Connecting Flight: How a Layover Flight Works at the Airport

When traveling, it's especially clear how money converts into time. And this math works best with the example of inexpensive tickets that include a layover.

Today, we'll talk about the types of layover flights, their pros and cons, and also discuss how to best fly with a layover and reach your destination on time. 

Pros and Cons of Connecting Flights

So, why are connecting flights great: 

• helps save money;
• is often the only way to reach your destination when there's no direct flight; 
• allows for a stopover: a long layover to see another city along the way.

Cons of connecting flights:

• complicated logistics;
• take more time.

Differences Between Transit and Direct Flights

A transit flight is a flight with at least one layover. On a connecting (or transit) flight, a passenger may change not only the aircraft and airline, but also the airport terminal, and sometimes even the transit airport itself.

A direct flight is a flight from the departure airport to the arrival airport without changing aircraft or terminals. The passenger checks in, drops off luggage, boards the plane, and disembarks at the destination. There are direct flights with a refueling stop. In this case, passengers and their luggage remain on the plane. Sometimes only the crew changes. 

Types of Transit Flights

There are two types of flights with a stopover — connecting and layover.

Connecting flight

It can be operated by one or several airlines within an alliance. This involves so-called code-sharing — when tickets can be purchased on the main partner airline's website, but one segment of the flight will be operated by another airline.

If the flight is organized by one airline or an alliance, the passenger receives boarding passes for all upcoming flights during check-in.

In such a case, you don't need to collect your luggage during the layover: specially trained personnel will take care of it. If those specially trained personnel lose luggage, the responsibility will lie with the airline that operated the flight. 

If it's a connecting flight and you missed your next flight due to a delay of one plane, airline staff will find the nearest replacement option for free.

Layover flight 

When flying with a layover, several separate tickets are purchased from different airlines. All logistics and risks lie with the passenger. 

Each flight segment of a layover flight requires separate check-in with baggage drop-off and other security rituals. 

If it's a layover flight at the airport, all responsibility lies with the passenger — there will be no compensation.

	Baggage claim in transit city	Risks if plane is delayed	Re-check-in
Connecting (transit)	Not necessarily required	Not needed	All risks covered by the airline
Layover	Must be claimed	Must check in again	All risks on the passenger

Rules for a Successful Transit Flight

For a smooth and relatively calm journey, it's worth following some simple rules.

• Check the airport name, arrival terminal, and next departure terminal in advance. Find out how far apart they are and how much time it will take to get there. 

Domestic flights and low-cost carriers are quite often based in smaller, simpler terminals. Usually, you need to take a train or bus that operates within the airport to reach them. 

We recommend installing the FLIO app (for Android and iOS) in advance. It has everything you need for airport navigation: online departure/arrival boards, airport map, list of cafes, hotels, and services. 

• Check COVID restrictions in the transit country. Currently, if they exist, they are purely nominal: you just need to fill out a special form. They might ask for it during check-in. 
• Check if the gate has changed. This often happens if the boarding pass was issued during check-in at another airport. 
• Check-in usually closes 40–60 minutes before departure, boarding — 20–25 minutes before. If you are at the airport but haven't managed to check in or board, you can start looking for tickets for the next flight.

On average, a layover can take one to two hours. And they will be as active as possible — from finding the terminal and going through security checks to finding the gate and buying water.

• Be careful when buying duty-free items. Especially liquids and creams. You can easily carry them on board at the airport where the shop is located. But problems may arise with the next flight. Be sure to clarify this question when purchasing or call the transit airport's hotline. It's best to record the conversation. 
• Not all airports have free Wi-Fi with good speed. It's worth downloading a couple of books or movies in advance, especially if you're flying with children. Here we wrote what to read, and here — what to watch. A power bank will also be useful, as convenient access to outlets is not available everywhere.

Visa for Transit Flights

During a connecting flight, a standard or transit visa may be required. This can happen in the following cases:

1. There is no transit zone at the airport

Such a stay in the country is equivalent to a full entry into the territory. When making a layover, in some countries, you will still need to obtain a transit visa. This applies to the USA, Canada, and Australia, for example.

A transit visa allows you to stay in the country for a limited amount of time, after which you must fly to a third country. In other words, returning to the point of departure will not be possible. 

Typically, such a visa is valid for up to three days. 

2. You need to check in for the next flight

Check-in involves going through all the airport adventures again. Including document verification.

3. Several layovers in the Schengen area will be required

Note that baggage claim will most often involve exiting the transit zone. This can become a problem if you do not have a standard or transit visa.

4. If you need to change airports or terminals

Changing terminals is equivalent to exiting into the city.

5. During a stopover

If you intentionally or by fate are making a flight with a stopover (long layover), it's worth finding out in advance if a visa is required to stay in the country. Without a regular or transit visa, you simply won't be allowed to leave the airport. 

Baggage on Transit Flights

If you are flying on a transit flight with one or more airlines that are part of an alliance, there will be no problems with your luggage. You will check it in at point A and collect it at point B. The beauty is that you don't have to worry about collecting and re-checking luggage at point B, point C, and so on. 

Transit passengers' luggage is typically sent to the final destination by default, but this point should be re-confirmed during flight check-in. Or vice versa: if you need to collect your luggage at the transit airport, tell the company representative. 

If there are items in your luggage that need to be declared, you will have to collect your luggage in the transit zone and handle the paperwork.

Pay attention to baggage allowance rules for layover flights. They may differ between airlines. For example, if you fly the first segment with Aeroflot, and you are allowed 23 kg of luggage, but the second segment is operated by Red Wings, which is not part of the alliance. Their allowed baggage weight is only 15 kg. In such a scenario, you will have to pay extra for overweight checked baggage and even hand luggage.

Animals flying in the cargo hold are usually also processed for collection at the end of the route. When crossing the EU border, customs inspects animals in the presence of their owners. 

If you have enough time to collect your luggage and pet carrier/crate at the transit airport, be sure to do so. Flying is stressful in principle, and especially so in the cargo hold. 

Just don't forget: to check the carrier back in, you'll need to go through security again.

If your luggage didn't reach its destination or arrived very worn, opened, or damaged, you need to file a complaint without leaving the baggage claim area. 

General Instructions for Flying with a Layover

If you are flying for the first time, we recommend starting by reading the guide "Airport for Beginners."

• Check-in for transit passengers happens exactly the same way as for regular passengers: no discrimination.
• If the flight is organized by one airline or by airlines within an alliance, the passenger receives boarding passes for all upcoming flights. 

The boarding pass contains all necessary information: flight number, gate, and seat in the cabin.

When a stopover lasts longer than 24 hours, the airline may not issue a boarding pass for the next flight — you will need to check in for it separately.

• Ask the staff if your luggage can be sent directly to your destination, and check that the baggage tag is in place. Typically, it's attached to the boarding pass. Sometimes — to the passport. 

Keep the sticker until you collect your luggage and exit the airport. Sometimes, at the exit, stickers are checked against the tag on the suitcase. 

If the plane is delayed

On connecting flights, the main problem can be a departure delay. If you realize you have less than an hour for your connection, tell the flight attendant. You might be given priority when disembarking. 

If you have a connecting flight, airline representatives are well aware of the delay and will try to meet you and guide you through secret airport paths, significantly shortening your route and waiting time in queues. 

The main thing is to try not to panic or get nervous. The airline will do everything not to lose money on your ticket. 

If you couldn't make it, the transit passenger will be sent on the next flight free of charge. Be sure to read about what to do if you miss your flight.

• If there is a transit zone at the airport, there will be special "Transit" or "Transfer" signs at the exit from the jet bridge/bus. As usual, don't follow the crowd: the crowd usually heads to the baggage claim area and the exit to the city.

Once in the transit passenger lounge, first check the gate number and departure time — they might have changed.

• If there's a lot of time between flights, it's a good idea to spend it in a lounge. Sometimes it's cheaper than having lunch at an airport restaurant. We've put together a whole collection of things to do at the airport during a long layover.
• If you've put together your own itinerary and have two separate tickets, you are not considered a transit passenger. At the layover airport, you'll need to collect your luggage from the carousel and follow the signs to the exit. After that, you'll need to check in for your flight again and drop off your luggage.

The airport is part of the travel story. Funny, nerve-wracking, thrilling, or sweet. Grab your favorite headphones, download some good music, recline your seat, and try to get the most out of your journey.