“Is a 45 minute flight connection long enough?”
This phrase may well be the exact one I typed into google more times than I would like to admit before (and ok ok a few times after) booking our family flights in the summer from the UK to Slovenia.
Layover. Connection. Stopover.
All terms for the time you have between connecting flights to get to your final destination. A stopover is usually a longer one where you actually leave the airport between flights, whilst a layover and connection is around 4 hours spent in the airport. A short, or tight connection, well that is less than two hours and exactly the situation we found ourselves in. I am going to take a guess that you have too.
Our Short Connection
Whilst direct flights to the capital Ljubljana in Slovenia are available from London airports, being here in Staffordshire it made more logistical, and financial sense to opt for indirect via Brussels & Frankfurt retrospectively. However, and no surprises here, it gave us an *eyewateringly minimal* 45 minutes to transfer in Brussels on our outbound journey. We weren’t familiar with Brussels, it is a relatively large airport so to say we were braced and very nervous about the connection, especially with children, would be an understatement.
Is it enough time to get off the plane. Get through immigration/security/checks, the airport itself and back onto another plane!? What if we missed it? All thoughts, and conversations, we had and researched as thoroughly as possible. Yet only lived experience really gives you the answer. Spoiler – we did in fact make it!
On our return through Frankfurt (a very large connections hub) our connection was 1hr 20 minutes and especially due to the size of the airport it was, whilst longer than the first, ill advised. According to the entirety of the internet that I consulted in preparation for our first connecting European flight as a family that is. However, and maybe due to the former 45 minute benchmark, we felt relatively relaxed about that.
Turns out, what we didn’t envisage is that the latter would become the more stressful of the two after a slight delay of the plane on the ground meaning we quite literally ran full pelt through the airport (along with quite a few of the other passengers) to catch the connection. But again, we did in fact make it….and still ended up in a queue!
So, is 45 minutes really enough time?
Unfortunately the honest answer to that question is both yes AND no.
Yes because you see we made it. For both flights. We are living proof it works and so of course I have to say yes because the facts are there staring us in the face. Your luggage gets labelled as short connection so you are set up to make that minimal time the best it can be. The airlines are aware of connecting passengers on the adjoining flights and it’s likely you’re not the only ones.
The difference between a short connection if it’s below 2 hours I would say is negligible. 45 minutes or 1 hr 20 you’re not exactly dilly dallying around airport shops or saying yes to a spray of perfume to send you on your merry way. If you’re on the front foot (no scrabbling about for toilet/food stops or rummaging for passports in your bag!) as proof has it here, it’s all a doable rush.
No because… well is it the most relaxed way to get between planes? Absolutely not. If there was another option with more time would I take it? Absolutely. Without hesitation.
Whilst for us it worked out; you do have to consider your own ability (and willingness) to be those ‘home alone family vibe’ people running through the airport making sure everyone is keeping up, and your cool is still somewhat intact. Then of course there’s the specifics of your flight ie if you are flying from a Schengen to a non-Schengen area which means you will have more border control and checks then maybe it isn’t doable at all.
With a 45 minute short connection there is quite literally NO margin for error. We all know that delays happen for a variety of reasons beyond our control but there really is no wiggle room here and a very real risk that you will miss your onward flight. You have to be willing to know about, and take, that risk.
Another no (for me) would be small children. I personally wouldn’t risk it with small children due to the likelihood of disruptions like toilet stops, tantrums or other baby/toddler related emergencies that we have all had to deal with at one time or another, travelling or not.
At the time mine were 9 and 13 years old and fully understood and were prepped for the situation. We also always have an airport wheelchair for the youngest due to joint issues so that helps with the speed! Though if you need assistance off and on the plane it wouldn’t be enough time.
To summarise I would always say 45 minutes is a very short connection and is without a doubt a risk. 2 hours plus is preferred, aim for that and you’re golden…..
But would I do it again if it was the only doable option available to me? 100%.
A Caveat
I would say there is a very sizeable caveat to the YES here. It is advised only to have this short connection if you have one booking ie you have booked through an individual airline and have one ticket booking. What that means is that you do not have to collect luggage and check in again for the connecting flight as the airline have sold the connection, are aware and will take the luggage to the new plane.
I would definitely not book, or advise to book, two separate flights myself and attempt to make that connection. 45 minutes is not sufficient time for that.
How To Make The Decision
With the above in mind, before making the decision to book a flight with a short connection you will want to consider things like the size of the connecting airport, whether you’re changing terminals, the time of year, your mobility and if you need to clear customs. In Europe this usually means if you are flying within the Schengen area that you won’t have to deal with customs/immigration. In the US and Canada customs will always be cleared on landing. This can take considerably more time and needs due diligence on your destinations.
Your personal comfort with this level of rush really is the main driver to the final decision. All of these need to be favourable to make it work. Because let there be no doubt, this needs to be made to work, not just let be!
What If I Have Already Booked?
So what if, like I was, you are coming to this post AFTER you have already committed to said short connection and do not want to hear that you could really do with an extra hour or two plucked from the fictional time gods and just really *need* to make this work with some positive words of ‘been there done that’ wisdom.
Here are my tips with hindsight well and truly sitting beside us like that new best friend;
- Aim to be seated as close to the front of the plane as possible to prevent waiting in the aisle.
- Have everything to hand. I mean everything you could need in a wallet, a pocket, in your hand, just be ready. Passport, connecting flight and gate information, carry on, anything you will need to make that smooth transition.
- Use your flight to do the essentials, eat, go to the toilet, check on onward flight details.
- Ask for help. Whether that be in the airport with directions or indeed on the plane. The more people you can get in your corner the more likely you are to claim back any precious minutes you cannot afford to waste. In my experience, if you’re kind and respectful (naturally being rude and demanding might well garner the opposite desired effect) people really do want to see others thrive and willingly lend a hand. Even let the cabin crew know too.
- Research Research Research – what is it they say? Fail to prepare and prepare to fail? I feel like this can be very true in this specific scenario. Channel that scout mentality, there is no such thing as being too prepared. This could look like familiarising yourself with the airport map you’re connecting in. Is there a precedent for your connecting flight gate? How long is the walk between terminals? These answers can often be found on search engines or social media.
- Be in the know. Have a look at the what ifs. What if you miss your flight? What would the terms be and what steps do you need to take to deal with it.
- Insurance – will your travel insurance (remember always best to have travel insurance on booking not just on departure) cover missed connections?
And in all of these scenarios you have to prepare for a plan b and try ( I know it is easier said than done) to relax and stay calm. After all it’s only a flight.
Right?
What If I Miss My Flight?
So I haven’t obviously had to deal with this particular situation myself but I felt like it was needed to just add a little nod to the fact that of course it can happen for reasons both within and out of our control, and what to do. From someone who researched every single scenario going only never to need this information myself. Story of my life! So I share it with you instead.
- Contact the airline or head to the Helpdesk to look at your rebooking options
- Have a look at your specific terms and the reason for the missing flight in relation to whether the rebooking will be chargeable.
- Know what you are talking about. If the airline are the reason that you missed your connection they could be liable for paying compensation.
- Ensure everyone in your party is willing to wait it out!
As you can see the answer to the question, like most things, is nuanced. Unfortunately there is no magic formula to what works for everyone and what was ok for our family may not be ok for yours. But I hope this has helped in some way because with foreplanning it can be done alongside know how and maybe I am offering a little reassurance. Although if you don’t make it, promise not to come at me, ok?
Have you ever had a short connection? How did it go? If you are about to after this then I wish you all the best (prepared as you are) luck in the world. Let me know how it goes!
I have tried to fit everything into this post but as always feel free to ask any questions in the comments below or instagram if I haven’t covered any specifics.
xx
