What is the minimum connection time (MCT)?

Minimum Connection Time (MCT) is the shortest time an airport deems sufficient to transfer between two flights, including deplaning, transit, and boarding. It varies by airport, terminal, and whether flights are domestic or international. Domestic MCTs are typically 30–60 minutes; international MCTs are often 60–90 minutes or more.

Does a tight layover mean I will miss my flight?

Not necessarily. If both flights are on the same airline ticket, the airline is responsible for rebooking you if you miss the connection due to a delay. On self-booked separate tickets, a missed connection is entirely your risk. Always factor in gate distance, terminal changes, and customs/immigration time.

What if my layover spans midnight?

Use the "Next day departure" toggle. The calculator will automatically add 24 hours to the departure time so the layover is computed correctly across a midnight boundary.

How long is too long for a layover?

Layovers over 4–5 hours can feel tedious, though many travelers use extra time to explore the city if visa-free transit is allowed. Layovers exceeding 24 hours are typically called stopovers rather than layovers.

Should I count the time from landing or from when I leave the aircraft?

Airports measure MCT from the scheduled arrival time (wheels-down), not from when you physically exit the plane. This calculator uses the times you enter as scheduled, so use your itinerary's listed arrival and departure times.

Layover Calculator

Name: Layover Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your arriving flight's landing time and your connecting flight's departure time to see the exact layover duration and whether you have enough time to make your connection.

Flight Times

Enter times from your itinerary (local airport time)

Arriving Flight — Landing Time

Connecting Flight — Departure Time

Departure is next day

Enable if layover crosses midnight

Minimum Connection Time (minutes)

Typical: 45 min domestic • 60–90 min international

Enter your flight times and click Calculate

Summary

Enter your arriving flight's landing time and your connecting flight's departure time to see the exact layover duration and whether you have enough time to make your connection.

How it works

Enter the arrival time of your incoming flight.
Enter the departure time of your connecting flight.
Select whether the flights are on the same date or span midnight.
Set your airport's minimum connection time (default: 60 minutes for international, 45 for domestic).
Click "Calculate" to see your layover duration and connection status.

Use cases

Verify you have enough time to make a connecting flight before booking.
Check whether a tight layover meets the airport's minimum connection time.
Plan airport activities — meals, lounges, shopping — based on available layover time.
Evaluate whether to purchase a self-connecting itinerary with a short transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu