortable and less stressed out. Let me know if I can help with anything else!
Ann
November 14, 2014 @ 2:15 pm
Hello! I’m flying from San Fran to LAX (Virgin America, Terminal 3) to catch an international flight (Virgin Atlantic, Terminal 2). My layover is 4 and a half hours. Will I have to leave the terminal and check in etc for my next flight? LAX is quite a big airport – is that enough time?
It doesn’t say anything about connecting flights within Terminals 1, 2 and 3 here: http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=1318#q15
Ali Garland
November 14, 2014 @ 9:25 pm
Hi Ann! Did you book both flights together on the same itinerary? Or did you have to book each one separately? If you booked them both on the same itinerary, your checked bags should get transferred from the first to the second flight, and when you check in for your first flight, they should be able to print both boarding passes. Good to check with the airline on that, but that is usually the case. However, if you had to book these two flights separately, they probably won’t be able to tag your luggage to go all the way to your final destination, and they probably won’t be able to print your second boarding pass. In that case, you would have to go to baggage claim to pick up your bag, and then go to the check-in counter to check in for your second flight. As annoying as that is, I think 4 1/2 hours is still plenty of time. I don’t know if Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic are related enough to be able to tag your luggage to your final destination and print your second boarding pass even if you have two separate itineraries, but it’s worth asking if they can do that for you just in case. Let me know if you have any other questions, and have a great trip!
Ann
November 14, 2014 @ 11:31 pm
Hi Ali, I booked them separately so I guess I’ll have to do check in again. Thanks for your help!
Ali Garland
November 17, 2014 @ 11:21 am
It’s still worth asking if they are able to tag your luggage to go to your final destination. It just depends on how connected Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America are, especially with the computer systems.
Anthony
November 7, 2014 @ 5:29 am
Hi Ali,
Wandering if you could help, i am traveling on my honeymoon in February and have a international connecting flight From Dallas airport to Sydney. Flying with American Airlines who i will have checked in with @ Aspen. I think the international flight to Sydney is operated by Qanta though. Do you think i will have to check baggage in again @ Dallas and will 2.5hrs be enough time to make the connecting flight to Sydney.
Thank you
Anthony
Ali Garland
November 7, 2014 @ 1:11 pm
Hi Anthony! American Airlines and Qantas are partner airlines, so as long as you booked both flights together on one itinerary (one transaction, not two) then your checked luggage should get transferred from the first flight to the second in Dallas. Also, 2.5 hours should be plenty of time to make your connection. Connecting flights within the US aren’t really any different than domestic connections. You might have to switch to the international terminal, but you won’t notice much else that’s different.
On your way back, you will have to go through immigration and customs in the first US airport you land in. So if your return flight is the same connection in Dallas, you’ll get off the plane in Dallas, stand in the passport check line, go talk to the customs person and give them the form you fill out on the plane. At some point there, you will have to pick up your checked luggage and recheck it. In many airports this is a really simple process right in the immigration area and won’t take you more than a few minutes. Then you’ll also have to go through security again before proceeding to your second flight. Again, 2.5 hours should be enough time for your connection. Sometimes the passport lines are really long, but anything over 2 hours should be safe.
Have a great honeymoon in Australia, it’s such a great country! If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at ali@travel-made-simple.com
Matthew Cheyne
November 8, 2014 @ 1:31 am
As an Australian living in Australia, I would like to be the first to welcome you to our beautiful country. There are so many incredible places you can go for a honeymoon that it would be endless to list them all.
May the two of you have a beautiful wedding and honeymoon and may the union between you and your wife be a long and strong one.
anthony
November 10, 2014 @ 7:45 am
Thank you Matthew for such kind words. We are very excited!!!
anthony
November 10, 2014 @ 7:44 am
Thank you Ali for your response. You have put all my worries to bed.
I will send you a email with my travel stories upon my return.
Ali Garland
November 10, 2014 @ 1:36 pm
Thanks Anthony, enjoy!
Gail
October 30, 2014 @ 1:17 am
hi,
i will be traveling from Singapore to Pittsburgh, with layovers in Japan and Dulles – my layovers in japan and dulles are both 2 hours long. Will I have to go through security, customs, etc. in Japan as well as Dulles? Will 2 hours in each airport be enough time?
Thanks so much!
Ali Garland
October 30, 2014 @ 10:48 am
Hi Gail! You shouldn’t have to go through customs and immigration in Japan, but you will most likely have to go through security again. When you get off the plane in Japan, look for signs for transit passengers. If you need help, be sure to tell the person you ask that you just have a connecting flight and you’re not staying in Japan. When you get to Dulles, you *will* have to go through customs and immigration. The US even makes you pick up and re-check your luggage at the first point of entry. I haven’t flown through Dulles, but many airports have a conveyor belt for you to re-check your bags while you’re still in the customs area, so it doesn’t take more than a few minutes. I think 2 hours should be enough time for your layover in Japan, and unless something crazy is going on when you land in Dulles, you should be fine there too. Just to be sure you don’t lose any time at the airport, I’d recommend you go to the bathroom on the plane before landing so you don’t have to deal with it during your layover, and ask the flight attendants towards the end of your flight if they have a list of connecting gates so you know where to go once you clear customs. For more about how layovers work, check out this post: https://travel-made-simple.com/how-do-layovers-work/ Have a great trip, and let me know if you have any other questions!
Genevieve
September 21, 2014 @ 2:37 pm
Hello,
Reading this post has been helpful but also made me a bit nervous. Myself and my partner are flying from London Heathrow to New York. We stay in New York for 3 days. We then fly from New York to Atlanta and have a 1hr 6minute layover then Fly from Atlanta to Cancun our final destination.
Both internal flight are with Delta. We booked via a travel agent who did all the booking with us.
I’m just worried this is not enough time now. Do the airline transfer our luggage or do we collect it at Atlanta and recheck it in for our Cancun flight?? Will the process be longer with security etc as we are English citizens so do not have a U.S. passport?
Ali Garland
September 21, 2014 @ 3:01 pm
Hi Genevieve! I think you’ll be fine. As long as your NY to Atlanta and Atlanta to Cancun flights are on one itinerary, Delta should transfer your checked luggage from the first flight to the second. When you’re checking in for your flight in NY, verify with them that they are tagging your luggage to go to your final destination, but that should be what they’re doing. (For more on how layovers work, check here: https://travel-made-simple.com/how-do-layovers-work/ ) Once you’re in Atlanta, you won’t have to go through security again. The person checking you in at the airport in NY should be able to print boarding passes for both of your flights, and they are the ones who you’ll show your passports to. It’s not like in other countries where there is a separate passport check area. So once you land in Atlanta, all you have to do is find your next gate. If it’s in a different terminal, follow the signs to the other terminals and hop on the tram that connects each terminal. Sometimes the flight attendants on your first flight will know some of the connecting gates, but if not, there are big departures boards throughout the airport so you can look for your next flight.
What is your flight like going home? Are you flying through the US to get back to London? If you are, you WILL have to collect and recheck your luggage at the airport you connect through in the US, and you WILL have to go through passport check and customs. Again, the US is different from other countries in that you have to go through the immigration process even if you’re not leaving the airport. So a one hour layover will likely be too short in this direction.
I think your Atlanta layover on your way to Cancun will be fine. You don’t have time to waste, so maybe don’t stop at the bathroom or anything, but I think you’ll be fine. Let me know if you have any other questions, and have a great trip!
Genevieve
September 21, 2014 @ 3:45 pm
Thanks Ali for that response. It really clarified it for me it is on one itinerary. Getting back home we have a direct flight from cancun to Heathrow.
Thank again for your help I feel much more at ease. Just counting down.
Ali Garland
September 22, 2014 @ 10:13 am
Glad to help!
Jing Fan
September 14, 2014 @ 6:32 pm
Hi Ali, I’m glad I found your article. It’s very useful. I’m planning to fly from Nashville to Guangzhou on December and the flight route is BNA to EWR -Liberty (layover 1 hour 15 minutes) to NRT-narita (layover 2 hours 25 minutes) to CAN. I am worried about 1 hour 15 minutes layover in EWR since I arrive at terminal A and depart from terminal C. Do you think I could make it in 75 minutes? Do I need to recheck the luggage and go through security again? Many thanks!
Ali Garland
September 15, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
Thanks, glad to help! If you’re flying FROM the US, you will not have to recheck your luggage in Newark, assuming your flights are all on one itinerary through the same airline or partner airlines and they’re tagging your luggage to your final destination. Your layover in Newark will be similar to any domestic layover. As for security, as best as I can see, it looks like there are separate security check points for each terminal, so you would have to go through security again if you’re switching terminals. This site here has some helpful info about Newark Airport: http://www.ifly.com/newark-liberty-international/terminal-map I think 1 hour 15 minutes should be enough time to make your next flight. Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your trip!
meg
September 14, 2014 @ 12:09 am
Hi,
I’m wonder if you have any thoughts – i’m flying international arriving in the US at FLL, arriving early in the morning 6:15am, and then have a connecting domestic flight 2.5 hrs later (departs at 8:40am) on a different airline…I will have one checked bag.
I “think” / hope that this will give me enough time, to clear customs (US Citizen) and to get my luggage, but I just thought you may have a word of advice.
Thanks for all your helpful hints and words and the blog!
~meg
Ali Garland
September 15, 2014 @ 11:06 am
Hi Meg, thanks! FLL isn’t a big airport, so hopefully it won’t take you too long. Sometimes there are separate lines at the check-in counter for people who have already checked in online and just need to drop off checked luggage, so if you can check in online and print your boarding passes, that might save you some time. I also don’t think FLL sees nearly as much international traffic as other airports, like Miami, so the odds are in your favor that the passport/customs lines won’t be too long, especially at that time of the day. I can’t guarantee anything, but I think you’ll be fine. Enjoy your trip!
Erica
September 12, 2014 @ 6:32 am
I’m travelling Sydney to Singapore to London and have a 50 minute stopover in Singapore.
Will I make the connecting flight? I’m a bit worried as this is a very short stopover and with 300+ passengers getting off and on in 50 minutes?!
Ali Garland
September 15, 2014 @ 11:02 am
Hi Erica, 50 minutes does seem a bit tight. Luckily you won’t have to go through immigration/customs in Singapore, so that will save you time. When you check in for your flight, see if you can get a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, and consider getting an aisle seat. That way you can jump up and go as soon as the plane lands and the seat belt sign goes off. Also, make sure your carry-on is all packed up and ready to go towards the end of the flight. Sometimes the flight attendants get a list of connecting gates, so if they don’t announce anything towards the end of the flight, ask if they know what gate your flight leaves from. Or when you get into the Singapore airport, look for the big departures board. You’ll have to go through security again in Singapore, BUT they have security set up for each individual gate or sometimes a group of just a few gates, so it will really just be your flight in line there, so don’t worry about that part. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your trip!
Erica
November 9, 2014 @ 3:48 am
HI Ali,
I made the connecting flight! Thanks. I was really worried when the plane landed and thought, how are we all going to get off in time for me to get the connecting flight onto London. I looked at the departures board in Singapore and my connecting flight was already boarding! I had to dash across the terminal (It was all the way on the other end of the terminal) but made the boarding just in time. You don’t have time to stop, go to the loo, or shop. You have to walk across the terminal very fast (which I did). Enjoyed my trip. Thanks again!
Ali Garland
November 10, 2014 @ 1:35 pm
I’m so glad you made it, Erica! No, I can imagine you definitely wouldn’t have time for a bathroom break or anything else with such a short layover. I’m happy you had a good trip too!
Charlene Smith
September 11, 2014 @ 2:27 am
Hi Ali, I’m so happy that I found your blog! I am traveling to Thailand from CT. In Feb ’15. I’ve been unable to make a decision on which flight to take. The one I’d like to take is United from BDL to Washington Dulles (IAD). The layover is only 58 min. I’m not sure I can get everything into a carry-on (I’ll try) so I’m worried about the layover and my luggage making it through. My next layover is in Tokyo Japan (1 hour 40 min), I think that will be ok. My return flight is the reverse of my outbound. But the layovers are longer. Any thoughts on the 58 min layover would be greatly appreciated!
Ali Garland
September 11, 2014 @ 9:47 am
Hi Charlene! That’s a tough call, but I think I’d lean towards the Tokyo layover since it’s longer. The layover in Dulles might not be too bad since you won’t have to deal with immigration/customs on the way out, BUT when you fly back, if that is your first point of entry back in the US, a 58 minute layover will NOT be long enough to go through immigration/customs. I know you said the return flights have longer layovers, but I’d recommend at least a 2 hour layover for getting back into the US because the lines at passport check can be really long. I hope this helps, but let me know if you have any other questions, and have a great trip!
Charlene Smith
September 12, 2014 @ 2:03 am
Ali, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I should clarify my flight schedule. It’s all on United.
Outbound
Hartford to Dulles —> 58 min layover
Dulles to Tokyo —> 1hour 40 min layover
Tokyo to Thailand
Return
Thailand to Tokyo —> 1 hour 35 min layover
**Tokyo to Dulles** —> 1 hour 55 min layover … I think this is the leg of the flight you were concerned with. It seems that it should be fine, close enough to the 2 hour minimum?? In Dulles I would need to go through immigration/customs and pick up my luggage. So, If I only had a carry on I would assume it makes it better and makes the layover less of a concern. Right??
Dulles – Hartford
Again Thanks for your help! I’ve been reading through some of your other blog posts… so very helpful!!
Ali Garland
September 15, 2014 @ 10:57 am
Hi Charlene! Sorry, I was offline for the weekend. Yes, I did misunderstand you earlier, this makes so much more sense! Your 58 minute layover might be a bit tight, but leaving the US is easier/faster than returning, so hopefully it won’t be a big deal. Returning with 1 hour 55 minutes shouldn’t be so bad, hopefully. I don’t have any experience with layovers in Dulles specifically, but I think you’ll be ok. Having carry-on would make it a little easier, but I don’t think the process of picking up your bags and rechecking them takes much time. In many airports, it’s all right there in the immigration/customs area, so it just takes a couple minutes. It’s more about how long the lines are at passport check, so if you can’t get your luggage down to carry-on only, don’t sweat it. I hope this helps!
stephen parslow
September 5, 2014 @ 6:22 pm
Thank you both for your replies.
I am going to take the gamble and leave the flights as they are.
I am also going to kit my in laws out with roller skates so i can whiz them to the next gate lol
Thanks again and both have a great weekend.
Steve
Ali Garland
September 5, 2014 @ 10:04 pm
I have my fingers crossed for you, Stephen! Have a great trip, and let me know how your in-laws do with those roller skates 🙂
Stephen Parslow
August 31, 2014 @ 12:52 pm
Hiya Ali,
I am flying US Airways from Heathrow to Los Angeles with a layover at Charlotte.
I am traveling with my wife and her parents, two pensioners(not all that quick on their feet)
Having traveled to the states many times we are used to long waits at immigration and security, but we have always flown direct in the past, so although longs waits in line are a pain they are never a problem.
I have a 2 and a half hour layover in Charlotte and i am very worried this is going to be tight, especially with two elderly passengers in tow
If the wost happens and i miss the connecting flight, what is likely to happen, my flight out of charlotte is at 16.00 and the whole booking is with US Airways. how likely is it to get on a later flight?
Thanks
Steve
Ali Garland
August 31, 2014 @ 10:22 pm
Hi Stephen! Unfortunately the airlines are not always so helpful with rebooking you if you miss your connection, but 2 and a half hours sounds like enough time. Obviously I can’t guarantee anything, but I think you have a good chance there. As far as your wife’s parents, you might want to see if you can get the airport to transfer them with those motorized cart things. It’ll be easier on your in-laws, and save some time. I honestly don’t know if that’s something the airline or the airport sets up for you, but if you contact the airline, I’m sure they can point you in the right direction.
I usually tell people to try to get seats as close to the front of the plane as possible, and make sure your carry-ons are all packed up and ready to go before you land so you can just grab your stuff and go when the plane touches down. The only other thing I can think of is seeing if the airline can reschedule you now for a later connecting flight, though I’m sure it will still cost something extra to do that.
Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your trip!
Dipesh
September 1, 2014 @ 3:31 am
Hey Stephen and Ali !!!
Recently, I had a NON US Citizen passenger who was travelling in US airways through Charlotte with 1 hour 42 mins transit. She had to identify her baggage, clear the immigration and security. Still she made the connecting flight. So, 2 and half hour is enough time for Charlotte.
The only thing i had done in my passenger booking is that i have requested transfer assist to the airlines, i think that might have had helped her. So you can request through your travel agent or airlines for assistance in the transfer. This might help you.
Hope you have a smooth journey !!
Ali Garland
September 1, 2014 @ 9:40 am
Thanks Dipesh!
Maxine Skingsley
August 29, 2014 @ 3:37 pm
Hi I am due to go from London Heathrow direct to Sydney Australia but have a layover stop in Singapore of about 2 hours. I am really not a traveller and am quite nervous of the whole experience. Can you tell me if I will have enough time and also do I have to check in again and anything else I might need to know. The only thing I can tell you is that I am flying from LHR on the A380 and the flight from Singapore to Sydney is also on the A380, does this mean my luggage will stay on that aircraft or do you still think I will have to collect my luggage and check in again. This is my first time and I am dreading it
Ali Garland
August 29, 2014 @ 5:49 pm
Hi Maxine! Two hours should be enough time for your layover, and Singapore is a really nice airport. I don’t have any way of knowing if you’ll be on the *exact* same plane for each flight, but as long as you’ve booked the whole thing as one itinerary (not two separate flight bookings) then the airline will transfer your luggage from the first flight to the second flight. You won’t have to go through immigration in Singapore, just look for signs that say “transit” and find your connecting gate. Also, check out this link: http://www.viasingapore.com/experience-changi-airport/transit-tips/
You’ll be fine! Let me know if you have any other questions, and have a great trip!
Dipesh
August 19, 2014 @ 11:33 am
Hey Ali, really liked your articles, which might helped thousands of travelers. I am from Nepal and works in Travel Company. We do have lots of passengers travelling from Nepal to US. Last week my passenger was travelling to Denver through MAN, the routing was KTM – QR – DOH – QR – MAN – US -CLT – US – DEN. As per Amadeus Reservation system, the MCT in MAN is 50 min for International to International transfer. In this particular booking the layover time was 70 min. Unfortunately passenger missed the US airways flight in MAN. Then the problem started. US airways did not rescheduled the flight mentioning its QR ticket. As per QR help desk, they did not re instate the ticket saying its passenger fault to miss the flight. As per them, It is Local fare ticket (Papers Fares for Nepal Agent) so they don’t know the rules of the Fare. The passenger was stranded in the MAN airport for 3 days. How can a Star airline say that they dont know they rules of the fare. As per me, In airport airlines dont go through the Fares rules and regulation specially when the passenger in the middle of the journey. Its a liability of the airlines to carry passenger from Origin to Destination in safe and efficient manner. Ali you might have different views on it please let me know and other readers too.
Please Ali let me know too about the CLT transit time as my passenger is travelling with 1 hour 42 mins layour in CLT from MAN – CLT – SBY and is NON US Citizen. In the Itinerary US airways flights dont have Departure and Arrival Terminal Number, Its Weird. Is it Normal?
Ali Garland
August 20, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
Hi Dipesh, thank you! Unfortunately the airlines do take the stance that it is the passenger’s responsibility to book a reasonable connection. So even if the airline gives you the option to book a short layover, it doesn’t mean you should do it. 70 minutes in Manchester sounds tight, but not unreasonable to me, I’m so sorry your customer didn’t make it. It really can vary on a lot of factors, such as how long the lines are at immigration. Many airlines are understanding and will help out when passengers miss a connection in those situations, but not all of them are that nice. And it also depends on the person you’re dealing with, not just the airline.
CLT (Charlotte, NC) is not a huge airport, but it is a hub. My personal opinion is that 1 hour 42 minutes would be long enough, but I can’t guarantee anything. A non US citizen has a higher chance of needing more time to clear immigration, simply because the passport checkers and customs officers like to be annoying (I’ve dealt with quite a bit of annoyance flying into the US even as a US citizen) but that still seems like it would be enough time. If it’s a holiday or a day that has more than average air traffic, like around Thanksgiving or Christmas, lines could be longer. My advice is always to try to get an aisle seat as close to the front of the plane as possible so you can be one of the first people off the plane. Go to the bathroom on the plane before it lands so you can go straight to the passport line.
I don’t think it’s weird that the itinerary doesn’t show the gate or terminal numbers. The airports don’t always know that info until the day of the flight, sometimes just a couple hours ahead. Some airlines will announce connecting gates in flight as they get close to landing, but only for major flights. Your passenger should be able to check the departures board once they land in CLT to find the gate. Here’s a link to the Charlotte airport terminal map: http://www.ifly.com/charlotte-douglas-international-airport/terminal-map Might be helpful for your passenger to just take a look at it and get a mental image of how the airport is laid out.
Good luck with everything, and let me know if I can help with anything else!
Dipesh
August 21, 2014 @ 6:29 am
Pleased to get a prompt reply from you. Fortunately, my passenger succeeded to catch the connecting flight after the immigration clearance withing 1 hour 40 mins.
I am highly inspired by your blog. Will follow this wonderful blog which helps thousands of travelling around the world. And also i would love to speak with you one on one in voice. Please let me know if that is possible.
Ali Garland
August 22, 2014 @ 10:00 am
I’m glad your passenger made the connecting flight!
Thank you so much for the kind words about my blog, I appreciate it! Email is probably best if you want to discuss something with me. Between time zone differences and traveling, that’s the easiest. My email address is ali@travel-made-simple.com
Maggi
August 11, 2014 @ 4:12 am
Help!! I am just now realizing that we only have 1 hour between flights.
American Airlines – Depart St. Louis and arrive in Miami at 10:00 a.m. And next flight is Departing 11:00 a.m. To Curacao. We really can’t squeeze
All our stuff into carry ons, so I am also concerned our luggage will never have enough time to transfer.
Is Miami airport very big?
AA Flight Attendants ever willing to get you off the airplane first if you tell them your next flight is 1 hour?
We depart St. Louis at 6 a.m. – and then with no time between flights to get food, so won’t be in Curacao until 2:00 and have children traveling with us, does AA serve meals on flights?
Thank You
Maggi
Ali Garland
August 11, 2014 @ 10:25 am
Hi Maggi! On your way to Curacao, it isn’t really any different than flying domestic. An hour might be tight, but you should be able to make it. You won’t have any immigration lines to deal with leaving the US. When you check into your flights in St. Louis, ask the person at the check-in counter if there’s any way they can change your seats to somewhere towards the front of the plane and aisle seats. I doubt the flight attendants will let you out first, mostly because there’s no way to stop all the other passengers ahead of you. Just make sure your carry-on bags are all packed up and ready before you land, so you can grab them and go. As for your luggage, just make sure anything vital is in your carry-on: any medications, valuables, electronics, and pack a change of clothes and toiletries just in case your luggage does get delayed. I’d hate for you to be in Curacao and not be able to jump in the water!
What’s your layover like on the way home? You WILL have to go through passport check and immigration when you re-enter the US, and that could take some time. When you come back to the US, you’ll also have to pick up your checked bags somewhere during the customs/immigration process and recheck them. The exact procedure varies from one airport to another, but again, make sure your valuables stay in your carry-on in case your checked luggage gets delayed on its way to your second flight.
Most airlines in the US no longer serve food on domestic flights. Usually just a small bag of pretzels or something. It looks like the flight from Miami to Curacao is about 3 hours. Usually airlines will feed you on an international flight, but I’m not sure if they will on a shorter flight like this. Probably some kind of snack, but not likely a full meal. If I were you, I’d pack some snacks for your kids just in case. Some granola bars, sandwiches that don’t need to be refrigerated, something like that. They’ll definitely have drinks for you on board, so don’t worry about that part.
Chances are, everything will run smoothly. Enjoy your trip, and I hope your layovers go off without a hitch! Let me know if I can help with anything else!
colinrenee
August 10, 2014 @ 12:51 am
Dear Ali,
The horrors! Between me posting my enquiry and getting your reply – Delta has moved up the Atlanta-Narita flight such that my layover from Tampa is now 1hr 10mins!
Is it save to say that a straight thru layover above 45 minutes will be safe?
I’ve googled and it seems the flight gets into T zone of Atlanta and the flight to Narita will be from zone F.
(one end of the airport to the other!)
Have read that the shuttle connector from end to end is about 15 minutes – any idea how often this shuttle runs? Like departures every 5 mins?
Thanks dear!
Ali Garland
August 10, 2014 @ 1:32 pm
SO sorry they’ve changed the flight! I don’t think 15 minutes will make that much difference. The shuttle train thing in the Atlanta airport runs fairly often. At least every 5 minutes, maybe even every 2 minutes. I don’t think it even takes 15 minutes to get from the T-gates to F terminal, but maybe. When you get off your flight from Tampa, just look for signs to the other terminals and don’t leave the secured area. A 45 minute layover might be pushing it, but an hour 10 minutes should be fine. I hope this helps and good luck!
colinrenee
August 9, 2014 @ 8:01 pm
Thank you Ali!
Really good information – will go book my Delta flight now!
Ali Garland
August 9, 2014 @ 9:23 pm
You’re welcome! Have a great trip!
colinrenee
August 10, 2014 @ 12:04 am
Dear Ali,
Unbelievable! in between me asking you for advice and going back to book – Delta has somehow amended the flight time of the Atlanta – Narita leg.
So now the layover is 1hr 10mins!
Am I safe to assume that layover over 45 minutes in Atlanta should be safe?
colinrenee
August 9, 2014 @ 1:42 pm
Dear Ali,
Feeling bad trouble you with my question but I’m just so stuck!
I’m planning to fly from Tampa to Singapore with Delta and the flight route is Tampa – Atlanta (1hr 26m layover) – Narita – Singapore.
Is the 1hr 26m layover safe enough? I assume that since I’m flying Delta for all sectors, I will be able to check thru my lugguage from Tampa (so no need to wait for luggage).
Will I have to go through Immigrations/Customs again at Atlanta?
Would love to take this route instead of going Tampa – LAX (4hr layover), thank you in advance!
Ali Garland
August 9, 2014 @ 3:06 pm
No problem at all, I’m here to help!
I think an hour 26 minutes in Atlanta should be ok, especially on your way TO Singapore. The US doesn’t really do immigration when you’re leaving the country. The person at the check-in counter in Tampa will check your passport and print your tickets for all flights, and other than showing your passport, you won’t notice anything different from a domestic flight. Assuming you’ve booked the whole thing on one itinerary (as opposed to piecing together the flights) your luggage will get checked from Tampa all the way to Singapore. I had to go through a security screening in Narita on a layover once, but it wasn’t a big deal, so I think you’ll be fine there too.
On your way home, assuming you have the exact same flights and Atlanta is your first stop in the US, you WILL have to go through immigration, so that will take a little longer. You have to go through the passport line, and then collect your checked luggage and talk to the immigration person, which shouldn’t take too long depending on the lines. Then there’s a conveyor belt to re-check your bags for the Atlanta – Tampa flight. Then you go through a security check and get sent back into the main area of the airport, though I don’t remember which terminal you end up in. An hour and 26 minute layover on this part might be a bit tight, but it really varies by time of day and day of the week. I’ve gotten through immigration and customs in Atlanta very quickly, but there have also been times when it took an eternity.
I think you’ll be ok here, but I can’t guarantee anything. Let me know if I can help with anything else, and enjoy your trip to Singapore!
Brittni Allen
August 5, 2014 @ 2:44 pm
Hi Ali,
Thank you for the article! It was very informative, but I do have a specific question…
I am booking a flight from SFO to BNA and have a lay over in DFW. My lay over is only 45 minutes, my flight is through American Airlines.
Do you think this is enough time to catch my next flight? Also, another factor to consider is I will be landing in DFW at 9pm.
Thanks!
Ali Garland
August 5, 2014 @ 9:28 pm
Hi Brittni! 45 minutes is pretty tight. If you haven’t already booked it, you might feel more comfortable with a longer option, if available. If you’ve already booked or there just isn’t a good alternative, I think the best you can do is try to get an aisle seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, and have all your stuff ready to grab and go as soon as the first flight lands. Pack anything essential in your carry-on, though if you’re able to avoid checking luggage altogether, you won’t have to worry about your luggage making the switch. Flying domestic for both flights helps though since you won’t have to worry about the passport check lines or anything like that.
Later in the day is when there are more chances for delayed flights. If a flight gets delayed earlier in the day, there’s a domino effect. That could work against you if it means your first flight is delayed, but it could work in your favor if the second flight is delayed.
Check out my reply to Daniel a few comments up. I put some links in there for the DFW airport that might be helpful.
You could end up with no problems at all and a really easy gate switch. Unfortunately there’s no way to predict it. I wish I could give you a more definite answer! Let me know if I can help with anything else, and have a great trip!
Nilanjana Laha
July 26, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
Hi Ali,
I am glad I came across your article. I will go to Seattle from India with my parents. The plane I was thinking of booking ( Cathay Pacific) has 1hr 40 mins layover time in LAX. Is it sufficient ? We will have 4/5 check-in bags in total. The other planes are costlier.
Previously I planned to go to San Francisco first ( This plane has only one stop, in Hong Kong ) and stay in a friend’s house for 2 nights. Then I would board South West Airlines’ flight to Seattle.
On the other hand, if I go for a direct flight to Seattle, all planes have 2 stops. Also, except for the ones with 1 hr 40 mins layover time in LAX, all planes have total journey time of 30 hours or more. Can you please suggest me which way should I opt for? Its our first international tour and my parents have some health problems too.
Ali Garland
July 26, 2014 @ 9:24 pm
Hi Nilanjana! That’s a tough call. 1 hour 40 minutes isn’t horrible, but it might be cutting it a little close. Once you land in LAX, you’ll have to go through passport check, pick up your checked luggage, and then talk to the customs people before re-checking your bags and going to find your next gate. LAX is a popular entry point for flights from Asia and Australia, so sometimes the lines can be long. But ultimately I think it comes down to the fact that your parents have some health problems. I don’t know what the problems are, but I can imagine fewer layovers might be best. You can probably get the airport to transfer your parents to the next gate, which would actually save a lot of time. You could even try calling the airline ahead of time and talking to them about what you need to do to get assistance with the transfer for your parents. Your plan to stop in San Francisco for a couple nights sounds good too. It would be just the one layover in Hong Kong, and the stop in San Francisco would give you all a chance to rest a little before continuing on to Seattle.
I wish it was easier for me to tell you “choose this one!” but your situation sounds a little complicated. I think you have to go with whatever option is going to be easiest on your parents, given their health problems, even if that means spending a little extra money. Long international flights are exhausting, and in my experience, it’s best to have as few layovers as possible.
Side note: make sure you know the address of where you’re staying in the US to put on the immigration form they give you on the plane. Even if you do the San Francisco option and you’re only staying at your friend’s place for a couple days, have that address handy to put on the form. The last time I flew into the US (through LAX), I didn’t know my friend’s address, so I just wrote the city and state, and the passport check person got really mad at me. She made me get out of line and dig through my bags to find the address. And I’m a US citizen, so it’s not like I even needed permission to be there.
Anyway, I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a definite answer, but I hope this helps a little. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me! And have a great trip to Seattle, wonderful city!
Daniel
July 9, 2014 @ 11:10 am
Hi Ali ,
Well unfortunately I bought my plane ticket before coming across this and now I am very nervous . Of course I thought woohoo short layover great . I got plane tickets to visit my aunt in Morelia , Mexico . This flight goes from Las Vegas to Dfw to Morelia . With the lay over of 50 minuets . Both flights are on American Airlines . I’ve never flown a flight with a layover so really don’t know what I’ve got myself into 🙁 . Will I have to go through immigration here and in Dallas ? Will I need to recheck my luggage in Dallas ? Do I have to arrive at Las Vegas international the 2 hours before like on other international flights ?
Ali Garland
July 9, 2014 @ 7:29 pm
Hi Daniel! A 50 minute layover is short, but hopefully it won’t be too short. Assuming you booked both flights as one itinerary, American Airlines seems to think you can make the switch, so I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Here’s a link to maps of the terminals at DFW: http://www.dfwairport.com/terminals/ and a link with info about transferring between gates with their skylink inside of security: http://www.dfwairport.com/connect/index.php Unfortunately there’s no way to know ahead of time where your first flight lands and where the second flight leaves from, but it might help you feel a little more oriented to see the maps ahead of time.
When you’re leaving the US to go to Mexico, there really isn’t any sort of immigration to deal with. The person at the check-in counter will check your passport, but other than that it’s just like flying domestic. That will happen in Vegas, and they’ll print your boarding passes for both flights. (If you’re not checking luggage and you check in online and print your tickets at home, you should still be able to skip the check-in counter, but once you get to the gate, the gate agent will want to see your passport, most likely before the boarding process even begins.)
Once you’re in DFW, all you have to do is find your next gate. Your luggage will be tagged to go from Vegas to DFW to Morelia, so you don’t have to pick it up.
However, coming home is a little different. When you check in at the airport in Morelia, they should still print both of your boarding passes. I’ve never flown through Mexico, but I imagine it’s like every single other country except the US in that you have to go through a separate passport check line before you get to security and eventually your gate.
When you land in DFW, you WILL have to go through US immigration and passport check lines. You’ll also have to pick up your luggage and re-check it. Re-checking varies a bit from airport to airport, and I’m sorry I don’t know exactly what it’s like at DFW because I’ve only flown through there on domestic flights. But usually the re-checking is as simple as putting it onto a conveyor belt while you’re still in the immigration area, so it really doesn’t take long. After that, you’ll have to go through security again. Again, in most airports there is a special checkpoint right there in the immigration area. (I looked around on the DFW website to see if they had any info on their set-up but I couldn’t find anything.)
Technically your first flight is domestic. But a lot of airports/airlines are now recommending that people show up 2 hours ahead even for domestic flights in case there are long lines at TSA or check-in. I’ve had times flying out of Vegas where the line at TSA took me 45 minutes to get through, so better to be early and breeze through than to arrive later and get stuck in a long line and miss your flight.
Try not to worry. If you miss your connection, especially if it’s because the first flight was delayed, American Airlines will hopefully be able to help you get on another flight. And enjoy your trip! If you have any other questions, feel free to email me!
Mariah
July 8, 2014 @ 4:42 pm
I have a 45 minute layover at Chicago O’Hair… I’ve never been there, or had a layover before. Is that enough time?
Ali Garland
July 8, 2014 @ 5:17 pm
Hi Mariah! O’Hare is a pretty big airport, so 45 minutes might be cutting it close. If you’re staying with the same airline and both flights are domestic, your chances are higher that you will make it. Unfortunately it depends on a lot of factors, like time of day and how busy they are. If you’re checking luggage, ask the person at the check-in counter if there’s anything they can do to tag your luggage to get pulled off the first plane early so it has a better chance of making it to the second flight. As for you, if possible, try to get a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible and preferably an aisle seat. Have all your carry-on stuff put back in your bags and ready to go as soon as the plane lands, and go for it as soon as you can get out of your seat. You might get to your second flight with no problems at all, especially if the gate is nearby, but unfortunately it could go the other way. If you miss your connection because your first flight is delayed, they should reschedule you on a later second flight.
Good luck and happy travels!
Louise
May 26, 2014 @ 8:42 am
Hi there,
I’m flying from Boston to Shannon, Ireland, and then from Shannon on to England. I have a 45 minute layover in Shannon, and I’m worried that it won’t be enough time. From what I’ve heard, shannon is a fairly small airport, but I’m just thinking that with all the luggage on an international flight that even if I make it, my bag might not. I’m flying Aer Lingus. Any thoughts?
Ali Garland
May 26, 2014 @ 2:27 pm
Hi Louise! Shannon does look like a small airport, here’s a map of the layout: http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/Passengers/Relax/arport-maps/terminal-map.aspx. 45 minutes does sound short, but if the airline booked you that way (you’re on one itinerary, not two separate ones) then it’s their responsibility to make sure you make the next flight or get you on a later one if your first flight is delayed. Same for your luggage. To be on the safe side, you should pack anything you wouldn’t want to lose plus a change of clothes, toothbrush, stuff like that, in your carry-on bag. That way if your luggage is delayed, you’ll have some things to get you started. Check out my post on what to pack in your carry-on: https://travel-made-simple.com/what-to-pack-in-your-carry-on-bag/ Another thing you can try is when you’re checking in for the first flight in Boston, ask the person at the counter if they have any way of specially tagging your luggage to get pulled out early to make the connection. They might not be able to do anything, but it’s worth asking.
Brian M
May 22, 2014 @ 6:50 pm
I hit post before I was done….oops….
We are headed to the Caribbean in a few weeks and have to check bags and connect in Charlotte on our way there. (We are fying direct on the way home). Our layover is 90 minutes and my wife has some concerns over our luggage not having enough time to be transferred to the connecting plane. What is your opinion ? Thanks
Ali Garland
May 23, 2014 @ 11:50 am
Hi Brian! 90 minutes should be fine. Obviously I can’t guarantee anything, but I think 90 minutes will be enough time for them to transfer your luggage from one flight to the other. Charlotte does deal with a decent amount of connections but it’s also not a really huge airport. And since you’re starting in the US and connecting in the US, you won’t actually have to re-check your luggage. (When you fly from outside the US to the US and have a connection, you have to collect your luggage at the first US airport and re-check it. It doesn’t take long, but it’s annoying. Your direct flight home will be nicer.)
Have a great trip, and let me know if you have any other questions!
That Time I Took a Shower at the Airport | Ali's Adventures
May 12, 2014 @ 8:01 am
[…] leaving from terminal 2, otherwise I don’t think the plan would have worked. If you have a layover in Singapore and want to use the showers in terminal 2, go there BEFORE clearing immigration and […]
Steffi Julian
May 1, 2014 @ 5:37 am
Does anyone have experience with minimum layover times in MIA / American Airlines between domestic and international flight?
Ali Garland
May 1, 2014 @ 10:25 am
Hi Steffi, the last time I did that was about 5 years ago. What I remember is that switching in MIA from my domestic flight to my international flight wasn’t so bad. As long as your flights are all on the same itinerary, American Airlines will check you in for both legs and give you both boarding passes, so even if you have to change terminals at MIA, it won’t really be any different than a domestic switch. I’d still allow for at least an hour. On the way back from whatever country you’re going to, you might want to leave yourself more time, even two hours. You’ll have to go through US immigration, which can be a pain at that particular airport, then you have to collect any checked luggage you might have, talk to the customs people (which can take a minute or 20 just depending on the line and their mood) and recheck your luggage before you can go through TSA and back into the airport to find your next flight. I’m sure it can be done in an hour, but I don’t think I’d feel comfortable with less than two hours. I hope this helps, feel free to email me with any other questions, and enjoy your trip!
CrifJohnson
November 21, 2013 @ 7:48 am
Hi Ali,
It was just great to read your blog and was very helpful.
Thanks a ton!
Ali Garland
November 21, 2013 @ 11:06 am
Thanks! Glad to help!
Tom @ Waegook Tom
November 20, 2013 @ 5:19 pm
Oh, layovers! I usually don’t book anything with under 2 hours, even for domestic, otherwise I start to get tetchy! Dubai is one airport where you do NOT want a short layover – it took 40 minutes just go from where the plane was parked to get to the terminal, and the plane was Emirates, which is Dubai airport’s primary carrier! Depending on what city I go through, I might plan a really long layover just so that I can have a day or so to explore – I could have had a 4 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur on my way to Taipei, but decided on a 16 hour layover instead, so that’ll give me time to meet up with some friends there!
I’m always worried about my luggage not making it too, so travel with carry-on only for that reason whenever I can.
Ali Garland
November 21, 2013 @ 11:05 am
Thanks Tom! Good to know about Dubai, I’ve never connected there before. I like long layovers too sometimes depending on the city. A 4 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur definitely wouldn’t be long enough to leave the airport, especially since the airport is an hour or so from the city. I once intentionally booked myself a 10 hour layover in London and ran around the city for a few hours. Andy did the same in Hong Kong a couple years ago on a 14 hour layover.
Matthew Cheyne
November 2, 2013 @ 4:19 pm
This is a really useful article. Because I have never traveled overseas and all of my air travel has been domestic within Australia between two destinations – that is, only one leg of travel in each direction and usually between Melbourne and Sydney, layovers haven’t been something that I’ve had to factor in yet. Knowing my health isn’t all that flash, I would prefer overnight layovers in a particular city as a means of resting and recuperating. For example if I was to fly from Australia to the United States, I would do a layover in Hawaii, probably for a couple of days the first time round to get used to doing a layover and being in Hawaii as a tourist, and then once I’ve been a tourist in Hawaii the first time round, I would only do a one night layover if I did the same trip in the future. I think that that would be the best way to go as it would reduce jet lag (at least I think it would), and would limit the risk of any DVT issues that I might face.
What do you think Ali?
Ali Garland
November 3, 2013 @ 11:48 am
Thanks Matthew! You’d really have to look into your flight options if you wanted to stay overnight or a few nights for your layover. Occasionally you can find a flight with a really long layover, but at most it would be one night. If you wanted to fly to Hawaii for a few days before continuing to somewhere else in the US, you might have to book separate tickets which could get quite expensive. BUT there are passes you can use that might help. So for example, if you book roundtrip airfare with Qantas from Melbourne to the US with a return flight several weeks later, then you can add one of these North America passes to fly to other parts of the US, Canada, and lots of other countries in North America. That way you could schedule your layovers a little better in order to give yourself plenty of down time. Check this out for more info: http://www.oneworld.com/flights/single-continent-fares/visit-north-america/
Matthew Cheyne
November 3, 2013 @ 11:55 am
Thank you so much Ali 🙂 I’ll check out that site now. Hopefully I can make a trip to the States while the Australian dollar is still close to parity and pick up some serious bargains while I’m there.
I’ve always wanted to go to Canada and came very close to applying for a working holiday visa twice but never went ahead and did it. I still want to go someday though when I’m a little better health wise.
Lauren Meshkin @BonVoyageLauren
November 1, 2013 @ 8:32 pm
This was very helpful! Thanks, Ali! I always have a huge fear of my luggage getting lost and usually try to avoid checking it in. I realize now that there’s a higher chance of it getting lost when you have difficult connections to make.
Happy travels 🙂
Ali Garland
November 3, 2013 @ 11:41 am
Thanks Lauren! I try not to check luggage for many reasons, I just find it easier to bring less and keep it with me. But there are certainly times when it doesn’t work out, and a short layover can be disastrous.
Tracy L
November 1, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
Great post! I work in travel and I’ll tell ya, the airlines are really cutting it close with layovers these days. Just two years ago almost any layover was a least an hour (domestic flights).. Now, I’ll pull up flights and find layovers as short as 25 minutes. This always makes me nervous! One tiny delay and you’ve missed your flight. And because there are fewer flights available, chances of finding another flight out on the same day may prove difficult. You are so right that you need to pay attention to your layover time AND what airport you are flying into. If it’s a busy, large airport you will need time, as you mention above, to get to your next gate.
Ali Garland
November 3, 2013 @ 11:37 am
25 minutes? That’s crazy! Sometimes it takes that long just for the plane to taxi to the gate and for everyone to get off the plane. No thanks. And you’re right, it’s not always easy to get onto another flight if you miss your connection. Thanks Tracy!
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