What to Know About Flight Transits Before You Travel

Whether you're travelling long-haul or looking for a more affordable route with a bit more flexibility, connecting flights are often worth considering.

They can feel a little confusing at first, especially if you've never had to make a connection before. This can feel even more daunting if you have pre-existing medical conditions, particularly when you want to avoid any additional stress.

In this article, we'll explain how connecting flights work and what to expect. Additionally, explain the different types of flight transfers you might come across.

It's also important to understand how travelling through certain countries could affect your travel disruption insurance. This is particularly relevant where Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice applies. Understanding this can help you feel more prepared before you travel.

Connecting Through Countries with FCDO Travel Warnings

Your journey may include a flight transit through a country where the FCDO advises against "all but essential travel". If this applies, it's important to understand how it could affect your cover.

With Able2Travel travel insurance, you may still be covered in certain situations. This applies as long as you remain in the airport's international transit area. This is known as airside transit.

However, something unexpected may happen during your journey. This could include a delay or a missed connecting flight. As a result, leading you need to leave the airport, your cover may no longer apply.

There are also different types of flight connections to be aware of, depending on your route.

What Are Connecting Flights?

A connecting flight is when your journey involves changing planes before reaching your final destination. This could involve one stop or several, depending on your route.

For example, you might be flying from London to Sydney. In this case, you could stop at Hamad International Airport in Doha. You would then continue your journey from there. This would be a connecting international flight.

The most common reason to choose connecting flights is when there's no direct route available. But travellers may choose them when looking for a more flexible or budget friendly option.

How Connecting Flights Work: What to Expect

When your journey includes transferring flights, they are usually carefully arranged. This allows enough time between each leg of the journey. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Your journey is scheduled - Airlines arrange your flights with a suitable layover to allow time for your connection.
2. You take your first flight- You travel to your transfer airport, which links both parts of your journey.
3. Making your connection - On arrival, follow signs for Flight Connections" or "Transfers" and complete any required checks.
4. You continue onward - Once through, you head to your gate and board your next flight.

While this process is usually straightforward, it can vary depending on the airport, route, and type of flight transfer.

Flight Connections Explained: Types to Know

Not all flight connections work in the same way. Understanding the different types can help you plan more confidently.

Staying Within the Airport

This is known as airside transit and is usually the simplest option. You remain within the airport’s secure departure area and do not formally enter the country.

This typically involves:

• Passing through a security check (depending on the airport)
• Following signs directly to your next gate
• Having your baggage transferred automatically (when booked on one ticket)

Even when staying airside, some countries may still require transit permission, so it’s worth checking in advance.

Entering the Country

A 'landside transfer' means leaving the secure area and officially entering the country during your flight transit.

This usually involves going through passport control and checking in again for your next flight. In some cases, you may also need to collect and recheck your baggage.

These transfers are more common when changing terminals without an airside route, or when moving between different airports.

Please note: Able2Travel cover may no longer apply if you choose this type of connecting flight.

Stopovers

Some stopover flights are planned with a longer break between flights, usually more than 24 hours.

Travellers often choose stopover flights to add an extra destination, break up long-haul journeys, or allow more time to rest before continuing their trip.

However, they require more planning. You may need to arrange accommodation, check visa requirements, and manage your baggage.

If your stopover is in a country affected by FCDO advice, Able2Travel cover may no longer apply.

What to Check Before You Travel

Before booking connecting flights, it’s important to check a few key details that could affect your journey.

Visas and Entry Requirements

In general:

• Airside transit often does not require a visa
• Some countries, such as the USA, Canada, and Australia, may require electronic authorisation even if you remain in the airport
• Leaving the airport during a flight transit or stopover may require a visa

Checking in advance can help you avoid delays or disruption.

Baggage

How your baggage is handled depends on your booking and the type of connection.

• On a single booking, bags are usually checked through to your final destination
• With a self transfer flight, you may need to collect and recheck your baggage
• Policies can vary between airlines, so it's worth confirming beforehand

These details can make a big difference to how smoothly your flight transfers work.

Staying Covered on Connecting Flights

Connecting flights can add complexity to your journey, which can increase the risk of disruption. Delays, cancellations, or missed connections can affect multiple parts of your trip.

Travel insurance with travel disruption cover can help provide coverage when things don't go to plan. Able2Travel includes cover for events such as severe weather, natural disasters, or unannounced industrial action.

However, its important to note that Able2Travel does not include cover for changes in FCDO travel advice.

In our previous blog, "The Impact of Middle East Conflict on Your Holiday Plans", we explored how recent events have affected travel.

Always check how your travel disruption insurance applies when travelling through regions with travel advisories, so you clearly understand what is and isn’t included.

Before You Travel

Knowing how connecting flights work can make planning your trip much easier. It also helps to consider how travelling via certain countries—particularly those with FCDO guidance—could affect your cover.

A little preparation goes a long way. Checking entry requirements, planning your connecting flight, and reviewing your policy details can help reduce disruption.

This becomes especially important if you have pre-existing medical conditions, as it can help make your journey smoother and less stressful.

Travel with Confidence with Able2Travel

At Able2Travel, we understand that travel should be about adventure, discovery, and making unforgettable memories—not worrying about medical cover. With over 20 years of experience, we provide tailored travel insurance for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, ensuring you can explore the world with peace of mind.

Our policies offer three levels of cover for both Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip policies, allowing you to choose a plan that suits your travel needs. Whether you’re heading off on a cultural city break, a sun-drenched beach holiday, or a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Able2Travel ensures you’re protected every step of the way.

Key benefits of our travel insurance include:

And much more…

*Maximum age is 79 for travel to the USA, Canada, Mexico & The Caribbean.

For the love of travel, choose Able2Travel.

Click here for more information on Able2Travel Travel Insurance

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording for the latest terms, conditions, and exclusions.