What is a self-transfer flight?
What are your rights on self-transfer flights?
A self-transfer flight is when passengers must switch flights or airlines independently, without airline assistance (unlike regular connecting flights). This may include booking separate tickets, handling luggage, and navigating the airport independently.
In this blog post, we’ll outline everything you need to know about self-transfer flights. You’ll discover how to identify them, their advantages and disadvantages, and tips to make your journey safer and more efficient.
What Is a Self-Transfer Flight?
A self-transfer flight is when you, the traveller, are in charge of making your flight connections happen.
For instance, let’s say you book a flight from New York to London with Airline A and then another flight from London to Paris with Airline B. These flights aren’t connected under a single reservation, which means you need to pick up your bags and check in for your next flight on your own.
Choosing a self-transfer flight means more responsibility but can give you more options and possibly save money.
How Do You Know If Your Flight Is a Self-Transfer?
Here are some tips for identifying a self-transfer flight:
You Made Multiple Reservations
This is the simplest method to determine whether you have a self-transfer flight.
If you have booked multiple flights separately, you have a self-transfer.
Separate Booking Numbers
If your trip has different booking numbers or itineraries for each part of the journey, you’re probably dealing with a self-transfer flight.
What about travel booking websites such as Kiwi or Skyscanner?
You booked a trip with Kiwi or Skyscanner. It was a single reservation. It may or may not be a self-transfer flight.
If there are multiple booking numbers, and with each one, you can only access details about one specific flight (when managing your flight online on the airline’s website), these are separate flights – it’s a self-transfer.
Flight booking websites typically show if it’s a self-transfer before you finalise your booking.
Different Airlines
If your journey involves various airlines, there’s a possibility you have a self-transfer flight.
This is particularly true if you booked the flight through a travel booking website instead of directly with the airline.
Try to search for your flight on the individual websites of these airlines. If you cannot view both flights on any of the websites, then it’s likely a self-transfer. In this scenario, each website will only display information about the flight operated by that airline.
Whenever you are unsure, reach out to the company where you purchased your ticket.
Different Airports
What if one flight arrives at one airport, but the other flight leaves from a different airport?
There’s a 99% chance that you have a self-transfer.
Regular connecting flights rarely involve moving between different airports.
Read more: Lufthansa Missed Connection Compensation (only for regular connecting flights)
What is a self-transfer flight? A self-transfer flight, also known as a self-connecting flight or DIY connecting flight, is a type of itinerary that involves booking separate flights with different airlines in order to reach your final destination. This means that you will have to collect your luggage and check-in for each individual flight separately. Self-transfer flights are often chosen by travelers who want to save money on their airfare or who want to customize their travel plans.
Is Self-Transfer Safe, and How To Make it Safer?
Self-transfer flights are usually safe, but it’s important to know about specific risks.
Here’s how to cut down on those risks.
Allow Extra Time
Giving yourself more time between your flights can save you trouble if there are delays.
Try to have at least three or four hours between flights to handle unexpected issues like long lines at customs.
It’s wise to have extra time if you’re travelling with checked luggage.
Research Airports
Get to know the airports where you’ll be stopping over.
Understanding the layout, the distances between terminals, and what services are on offer can save you time and make your layover less stressful.
Or, just be super efficient when you land – and go straight to the next flight.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help you feel at ease.
If you miss a connection due to flight delays or cancellations, your insurance could cover the costs of rebooking flights, hotel stays, or other expenses.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Transfer Flights
Self-transfer flights can bring both benefits and drawbacks.
Here’s what you need to think about:
Advantages
- Savings on costs. Often, booking separate flights can be cheaper than booking a single connecting flight. Sometimes, the savings can be quite substantial.
- More flexibility. Self-transfer flights provide greater flexibility in choosing departure times, airlines, and even layover cities. This allows for quick city visits during longer layovers and offers more variety in travel destinations.
- More options. You aren’t restricted to one airline’s schedule or routes. This is particularly useful for accessing smaller or more distant destinations.
Disadvantages
- Increased responsibility. The task of managing your flight connections is solely up to you. Missing a connection can result in extra expenses and stress.
- No airline assistance. With self-transfer flights, you usually don’t receive any help if you miss a flight due to delays or cancellations. You won’t be booked on a new flight for free if you miss your connection.
- Baggage handling. You will have to pick up and recheck your luggage, which can take a lot of time.
- Visa. If you have a self-transfer, you may require a visa. On a self-transfer flight, you must go through passport control (i.e., “enter the country”) to collect luggage and check in for your next flight. Another scenario is when the self-transfer flight includes changing airports within the same city or country. For instance, flying into one airport and then catching a separate flight from another airport may necessitate a visa to access that city or country to reach the second airport.
What Happens if You Miss Your Self-Transfer Flight?
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide:
1. Rebook Flights
Go to the customer service desk of the airline you missed.
They might help you get on the next flight.
Most of the time, you will need to pay the full price.
Booking last minute can be very costly.
2. Find a Place to Stay
If it’s not possible to book another flight on the same day, you can arrange hotel accommodation.
Airports usually have hotels nearby with rates for day use, specifically for travellers who are stranded. Remember that the airlines won’t assist you with this.
3. Remain Calm
Stay calm and figure out your options.
Stress can make things harder, so take a moment to breathe deeply and tackle the situation step by step.
4. Understand Your Rights
Remember that even though your connection might not be secure, you still have passenger rights for each flight separately. If your flight gets delayed or cancelled, you often have the right to receive compensation.
If you have to wait a long time at the airport, you have a right to care.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with your rights and take action accordingly (contact the airline if they haven’t reached out to you). Refer to the guides linked below for more details on your rights.
Read more:
- Lufthansa Self-Transfer Flight Compensation
- Lufthansa — Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight: Who Will Pay Compensation?
- Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation
- Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation
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