Tips for Scheduling Layovers When Flying

We’ve all been there—flying to a destination too far for a direct flight. Layovers can be tricky, and timing is key. You don’t want to schedule your flights too close together, but you also don’t want to be stuck sitting in an airport for hours. Since direct flights aren’t always available, it’s important to know how to handle layovers and manage your time as efficiently as possible. If you’re wondering how to schedule a layover, here are a few tips:

Leave enough time to get from one flight to the next

• This is easily the most important rule when scheduling a layover. You don’t want to be running through the airport trying to catch your connecting flight. When looking at flight times, think about everything involved, not just the landing and departure times. Even if your flight is on time, you’ll still need to taxi to the terminal and wait for permission to disembark. Then, you’ll have to retrieve your luggage from the overhead bins and navigate through the crowd of passengers also trying to catch their next flight. This process can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on where you’re seated and how quickly other passengers move. Be sure to allow enough time for this.

Ensure your layover makes sense

• If you’re traveling from Florida to Southern California, having a layover in Chicago, Illinois, doesn’t make much sense. By choosing logical layover destinations, you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle.

Always pack a carry-on with essentials

• This includes clothing, toothbrush and toothpaste, and anything you might need in case you have to spend the night somewhere unexpectedly. Though layovers rarely get canceled or delayed to the point where you’ll have to stay overnight in a strange city, it’s always best to be prepared. By packing a change of clothes and your necessary toiletries, you won’t be as stressed if your flight gets canceled. You should also include a jacket, just in case the location you land in is colder than your final destination.

Double-check everything

• You don’t want to miss any important details. Whether it’s layover times, destinations, flight duration, or time zone changes, make sure you’re prepared for everything. Have everything packed and ready to go so you aren’t rushing before your trip. If you know where you’re going, when you’re expected to arrive, and your next steps, you should be all set for your flights. Then, you can relax and look forward to your final destination.

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