Layover Time Planner

Layover time planner for flight connections and minimum connection time checks

A layover is the time between your first flight arriving and your next flight departing. The obvious question is simple: do you have enough time to make the connection? In practice, the answer is not just the raw minutes on the timetable. You need to account for real delays, the time it takes to get off the aircraft, walking between gates or terminals, security checks, and boarding cutoffs. This Layover Time Planner gives you a fast, realistic way to judge whether a connection is comfortable, tight, or too short.

Use the default view when you just want the total layover time. Enter the local arrival date and time, then the local next departure date and time. The calculator returns the total layover duration and a plain-language verdict. If you want a more realistic decision, open the advanced options and add buffers like a recommended minimum connection time and any extra time you expect to need, such as terminal changes or passport control.

The main output is “slack,” which is your layover time minus the time you realistically need to complete the connection. If slack is large, your connection is comfortable. If slack is small, a minor delay can break your itinerary. If slack is negative, the plan is not realistic and you should change flights, choose a longer connection, or reduce complexity (for example, avoid terminal changes). This planner is designed for the most common traveler decision: should I book this connection, or is it too risky?

Assumptions and how to use this calculator

• All times are assumed to be local airport times for the connection airport. Do not mix time zones in the same calculation.
• The planner assumes a same-airport connection. It is not designed for changing airports within a city.
• The “recommended minimum connection time” is a practical planning threshold, not an airline guarantee. Defaults are conservative for a typical large airport.
• Airlines often close boarding before departure time. This planner treats that risk as part of your buffer rather than trying to predict a specific cutoff.
• Actual connection risk depends on factors you may not know (gate location, queue length, inbound delays). Use the advanced fields to add realistic extra time when uncertain.

Common questions

What is a “good” layover time for a connection?

There is no universal number, but for planning purposes a conservative baseline is 60 to 120 minutes at a larger airport. Shorter connections can work when you stay in the same terminal and your inbound flight is reliable. Longer connections are safer when you expect queues, terminal changes, or immigration checks.

Why can a 60-minute layover still be risky?

The published layover is not all usable time. You may spend time taxiing, waiting to deplane, walking long distances, passing security, or dealing with a gate change. Also, boarding can effectively end before the scheduled departure. A small delay on your first flight can erase the margin.

Do I need to fill in the advanced options?

No. The default calculation is still useful because it gives the true duration between arrival and departure. Advanced options are for a better decision. If you are unsure, keep the defaults and only add extra minutes when you know you will need them (for example, you always prefer a bigger buffer).

What if my departure is the next day?

This calculator supports overnight layovers. Enter the correct departure date for the next flight. The planner will compute the full duration across midnight. If you accidentally enter the same date for an overnight layover, the calculator will show an error because it would look like your next flight leaves before you arrive.

When should I treat a connection as “too short” even if slack is positive?

If slack is positive but small, the connection is fragile. Treat it as risky if you have checked baggage recheck, you are connecting internationally, you have mobility limitations, or missing the flight would have high consequences. In those cases, increase your buffer until the slack is comfortably positive.