Connecting flights can be a very exhausting experience, especially when you don’t have longer layovers and are required to check-in to your next flight almost immediately after you land from one. If one flight delays, there’s a high chance that you will miss the next flight and your luggage can go on its own little holiday turning your vacation into a nightmare. To avoid all of that, we have listed some expert tips that should help to make your connecting flights experience better.
- Fly with a single airline: To avoid having to run from one departure gate to another, try choosing a single carrier for both your flights. This makes reaching the departure gate easy and saves you all the time to search for your next exit through the airport. If you choose different airlines, each will only take responsibility of one flight and wouldn’t care if you missed a flight or your earlier flight got delayed. With a single airline, you will remain the crew and the airline’s priority throughout.
- Travel on a Single Ticket: There is a high chance that if you miss your flight due to a delay in your first flight while travelling on 2 separate tickets, the second airline will cancel your ticket and you will be asked to buy a new one. On a single ticket, not only will you not need another ticket but you will also be saved from the hassle of repeated baggage and security checks.
- Know the Minimum Connection Time: Before you finalise the booking of your connecting flights, consider the minimum connection time and do the necessary research for the airport you are getting your connecting flight from. The connection time varies from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the airport terminals and airport policies. It is important to have accurate information about all the necessary things that might take your time once you arrive at an airport. If you are traveling for the first time, it’s best that you do your research beforehand.
- Try Getting the Front Seat: When checking in to a flight that is supposed to connect you to another flight later, try bargaining for a front seat at the check-in counter. This will allow you to get off the plane earlier and give you more time to deal with the prerequisite of a connecting flight.
- Research Lay Over Options: Even if you are not planning to stay over and take a flight the next morning, it is best advised to keenly look up options for accommodation at the airport in order to make sure that you don’t run around frantically looking for accommodation options in case your connecting flight is missed or delayed. Also look for other facilities at the airport to be prepared just in case.
- Avoid Hectic Hubs: Avoid hubs like the Dubai, Heathrow, JFK, O’Hare, Charles de Gaulle and the likes which are hubs for connecting flights and have a terrible reputation when it comes to flight delays and are generally chaotic. Do intensive research and choose a flight which lands on a less hectic airport.
