Minimum Connection Times Explained: How Much Layover Time You Actually Need

Q: What is minimum connection time (MCT)?

It's the shortest amount of time an airport or airline officially permits between an arriving and departing flight for passengers and bags to transfer safely. It's set by the airport authority and airlines, and it's the floor a booking system won't sell a connection below — not a recommendation for comfort.

Q: Is MCT the same at every airport?

No. It varies by airport layout, whether you're changing terminals, and whether the connection is domestic-to-domestic, domestic-to-international, or international-to-international, which usually requires extra time for immigration or security re-screening.

Q: Should I book a connection right at the minimum connection time?

It's generally safer not to, especially on separate tickets or at large hub airports. Adding a buffer beyond the published MCT reduces the risk that a short inbound delay causes a missed connection.

Q: Does booking on one ticket protect me if I miss a tight connection?

Usually yes — if both flights are on a single ticket (even with different airlines in the same alliance or codeshare), the airline is generally responsible for rebooking you if the first flight's delay causes the miss. Separate tickets booked independently don't carry that protection.

Reviewed by the ScanFlyGo team · Last updated: September 2026. Specific MCT figures vary by airport and airline — always check the connection your itinerary actually books.

Quick answer

Minimum connection time (MCT) is the shortest layover an airport and airline will officially sell between two flights — not a comfortable amount of time, just the technical floor. It typically ranges from around 30–45 minutes for a simple domestic-to-domestic connection to 90 minutes or more at a large international hub, especially if you need to change terminals or clear security again. Booking exactly at the MCT is risky; adding a buffer above it, particularly on separate tickets, is the safer approach.

Compare connection times across routes on ScanFlyGo →

What sets the minimum connection time

Airports publish MCT figures based on how long it realistically takes to move a passenger and their bags from one gate to another under normal conditions — walking distance, whether a train or bus connects terminals, and immigration or security requirements. Airlines then apply these figures (or their own, sometimes stricter, internal minimums) when building connecting itineraries, so a booking system generally won't offer you a connection shorter than the MCT for that airport pair.

Typical MCT ranges

Connection type	Typical MCT range	Notes
Domestic → domestic, same terminal	30–45 minutes	Fastest connections, same airline usually
Domestic → international	45–75 minutes	May require a security or customs step
International → international, same terminal	45–90 minutes	Often includes a security re-screen
Any connection requiring a terminal change	60–120 minutes or more	Add time for a shuttle, train or long walk
Hubs with extra re-screening (e.g. some Gulf and UK hubs)	90 minutes+	Security procedures can add significant time

Why the published minimum isn't the target

MCT assumes everything runs on schedule: your inbound flight lands on time, you disembark promptly, signage is clear, and the connecting flight boards as planned. In practice, a 15-minute inbound delay, a gate change, or a passport control queue can eat the entire buffer a minimum connection allows. Airports with large distances between gates or on the far side of a shuttle-train system are particularly unforgiving if you're already running at the legal minimum.

Self-transfer and separate tickets add risk

If your itinerary is genuinely one ticket — even across two airlines in the same alliance — the airline is generally responsible for getting you to your final destination if a delay on the first leg causes you to miss the second. If you've booked two entirely separate tickets to save money, that protection disappears: if you miss the second flight, no one is obliged to rebook you or refund it. On separate tickets, add considerably more buffer than the published MCT — a few hours rather than the technical minimum.

How much buffer to add

For a single-ticket connection at a familiar airport with no terminal change, the published MCT is usually workable. For a self-transfer, an unfamiliar hub, a terminal change, or peak travel season with likely delays, add at least an hour beyond MCT — more for large hubs or long immigration queues. If your bags are checked all the way through, your personal transfer time matters more than your bags'; if you have to reclaim and recheck them yourself, budget significantly more time.

Frequently asked questions

What is minimum connection time (MCT)?

The shortest layover an airport and airline will officially permit between two connecting flights — a technical floor, not a comfort recommendation.

Is MCT the same at every airport?

No — it depends on airport layout, terminal changes, and whether the connection is domestic or international.

Should I book a connection right at the minimum connection time?

It's safer to add a buffer, especially at large hubs or on separate tickets, since a short inbound delay can consume the entire minimum.

Does booking on one ticket protect me if I miss a tight connection?

Generally yes, if it's a single ticket the airline is usually responsible for rebooking; separate tickets booked independently carry no such protection.

The bottom line

Treat the published minimum connection time as the floor, not the plan. Add a buffer for unfamiliar airports, terminal changes and self-transfers, and keep your inbound flight on your radar so you know early if that buffer is shrinking. Track your inbound flight live on ScanFlyGo or compare routings with more comfortable connection times.

Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. MCT figures vary by airport and airline and should be confirmed for your specific itinerary.