Definition

1. Noun:
   • A flight with an intermediate stop and a change of aircraft: A "connecting flight" is a journey where a passenger must disembark from one aircraft and board a different one at an intermediate airport to reach their final destination. This may also involve a change of airlines.

Usage

• The term is used to describe a specific type of air travel itinerary. It is a standard term in airline booking systems and travel planning.
• It is often contrasted with a "direct flight" (which may stop but does not require a plane change) or a "non-stop flight" (which has no stops).

Examples

• Noun:
  • My trip to Tokyo includes a connecting flight in Seoul. (I will land in Seoul and change to a different plane to continue to Tokyo.)
  • To get the cheapest fare, we had to book a connecting flight through Chicago. (The lower-cost ticket required us to change planes in Chicago.)
  • Passengers with a connecting flight should proceed to the transit desk. (Travelers who need to change planes should go to the designated counter.)

Advanced Usage

• "To make a connection" or "to catch a connecting flight": These phrases describe the action of successfully transferring from one flight to the next.
  • We have only 45 minutes to make our connection in Frankfurt.
• "Tight connection": A very short layover time between connecting flights, which carries a risk of missing the second flight.
  • A 30-minute connection is too tight; I recommend a longer layover.
• "Missed connection": When a passenger fails to board their connecting flight, often due to a delay on the first leg of the journey.
  • The airline provided a hotel voucher after our missed connection.

Variants and Related Words

• Connection (n): The act of connecting or the point where a change occurs; often used interchangeably with "connecting flight" in casual conversation.
  • What is the connection time in Dubai?
• Layover (n): The period of time spent at an intermediate airport between flights.
  • We have a three-hour layover in Singapore.
• Stopover (n): A longer layover, often 24 hours or more, sometimes used intentionally to visit the connecting city.
• Through flight (n): Often used to mean a direct flight (no plane change) but can be ambiguous; "connecting flight" is more precise when a change of aircraft is required.

Synonyms

• Transfer flight: A less common but understandable synonym.
• Connecting leg (of a journey): Refers specifically to the second (or subsequent) flight segment.

Related Phrases

• To connect through [City/Airport]: To have a connecting flight at a specific location.
  • We are connecting through Heathrow.
• Connection time / Minimum connection time (MCT): The time required to disembark, possibly go through security/immigration, and reach the gate for the next flight.
  • Always check the minimum connection time for the airport.

Noun

1. a flight with an intermediate stop and a change of aircraft (possibly a change of airlines)