Flight Connections Explained: What to Know Before You Travel

Planning a journey with more than one flight can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re unsure how the process works. Whether you’re travelling long-haul or looking for more flexible or cost-effective routes, you may need to take a connecting flight.

If you’re heading somewhere without a direct route, understanding how flight connections work can make your journey far smoother.

In this blog, we’ll explain what connecting flights are, the different types of transfers, and what to expect when changing planes. We’ll also highlight how transiting through certain countries may affect your travel insurance. This is particularly relevant where Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice is in place.

Transiting Through Countries with FCDO Advice Against Travel

If your journey involves a connecting flight through a country where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel, it’s important to understand how this may affect your travel insurance.

With Voyager Plus travel insurance, your cover would remain valid if you stay within the airport’s international transit area. However, if you are required to leave the airport—for example due to disruption or a missed connection—your cover may no longer be valid.

The exact impact will depend on your policy and the circumstances, so it’s important to check before you travel.

We’ll explain the different types of flight connections below, including when you may need to enter a country during your journey.

What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight is a journey where you need to change planes before reaching your final destination. This could involve one stop or multiple stops, depending on your route.

For example, if you’re travelling from London to Sydney, you might stop in Doha in Qatar before continuing your journey. This is known as a connecting international flight.

Connecting flights are commonly used when:

• There are no direct flights available
• You’re looking for more flexible or lower-cost options
• You’re travelling long distances

How Do Connecting Flights Work?

If all your flights are booked under one ticket, the process is usually straightforward. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Booking your journey - Your flights are scheduled with a set connection time between them.
2. First flight - You travel to your connecting airport.
3. Flight transfer (connection) - At the airport, you follow signs for “Flight Connections” or “Transfers”.
4. Boarding your next flight - After any required checks, you proceed to your departure gate for your onward journey.

The exact process can vary depending on the airport and the type of connection you have.

Types of Flight Connections Explained

In general, there are three main types of flight transfers: airside transit, landside transfers, and stopovers. Understanding the difference can help you plan ahead and avoid unnecessary stress during your journey.

Airside Transit (Staying in the Airport)

With airside transit, you stay inside the airport’s secure departure area. This means you won’t go through passport control. In simple terms, you’re not formally entering the country.

This is usually the most straightforward type of connection and typically involves:

• Passing through a security check (in some airports)
• Proceeding directly to your next gate
• Having your baggage transferred automatically (if booked on one ticket)

Even if you remain inside the airport, you should check the entry requirements. Certain countries may require transit permission, even for airside connections.

With this type of connection, cover from Voyager Plus would remain valid.

Landside Transfers (Entering the Country)

A landside transfer happens when you leave the airport’s secure area. This means you enter the country officially during your connection.

This usually involves:

• Going through passport control
• Collecting and rechecking your baggage
• Checking in again for your next flight

This type of flight transit is more common in certain situations. For example, if you are changing terminals without an airside connection or travelling between airports.

If you use this type of connection, cover from Voyager Plus may no longer apply.

Stopover Flights (Longer Connections)

Not all connecting flights are quick. A stopover flight is a connection with a break of more than 24 hours between flights.

Many travellers choose flights with stopovers to:

• Visit an additional destination
• Break up long-haul journeys
• Rest before continuing their trip

However, stopovers often require more planning, particularly when it comes to accommodation, visas, and baggage.

Similar to a landside transfer, your Voyager Plus cover may no longer apply if you choose a stopover in a country where FCDO travel advice is in place.

Key Things to Be Aware Of

Before booking connecting flights, there are a few important practical considerations to keep in mind.

Visas and Entry Requirements

Visa requirements vary depending on your destination and the type of connection you have. While many travellers assume they won’t need a visa for a short stop, this isn’t always the case.

In general:

• Airside transit usually does not require a visa
• Some countries, such as the USA, Canada, and Australia, may require electronic travel authorisation. This can apply even if you remain inside the airport during your connection.
• If you plan to leave the airport during a transfer or stopover, you may need a visa

Checking requirements in advance can help you avoid unexpected disruption.

Baggage

Baggage handling depends on the type of connection you have.

• On a single booking, baggage is usually checked through to your final destination
• With self-transfer flights and stopovers, you may need to collect and recheck your bags
• Airline policies can vary, so it’s always worth confirming before you travel

Why Travel Insurance Matters for Connecting Flights

Even well-planned journeys can be disrupted. Delays, cancellations, or missed connections can quickly become stressful—particularly when multiple flights are involved.

This is where travel insurance, including travel disruption insurance, can be particularly valuable, as it may provide cover in situations such as natural disasters, changes to FCDO advice, or terrorism. These events can lead to cancelled or rescheduled flights, as well as missed connections.

In our previous blog, “How the Middle East Conflict Is Impacting Travel Plans”, we covered recent sudden developments in the Middle East. These events have highlighted the value of travel insurance with travel disruption cover for future trips.

Understanding how your cover applies—especially when transiting through countries with travel advisories—can help you avoid unexpected complications.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how connecting flights work—and the different types of transfers involved—can help you plan your journey with confidence.

It’s equally important to be aware of how transiting through certain countries, particularly where FCDO advice is in place, may affect your travel insurance.

By planning ahead, checking entry requirements, and understanding your cover, you can reduce the risk of disruption and focus on enjoying your trip.

Get Peace of Mind with Voyager Plus Travel Insurance

Voyager Plus policies offer four levels of cover, including Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance options, access to GP on Demand, and include cover for the following:.

Click here to find out more about our Voyager Plus Travel Insurance.

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording for the latest terms, conditions, and exclusions.