Self-connecting passengers | Dublin Airport (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to go through security again for a self connecting flight? ›

If your booking has more than one airline reservation code, even if it's with the same airline, a self-transfer may be required. If you are navigating a self-transfer, make sure to check in to each flight, collect and recheck any luggage at each airport, and go through security, as required.

A self connecting or self-transfer flight is when you plan that connection yourself. So instead of searching for flights from A to B, you search and book a plane from A to C, and then another flight from C to B.

The airline is aware of your connection and will sometimes tell you which gate you need for your next flight. They might even offer assistance if you have a short connection time. Crucially, if your first flight is delayed, and you miss your second, they will put you on another flight to your final destination.

In most cases, US airlines will put you on the next available flight for free. (Even some ultra-low-cost carriers, like Spirit and Allegiant, will rebook you on the next flight for free if the missed connection is due to a flight delay.)

For domestic-to-domestic layovers, you normally won't have to go through security again during your layover. However, for all international layovers, you will normally have to go through security again, but this will depend on individual airport policy.

If you missed your flight because of a security check, there is usually very little that you can do about it. Airports and airlines are well within their rights to search passengers thoroughly to ensure everyone's safety. Though you can ask to be rebooked on a later flight, they will likely charge a rebooking fee.

You might need to pass through security and passport control during each connection (for international flights). You'll also sometimes need a visa if your connection is in a country that requires one.

The trip you've selected requires a self-transfer with a short connecting time usually below 2 hours. It means that you'll need to transfer between flights, clearing immigrations and customs, and checking in again for the next flight by yourself. You might not have enough time to check-in for your bag.

Do connecting flights wait for delayed passengers? Most airlines will try to accommodate passengers from a delayed inbound flight, but it's not guaranteed. Flight attendants might notify the ground crew of connecting passengers, but airlines typically won't delay a departure for a small group.

All of the major U.S. airlines have policies prohibiting the practice of skiplagging—or what they refer to as hidden city ticketing—written into their contract of carriage statements.

Is 1 hour enough for connecting flights? ›

What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

The airline may choose to accommodate you by booking you on another flight, but that's their discretion, and you may be on the hook for change fees or even fare differences. If you miss a connection because your first flight was delayed, you're entitled to compensation depending on what caused the delay.

Layovers of just 30 minutes can be feasible for domestic flights, especially at small airports where the next flight might be just one gate over. But international layovers are typically far more complicated, and even two hours can be insufficient.

What happens if you miss a connecting flight on purpose? If you are responsible for missing your connecting flight, the airline is not obligated pay for a replacement, or to offer any compensation. If you ask the airline to assist you with your re-booking, they may oblige.

Though it is not illegal, the practice is strictly prohibited by airlines in their contracts of carriage.

Security checks are almost always required when transiting between two international flights. As the standards vary across countries and regions, most airports screen all passengers on such an itinerary, regardless of the origins of flights.

You might need to pass through security and passport control during each connection (for international flights). You'll also sometimes need a visa if your connection is in a country that requires one.

Do I need to go through security? During your layover, you will, at some point, have to go through airport security. Even if you don't need to go through immigration, you will most likely have to go through security before you board your next flight.

In most cases, you'll receive your boarding pass for your connecting flight already when you check in for your first flight. This means you don't have to check in again for your next flight. If you haven't received it, you can go to the transfer desk or kiosk of the airline you're flying with to collect it.