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- Upgraded Points analyzed 25 U.S. airports using 14 factors to rank layover navigation difficulty.
- Major contributors to longer layovers include airport size, departure reliability, passenger volume, and walking time between terminals.
- Airports needing more layover time include DFW, JFK, ATL, and DEN.
- Prepare by researching gate routes, restaurants, shuttle requirements, and retrieve and recheck checked baggage procedures.
- Airports with shortest recommended layovers are DCA (about 50 minutes), and about an hour at MDW, DAL, and HNL.
According to a study released last month, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is the United States-based airport where travelers need the most time to navigate a layover.
Even novice travelers may know the feeling. You’ve just landed at an airport, and the clock is ticking until your connecting flight takes off. Depending on the airport’s size, whether it’s new or familiar to you, and what obstacles, retailers, and restaurants are in your way, making it in time for your connecting flight is often hectic.
And after analyzing the data, an Upgraded Points report shared details on where travelers in the U.S. should expect to spend the most time navigating layovers. The study claimed that at IAH, which ranked highest, “travelers should allow” 2 hours and 17 minutes for their layovers.
The full study examined 25 U.S.-based airports and ultimately ranked them based on 14 factors. Of the latter, each flight hub’s size, departure reliability, passenger volume, walking time between terminals, and more were included. Following IAH, the top five airports where the most time should be allotted for layovers, based on the report, are Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), and Denver International Airport (DEN). Notably, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) ranked sixth, with a suggested layover time of 1 hour and 54 minutes.
How To Prepare For A Layover Before You Land
In the report, Upgraded Points noted that “whether you’re booking a quick business trip or heading out for summer travel, knowing how much time to allow for a layover can help you choose smarter connections from the start.”
Naturally, being prepared in advance can significantly reduce a traveler’s layover-related stress, especially if they’re an anxious flyer. Before any connections, you can research details about the airport (or airports) you’ll be arriving at. Any information you can snag about the route to your next gate could be of service. What restaurants, retailers, and lounges will you pass by? How long is the journey? Will you have to take an airport shuttle, or will it just be a trek on foot? Additionally, will you have to retrieve and re-check your checked baggage at any point?
Understanding and planning the scope of your connection can help you mentally and physically prepare in advance. Also, keep in mind that not every airport will require much time for a layover, and some airlines offer app features designated to make your connection easier.
Upgraded Points’ study found that the U.S.-based airport where travelers need the least amount of time for their layover is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the greater D.C. area. There, the estimated time needed is 50 minutes. Other airports where travelers will need about an hour to navigate their layover, according to the report, are Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), and Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
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