Layover Flights Explained: Everything You Should Know

When you’re travelling a long distance between destinations, or between different airlines, you might need to take a layover flight. That means taking a pause on route for up to 24 hours before you change planes.

But, how does a layover flight work in practice? What about stopover flights? What happens with customs, and where should you stay before your next connection?

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about layovers, stopovers, and what’s expected from you during your journey’s pause. 

Layover flight definition

A layover flight is a short pause on longer or non-direct plane journeys. It essentially means you need to change planes on route - you’ll have to make a connecting flight so you can reach your destination.

For example, if you are travelling from London to Johannesburg, you may need to book a layover flight that pauses your journey in, say, Rome or Cairo. Either way, you’ll need to grab an eSIM for Africa and be ready to stop a little while before you move on again.

Generally, the term “layover” is used to describe intermittent breaks in flights that last for up to 24 hours. In many cases, these breaks are much shorter. And, you usually won’t have to go through the customs process again if you stay on-site at your connecting airport.

We all love a direct flight, but sometimes, it’s just not possible. Layovers can mean taking extra time out of your schedule or even delaying when you arrive at the other end.

That said, UK Department for Transport research from a few years ago suggests that around 13% of business travellers heading abroad made one or more connecting flights on average. While layover flights may not always be convenient, they are frequently more affordable than direct flights.

Booking a layover is like taking an intermission between flights. In many cases, you’ll have the opportunity to explore an airport lounge’s facilities, with many major ports offering entertainment and sleeping pods.

If you’re on layover in France or Switzerland, for example, it might be a great opportunity to use a SIMOVO eSIM for Europe to catch up on some streaming!

Stopover flight explained

Stopover flights are usually much longer than layovers and allow you to book accommodation to sleep before your connection takes off. This will usually be the case if, say, you have a layover of 24 hours, though what services are available to you will depend on the airline you book with.

Stopovers tend to be more expensive because they’re usually charged additionally to typical flights. It does, at least, mean you can leave the airport and explore the local area for a while, though that comes with a caveat of having to go through customs again. 

And, with immigration and customs wait times into the US, for example, likely to be anywhere between five and 32 minutes, it's an extra hassle you’ll need to plan into your day.

What’s also worth keeping in mind is your eSIM. If you purchase an eSIM for the Middle East but have a stopover further east into Asia, you may not be covered for data during the break (unless you’re on a global package).

In which case, if you know exactly where you’re travelling on stopover and would prefer not to get a global eSIM, you’d need to purchase and load up an eSIM for Asia, too. The good news is that SIMOVO’s eSIMs leap into action as soon as you land in a designated country or region!

Key differences between layovers and stopovers

Now you know the basic definitions of layover and stopover flights, let’s break down some key differences between them in a quick table.

What to do during a flight layover

Flight layovers can give you a chance to explore either local facilities or the wider area, rest, catch up on movies or shows, or even work if you’re on business time.

You could:

• Use airport lounges with shower facilities to freshen up
• Rest a while in a sleeping pod
• Work on your laptop while waiting for your connection (e.g., if your layover is in Brazil, use an eSIM for South America for max security)
• Go shopping in airport lounges with malls attached
• Go see a movie in an airport with cinemas/theaters
• Take a walk or two to get your blood flowing and combat DVT
• Explore the local city and book into a hotel if you’re on a stopover
• Relax in the lounge and catch up on movies, streams and more (with an eSIM with unlimited data - don’t always trust public WiFi!)

Remember, however, that the time you’ll have available on a layover flight will vary depending on the airline you book with, the size of the airport, and the type of connection you’re making (e.g., if it’s domestic or international). So, be sure to plan your entertainment ahead of time!

Common types of layover flights

You’ll typically find there are three types of layover flights:

• International, where your starting, layover, or final destination points are based overseas. This usually means you’ll need to head through customs.
• Domestic, where your flights will take place within your home country. You won’t normally need to go through customs if this is the case.
• Self-transfers, which you can build yourself. This means that you can effectively book two flights and manage your own connections. You’ve got more control, but you’re likely to go through baggage and customs checks more than once.

Important things to consider when booking layover flights

While we’ve made it sound relatively simple to arrange layover and stopover flights, there are still a few important points to consider before you book and fly.

• Always ensure you have enough time to comfortably and physically make your connections and to pass through customs
• Keep plenty of clothing, medications, and toiletries you need on hand
• Make sure you have an eSIM to cover you for the data you’ll use while on break (for example, if you’re travelling to Australia, it’s worth getting an eSIM for Oceania so your internet use is already paid for) 
• Check the flight policies of each connection, because what you can carry on, for example, may differ from flight to flight
• Make sure you have visa coverage for the country you are breaking in - even for short stays, you may need official documentation

Layovers and stopovers don’t have to be a hassle! Provided you have your data covered before you go (e.g., with an eSIM for North America if you’re visiting Canada), you’ll have plenty of time to keep yourself entertained.