A connecting flight is a flight journey in which you travel from your departure airport to an intermediate airport and then catch another flight to reach your final destination.
For example, if I have to travel from Bhubaneswar to Lucknow, I could take a direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Lucknow, if available. In this case, I board the flight at Bhubaneswar and land at Lucknow without changing flights.
But if a direct flight is not available, I can choose a connecting flight. In this case, the first flight drops me at an intermediate airport, where I catch another flight to reach my final destination.
Suppose I don’t get a direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Lucknow, but there is a flight from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata and another flight from Kolkata to Lucknow. I can travel through Kolkata by changing flights. This is called a connecting flight journey.
What Travellers Must Know About a Connecting Flight
Before booking a connecting flight, travellers should check:
- Layover time: How much time is available between the two flights?
- Airline: Are both flights operated by the same airline or different airlines?
- Departure time: When will the next flight depart from the connecting airport?
- Flight duration: How long will the entire journey take, including the connection?
- Terminal: Will you need to change terminals at the connecting airport?
Important Points to Know
- When you land at the connecting airport, you may be able to transit to your next flight without exiting the airport. If you are unsure where to go, ask airport staff or security personnel for directions.
- Depending on the airport and your journey, you may need to undergo security screening again. Follow the airport’s instructions and allow sufficient time to reach your next boarding gate.
- Checked baggage: If both flights are booked together, your checked baggage may be transferred automatically to your final destination. However, in some cases, such as separate tickets or certain international connections, you may need to collect and recheck your baggage. Always confirm the baggage transfer process with the airline.
- Keep sufficient layover time to complete any required security checks, terminal transfers, and boarding procedures.
Related Airport Terms
- Transit Passenger
- Terminal
- Baggage
- Layover
- Direct flight
- Nonstop flight
- Airport Glossary