How do connecting flights work? Layovers, stopovers and your rights explained

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

9 minutes read

Last Updated:  April 7, 2026

Millions of UK passengers travel with connecting flights every year. Sometimes it's the only way to reach your destination. But other times, it's simply the smarter choice, as flights with connections can cost significantly less than flying direct, even on popular routes.

But if you've never navigated a layover before, or if you've had a bad experience with a missed connection, it's natural to feel a little nervous and uncertain. This guide covers how connecting flights work, how much time you should allow, and your rights if things go wrong.

Layover vs stopover: what's the difference?

You'll hear both of these terms used all the time, often for the same thing, but basically a layover and a stopover are both a stop at an in-between airport where you change planes before continuing to your final destination.

Strictly speaking, a layover refers to a shorter connection, typically under 24 hours. 

A stopover usually means a longer break, sometimes a day or more, often taken deliberately to explore the city where the connection takes place. In fact, some airlines now actively promote stopovers as a feature, offering itineraries built around them.

What is a connecting flight?

A connecting flight is any journey that requires you to change planes at an intermediate airport before reaching your destination. So, rather than flying directly from A to C, you fly from A to B, then board a separate flight from B to C.

Connections typically happen at large hub airports in places like Paris CDG, Frankfurt, or London Heathrow. These larger airports see lots of connecting flights because they offer a wide range of onward routes. You'll land, disembark, pass through security, and make your way to your next departure gate.

How do connecting flights work?

When you’re booking a flight with one or more connections, you'll generally have two options.

1. Acombined ticket. This is a single booking that covers all legs of your journey. It’s the recommended option wherever it's available because the airline is responsible for managing your connection time. If your first flight is delayed and you miss your onward flight as a result, your airline is obliged to rebook you.
2. Self transfers (separate tickets for each flight, booked independently). This kind of ticket can sometimes save money, but it transfers the risk to you. If a delay on the first flight causes you to miss the second, the second airline has no obligation to help you. This means you’ll be responsible for any additional costs like rebooking fees or accommodation

Whichever kind of journey you book, remember to keep all your travel documents with you at all times. Printing physical copies of your boarding passes alongside your digital ones is also recommended.

At check-in on the day of travel

With a combined ticket, you'll receive boarding passes for all legs of your journey at the initial check-in. Your checked luggage will also be tagged through to your final destination, so you won't need to collect and re-check it at the connection airport.

With self transfer (separate tickets), you'll need to check in again at the intermediate airport, collect your luggage on arrival, and re-register it for your onward flight. You’ll need to allow extra time for this.

Minimum connection time: how long do you really need?

When you’re booking a flight with connections, you need to allow enough time in between flights to clear any required checks, reach your departure gate, and board your next flight.

Two hours is a sensible minimum for most connections. If you're travelling through a large hub airport or flying between continents, give yourself three hours or more.

Here's what to factor in when deciding how much time you need:

• The route. Within the EU or UK, where passport control is often not required, the process moves quickly. Intercontinental journeys, or connections between Schengen and non-Schengen zones, take considerably longer.
• The airport. Some hub airports are enormous. Getting from one terminal to another at Dubai, Frankfurt, or Heathrow can take 20–30 minutes. Check the layout of your connection airport before you travel. Most of them publish transfer time information on their websites.
• Your route's delay history. The longer your first flight, the greater the chance it arrives late. So, it's worth checking the average delay stats for your specific route on any flight comparison site before you book. Truly! A few minutes of research can save you a lot of stress.
• Security checks at your connection airport. Some airports carry out additional security screening for transit passengers. This doesn't happen everywhere, but if your connection is at an airport known for thorough checks, build in extra time. A quick search before you travel will tell you what to expect.
• One final note. If you've booked a combined ticket, the airline has already factored in the minimum connection time. That's their responsibility, not yours. But, if you've booked separate tickets, you're making that call yourself, so it's always better to allow more time than you think you need.

Can you leave the airport during a layover?

Yes, you can. As long as you have sufficient time and the right documentation, you can leave the airport during a layover. It’s actually a genuinely enjoyable way to kill time in between flights.

A couple of things to check before you leave the airport

1. Entry requirements. Every country has its own rules for transit passengers. In some cases, you may need a transit visa even for a short stay. This must be arranged in advance, and not on arrival. Check the entry requirements for your connection country on the UK government's foreign travel advice pages before you travel.
2. Time. Factor in the travel time to and from the city centre, any queues at immigration, and a time to get back to your gate. As a rule, you'll want at least four to five hours of connection time before you consider leaving the airport.

If you'd rather stay airside, most major hub airports have plenty to offer, including a wide range of restaurants, duty-free shopping, and in some cases spa facilities and shower rooms where you can freshen up before your onward flight.

What happens if you miss your connecting flight?

This depends largely on the type of ticket you're travelling on.

If you have a combined ticket and the missed connection was caused by a delay or cancellation on your first flight, the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination. This means that they should rebook you on the next available service at no additional cost. In many cases, you may also be entitled to meals and refreshments while you wait, and accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary.

Depending on the length of your delay and where your journey originated, you may also be entitled to financial compensation under UK261 (for flights departing from a UK airport, or arriving into the UK on a UK or EU carrier) or EU261/2004 (for flights departing from an EU airport). Compensation can be up to £520 (€600) per passenger.

With a self-transfer (separate tickets), it's a different story. The second airline has no obligation to help you, and getting costs for a new ticket, accommodation, or meals reimbursed from the first airline can be difficult, even if their delay caused you to miss your flight.

It's a frustrating situation that many passengers don't realise they're in, until it's too late. If this has happened to you, it's worth checking whether your flight is eligible for compensation, and the fastest and easiest way to do this is with a compensation calculator.

Why do people choose connecting flights?

The most obvious reason is necessity. Not every destination has a direct service from your departure airport, and a connecting flight is simply the only option available.

But more and more, passengers choose to connect even when a direct flight exists. This is because the cost savings can be significant. Sometimes you could save hundreds of pounds depending on the route, and for many travellers, a few extra hours in transit is a worthwhile trade-off.

Other passengers go further still. They deliberately book longer stopovers to explore the connection city before continuing their journey. Several major airlines now offer itineraries specifically designed around extended stopovers because they know that the connection itself is part of the appeal.

If your journey doesn't go to plan, and you end up missing a connection due to a delay or cancellation, you may be entitled to compensationAirAdvisor helps passengers across the UK and Europe claim what they're owed, quickly, simply, and on a no-win, no-fee basis.Check Your Flight

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Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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