Layover rules on international flights depend heavily on your transit country. In the U.S. and Canada, all passengers must clear customs and immigration, which can take 45–90 minutes even on short layovers. In contrast, travelers connecting within the Schengen Area usually stay airside if their bags are checked through and they hold a valid visa or residence permit. Always confirm visa requirements and baggage transfer with your airline to ensure a smooth connection.
General Guidelines
You generally go through customs and immigration at the first point of entry into a new customs territory. If your layover is in a country other than your final destination and that country is not part of an agreement like that of the Schengen Area, you will have to clear customs and immigration again if you are traveling with a different airline or if your bags are not checked in for the second flight.
If you’re on a domestic flight, once you land for your layover, you’ll pass through a transit area that will take you to the gate for your next flight without having to check in again. Your bags will automatically pass through to the next flight without you having to collect them.
This also often happens on international flights if you’re flying with the same airline. When you check in for your first flight, ask the person who is checking you in if your bags will be checked the entire way. If they are, you don’t need to worry about going to the baggage reclaim and can pass directly to your next gate.
If you’re flying internationally with two different airlines, you will most likely have to collect your bags, pass through immigration to enter the country, and then re-check in for the next flight. Make sure you check the visa rules of the country you’ll be transiting for, as you could be refused entry if you don’t have a transit visa in advance.
| Flight Type | Bags Checked Through? | Go Through Customs/Immigration? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Usually yes | No | Bags automatically transferred to next flight |
| International, same airline, one ticket | Usually yes | No | Can stay in transit area; airline rebooks if delayed |
| International, different airlines, separate tickets | No | Yes | Collect bags, pass through immigration, check in again; check visa requirements |
Before You Fly
Ask the Airline
When you check your bags, ask the airline staff if your luggage will be checked through to your second flight.
Check Visa Requirements
For international layovers, make sure your visa for your layover destination allows you to enter the country.
Review Your Ticket
Check if your connecting flight is on a single ticket or separate tickets and learn the different potential risks and procedures of each.
Airline Layover Regulations
Airlines have different regulations regarding layovers, depending mainly on whether your flights are on one ticket or separate tickets and whether your route is domestic or international. If you’re on a single ticket with the same airline, your bags will usually be checked through to your destination and you can stay in the transit area. However, if you’re on separate tickets, you will probably have to collect your bags, go through customs and immigration, and check in again for your next flight.
One Ticket/Separate Tickets
One Ticket (Standard Connection)
You avoid the inconvenience of immigration and customs if your luggage is tagged to your final destination and you remain in the “airside” transit area. In addition, the airline will rebook you for free if you miss your connection due to a delay on the first flight.
Separate Tickets (“Self-Transfer”)
You will probably have to exit the secure airport area, claim your luggage, go through immigration and customs, and then check in for your next flight. And the airline is not obliged to rebook you if you miss the connecting flight.
International/Domestic Layovers
Domestic Layover
You don’t usually go through customs or immigration and your bags are checked through to the connecting flight.
International Layovers
Rules vary depending on your route and specific countries involved.
Example: The United States
Because the U.S., like Canada, has no “sterile” transit zones, most non-citizens will need a visa or be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) entry to enter the country for a layover. Allow ample time because the process of going through immigration, customs, and security during a US layover can be time-consuming.
Example: South America
Most South American countries allow transit without a visa for short layovers on a single ticket, but longer or overnight layovers or leaving the airport may require a transit visa. You should always check the specific entry and transit requirements with the airline or the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
Example: The Schengen Zone
If you are flying into the Schengen Zone, you may need an Airport Transit Visa if you are a national of a country that requires it and your connection involves exiting the international transit area or your luggage isn’t checked to your final destination. Check the visa requirements for your nationality.
Example: The United Kingdom
You might need a transit visa to transit through the U.K. The visa will depend on whether you’re going through U.K. border control. If you’re not going through U.K. border control, apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa. If you’re going through UK border control, you must apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. Ask your airline if you’ll be going through border control.
Example: Malaysia
Passengers who do not require immigration clearance to enter the country are permitted to transit through Kuala Lumpur International Airport as long as the layover does not exceed 24 hours, you do not leave the airport, your second flight does not leave from another terminal and your bags are checked through.
Mastering Short Layovers: What Every Traveler Needs to Know
What are the rules for short layovers (4 hours or less) on international flights?
Whether you must clear customs on a short layover depends on your transit country and whether your bags are checked through. If both flights are on one ticket with the same airline (e.g., Lufthansa or Emirates), bags usually transfer automatically and you can remain in the transit area. If you’re flying on separate tickets or with different airlines, you’ll often need to collect luggage, pass through immigration, and re-check in. Always confirm baggage transfer at check-in to avoid delays.
Are there any exceptions to these layover rules?
Yes — exceptions depend on nationality and visa rules in the transit country. For example, the U.K. often requires a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or a Visitor in Transit visa for certain travelers, depending on whether you cross border control. Similarly, some Schengen countries allow visa-free airport transfers for U.S., Canadian, and EU residents but not for other passport holders. Always verify with your airline whether you will remain airside or need to enter the country.
Which countries always require passengers to clear customs on layovers?
The United States and Canada always require travelers to go through customs and immigration on international layovers, as they lack sterile international transit zones. This process can take 45–90 minutes, and airlines like United and Air Canada recommend a minimum 2–3 hour layover to reduce the risk of missed flights. If you are connecting in these countries, allow extra time and be prepared to re-check your baggage.
Do airlines have their own rules for international layovers?
Yes — airline policies determine if your bags and boarding passes are issued through to your final destination. On a single ticket with a major carrier (e.g., Qatar Airways, Delta, Lufthansa), passengers usually remain airside during connections. If you book separate tickets, you must exit, collect luggage, clear customs, and check in again for the next flight. Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and AirAsia rarely transfer baggage, so travelers should plan for extra time.
How can I make my layover less stressful?
Plan ahead by checking whether your flights are on a single ticket and confirming if luggage will be checked through to your final destination. Allow at least 2 hours for international layovers in countries requiring customs, and more if traveling with separate tickets. Ensure you meet visa requirements for both transit and final destinations. At check-in, ask staff to confirm baggage transfer, and when possible, book longer layovers in high-traffic airports like London Heathrow or JFK to avoid missed connections.