When planning a trip with multiple legs, it’s easy to assume all connections work the same way — but that’s not always true. The difference between connecting flights vs self-transfer flights can have a big impact on how smooth your journey is, how your baggage is handled, and whether you’re protected if a delay or cancellation occurs.
In this guide, we’ll explain how both types of connections work, what risks and benefits each carries, and how to choose the best option for your next trip.
Check your compensation online.
What Are Connecting Flights?
Before booking your trip, it’s important to understand the difference between connecting flights vs self-transfer flights, as it affects your protection and travel experience.
Connecting flights are multiple flights booked together under one ticket (one booking reference).
They are managed by the same airline or by partner airlines through codeshare agreements or airline alliances such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld.
For example:
You book a single ticket from London to Bangkok with a stopover in Doha.
- The first flight (London → Doha) is operated by Qatar Airways.
- The second flight (Doha → Bangkok) is also on Qatar or a partner airline.
Both flights are on one booking — so they’re considered connecting flights.
Benefits of Connecting Flights
- One booking, one ticket: You only check in once for your whole trip.
- Protected connections: If your first flight is delayed and you miss the next one, the airline must rebook you at no extra cost.
- Through-checked baggage: Your luggage is automatically transferred to your final destination.
- Customer support: The airline or alliance handles all changes and compensation.
- You usually need to stay airside during layovers (no passport control for same-terminal connections). In most cases, you don’t need a visa for connecting flights. Unless it’s a connecting flight with a layover in the U.S or Canada, where you need to apply for an ETA before you travel.
- Airlines plan minimum connection times — so you’re less likely to miss your next flight. Sometimes, even 30-minute or 40-minute layovers are enough to make your connection. But usually it’s about 2 hours between the flights.
In short, connecting flights are protected journeys: the airline takes responsibility for getting you to your final destination.
Read more: What Is a Connecting Flight?
What Is a Self-Transfer Flight?
Self transfer flights meaning – you book two or more separate tickets, often with different airlines that don’t cooperate.
For example:
You book one ticket from London to Paris with easyJet, and another ticket from Paris to New York with Delta Air Lines. These are separate bookings, even if they occur on the same day.
Self-transfers can also be with the same airline, especially with low-cost carriers like Ryanair or Wizz Air, which don’t offer official connecting flights.
As long as you book flight legs separately, it’s a self-transfer flight.
Why Self-Transfers Are Risky?
- No protection for missed flights: If your first flight is delayed and you miss the next one, the second airline isn’t responsible. You’ll need to buy a new ticket.
- Self-transfer flights baggage: Baggage must be rechecked. You’ll have to collect your luggage after the first flight, go through customs (if applicable), and check in again.
- Multiple check-ins: You must check in separately for each flight.
- Self-transfer flight visa or entry requirements: You might need a visa to enter the transfer country, even if you’re not staying there.
Is self transfer safe? Well, it’s less safe than a regular connecting flight, but you can make it safer by buying travel insurance and planning longer layovers — ideally at least 4 hours.
When booking a connection using a third-party flight booking site such as Kiwi or Skyscanner, always pay attention if it’s a self-transfer flight or a regular connecting flight. Usually, it’s clearly indicated during the booking process.
What Are the Advantages of Self-Transfer Flights?
- Cheaper tickets: Self-transfers can sometimes be more affordable if you mix low-cost and major airlines.
- Flexible routes: You can create unique itineraries or longer stopovers.
But keep in mind that lower prices often come with higher risk and less support.
Read more: Self-Transfer Flights: Baggage, Boarding Passes, Passenger Rights & Key Tips
Self-Transfer Flights: Tips for Travelers
- Double-check airport details. Some cities have multiple airports (like London Heathrow and Gatwick). If your self-transfer involves different airports, factor in transfer time and transportation between them.
- If you book self-transfer flights, leave plenty of time (at least 3–4 hours between flights, more if switching terminals or airports).
- Keep all booking confirmations handy. With self-transfers, you’ll need to show separate tickets at check-in or immigration — store them digitally and offline.
- Plan for baggage recheck. On self-transfer trips, you’ll need to collect and recheck your luggage — allow enough time for this process.
- Always check visa requirements for each country. Even if you’re only passing through a country for a few hours, you might still need a visa or transit permit — especially on self-transfer flights, where you must pass through immigration to collect and recheck your baggage.
- Consider travel insurance that covers missed connections on separate tickets.
- Use reliable booking platforms that offer “self-transfer protection” — some travel sites refund or rebook you if delays cause a missed connection. Kiwi Guarantee is one of such protections.
Connecting Flights vs Self-Transfer Flights: Key Differences
| Feature | Connecting Flights | Self-Transfer Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | One ticket for all flights | Separate tickets for each flight |
| Protection | Airline responsible for missed connections | You are responsible for missed flights |
| Baggage | Automatically transferred | Must collect and recheck |
| Check-In | One check-in for all flights | Separate check-ins |
| Compensation Rights (EU261/UK261) | Covered for all legs on same ticket | Each flight treated separately |
| Cost | Usually higher | Often cheaper |
| Convenience | Easier, less stressful | Requires more planning |
Check your compensation online.
Missing a Connecting Flight vs Missing a Self-Transfer Flight: Compensation and Passenger Rights
When your travel plans fall apart due to a missed connecting flight, your rights depend entirely on how your journey was booked — as a connecting flight or a self-transfer flight.
Missing a Connecting Flight
If you booked your entire journey under one ticket, your flights are part of a protected connection. This means that if your first flight is delayed and you miss the next one, the airline (or its partner airline) is responsible for getting you to your final destination.
You’re typically rebooked on the next available flight at no extra cost, and if the delay causes long waiting times, the airline must also provide care — such as meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if needed.
If your delay meets the conditions under EU Regulation 261/2004 or UK261, you may also be entitled to flight compensation (up to €600 / £520), depending on the length of the delay and the cause of disruption.
Example: You fly from Madrid to New York via Amsterdam on one booking with KLM. Your first flight from Madrid is delayed, and you miss your connection. KLM must rebook you to New York and may owe you compensation if the delay exceeds three hours on arrival.
Read more: Missed Connection Compensation
Missing a Self-Transfer Flight
With self-transfer flights, things are very different.
Each ticket is independent, meaning each airline only takes responsibility for its own flight.
If your first flight arrives late and you miss your onward flight, the second airline is not obligated to rebook you or provide any compensation — even if both flights were on the same day. You’ll need to buy a new ticket for the next available flight, and any expenses (meals, hotels, etc.) come out of your own pocket.
EU261 or UK261 does not apply to missed self-transfers because the airlines don’t recognize your trip as one continuous journey.
Example: You fly from Berlin to London with Ryanair, then from London to New York with Delta — on two separate tickets. If your Ryanair flight is delayed and you miss the Delta flight, Delta isn’t responsible, and no flight compensation applies.
Flight Delay, Overbooking and Flight Cancellation Compensation for Self-Transfer Flights
However, you may still be entitled to flight delay, flight overbooking or flight cancellation compensation for the specific disrupted flight, even if you miss your onward self-transfer connection.
For example, if your first flight from Berlin to London with Ryanair was delayed for more than three hours on arrival due to reasons within the airline’s control, you could still claim UK261/EU261 compensation for that delayed flight segment.
In addition, the airline must assist — such as offer meals, refreshments, or accommodation — if the delay requires you to wait for 3+ hours or overnight.
However, it’s important to understand that this compensation and right to care only apply to the disrupted flight itself, not to your entire journey. The airline is not responsible for the cost of your missed onward flight, hotel stays, or any additional expenses caused by missing your connection on a separate booking.
Read more:
- Flight Delay Compensation
- Flight Cancellation Compensation
- Denied Boarding Compensation
- How to Claim Flight Compensation?
- How Much Compensation Can You Claim for Flight Delay in the UK?
Connecting flights vs self-transfer flights. Know the difference because it matters!