What does the term connection mean in air travel?

In air travel, the term "connection" specifically refers to the scenario where a traveler moves from one flight to another, typically at an intermediate airport, to reach their final destination. This process often necessitates a change of aircraft, as the initial flight does not land directly at the traveler's end point. Connections are a common aspect of air travel, allowing airlines to offer a broader range of destinations and schedules.

When a traveler has a connection, they may need to disembark from the first flight, navigate through the airport (which may include customs and immigration in international travel), and board a subsequent flight. This system allows airlines to efficiently manage passenger flow across multiple routes and provides customers with access to more destinations than direct flights alone would allow.