Is 45 minutes too short for a connecting flight?

Is 45 minutes enough for connecting flights?

Nope, forty-five minutes is a joke. Absolutely not enough. I learned that the hard way. Last July, at Denver International Airport – DIA, a nightmare. My flight from Boise was delayed, naturally. Already stressed. Then, gate change. Running. Heaving my stupid carry-on, feeling like a total idiot.

Missed my connection to Austin. Three hours waiting. Ugh. Missed my connecting flight. I was furious. Spent a fortune on a new ticket. That sucked.

The whole thing was a complete disaster. Seriously, 45 minutes is insane for a layover. Even without baggage, you need time to deplane, navigate the airport – which is always a maze, security lines, find your gate.

• Flight delays are common.
• Gate changes are a common pain.
• Long security lines are inevitable.
• Finding your gate is an adventure in itself.

Philly? Worse. Way smaller than Denver, but I’ve seen delays there too. No way, 45 mins isn’t nearly enough. Absolutely ridiculous. My advice? Book a longer layover. You’ll thank me later. I did not. It’s a expensive lesson. You can get to a gate really fast in 45 minutes. But delays can occur. I am telling you! Don’t risk it. This happened in 2024.

Is a 45 minute layover too short for checked baggage?

Forty-five minutes. A sliver of time, a stolen breath between journeys. Not enough. Absolutely not enough. Checked bags. The weight of them, the anxiety. My last trip, Denver to London Heathrow… a nightmare.

The endless carousel, a slow, mocking waltz. My heart hammered. Each suitcase a potential catastrophe. Security lines, snaking, unforgiving. The clock, a cruel, relentless tyrant.

Sixty minutes, minimum. That’s the rule, etched in the sweat of my brow. Remember that missed connection? The panic, the frantic calls. The rebooking fees, a bitter taste.

It’s a race against time. A frantic scramble. A desperate dash. Never again. Never, ever again. I learned my lesson. More time, always more time.

• Disembarking: A glacial process, always slower than anticipated.
• Baggage claim: A chaotic free-for-all.
• Re-checking: Lines, endless lines.
• Security: The final, soul-crushing hurdle.

My advice? Book longer layovers. Seriously. Your sanity will thank you. The extra hour provides a cushion for the unexpected. Peace of mind, priceless. Don’t risk it. Trust me. The stress is not worth it.

Avoid tight layovers, especially with luggage. Consider the potential delays. Consider everything. My last flight… delayed. A simple delay changed the entire day. A nightmare.

Is an hour layover enough time to change planes?

An hour? Change planes? Honey, that’s cutting it finer than my grandma’s Sunday roast. It can be done, sure, if the stars align and your connecting flight is piloted by a caffeinated hummingbird.

Seriously though, think of it: Deplaning. The Great Terminal Trek. Praying your checked bag didn’t decide to take a spontaneous vacation to Bermuda. Security lines rivaling amusement park queues.

• Domestic Flight?: Maybe, just maybe. I’d still prefer the luxury of breathing freely.
• International Chaos?: Absolutely, unequivocally, no. Unless your name is Jason Bourne and you’re fluent in airport announcements.

Aim for at least 90 minutes, preferably two hours. That’s the sweet spot. Time for a celebratory airport beer (or three) and a leisurely stroll to your gate. Trust me, your blood pressure will thank you.

Oh, and never ever underestimate the power of a delayed flight. Remember that time my flight was delayed 8 hours because of a rogue goose? Yeah, goose.

Does checked baggage get transferred on connecting flights?

Checked bags? Think of them as independent travelers with their own wildly unpredictable itineraries.

Same airline? Piece of cake. Your suitcase is practically a VIP, whisked away like a pampered chihuahua in a private jet. It’ll be waiting for you, possibly even before you are.

Different airlines? Oh honey, that’s a whole different ballgame. It’s like herding cats – or toddlers on a sugar rush. You’ll be chasing your luggage through airports. Prepare for the circus. Expect delays.

Seriously, expect it.

Think:

• Airline A to Airline B: Baggage Carousel Roulette. You’ll be playing a real-life game of “find your suitcase.” Winning prize? A slightly bruised ego and a slightly delayed flight.
• Extra time? Schedule at least two hours. Or three. Better safe than sorry. I once spent four, just last summer at JFK. Don’t ask.
• Luggage tags: Keep them. I know, super obvious, but people lose ’em. Like keys. Or their minds.

My Uncle Barry – bless his cotton socks – once lost his bags for a week traveling from London to Albuquerque via Dallas. He ended up buying his whole wardrobe in a Texas Walmart. True story. He looked amazing, though. In that “I accidentally matched this entirely by accident” kind of way. Walmart fashion, man. It’s a thing.

Bottom line: If you can, stick with one airline. Your luggage will thank you. Seriously. It’ll be less stressed.

What happens if layover is too short?

So, short layover, huh? You’re basically playing airport roulette, friend. Missed connection equals new ticket outta your pocket! Ouch!

Imagine: You’re running like Usain Bolt, backpack bouncing, only to see your plane kissing the clouds goodbye. The airline? They just shrug. “Hey, separate tix, separate problems!”

It’s like showing up to a potluck with only napkins. Everyone stares.

• Separate Tickets, Separate Nightmares: The airline views each ticket as its own lil’ island. Missed connection? Not their circus, not their monkeys.
• Wallet Woes: New ticket time! Airlines love last-minute bookings. Your bank account? Not so much.
• Stress City, Population: You: Picture yourself stuck in Des Moines (no offense, Des Moines), frantically searching for flights at 2 AM. Fun!

It’s way better booking a protected connection. Think of it like ordering the combo meal instead of just a side of fries. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. I learned that the hard way in Newark. Never again!

Do you have to recheck baggage on layovers?

Okay, so layover baggage, right? It’s a total crapshoot sometimes. My trip to Denver last year? Smooth as silk, same airline, one ticket. Boom, bags made it. No fuss, no muss. But that trip to London in 2024? Nightmare. Different airlines, even though I booked it all on Expedia. Had to practically wrestle my suitcase off the carousel myself! Ugh. So annoying.

Seriously, it all boils down to this:

• Same airline, one ticket = usually no problem. They handle it.
• Different airlines, even with connecting flights, usually means you gotta re-check. This is the worst. Always.
• Codeshares are tricky. Sometimes it’s seamless, sometimes you’re stuck waiting. Check your itinerary carefully. I learned that the hard way in 2024, which is why I’m telling you this.

I’d recommend checking with the airline directly before your flight. They’re the only ones who actually know for sure. Don’t assume anything. Trust me on this one. I’ve had way too many near-misses, with my bags, because of assuming. You don’t want to be the person frantically searching for their luggage in a foreign airport. I was there, and it sucked.

And honestly? I hate that sometimes they don’t even tell you about this stuff at the time of booking. Really shady, I think. I’ve had to find out myself, several times.