Layover flights explained: A comparison to stopover, connecting, and open-jaw flights

What is a layover flight? 

A layover flight is a two-stage flight that involves switching to a new plane at a connecting airport before landing at your final destination. For a layover flight, you’ll have two boarding passes: one for the flight from your departure city to another airport and another for the flight from your connecting airport to your final destination.

Layover stops are typically quick (less than 24 hours). When you land for your layover, you’ll get off the plane, enter the terminal, and travel to a new gate for your next flight. If you have a domestic layover, you typically don’t need to check in again or go through security or customs, but if you have an international layover or you’re switching airlines, you may have to go through more steps to continue your journey.

When you book your ticket, you may get the option to choose between a layover or direct flight depending upon the routes available between your departure and destination cities. Layover flights are often cheaper than direct flights, giving budget-conscious travelers a chance to save some money.

International layover flight vs. domestic layover flight

International layover flights and domestic layover flights have distinct differences because you cross a border. 

During a domestic layover flight, you won’t have to go through immigration or customs at your connecting airport, since you aren’t leaving the country. You simply go through a transfer area on your way to your next gate.

However, international itineraries can get more complicated. International layover flights may require:

• Immigration checks. After you disembark, you may have to pass through immigration and check in again for your connecting flight.

• Security checks. You’ll likely have to go through security in your connecting airport before you head to the gate.

• Transit visas. Some countries require transit visas, even if you’re only going to be there for a brief layover. Thankfully, transit visas are typically inexpensive and easy to get, and some countries will even let you apply for one when you arrive for your layover.

Layover flight compared to other flight types 

A layover flight is just one type of connecting flight, so it’s important to learn the difference between a layover and other flight types for a smooth, stress-free journey.

Layover flight vs. stopover flight

A stopover flight is basically a longer version of a layover flight. The difference between a layover and stopover is a matter of duration. While layovers are 24 hours or less, airlines define a stopover as a flight with a longer period in your connecting city.

During layovers, passengers often stay in the airport. However, a stopover involves leaving the airport and spending the night in the city. While for layover flights, airlines typically check luggage through to the final destination, stopover passengers will usually pick up their luggage at baggage claim, go through immigration and customs (for international flights), and occupy their time in their stopover destination. When it comes time for their next flight, stopover passengers will have to return to the airport and check in again.

You can create your own stopover flight by booking two separate tickets, but some airlines also offer a stopover itinerary. Some may even have a full stopover program, with subsidized lodgings and excursions to help you enjoy your connecting city, turning a stopover into a mini-vacation.

Layover flight vs. connecting flight

For the average traveler, a connecting flight and a layover flight can be considered the same thing. Just so you know, technically, airlines define “layover” as the time you spend in the airport between flights, and “connecting flight” is the actual flight you take to travel to your final destination.

Layover flight vs. open-jaw flight 

An open-jaw flight is a travel itinerary with a gap in the middle. While a layover flight will take care of your connecting travel, during an open-jaw flight, you are on your own for the “open” part of your journey.

For example, an open-jaw trip could go from Chicago to London and then Berlin to Chicago. Before you fly out of Berlin, you’ll have to arrange your own transportation from London to Berlin.  

Open-jaw flights can be a cost-saving strategy because they are often cheaper than booking two one-way flights or a round-trip ticket. Open-jaw flights are also a good choice if you’re returning to a different city.

Can you leave the airport during a layover?

You can leave the airport during a layover. However, you’ll want to do a bit of planning first. When deciding whether you should leave the airport, make sure you account for:

• Time. If you have less than four hours for your layover, you may want to play it safe and stay in the airport. Four hours typically isn’t long enough for you to travel to the city center, explore, and return. Always make sure you have enough time so that you don’t miss your connection!

• Visas. Some cities may require a visa if you intend to visit, even if it’s only for a few hours. If you’re travelling internationally, check your layover country’s specific policies before leaving the airport.

• Security. If you leave the airport, you’ll have to go through security again when you return, so make sure you give yourself some extra time to get through security and make it to your gate.

So if you have enough time and plan ahead, you can enjoy your connecting city during your layover!

Do you have to go through customs and check in again during a layover?

Whether you need to go through customs and check in again during a layover depends on your flight type — domestic or international — and the location of your connecting gate.

For domestic layovers, you typically won’t go through customs or check in again. However, for international layovers, passengers often need to go through passport control, customs, and sometimes security before boarding their next flight.

If your layover flight is in a different terminal than the one your original flight landed in, you may have to check in again in your new terminal and go through security and customs.

What happens to your luggage during a layover flight?

What happens to your luggage during a layover flight depends on whether you’re checking a bag or not. If you’re just using carry-on luggage, there’s nothing to worry about! Your bag will stay with you the whole time, and you just have to bring it with you when you get off your first flight.

However, checked-in luggage works differently. Typically, airlines will allow you to check your bag through to your final destination with layover flights, meaning that you do not have to pick it up during your layover. 

If you’re using two different airlines or travelling internationally, you may have to pick up your luggage at baggage claim during the layover, re-check the bag, and go through security again.

When you check your luggage before your first flight, read your receipt. It will state whether your bag is checked through to your final destination or just your connecting city. You can also confirm with the airline representative who is checking your bag where you will pick up your bag.

What happens if you miss your layover flight?

If you miss your layover flight, don’t panic. Missed connections are quite common, and airlines are used to handling the issue. Most airlines will book you on the next available flight to your final destination.

In the event you miss your layover flight, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact the airline you’re flying with. Speak to a representative at a customer service desk. They may be able to help you get rebooked.

2. Know your ticket’s rebooking rules. Some tickets allow you to rebook for free. If you miss the connection through no fault of your own (i.e., airline delays or weather events), you may be entitled to financial compensation, travel vouchers, meal vouchers, or a hotel room, depending on the individual airline’s policies.

3. Check out standby options. If the next flight to your destination is completely booked, ask about standby availability.

4. Call your travel insurance provider. If you have travel insurance, your provider may be able to help you cover extra expenses related to your missed connection.

Missing your layover flight can be frustrating, but it is just a speed bump. Stay calm and work with your airline to get to your final destination safely.

How do you book a layover flight?

Booking a layover flight is simple. When you’re looking for a layover flight, you can go directly to an airline’s website or use flight search websites like Kayak, Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Expedia. 

When you search, you can filter your results to show only layover flights. Then, make sure that you:

• Compare prices across different airlines and departure times

• Make sure that your connections are a manageable length (at least 1 hour for domestic layovers and 2 hours for international layovers)

• Read all the details of each flight option

When you find the best flight for you, go ahead and book it!

Can you stay in the layover city instead of your ticketed destination?

You can technically stay in your layover city instead of your ticketed destination by doing what is known as skiplagging or hidden-city flying. However, you should be careful because it may be a violation of your airline’s rules. 

Sometimes, you may find a layover flight to a different destination with a connection in your desired city that is cheaper than a direct flight. For example, a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Chicago may be more expensive than a ticket from Los Angeles to Atlanta with a layover in Chicago.

This trick may sound too good to be true, but skiplagging is totally legal even though it may be against the rules of the airline. However, you should be aware of a few things:

• Your checked luggage will likely be checked through to your final destination, meaning you can’t access it in your connection city.

• If you don’t get on your connecting flight, the rest of your ticket will be cancelled. Avoid booking a hidden-city flight on a roundtrip ticket,  because you’ll have no way to get home.

• If your airline changes the route for your flight, your connecting city could change entirely.

• Skiplagging violates most airlines’ policies, so review your ticket rules and the airline terms of service carefully to avoid negative consequences.

What to consider before booking a layover flight 

Before you book your layover flight, make sure you consider:

• Adequate layover time. When booking flights, aim for at least 1 hour for domestic layovers and 2 hours for international ones. While airlines may offer shorter layovers, choosing an itinerary with more time reduces the risk of missing your connection.

• Visa requirements. If you have an international layover, make sure you research the visa requirements for your layover city. You may need to purchase a traveler’s visa.

• Amenities. If you have a long layover, check out connecting airport’s food, shopping, and entertainment options via its website to determine how best to spend your time.

Especially if you have never flown before, review all of these details carefully. Then check out our other tips for first-time flyers.

What should you do during a layover? 

Layover flights can involve a lot of waiting, but you can spend your layover in plenty of ways, like:

• Exploring the airport. Depending on where your layover is, your connecting airport may provide a variety of shopping and entertainment options, like the nature trail in Singapore’s Changi Airport or country music concerts in Nashville International Airport.

• Relaxing in airline lounges. If you’re an airline member, you may have access to its lounge, where you can relax in privacy and comfort. If you’re not a member, you may be able to purchase a one-time lounge pass.

• Grabbing a bite to eat. Most airports have a variety of dining options, from fast food to sit-down pubs and even fine dining.

• Streaming. You can also stream movies, TV shows, music, or podcasts to keep yourself entertained.

However, to take advantage of many of these amenities, you’ll need to be connected to the internet, and you can’t always rely on free airport Wi-Fi. Unstable connections and slow load times may make it hard to research the airport’s offerings and nearly impossible to stream video without interruptions. 

The best way to access the internet during your layover flight is by using an eSIM. eSIMs allow you to access high-speed data, wherever you are, without incurring high data roaming fees or going through the hassle of acquiring a physical SIM card.

When you purchase an eSIM plan, you can get reliable internet from the best mobile providers as soon as you land — for both your layover flight and your final destination. You can also download eSIMs for multiple locations, making it easy to stay connected throughout your entire trip. To skip the hassle and stay connected during your layover, download the Saily eSIM app!