Direct flights are often not available for long distance international or domestic travel, due to which passengers have to resort to connecting flights. However, getting off one flight and catching another (Layover/Transit) at an unfamiliar or huge airport can sometimes be extremely stressful. Minor delays in the first flight, long security lines, miles of distance between terminals or confusion over baggage transfers often make passengers miss the second flight. If you keep in mind some basic and practical rules while changing flights at the airport, you can not only avoid any unpleasant situations but also make your journey very comfortable. 1. Correct selection of layover time: Keep a buffer of at least 2 to 3 hours. The biggest mistake while booking connecting tickets is choosing a tight layover time. For Domestic Flights: Keep a gap of at least 90 minutes to 2 hours. For International Flights: It is mandatory to choose a buffer time of at least 3 to 4 hours. International transit takes a lot of time going through immigration, customs and security again. If your first flight is delayed even by 30-40 minutes, with enough layover time you will not have to rush and the risk of missing the connecting flight will be zero. 2. Do entire ticket booking on 'Single PNR' only. Always try to ensure that both your connecting flights are of the same airline or codeshare partner (Codeshare Partners/Alliances) and are booked under the same PNR (Ticket Booking Reference). Responsibility of the airline: If you miss your second flight due to the delay of the first flight despite having a single ticket, the airline is legally obliged to provide you a free seat on the next available flight, meals and hotel accommodation if necessary. Risk of separate tickets: If you book two independent tickets on two different airlines, if the first flight is delayed, the second airline may consider your entire ticket canceled as 'No-Show' and no refund will be given. 3. Be sure to check the 'Through Check-in' status of checked baggage. The biggest confusion while changing flights is regarding checked baggage, whether the luggage will have to be collected at the transit airport or it will be received directly at the final destination. When collecting your boarding pass at your initial departure airport, clearly ask at the airline counter whether your baggage is 'Through Check-in'. Check your luggage tag carefully—it should display the 3-letter airport code (e.g. DEL, BOM, LHR) of your final destination city. If you have to catch a domestic flight of the same country after coming from an international flight (like while entering America or India), then first you have to collect the baggage yourself at the port of entry, clear the customs and then drop it at the domestic belt. 4. Check the 'Flight Information Display' (FIDS) as soon as you land. Do not blindly trust the gate number printed on the boarding pass of your next flight as soon as you exit the plane. At major airports, boarding gates are often changed at the last minute. As soon as you leave the arrival gate, look for the number of your next flight on the large digital TV screens (Flight Information Display System – FIDS) located in the terminal. From there, instantly confirm your correct gate number and boarding status. At larger airports (such as Dubai, Heathrow, Frankfurt or Delhi T3) getting from one terminal to another requires an air train, shuttle bus or a long walk, so head straight to your departure gate without any distractions. 5. Keep essential medicines and an extra pair of clothes in the cabin bag. Many times it happens in connecting journeys that a passenger catches the connecting flight, but due to short time, his check-in bag is left at the transit airport itself (Mishandled/Delayed Baggage). To deal with such a situation, always carry 3-4 days of essential medicines, phone and laptop charger, power bank and a pair of extra clothes in your handbag (cabin luggage). Keep all important travel documents, hard copies of passport, visa and connecting boarding passes with you in a secure pouch so that time is not wasted in opening the bag during security check.
