What to Do When You Have a Tight Flight Connection

Most travelers have been there: Anxiously checking your watch to see how much time between your current flight’s ETA and your next boarding call, trying to wait patiently as passengers file out of your current flight at a painfully slow pace and then rushing past other travelers to make the lengthy walk or tram ride to your next flight. Facing a tight layover is nothing short of stressful, but there are ways to deal with the headache before and during your travel experience.

First, inform the flight attendants. If they are aware of your tight connection, they may be able to move you to a seat closer to the main exit, or at least an aisle seat instead of a window seat. If a seat change is not an option, it wouldn´t hurt to inform your fellow travelers of the limited time between flights, as they may be more than happy to step aside and allow you to exit the plane before they do.

Second, connect to WiFi immediately upon landing or access the airline’s mobile app. Go online to view the flight’s status and make a note of any change in boarding time or gate number. The magazine in the seatback pocket on your flight also may have a map of the airport, on which you can find your connecting gate and map out the quickest route.

Finally, try to stay calm. Simply making your first flight informs the gate attendants for the next flight you plan to board the following legs. Remember to be courteous to all involved as everyone is trying to get somewhere, and people are more likely to be accommodating if you treat them with respect and a smile.