Layover vs nonstop flights: how to choose

What a connection can offer

Routes with a connection often cost less than nonstops, and some destinations have no nonstop flights from your airport at all. A planned stopover can also let you see a second city.

What it costs you

• More total travel time, often several hours.
• More chances for something to go wrong: a late first flight can mean a missed second one.
• Checked bags have more handoffs, which raises the chance of a delay in getting them.
• A tight connection through immigration or a terminal change can be stressful.

How long should a layover be

On one ticket, the airline must rebook you if you miss the connection. Many travelers aim for at least 90 minutes on domestic connections and two to three hours on international ones, and more when you change terminals or clear immigration. The right time varies by airport.

Safer choices

• Buy the whole trip on one ticket so the airline is responsible for the connection.
• Avoid the last flight of the day for the second leg, so a backup exists.
• Check winter weather at hub airports before choosing a tight connection.
• Weigh the fare difference against the extra hours.

Reading cached fares

The fares on SplitWing pages may include stops, and the number of stops is shown when the feed reports it. They are recently found, may be gone, and are not quotes, so check the itinerary before you rely on a price.