Glossary
Definition: Minimum connection time (MCT) is the shortest legally permitted time between connecting flights at an airport, set by aviation authorities based on the airport’s layout, terminal configuration, and security requirements.
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Term at a glance
| Term | Minimum Connection Time |
|---|---|
| One-liner | Minimum connection time (MCT) is the shortest legally permitted time between connecting flights at an airport, set by aviation authorities based on the airport’s layout, terminal… |
| Where it matters | Premium-cabin booking decisions, fare-rules interpretation, airline-product comparison. |
| Related concepts | Layover · Hub Airport · Fast Track · Interline · Transit |
| Last verified | 2026-05-07 |
MCTs vary significantly between airports and connection types. A domestic-to-domestic connection at a small airport might require only 30–45 minutes, while an international-to-international connection at a large hub like London Heathrow might require 90–120 minutes or more.
Factors affecting MCT include: terminal layout and distance between gates, whether customs/immigration clearance is required, security re-screening requirements, and whether a bus or train is needed between terminals. Airlines and GDS systems enforce MCTs — you cannot book a connection shorter than the published MCT.
For business class travellers, fast track security and priority immigration help make tight connections more comfortable, but the MCT still applies. BookMyBusinessClass agents consider MCTs when building itineraries, typically recommending connections 30–60 minutes above the minimum to provide a comfortable buffer for lounge visits and unexpected delays.
In booking practice
At a Glance
| Term | Quick definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage Run | A mileage run is a flight taken primarily to earn frequent flyer miles or qualifying segments to achieve or… | Read |
| Montreal Convention | The Montreal Convention is an international treaty governing airline liability for passenger injury, death,… | Read |
| Mileage Pool | An arrangement under which two or more frequent-flyer programmes share a single mileage currency, allowing… | Read |
| Multi-City Itinerary | A multi-city itinerary is a flight booking that includes segments to multiple destinations in a single… | Read |
| Marketing Carrier | The marketing carrier is the airline whose flight number and brand appear on your ticket in a codeshare… | Read |
| Narrow-Body Aircraft | A narrow-body aircraft (also called a single-aisle aircraft) is a smaller passenger airplane with one central… | Read |
Related Terms
A mileage run is a flight taken primarily to earn frequent flyer miles or qualifying segments to achieve or maintain elite status, rather than for the destination itself.
The Montreal Convention is an international treaty governing airline liability for passenger injury, death, baggage damage or loss, and flight delays on international air travel, setting maximum compensation limits.
An arrangement under which two or more frequent-flyer programmes share a single mileage currency, allowing balances to be transferred between accounts at parity (1:1) and redeemed through any participating programme's booking system. The Avios pool (BAEC, Iberia Plus, AerClub, Qatar Privilege Club) is the most prominent mileage pool in operation as of 2026.
A multi-city itinerary is a flight booking that includes segments to multiple destinations in a single ticket, allowing travellers to visit several cities without backtracking or purchasing separate tickets.
The marketing carrier is the airline whose flight number and brand appear on your ticket in a codeshare arrangement, which may be different from the operating carrier that actually operates the aircraft.
A narrow-body aircraft (also called a single-aisle aircraft) is a smaller passenger airplane with one central aisle, typically used for short-haul and domestic flights, seating 100–240 passengers.
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