How do layover flights work? What you need to know
If you usually travel by plane to nearby destinations, you may have never experienced layover flights. Not surprisingly, these are designed for longer journeys that, for one reason or another, need to be made in separate legs. We suppose you may have some questions about this kind of flight, especially if you are thinking of travelling by plane soon.
In this article we will try to solve all your doubts about them. First of all, what exactly are layover flights? Also called transit flights, these are flights that include a stop at another airport before reaching your final destination. This means passengers will board a different plane, but both flights are part of the same booking.
As we mentioned, layover flights are used for long routes or when the airline cannot cover the entire journey directly. In those situations, these types of flights come into play, and they are generally cheaper than direct flights.
Frequently asked questions
Are you taking a layover flight and have doubts about specific situations? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
What is the difference between layover flights and connecting flights?
Although at first glance they may appear to be the same (as both options require a change of aircraft at a different airport from the final destination) there are important differences between them. While layover flights implies a single reservation for the entire journey, connecting flights suggests that each flight has been booked separately.
"In the case of flights belonging to the same reservation, baggage is checked at the airport of departure and not collected until the final destination."
Is the layover time sufficient to catch the next flight?
When airlines offer transit flights, they take into account the duration of the stop at each airport. It is clear that this is not an exact science and, on occasion, this estimate may fail. In the event of missing the next flight due to a delay in the previous one, airlines are obliged to rebook passengers on other flights and, depending on the delay in arriving at their final destination, to compensate them.
Is it necessary to collect the baggage and check it in again during the layover?
In the case of flights belonging to the same reservation, baggage is checked in at the airport of departure and is not collected until the final destination. That way, you do not have to worry about collecting your baggage during the layover and you can go directly to the departure gate of your next flight.
Is it possible to leave the airport during the transit flight?
In principle, it is possible to leave the airport during the layover, time-permitting. However, it is essential to be sure of the immigration requirements of the country in question, as you may require a transit visa to leave the airport.
How do connecting flights to Cape Verde work?
In the specific case of Cape Verde, it is more than likely that most flights arriving to the country will be with a layover. The African archipelago is located about 3,200 km from Spain, a distance similar to other European countries such as Romania or Ukraine. So don’t be surprised if you have to travel to the Cape Verdean country on layover flights.
At Oi Cabo Verde, we normally work with flights that have a layover in Lisbon of about 2 to 3 hours. This way, we ensure that our clients do not miss their next flight even if something unexpected happens. In fact, if they like, they can even take advantage of the layover to visit Lisbon comfortably, thanks to a transfer that takes them from the airport to the city center. We think of every scenario!
We hope we have shed a little more light on layover flights. Remember, we are at your disposal.
