There’s nothing I hate more than a tight stopover.
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I’m a traveler who would rather putz around an airport (and its duty-free section) than rush through the terminals in search of a gate. I’ll overspend on a glass of wine and a celebrity gossip magazine—and, suddenly, three hours have passed.
That being said, we all need short layover tips now and then.
Even if you’re careful about booking flights that give you ample time to make your connecting flight, fate might have other plans. As more flights are prone to delay, whether thanks to understaffing at the security line or drone sightings, more passengers face tight stopovers.
Worse, domestic flights are more prone to delay than international flights. That means that passengers who first take a domestic flight to make their international route are even more likely to face a short layover at the last minute.
If you have a tight stopover scheduled or worry that your domestic flight could be delayed and cause stress, then use these short layover tips to get ahead. If you’re anything like me, having a backup plan in your back pocket can make dealing with delays (or even the threat of delay) less nerve-wracking.
Short layover tips to make your tight stopover
If your first flight is delayed, document it
US regulations related to what airlines owe passengers in the case of delays are basically nonexistent. Compensation and rebookings from airlines are, in other words, voluntary. Given that airlines want to keep their customers happy, most airlines will rebook you on the next flight if yours is canceled.
But that doesn’t cover delays—especially delays for domestic flights that cause a tight stopover and, ultimately, lead you to miss your connecting international flight. If delays to a domestic flight cause you to have a short layover that could cause you to miss your next leg, document it from the jump.
Include information on when you were alerted to the delay, how long the delay lasted, and how it impacted your travel plans from a logistical and financial standpoint. That way, in the future, you have the information you need to apply for a refund for your missed flight. I can’t guarantee that the airline will be swayed to help, but the more receipts you have, the better.
Stay agile with your carry-ons
The most perennial of all short layover tips is to take a light carry-on that you can haul easily through an airport. If you usually use a heavy, sturdier carry-on, it might be time to swap it for a more agile choice. While racing through terminals with any type of carry-on is cumbersome, you’ll feel less stressed knowing that you’re carry-on setup is, at least, ready for a little hustle.
Don’t check luggage if you can help it
If you know you’ll have a short layover, avoid checking luggage at all costs. However, I know that isn’t always possible, especially if you’re flying home with gifts and/or are packing for winter.
If you do check luggage, make sure to take a picture of your luggage tag (in case you lose it) and track it on your airline’s app. You need to stay on top of that luggage like white on rice if you miss your connecting flight.
If that’s the case, and your luggage boards your international flight without you, then keep calm. You need to call ahead to the destination airport’s baggage claim area. Usually, there’s one phoneline for baggage claim that will direct your call to the correct airline. From there, give them your luggage information and let them know that you’ll pick it up later, when you arrive on the next flight. They’ll hold onto it for you.
Have all airline apps downloaded
If you have an airline’s app downloaded, you can (usually) track your luggage straight through the app. That will give you a heads up on where your precious cargo is in the event that you miss your connecting flight.
Aside from checking luggage, downloading an airline’s app also lets you get updated information about your connecting flight and rebooking options if you miss it. This is the easiest way to rebook a missed flight, assuming you want to stay with the same airline.
Best of all, you can keep track of your luggage while you handle the rebooking. No talking to agents involved.
Keep in mind that only legacy airlines, rather than budget carriers, offer this type of expedited, DIY approach. So, if you like this type of security, book directly with airlines that have highly rated apps. I recommend Delta Airlines.
Have the airport map downloaded—and look for airlines
The most straightforward of all short layover tips is to download (or save a PDF) of an airport’s layout. That way, you can put together a ‘plan of attack’ before your delayed flight has landed. Most airports house airlines in the same terminals and, in some cases, in the same gate areas. That can help you narrow down where you should be, even if you don’t have your gate information yet.
Have a few backup flights in mind
If you’re first flight is delayed while you’re at the airport, there are only so many things you can do to prep for that tight layover. However, it’s the prime time to start researching backup flights in case you miss the next leg of your journey.
The easiest way to rebook is via your airline’s app—but you can book with any airline that will get the job done. In fact, this is usually when I turn to budget airlines.
In the past, Spirit Airlines saved the day when my American Airlines flights were canceled at the last minute, stranding me in Miami when I needed to get to New Orleans for a friend’s wedding. Even if you avoid budget airlines, it might be the prime time to change things up.
Have a nearby hotel in mind—and a way to get there
In the case of the aforementioned delays in Miami that almost caused me to miss a wedding in New Orleans, I was put up overnight at an airport hotel.
Unfortunately, the vouchers I was given to get to the hotel via taxi didn’t work because it was past midnight, meaning I was out $35. While I didn’t pay for the hotel, I was supposed to be in another city at a rehearsal dinner at that point… not begging taxis for a ride when an airport is shutting down.
Had I read the room earlier and realized the American Airlines flight was going to be cancelled, I would have found a better hotel that was closer to the airport. In fact, there are three airports located right next to the airport for such occasions: a Clarion Inn, a Best Western, and the Miami International Airport Hotel.
If you have a tight layover that’s scheduled at night, always have a backup plan in mind for a hotel, in case you need to find a place to sleep. I recommend staying close to the airport.
