What is a layover?
The time between two flights in a connecting city, usually a few hours. On international tickets it lasts under 24 hours; anything longer is a stopover.
Layover, explained
A layover is the wait at the connecting airport: you land, change planes and fly on. Airlines set a minimum connecting time for each airport, the shortest connection they will sell, so the ticket always leaves time to make the next flight.
In business class the layover is usually spent in the airline's lounge, with food, showers at many hubs and quiet space to work or sleep. A longer layover at a good hub can be more restful than a tight connection.
If the first flight is late and you miss the connection on a single ticket, the airline rebooks you. On two separate tickets, you are on your own, which is one reason to book connections on one ticket.
On a business class trip
New York to Delhi through Doha: a two-hour layover in Doha between the flights, spent in the business class lounge, on one ticket.
Related terms
- Stopover
A planned stay of more than 24 hours in a connecting city on an international ticket, as opposed to a layover, which is a short wait between flights.
- Nonstop and direct flights
A nonstop flight lands only at your destination. A direct flight keeps one flight number but may stop on the way, sometimes for hours.
- Hub airport
An airport where an airline bases its network and connects most of its flights, such as Frankfurt for Lufthansa or Doha for Qatar Airways.
- Lounge access
Use of an airline's lounge before a flight and between connections. Most international business class tickets include it, the airline's or a partner's.
- Minimum connection time
The shortest time an airport and airline allow between two connecting flights on one ticket. Tickets are never sold with less.
Further reading: New York to New Delhi in business class. Every term in the glossary.
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