When a majority of consumers set out to purchase airline tickets, they consider multiple elements, including price, departure times, and the overall travel duration. In this article, I want to touch on the topic of minimum connection times for connecting flights, as I believe this is an area many travelers overlook.
In this article:
Understanding the fundamentals of airline minimum connection times
When you decide to purchase an airline ticket, you might observe that some itineraries feature very brief connections, while others have much lengthier ones. The determination of whether an itinerary provides ample time to connect relies on the established minimum connection time (MCT) for a specific airport.
There isn’t a universal minimum connection time applicable to all airports or airlines; instead, several factors influence this:
– Minimum connection times differ depending on the airport where you’re making a connection.
– Minimum connection times vary based on whether the connection is between domestic to domestic flights, domestic to international flights, international to domestic flights, or international to international flights (since clearing customs can require significant time).
– Minimum connection times also depend on the airlines involved in the connection, and additionally, specific flights may have varying connection times based on their departure terminals.
For my part, I check minimum connection times using ExpertFlyer, a paid subscription service. Generally, if an airline offers you a connection, you can assume it’s “legal” (indicating it satisfies the minimum connection time policy). If you don’t have access to ExpertFlyer, simply search online for “[airport name] minimum connection time,” and you should find the necessary information.
To illustrate some extreme scenarios, Helsinki Airport (HEL) is one of Europe’s most efficient airports, with minimum connection times ranging from 20 to 40 minutes.
Conversely, Manila Airport (MNL) has minimum connection times that span from 45 minutes to 120 minutes.
Minimum connection times can be unrealistically brief
It’s crucial to highlight that minimum connection times aren’t intended to increase the likelihood of a passenger making their connection but are instead aimed at enhancing airline profitability:
– Airlines utilize banked hubs to optimize connections, where numerous planes arrive around the same time and then depart 45-90 minutes later, creating opportunities for very short connections.
– Airlines offer these quick connections because aircraft generate no revenue while on the ground and because itineraries with the briefest travel times are appealing to many travelers during the booking process.
Nonetheless, airlines are generally not overly concerned with whether you make your connection, making it essential for you to advocate for your own interests. Why don’t they show much concern? Because they have already received your payment, and their only responsibility is to transport you to your destination on the next available flight.
Many individuals operate under the belief that booking an itinerary that adheres to the minimum connection time guarantees that you’ll make your connection provided your flight is on time. This assumption is simply not accurate.
For instance, American Airlines has a remarkably short 25-minute minimum connection time at Phoenix Airport (PHX). Even with an assumption of on-time flights:
– If you sit towards the back of the aircraft, it could take 5-10 minutes to disembark.
– If you need to transfer between concourses, it may take 15 minutes to reach your connecting gate, even when walking briskly.
– American Airlines indicates that boarding concludes 15 minutes prior to departure.
Often, people mistakenly believe that being a few minutes late will prompt the airline to hold the aircraft for them. Although this may occasionally happen, it is the exception rather than the standard. Generally, gate agents are more driven by the need to depart the plane on schedule than ensuring that all passengers are accounted for.
My perspective on airport minimum connection times
Personally, I lack confidence in airlines concerning their minimum connection times, so I won’t book a ticket simply because the airline assures me there’s sufficient time for a connection. Here’s how I typically approach this:
– While it varies by airport, I generally prefer connections lasting between 90 minutes to three hours, which reduces the chances of missing a connection.
– Several factors influence how long a connection I find acceptable, such as the urgency of arriving on time, the time of day I’m traveling (airlines tend to be more dependable in the mornings), the likelihood of weather-related delays (I anticipate delays when departing from Florida on summer afternoons), and the number of alternative flights available (in heavily trafficked markets, I might be less concerned).
– If I’m checking luggage, I particularly avoid short connections, as I don’t wish to