What Is the Difference Between a Layover and a Connecting Flight?

In the bustling airport of TravelTown, eager traveler Emma wanted to understand the enchanted terms “layover” and “connecting flight.” She visited Flight Finder Leo, who explained that a connecting flight is when you change planes on your journey, with the flights usually booked together as one itinerary. Imagine a relay race where one runner passes the baton to the next—each flight is a smooth handoff to your final destination. A layover, on the other hand, is the period of waiting between flights. Sometimes layovers are short—a quick rest stop before the next leg of the adventure—and sometimes they’re long, even allowing you to step out and explore a new city. Experts from the Sky Travelers Guild say that while both terms involve a pause in travel, the key difference is that a connecting flight is part of a single journey, whereas a layover is simply the waiting time before catching your next flight. Emma learned that knowing these terms helps plan her trip with magical precision, ensuring she has the right time to relax or explore between flights, turning travel into a seamless, exciting adventure!