What are people's experience of trips requiring layover (or connecting) flights when there is no direct flight to or from their destination?

[CatConcerns]

I'm in the early stages of trying to plan a holiday to Japan. It won't happen for at least another year. It is my understanding that the only direct flights to Tokyo from the UK are from Heathrow. I assume this is also the case for other long-haul destinations. In my case, I live on the other side of the country from Heathrow, so I would be traveling from Manchester Airport. The only flights to Japan from MCR are non-direct, or connecting flights. I've also seen them referred to as "layover flights". For example, there are flights that go from MCR to Dubai, then you get off the plane at DXB and board another plane onwards to Tokyo Haneda.

I would personally much prefer to have a direct flight without needing to change planes, just as I do when travelling on trains, but that wouldn't be possible due to my geographic location. I've only ever been to destinations where the departure and return flights were direct flights. I am wondering if anyone on MN has experience of trips where they have needed to change flights on a journey (whether on the departure flight, return flight, or both). What do you do in the airport while waiting for the next onward flight? I was looking at the layover flights on Skyscanner, and there is around a 10-hour wait at the airport between arriving in DXB and the arrival of the next onward flight to Tokyo. I'd have some anxiety about things possibly going wrong during the changeover. I know things can go wrong with direct flights, but I've got this idea in my head that adding extra flights to the equation increase the chances of things going wrong - especially if the flights are with different airlines.

I'm aware that this is all moot at the moment with the current events taking place in the Middle East, but I'd like to know in the hope that things will calm down a bit by next year, and air travel in that area will return to some level of normalcy.

book as one ticket with a connection rather than two separate flights. Ideally with the same airline so less politics as to who is responsible if anything does go wrong. 10 hours is a long time, is there nothing with a shorter connection time? if it's overnight you could book an airport hotel or some offer day time rooms at airport locations.

I’d prefer to travel from Manchester to Heathrow and travel direct than have a 10 hour layover which realistically just delays your holiday starting.

I also tend to prefer direct flights but it’s not always possible.

As long as you book a through ticket then it shouldn’t be too much of an issue - there’s generally a transfer desk at airports who can help if anything goes wrong (although I’ve never had anything go wrong). In airports I tend to just find where the next flight is going from - no different from hanging around in any airport.

Although I’d be tempted in your case to just book a flight or train to Heathrow the day before and go from there direct.

Changing to connecting flights is no issue at all - the flight is treated as one and your baggage gets transferred automatically. The airline takes responsibility for any delays / missed connections because they have sold you the flight as one journey .

This is different from getting two individual flights. e.g if you took Easy Jet to Paris and then took another flight from Paris to Marseille - because these flights are single journeys - called 'point to point' flights.

Personally I would not want to do a flight with a 10 hour layover. Who wants to wait that long in an airport, or pay for accommodation? I would rather travel to London for a direct flight.

If you are changing between connecting flights you stay airside and check which gate your onward flight departs from. Your cabin crew can help you. If there is a very short changeover staff have been known to escort you there.

Flown twice to Japan from Manchester.. one time changed in Munich, the other in Doha. No issues either time but am careful to ensure around 3 hours between flights and always book with same carrier

I looked up the flights on Skyscanner and all the connecting flights I found had a layover of between 9-10 hours. I'll take another look though. Getting a train to Heathrow from up North with several bags of luggage sounds like a bit of a logistical nightmare, not to mention adding quite substantially to the cost of the trip.

I think there's pros and cons to both options - neither are ideal, but I'll have to choose between them if I really want to go to Japan (and I very much do).

If you would prefer a direct flight, getting the train to London, then the tube to Heathrow isn't too much hassle.

Can you come down to London first and stay overnight and then take a flight direct from London? I had connecting flights which went horrible wrong because the first leg was delayed by six hours that meant our connecting flight was gone and we had to stay overnight. It wasn't a disaster but it cost us half a day of our holiday.

Other times it worked perfectly well and we had a layover of 3 to 4 hours. It's is not something I absolutely love and I would choose the airport I'm having a little look quite carefully.

For example, Singapore airport is quite well for a long one because it has lots to do and you can really relax. If you have a really long layover, I would be tempted to see if the airport has a hotel or at least a room you can rent instead of just sitting somewhere and spending a fortune on coffees. For example, Amsterdam has a hotel air site travellers can get without needing to leave and go through customs so not having a visa is not a problem.

Speak to someone like Trailfinders and see if there is anywhere interesting you can change and spend a day or so there. They are really experienced at looking at travel from lots of different options.
I did it from Mcr to Brisbane via Singapore and I'm really glad I did. I had two days exploring Singapore which was fab, and it wasn't actually any more expensive re the flight as I was travelling one leg on a quiet day. Had to obvs pay for the Singapore hotel and stuff I did there, but I got to enjoy another country, it was lovely and tropical, and helped with my jetlag.

You don’t have to fly from LHR, you know. Look at anywhere you can fly from Manchester that has onward flights to Tokyo.

We are flying from London Stansted airport to Japan with a short (3 hour)stop in Dubai. Just waiting to hear if we will be rerouted though.

I have flown a few times with breaks in the journey, (sometimes because it’s very much cheaper to do that) and it has always worked well. Baggage gets transferred automatically so no issues.

Probably a good idea to reassess the luggage you are planning to take as I imagine you will want to take trains and public transport in Japan. I've done lots of independent solo travel and it is much easier to limit yourself to a backpack (or small wheelie suitcase) and a small carry on bag.

For Japan from Manchester look at prices via Helsinki, you go over the pole so it’s quicker than via the Middle East and less war like!

I live in Scotland and a good few years ago now I went to Alaska but the best flights were out of Heathrow. I flew with BA from Aberdeen to Heathrow and had a couple of hours there for lunch etc before getting my flight from Heathrow to Seattle (I then spent a few hours in SEATAC before my Alaskan Airlines flight up to Juneau). My luggage was transferred all the way to Seattle so I didn’t have that hassle in Heathrow (BA apparently couldn’t transfer it to Alaskan but on the way back it was easier as Alaskan were able to transfer it to BA for me).

Could you fly from Manchester to Heathrow first like that? It definitely sounds easier than a train anyway and hopefully easier than a 10 hour flight somewhere random.

I would rather have a day or so layover in another country tbh. I could not bear to be travelling/waiting for hours at airports.

Try KLM and AirFrance - both have connections from MAN at Amsterdam / Paris that are much shorter than what you've found on Skyscanner. Qatar airways via Doha looks better too.

I don't have any direct options from where I live (up North like you) to my home country, so I always have to transit somewhere unless I get the train to London. You just buy it on a single ticket, your luggage goes through to the end destination, you stay airside at the transit airport. Generally I find 3-4 hours a sweet spot, long enough that even with moderate delays you have time to make your connection, but not so long that you're going stir-crazy with the waiting.

I actually quite like breaking my journey halfway as I get to properly walk around and stretch my legs, mooch around the airport, eat a proper meal if I want. Some airports have semi-lounger-type seats so I can stretch out, put my feet up, have a little nap. I arrive feeling much better than from a long single direct flight.

Downsides: Severe delays can mean you miss your connection (although the airline will be responsible for accommodating and rerouting you), sometimes your luggage can get lost (looking at you, KLM at Schiphol several times already).

The cheaper flights tend to have the crappest connections ie the longer layover. So if you’re on a budget then that tends to be the cheapest option.

I would definitely prefer to travel in the UK for a direct flight.

Make sure that you pack basics in your hand luggage as there is more risk of luggage getting lost or delayed on a connecting flight! (It’s extremely hard to find generous knickers and sun cream South America on a Sunday!)

Oh yes, very good point! I always have a minimal basic change of clothes in my hand luggage. (Would also do the same for a direct flight, to be fair)

and airtag (or equivalent) your hold bags in case they don't arrive at your destination (to be fair to KLM I had a luggage miracle at Schipol after a missed flight connection and rerouting @RasaSayangEh )

I wouldn't want to do a 9hr layover.

Last year we went Manchester to Tokyo with a 2 (ish) hr stop in Abu Dhabi. That was booked as one flight through Etihad. The 2 hours was fine, no need to faff with luggage and enough time to get fleeced a drink, a bite to eat and stretch the legs.

This year we're going via Helsinki with Finn Air.

If it’s a 10 hour layover would you not be better getting a train from Manchester to Euston and then the Heathrow express and getting a direct flight from there? Might be cheaper too. Dd lives in Manchester and frequently gets a train to Heathrow for a direct flight to Canada.

I do layovers pretty much every time I fly, due to living somewhere a bit off the main flying routes. Try to book it as a connection rather than as two separate flights. It means that if you miss your connection, then you will be transferred to another flight. If you miss your connection and it wasn't in the same booking, then that is your tough luck. Saying that, I think I have missed my connection a handfull of times in decades of regular flying. It isn't a common issue. What you do is read a book, watch things on your phone, eat some food, wander about the shops in the departure lounge until your next flight goes.

I agree with everyone who says a 9-10 hour layover is madness. If they really are all that long from MAN, I would rather just fly from LHR.