What is a Layover?

A layover refers to the time spent between connecting flights, often occurring when passengers have to wait at an airport before continuing their journey to their final destination. This period may sometimes require passengers to stay at a hotel, especially during longer layovers or overnight connections. The context of this definition highlights that a layover is not limited to just waiting in the airport terminal but can extend to accommodations in nearby hotels if the duration warrants it.

This understanding differentiates a layover from other air travel terminology; for instance, boarding refers to the process of getting onto the aircraft and does not pertain to the waiting period. Similarly, refueling is a function related to aircraft operations rather than passenger experiences, and the duration of a flight focuses solely on travel time, not the intervals between flights. Thus, the time spent down-line at a hotel is the most accurate representation of what constitutes a layover.