The Basics

The questions everyone asks, answered straight.

• Can I Leave the Airport During a Layover? (Yes, Here's the Decision Tree)Whether you can leave the airport on your layover depends on your ticket type, your bag, your passport, and your hub. A decision tree, a visa table for 8 major hubs, and how much time you actually need.
• What Happens to Your Checked Bag on a Long Layover (and When You Have to Collect It)Through-checked bags usually ride with you invisibly. US entry always forces a bag claim and recheck, preclearance aside. Storage prices at major hubs and the real carry-on strategy for a long layover.
• Layover vs. Stopover: What's the Actual Difference (and Why It Matters)Under 24 hours is a layover. 24 hours or more is a stopover, and that line is the whole reason airline stopover programs, free hotels, and free visas exist. What each one unlocks.
• Minimum Connection Time: How Much Layover You Actually Need (and What Happens If You Miss It)MCT is the airport's floor for making your next flight, not a safety margin. Same-ticket connections get you rebooked and cared for if you miss one; self-transfer separate tickets do not. Realistic buffers by scenario.