One of the most frequently asked questions by air travelers is: "How does a transfer flight work?". This is really interesting, because every second tourist has encountered flights with a connection in his life. What you need to know, what subtleties exist in such flights? Let's dive in and learn all about transit flights.
What does a connecting flight mean?
A transfer flight means an intermediate point between the airport of departure and the final destination. For example, you need to get from St. Petersburg to Orenburg. First, there is only one direct flight. You can choose it and fly with Rossiya Airlines, but the problem is that the ticket costs 2 times more than flights with transfers.
Transit flights
Transit flights are different. Consider two possible scenarios:
- All flights operated by one carrieror partner airlines. In this case, you can receive all the necessary information from them. For example, when buying an S7 ticket online, on the official website you will see information about the minimum connection time that you will need to know. It is S7 that takes responsibility for flight delays. If you do not make it in time for a transfer, you will not be left in trouble: they will offer you to stay at the nearest hotel and put you on another plane on the next flight.
- Flights are operated by different airlines. How does a transfer flight work? Baggage, check-in, the consequences of late aircraft - in this case, everything lies with you. If you miss your flight for any reason, you will have to buy another flight again.
Always think ahead of all possible circumstances and situations that can happen to you. If the transfer is made at another airport in the city, do not forget that you need at least 2 hours to complete the transfer. Consider traffic jams (if it is a metropolis or a large city), accidents and more.
Benefits of transit flights
Many tourists choose flights with transfers. Reviews about them are different, both positive and negative. Let's take a closer look at what's good about people who often fly connecting planes.
Cheaper with transfers
One of the main advantages of transit flights is the affordable price.
For example, you want to get from Moscow to Seoul. A direct flight to Incheon airport costs 22,000 rubles. We study the prices of flights fromtransfer:
- Transfer at the airport "Tolmachevo" in Novosibirsk. S7 Airlines (Russia). Ticket price - 17 thousand rubles.
- Transfer in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines (Turkey). Ticket price - 17500 rubles.
- Two transfers: in Belgrade and Abu Dhabi. Airlines Air Serbia (Serbia) and Etihad Airways (United Arab Emirates). Ticket price - 18900 rubles.
As we can see, even with two transfers, flying to Seoul is cheaper than taking a ticket for a direct flight.
Alternatives available
What to do in the Orenburg situation if there is only one flight to your destination? People are used to the alternative. Tourists want to choose a ticket based on the time of departure and arrival, the presence of luggage and hand luggage, the airport, the air carrier, and the price of the ticket. And here again it is transit flights that help us out.
The only solution
Sometimes it is not possible to buy a ticket to the city you want to visit. For example, because it is too far away. Then transit flights come to the rescue.
For example, you want to get to Sochi from Nizhnevartovsk in autumn. But direct flights to this destination are carried out only in the summer
How to get to Sochi from Siberia with transfers?
- Flights from Nizhnevartovsk to Moscow are carried out by several airlines at once: Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, UTair, North Wind.
- Now you can fly to Sochi at anytime. Flights from Moscow are operated regularly.
- You can also fly to Sochi from Tyumen, arriving there from Nizhnevartovsk. The flight is operated by UTair.
Differences in transit flights
There are connecting and transfer flights. Let's see what is the difference between them:
- On a connecting flight: You get one transit ticket and multiple boarding passes. Check in once (at the first airport of departure). You do not need to go through passport control again (at the transfer airport), you will not leave the transit zone. You do not even think about the luggage, it will definitely be carried to another plane. If your flight is delayed, you must be provided with food and lodging, and boarded on another plane departing later in the same direction.
- On a connecting flight: You are holding two (or more) separate tickets. Check-in takes place at each transfer airport. It is necessary to go through passport and other controls several times (meaning at each airport). You pick up and drop off your luggage yourself. In the event of a flight delay, all responsibility lies on your shoulders.
Knowing the difference is very important in order not to get into an awkward situation when buying a ticket.
Baggage for connecting flights
Probably every person is interested in what to do with luggage. How does a connecting flight work in this case?
- If you have a single ticket (flights are operated by onecarrier, this is a connecting flight), then you need to check in your baggage to your final destination, being at the first airport of departure. Then it will be delivered to the next plane. You will not need to pick up your suitcase.
- In the event that you need to change the airport for a transfer, you cannot leave your luggage. You should pick him up.
- You will only need to collect and check in your baggage if you are carrying items that must be declared.
- If you have two or more tickets, you need to take care of your luggage yourself.
- Also, the airline may refuse to carry luggage on the plane and offer you to do it, but only if the airport does not have the necessary equipment.
How does a transfer flight work? Aeroflot warns that if your baggage is checked in only to Moscow, then you need to collect it yourself and check it in again to your final destination.
Visa for transit flight
This is a very important document-related point. You need to clarify it before the start of the trip. So, do you need a visa for a connecting flight?
- If your flight is from the same airport you arrived at, or at least the terminal, then you do not need a transit visa.
- Also, you won't need a visa if you don't need to collect luggage.
You are just waiting for your flight in the transit area. You do not go through immigration or any other control, which requires the presence ofvisas.
When do I need a transit visa?
- If you are on a connecting flight and need to change airports.
- If you have two or more transfers in the Schengen area. How then does a flight with a transfer take place if there is no visa? Apply for it at the embassy of the country hosting the first transplant.
- If the terminal that serves your next flight is located so that you must go outside to get into it (it may be in another area), then you need a visa.
- The transplant will take place in the UK. If its duration is from 24 to 48 hours, you need to apply for a Visitor in transit Visa. If from 48 hours - you will need a regular transit visa.
- If you are flying on two (or more) different tickets. For example, from Kazan to Riga, and from there to Milan. You need a visa to collect your luggage and check in for another flight.
- If the country of arrival is the USA, Canada, Australia. In these countries, a visa is required even if you are just in the transit zone.
Transfer time
It is extremely important to remember that transplantation can sometimes take a long time. Moreover, your first plane may be delayed. In order not to worry whether you will have time for a connection or not, we advise you to choose the right tickets:
- The best option if you are flying with one company is to have a ticket with a transfer lasting at least two hours.
- Be aware of the human factor: you may be tired or confused due tounrest.
- Many airports have poor navigation. Not all tourists can easily figure out where to go.
- Don't forget about the time you spend going to the gate and then on board.
If you are flying with two companies that are not partners, then the ideal connection time is at least three hours. Add time for baggage claim, check-in, security checkpoints.
Interesting facts
Would you like to fly an airplane for 18 hours? Or would you choose the connecting flight option?
- Singapore Airlines has made the longest non-stop flight. Flight tickets are on sale from May 31, 2018.
- Flight New York - Singapore is non-stop and lasts 18.5 hours. In the opposite direction (Singapore - New York), the travel time is 17 hours 50 minutes.
- A plane ticket can be bought for $1130 (74315 rubles).
- The route itself will open on October 11, 2018. It will become regular.
- This is the world's longest flight to date.
- This airline already had such a flight, which was closed in 2013 due to the fact that the aircraft serving flights was withdrawn from the fleet (Airbus A340).
- Previously, the New York-Singapore flight was operated by the same Singapore Airlines, but with a connection in Frankfurt.
- Now the flight will be served by the ultra-long-range aircraft Airbus A350. Business class seats 67, economy class seats 94.
- The distance between New York and Singapore is 16700 kilometers (9000nautical miles).
Would you dare to fly this ultra long-range aircraft, covering almost seventeen thousand kilometers in eighteen and a half hours?
Tips for connecting travelers
The following tips will help you choose your perfect transit flight:
- Purchase a ticket with transfers in one ticket. Then you do not have to worry during the flight whether you will be on time for the next flight or not. Why ruin your flight experience? Enjoy it and think of nothing else.
- Think carefully in advance how long it will take you to transplant. Especially if you are flying this way for the first time.
- Find out the details of your itinerary. Do I need to move to another terminal? Maybe even to another airport? Learn how to get there. Other airports or terminals in Paris and London are especially often assigned for transfers.
- Think in advance what you will do during the transplant. If the connection lasts about 3-4 hours, take books or a tablet with you in your hand luggage. They will help you deal with boredom. If your transfer lasts more than four hours, it would be wise to spend all this time in the lounge area. This is a superior room where you can be served food, drinks and Wi-Fi. The more hours you stay there, the less you pay for the service.
- Consider where you will sleep in case of a long night layover. You can book a room at the nearest airport hotel.
- Check in advance if you need a visa for a transplant. Even if not, you can at least make it to walk around the city.
Take into account these tips and your flights will be as comfortable as possible.
Conclusion
So, today we have learned with you how flights with transfers are made. We found out how things are with luggage, what transit flights are like. Now you know exactly how to organize the perfect connecting flight. Travel more!
