How to Book Connecting Flights?


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About the author:

Co-founder and Chief Editor at Connecting Flights Guide

Kaspars is a digital nomad and travel blogger who’s been traveling the world extensively since 2013. Since 2017, Kaspars has been writing about the less-known aspects of air travel, things like air passenger rights laws and regulations. He’s really good at simplifying complex concepts and making them easily understandable. Kaspars favorite airlines are Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

Booking connecting flights is easy.

You can also safely book flights with different airlines; if you know what you’re doing and pay attention to the details. How to book cheap connecting flights? How to book connecting flights with different airlines? What about low-cost airlines? Is it safe to book flights with third-party flight booking sites? These are some of the questions you’ll find answers to in this guide.

Scroll down to see our step-by-step guide.


Did you miss a connecting flight? File a compensation claim online.


Table of Contents

Flight to Cancun, Mexico
Flight to Cancun, Mexico

1. How to Book Connecting Flights Online?

First of all, what kind of connecting flight is it?

Do you plan to book an airline-protected connected flight? Or do you want to “create your own connection” and book connecting flight with two different airlines? Maybe you want to book connecting flight with low-cost airlines? Connecting flight with Ryanair and easyJet, maybe?

So, how to book connecting flights?

1.1 Booking Airline-Protected Connecting Flights

Airline-protected connecting flights are the easiest to book.

You make a single booking, have a single reservation code and the booking includes several flights. In this case, you can be 100% sure that you have a proper connecting flight.

These are connections offered and protected by airlines. If something goes wrong, the airline takes care of that. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, and you can’t make it for the next flight, the airline gives you a new flight. In the past, flights like these were operated by one airline. Nowadays, however, more and more connecting flights are with two airlines (sometimes – several).


How to Book?

Airline website (directly).

This is the easiest way to book a connecting flight. It’s also the safest way to book a connection. You make a single booking, have a single reservation code and the booking includes several flights. Sometimes they are all with one airline, other times – two or more. Anyway, in this case, you can be 100% sure that you have a proper connecting flight.

Other Option

Flight booking websites.

Few examples: skyscanner.net, expedia.com, momondo.com.

Pay attention to the details. Because some of these sites are only search engines, and sellers are other websites. Apart from that, they often sell both airline-protected connecting flights and self-transfer flights. If it’s a self-transfer, know that it comes with its own risks, and there are things you should take into account. Self-transfer is not the same thing as airline-protected transfer. 

For extra protection, buy also a travel insurance covering flight disruptions, or book with sites like kiwi.com, who offer extra protection.

With kiwi.com you are more protected than normally.


Read more: How to Book Connecting Flights?

1.2 Booking Self-Transfer Connecting Flights

Often cheaper option. Often less safe option.

Sometimes this is the only option that you have.

This is when you book connecting flights separately. In this case, the biggest risk is delays and cancellations. Because when you’re booking connecting flights separately, and if something goes wrong and you can’t make it to your next flight in time, this is your responsibility — if you lose a flight, you have to buy a new flight yourself. Self-transfer flights are fully your responsibility.


How to Book?

Flight booking websites, or airline websites.

Few examples: skyscanner.net, expedia.com, momondo.com.

Want to be on the safe side? Add insurance right away.

Or book a flight from Kiwi.com (with Kiwi Guarantee).


Read more: How to Book Connecting Flights?

Which option to choose, that’s up to you. When the price difference is less than 10% or 20 euro or dollars, we recommend to book directly from an airline. This has proven to be the best option in case of flight problems and changes. As always — compare the final price. Flight booking websites sometimes add high payment processing fees, or service fees, etc.

When the price difference is less than 10% or 20 euro or dollars, we recommend to book directly from an airline. This has proven to be the best option in case of flight problems and changes.

Ryanair airplane
Taking a self transfer flight with Ryanair

2. How to Book Connecting Flights With Different Airlines?

There are 3 most likely scenarios.

2.1 Sometimes You Don’t Have a Say in This (Protected Connecting Flight)

Sometimes you don’t even have a say in this.

You see, nowadays airlines share flights. You may book a connecting flight from Qatar Airways, and one of the flights may be operated by airBaltic. This happens because Qatar Airways and airBaltic are codeshare partner airlines. They share their flights. However, this is still a proper airline-protected flight — you’re fully protected by these airlines.

Because it’s considered as one journey.

You have a single booking code.

2.2 Booking Connecting Flights With Different Airlines (Self Transfer)

Of course, you can book flights from different airlines.

If you plan to do it online, the options are the same — airline websites and flight booking websites or apps. Choose what suits you the best. Here’s our top tip, if the price difference is less than 10% or 20 euro or dollars, better book directly from an airline. Because, mostly, in case of any problems, not having a middle-man makes things easier.

Don’t forget that this will be a self-transfer flight (if you make separate bookings). It’s a protected connection ONLY if the airline sells it as a such.


How to Book?

Flight booking websites, or airline websites.

Few examples: skyscanner.net, expedia.com, momondo.com.

Want to be on the safe side? Add insurance right away.

Or book a flight from Kiwi.com (with Kiwi Guarantee).


Read more: How to Book Connecting Flights?

Another reason to choose Kiwi is the simplicity. With Kiwi, same like with some other flight booking websites and apps, you can get it done with one reservation. It saves your time significantly.

Another reason to choose Kiwi is the simplicity. With Kiwi, same like with some other flight booking websites, you can get it done with one reservation. It saves your time.

2.3 Booking Connecting Flights With Low-Cost Airlines (Self Transfer)

How to book connecting flights with lowcosters?

Most of low-cost airlines don’t offer connecting flights.

Yes, you can buy several flights from Ryanair or Wizz Air. But they aren’t connecting flights. They are separately booked flights. You can say, it’s your own, self-made connection. And when things go wrong, and you miss any of these flights, this is your responsibility.

Booking options in this case are the same — airline websites and flight booking websites or apps. See what’s better for you, what’s cheaper, and choose the option that suits you the best. To make things safer, add travel insurance right away — right after you’ve made a booking.


How to Book?

Flight booking websites, or airline websites.

Few examples: skyscanner.net, expedia.com, momondo.com.

Want to be on the safe side? Add insurance right away.

Or book a flight from Kiwi.com (with Kiwi Guarantee).


Read more: How to Book Connecting Flights?

Hong Kong Airport transit
Hong Kong Airport transit

3. Using Third-Party Booking Websites. Is It Safe?

Nowadays there are two types of booking websites/apps:

  1. Flight search engines. Flight search websites. These kind of websites and apps just show you the options (they are like Google).
  2. Online flight booking websites. These websites are online travel agents. They actually sell flights.

3.1 Flight Search Engines

They just show you the flight options.

For example, skyscanner.net only shows you the options

They usually let you sort all the options by the price, flight duration, etc. So, you can find exactly what you are looking for. Be it the best, fastest or cheapest connecting flight available on your dates and to your destination. These sites and apps don’t sell flights.

Here’s an example with skyscanner.net. I was searching for one-way flights from London to Bangkok. I clicked on one of the cheapest options. It’s a Turkish Airlines flight on the 25th of June at 12:45, landing in Bangkok on the next day at 15:25. And here I have several options, from where to buy this exact flight.

Skyscanner search results: London - Bangkok connecting flight
Skyscanner search results – London – Bangkok connecting flight

Click on Select next to the offer you like. This will take you to the website of this travel agent. Sometimes you see official websites of airlines here as well. Most will say that it’s the best option — it’s true, buying directly is always better.

First, try clicking to see if the price stays the same or changes. It may change right away, because the offer may not be available anymore. Second, if you don’t know any of them, do at least a quick research — read their online reviews, learn more about them on online forums. Third, make a decision.

Always compare the final price. Online flight booking apps and websites sometimes add high payment processing fees, or service fees, etc.

3.2 Online Flight Booking Websites and Apps

These websites actually sell flights.

For example, kiwi.com actually sells flights.

You can go to these websites directly, if you know any and have favorites. And you will also see them on flight search websites, they will likely show up on their flight search results. Look at the Skyscanner screenshot above — lol.travel, Opodo, eDreams, Tripai, all three of them are flight booking websites.

So, yes, these website sell flight tickets. Just like airlines do.

Here’s how you can make it safe. If you don’t know the seller, do at least a quick research — read their online reviews, learn more about them on online forums. Second, always compare the final price. It shows right at the very end, sometimes only after you’ve entered your bank card details. Don’t pay before you know the final price. Online flight booking apps and websites sometimes add high payment processing fees, or service fees. And third, buy a travel insurance after you have made a booking.

When the price difference is less than 10% or 20 euro or dollars, we recommend to book directly from an airline. This has proven to be the best option in case of flight problems and changes.

At Changi International Airport in Singapore
At Changi International Airport in Singapore

4. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can come in handy in a lot of situations.

We will divide this section into two parts.

4.1 Self-Transfer Flight Problems

We must talk about this, when we talk about connecting flights.

Because for many people a self transfer is the only option, or it’s the option of their choice. Self-transfer flight is often a cheaper option. This applies to you, if you’re booking several flights separately, and you want to make it safer.

How to book safe self-transfer flights?

There are two options – insurance and insured connections. In first case you buy insurance separately. In the second case your flight comes with insurance. Flight booking website kiwi.com sells insured self-transfer flights. You can read more about their insurance here. In short, they offer both insurance and assistance in case of travel disruptions.

4.2 General Problems

These are things that can happen to everyone.

Travel disruptions, lost or delayed baggage, health problems abroad, stolen belongings abroad, etc. No matter the type of your flight, you may experience some or all of this. Get yourself a travel insurance and have a piece of mind!

4.3 When to Buy Travel Insurance?

It’s easy. The sooner, the better.

Because, you see, if you’re buying a travel insurance to be protected in case of flight changes, sooner is better. Flight changes may happen at any day. They may happen today or tomorrow. The airline may decide to reschedule your flight, or to cancel a flight and to put you on another flight a day later.

That’s why it’s important not to postpone it. Even if it means buying the travel insurance well in advance before the trip.

But, wait, isn’t it super expensive? No, the price doesn’t change if you buy the travel insurance earlier. Because the duration of it will be the same — the duration of your trip. At the same time you will be protected against flight changes right from the moment of purchase (double-check the policy).

And don’t forget that Kiwi Guarantee doesn’t substitute a complete travel insurance. It covers only problems related to flights booked on their website, nothing else. Read more on their website.

Anything you would add? How do you book connecting flights? Do you do it directly or with flight booking websites? Which one is your favorite app for flight bookings?

About the author:

Co-founder and Chief Editor at Connecting Flights Guide

Kaspars is a digital nomad and travel blogger who’s been traveling the world extensively since 2013. Since 2017, Kaspars has been writing about the less-known aspects of air travel, things like air passenger rights laws and regulations. He’s really good at simplifying complex concepts and making them easily understandable. Kaspars favorite airlines are Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

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Connecting Flights Guide

Your go-to guide to air travel rules and regulations. Connecting flights, self transfer, onward tickets and more – we want you to understand air travel better


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