How much layover time do you really need?

Every airport-and-airline pairing has a published Minimum Connection Time: the shortest gap the airline considers enough to move you (and your bags) from one flight to the next. It accounts for terminal layout, security, passport control, baggage handling, and the gate-to-gate walk. There is no single number — it is an industry-standard value set per airport and airline, not a government rule.

Domestic-to-domestic connections are commonly in the 30-to-90-minute range. International transfers run longer — often two to three hours — because you may clear customs and immigration, re-check bags, and change terminals. Always treat an international connection as the tighter, riskier one.

The highest-risk connections share a few traits:

• A layover shorter than the airport’s minimum connection time.
• Separate tickets — if your flights are on two bookings, the airline has no obligation to protect you when the first runs late.
• The last flight of the day — miss it and there is no later rebooking until tomorrow.
• International itineraries that require customs and a bag re-check.
• Tight terminal or concourse changes.

Our connection-risk tool estimates the odds of making a specific connection from the inbound flight’s real on-time history.

U.S. rules draw a sharp line between two different things — keep them separate so you know what is actually guaranteed:

Automatic refunds (binding federal law, 2024).If your flight is cancelled or “significantly changed” and you decline the rebooking, the airline must automatically refund you — no request needed, and cash rather than a voucher unless you accept one. Refunds are due within 7 business days on a credit card. A “significant change” includes a departure or arrival shift of more than 3 hours domestic / 6 hours international, a different airport, an added connection, or a downgrade in class.

Airline commitments (voluntary).Separately, the major U.S. airlines have committed to rebooking, meals, and often hotels when a disruption is within their control. The DOT tracks these on its FlightRights.gov dashboard — but they are the airlines’ own promises, not a guaranteed cash payout. The U.S. has no EU-style fixed compensation statute; a broader requirement is still only a DOT proposal, so check the current rules before you travel.